Terriorial dispute

Actually a dog is a good idea. A puppy will grow up with your cat and, providing you make sure puppy is taught to respect puss from the word go, it would be the perfect solution. It doesn't even have to be a terrier. Our Lhasa had a cat as a mate but wouldn't tolerate other felines in his garden.

I should have said we are plagued with cats since our terrier died but we won't get another one now.

But what if Happygardener's cat hates the terrier or vice versa?

I agree, terriers are brilliant at keeping cats out of the garden. We are plagued with cats from all round the neighbourhood spraying in our garden and catching birds. I might look for some of those rubber spikes, thanks Cherrytree.

I think you have to let your cat out into your own garden and mark his territory again but try to keep him in there and others out.

The DGD's cat was just bitten by a bully and had to have anti-biotics; she is usually quite feisty but came off worse.

Get a terrier, he defends all territory and cats hate them - he can be made to understand that his house mate is off limits!

Oh dear! I think you know the answer to this but are worried he'll get beaten up again.

A cat has to do what a cat has to do!

Poor old puss. I do hope you can find a way for him to regain 'his' garden.

Hi * happygardener*
pets are worry.
By your GN name would I be right in thinking you have a garden of your own?
If so what type of boundary do have?
If it is a wooden fence you can buy rubber spike things that fit on top of the fence.
This would hopefully deter any cats into your garden and maybe help to keep your cat in the garden
I couple of years ago I inherited my late fathers two cats (brothers 11yrs) they had no territory other than our garden.
The one has had stroke so I have to keep him in the garden,
The other goes off but only for a short time as I only let them out before they are fed.
So the healthy one does not venture far.
In the late afternoon they go out again before their meal.
If I stay the garden I have found that are both happy to be in the garden. They play happily with ping pong balls.
This is all a far cry from their previous life with my father
So perhaps it is possible to try different routine with your cat.
Good luck

If things are really bad can you make him an outside run so that he goes out but is safe?

Think on balance if it's a short life but a happy one that's better than a long unhappy one. Unfortunately it's a fact of life that cats fight, ours does and one of my daughter's cats has just had antibiotics for an infected bite.
Not sure there is much you can do to prevent this happening if he goes out. It's as bad as having children isn't it.