Keeping the neighbours cats off my car!

Posted by: Michael Dale on 05 August 2005

Hi folks,

I'm asking for some advice. My neighbours have got two cats recently. The cats love sitting on our black VW Passat which is parked in the yard to the rear of the house (we have no garage, and there is no room to build one). The problem is the damage which is being inflicted on the paint work by the claws and the dirt on the cats paws. Also my little Bertone X1/9 is coming back from the paint shop next week so I hope to figure this out before then.

I wondered if any of you had tried the plug in ultra sonic type gadgets, which apparently drive the cats mad/away with high frequencies. They can be set like an outside security light with an infra red sensor, so the high pitch torture (maybe I should try playing Scissor Sisters!) only kicks in when they get too near.

I don't wish to scare the neighbours cats away from their home or cause them harm, which is why I have come to ask the good people of this forum (previous attempts to get serious answers from friends and colleagues have been futile, I'll spare you the details!).

I wonder if there is a car polish which has an aroma (rottweiler?) which the cats would find unsavoury...

Any ideas?

Best wishes,

Mickey
Posted on: 08 August 2005 by Sir Crispin Cupcake
I once had a problem keeping my car off the neighbour's cat!
Posted on: 08 August 2005 by GML
Once you have removed the cat from the car you can transport it in this new cat carrier

Make sure it's nice and tight though.
Posted on: 08 August 2005 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
Michael;

I've used a high frequency emitting device for some time, to positive effect.

Mains powered; it permanently emits a choice of three selectable high frequencies, depending on the size of creature, one wishes to deter.

I haven't had a cat on my car, since I've had it.

John.



...and the bloody thing takes my head off whenever I walk up to his front door (which it's next to).

I've got in the habit of knocking on the door, then retreating up the drive until the door opens, then hurrying in.

No wonder the cats don't go near it.

I think the device is now set on it's medium setting, but even on it's highest (25KHz?) it was still quite audible. I guess it must kick out a sub-harmonic at 12.5KHz, or something.

Apparently, most people don't even hear it, though. Weird.

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 09 August 2005 by Derek Wright
Martin -

"Most people don't even hear it, though. Weird."

Not really - you have an obsessive compulsive hearing complaint that causes you to spend inordinate amounts of money on HiFi. I can sympathise as I also suffer from a very similar complaint. <g>

What is more surprising is that John N cannot detect the sound.

Many years ago I did some very informal hearing frequency tests on some friends, the ones that that had limited high frequency hearing also had no interest in listening to decently reproduced music.
Posted on: 09 August 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by Derek Wright:


Many years ago I did some very informal hearing frequency tests on some friends, the ones that that had limited high frequency hearing also had no interest in listening to decently reproduced music.


Well that rules out most of the population over 40 then. Thank god for subwoofers! Winker
Posted on: 09 August 2005 by Derek Wright
Nime - the tests were on younger people - I think that once one has been afflicted with the obsessive hearing complaint one is stuck with it for a long time - long after the ability to hear bats chirruping etc
Posted on: 09 August 2005 by Nime
Well I'm as deaf as a bat. But I can still hear the little buggers. Perhaps they just shout a bit louder when I'm around? Smile
Posted on: 09 August 2005 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Derek Wright:
"Most people don't even hear it, though. Weird."

...What is more surprising is that John N cannot detect the sound.



Oops, sorry - didn't mean to imply that. He hears it plainly, too.

I am also plagued by my PC's 21" monitor at work. I were an earplug in my right ear at work to avoid getting earache within 5-10 mins of sitting at my desk. Noone else in the office can hear it, and changing for another model (both Sony) didn't help. There's probably some unavoidable frequency generated by 1600x1200@85Hz.



Most Naimites seem to be able to hear the cat-scarer, so I have long suspected that much of the reason we're into this stuff is because we hear the differences more clearly than mere mortals.

This, even though my hearing is nothing like what it was before a particularly painful concert.

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 10 August 2005 by okyknot
Pepper on the hood of your car perhaps? Winker
Posted on: 10 August 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by okyknot:

Pepper on the hood of your car perhaps? Winker


Dogh! Another candidate for the Darwin Awards. Roll Eyes <spit>
Posted on: 14 August 2005 by Stephen Bennett
quote:
Originally posted by Michael Dale:
Hi folks,

I'm asking for some advice. My neighbours have got two cats recently. The cats love sitting on our black VW Passat which is parked in the yard to the rear of the house


Mickey

It's nice to see you still have the X1/9. I've got a Toyota MR-2 MK3 now with a soft-top and Bailey loves sitting on it. But as he weighs a ton it's starting to sag, so I need to sort something out too!

I wouldn't worry about the Exxey though - I had mine resprayed and none of my cats caused any damage - and the Targa is impervious to fat cats!

PS: I need an in-car device as I can't use a 'general' one - I want my cats to come home!

Regards

Stephen
Posted on: 14 August 2005 by Willy
Should you feel the need to get a little practice in beforehand....

http://www.richsalter.btinternet.co.uk/cks2/index.html


Willy.