Invading Cats! :O

Charliebonce

This last week, cats have been arriving in our garden, sniffing around and (if he's there) staring down our own cat, Squirrel. I was unworried when ONE cat arrived, but since we've had 4 visits from 2 different cats. The grass here is rather long and the cats (and Squirrel) have been sniffing it and jumping around in it, leading me to wonder if there's a mouse/vole/rodent(s) of some kind living in it. We do have a few overgrown bushes around the outskirts, where we've had a hedgehog hibernate for the past few winters.
Also, we have a dog named Heidi. Whenever the cats have been there, I or my mother have chased them away, but today, while I was standing outside, watching another cat to see what it was doing, Heidi came out through the back door and chased off the cat. I wasn't too fazed by this, as she stayed away from Squirrel (who was sitting cautiously nearby). However, a few minutes ago another cat came into the garden when Squirrel was there. I was about to run over to it, when Heidi rushes out, growling (but oddly, wagging her tail) and barking until it runs off. I shrugged and was about to go back in, when she turned around and went after Squirrel. Both me and my mum yelled no at her and she came back. However, the cat stayed at the end of the garden and I shooed it away.

So, my questions are:
1) Why are the cats coming? Our cat and dog are both spayed/castrated.
2) How can I investigate to see if there is a rodent issue?
3) If there are rodents in the grass, what should I do? (I'd prefer to be humane) Should I leave them or get rid of them?
4) I'm pretty sure that we should discourage Heidi's behaviour, but how exactly? We were going to try putting her lead on every time a cat was in the garden, but as both me and my mum have dyspraxia (bad hand-eye co-ordination) this is a little inconvienient.
5) How can I stop the cats coming into the garden? Without weirding out Squirrel and Heidi?

Oh yeah, probably a coincidence buut..;
Squirrel turned 9 on Sunday
None of the 3 cats have collars

shadylady

the cats are most probably coming because they find your overgrown garden a pleasure to be in lol they r secluded from the rest off the world lol or they might be strays lookin for somewhere to go, ask your neighbours whether they have had trouble wid stray cats in their gardens.. and if this is the case phone a local rescue or put adverts up to find thier owners..
also if there where rodents in your grass you would of found remains by now or you would of noticed them i suppose..

i think you should leave heidi to guard your garden as long as shes not litterally tearin the moggies apart am sure theres no harm done and she gets them of your property, my dog chases some cats that come on my property but surprisingly she doesnt chase my three cats..
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Charliebonce

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I have decided to ask our neighbours later if they've had any problems with cats later today, when they get back from work. I think you may be right about them being strays.

We have had vole skeletons, half-dead mice etc. in our garden, but Squirrel's always brought mice to the front door, so I just assumed he was doing it. The length of the grass (up to my knees, lol) doesn't let me see whether there are mice in it without digging around in it.

I'm not particularly worried about her chasing cats, just not OUR cat.This has only happened once, but I want to try and prevent it from happening again...

sambo

So sorry but it has to be said haven't you thought of cutting the grass lol Laughing

Seriously though when my grass is getting a bit long i have my 2 cats and there gang on mine but once i've cut it they dissapear.

Could well be that you have mice but as soon as you start revving that mower i'm sure they will find a new home.
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