148 Chapter 10from sitting on the tops of walls, fences or other tall structures can therefore help
your cat to feel less threatened. This may be achieved by placing pot plants or
similar along the tops of walls or fences or by erecting wooden trellis or more
purpose-made ‘cat deterrent’ fencing along the top of the wall or fence; however,
do not use anything that may potentially cause pain or injury.
● Also avoid terracing in the garden, especially around the periphery because this
can provide another area for your cat’s rivals to position themselves in an elevated
area and so be more of a threat to your cat.
● Using evergreen bushy plants and large items such as garden furniture, orna-
ments, outdoor cat trees, or even children’s play structures can provide places in
the garden for the cat to hide and/or get up high, and so help to increase his sense
of security.
● Placing low bushy plants near to the outside of your cat’s regular exit point from
the house can also provide an area from where he can hide and assess his sur-
roundings before venturing further.
Real or perceived threats from outside when your cat is indoors
Even exclusively indoor cats can feel threatened by neighbouring cats if the
other cats are able to enter the house or can be seen through windows or glass
doors (Fig. 10.4).
Fig. 10.4. Seeing other cats through a window can also be stressful for many cats.