I don't have a garage, only a carport, and my neighbor's cat loves to lie on my ragtop and of course claw at it. I have a cover, but of course the cat's claws tear right through it. Any advice on how I can make my car unappealing to the cat? Thanks!

get a dog

shoot the dam thing!

Just leave a little coolant out for it. Eventually the cat will leave your car alone.

If you aren't trying to poison the cat, I'd suggest stopping by petmart and getting one of the many "cat-off" formulations - like tea-tree oil. They have no odor and won't leave a mark and will dissuade most cats. Not an expensive experiment. I've got a vert and a garage and a neighborhood cat comes in to sing to my cat - particularly when its cold and it likes the warm engine. It doesn't touch the top but leaves tiny footprints in any dust on the car.

Peter

Thanks Peter, will do! No, I certainly don't want to poison the cat, just don't want him wrecking my car.

the cat could have an unfortunate accident with another part of your car...

(hint = http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:rufyWga2KAlzAM:http://www.cartype.com/images/thumbs/1/BMW_m-coupe_front1.jpg) whoops... :shifty

Throw a cat bed on the roof so it will sit on that. I have parked my car at an indoor airport garage 2x now and each time a cat has found my roof and slept on it.

+1 on the antifreeze. If you own a pet, control it.

I ended up buying a furniture pad (the kind used to wrap furniture when moving...about $15) to deal with the cat problem. Still use my car cover but then throw the pad over the roof as an added anti-cat claw device. Wifes cat...if I killed it, I'll never hear the end of it.

Cats don't like pepper. Maybe you should try and put some pepper on (like in the salt form, not the real plant). They use it when cats pee inside the house on the same spot.
You should know that when your top folds in the compartment, the pepper will spread also into the headliner.
Maybe a pepper solution with water?

Get the hose. Seriously.

I have two cats, and my method of discipline is water. I have a spray bottle and I spray them when they do something bad, and it works great. It doesn't hurt them, just shocks them. Cats hate water. They are very smart animals. They will put two and two together. I climb the curtains, I get sprayed with water. I probably shouldn't climb the curtains.

It may take a couple of times, but when you see the little bastard perched up there, blast him with the hose. After doing this once or twice, he will get the hint and will steer clear of your roof.

If your neighbor sees you do this, and they get mad at you, blast them with the hose as well. They too will get the hint. :)

When I had a horse farm I would put a rubber snake on my roof when I parked and it kept the cats off!! Worked for me!! Vet told me!!:redspot

my freinds cat does the same to mine. i only go there when i have too or i bring my car cover. that is my solution "car cover"

Thanks for the great ideas everyone! LOL to the ones involving destroying the cat :rolleyes. I do have a cover, but the cat claws through it plus I'm not keen on a 10lb cat pushing down on my soft top. Love the rubber snake idea, but how do you keep it from getting knocked off? I tried the hose trick at my old house with a different cat but all that accomplished was the cat learning to skidaddle when she saw me coming. Didn't keep her off the car in the first place :( The pepper idea might work well with lacing the cover with hot sauce instead of ground pepper. For now I'm trying the tea tree oil. Haven't even seen the cat in a couple of days, maybe it's really working ;)

Well I'm very interested to find out what works. My cat also knows to run like hell if she hear me coming towards the car (she's been sprayed with water several times). Most annoying thing is if she gets up there while the cars uncovered, she leaves a nice little scattering of cats hairs everywhere.

same issue with 2 verts- i've stuck with the pet training sprays/ repellants, this seems to work fairly well but you have to spray cover regularly - 2 days or so. back up is a bb gun, after a couple of good shots do they ever take the fuk off when they see me comming! there are electronic pet repellant devices on the market- ultrasonic approach with motion sensors to detect the critters jumping on you vert. Good luck.

Antifreeze....

Thanks for the great ideas everyone! LOL to the ones involving destroying the cat :rolleyes. I do have a cover, but the cat claws through it plus I'm not keen on a 10lb cat pushing down on my soft top. Love the rubber snake idea, but how do you keep it from getting knocked off? I tried the hose trick at my old house with a different cat but all that accomplished was the cat learning to skidaddle when she saw me coming. Didn't keep her off the car in the first place :( The pepper idea might work well with lacing the cover with hot sauce instead of ground pepper. For now I'm trying the tea tree oil. Haven't even seen the cat in a couple of days, maybe it's really working ;)

The one I used was about 15 inches long and it was coiled in a s shape!!:redspot

When I had a horse farm I would put a rubber snake on my roof when I parked and it kept the cats off!! Worked for me!! Vet told me!!:redspot
+1 - I am trying this when weater is warm.

Well I'm very interested to find out what works. My cat also knows to run like hell if she hear me coming towards the car (she's been sprayed with water several times). Most annoying thing is if she gets up there while the cars uncovered, she leaves a nice little scattering of cats hairs everywhere.To get the cat hairs off the soft top I use those sticky-tape lint rollers. Works fairly well, not perfect.

I dont know how your keeping nice about it, I would be very upset and I know for sure eventually that cat would get hurt...................BADLY.

3 options:

#1
When your cars cooling system decides to fail, make sure to invite the cat over for the clean up party.

#2
Talk to your neighbors and let them know that they will be responsible for the damages because they are not being responsible pet owners.

#3
Check local pet stores for pet deterrents, they work but you do need to apply them fairly often and make sure they don't stain your top. My brother has two cats and he sprays his potted plants to keep them to keep the cats from digging them up all over the carpet. Maybe share the cost with your neighbors.

replace the top and give the bill to your neighbor

Get the cat declawed and give the neighbors the bill.

Ok, it won't take long for a cat to rip a hole in a canvas top and that ain't a cheap repair. First, get that top protected and then figure out what will keep it away. Sorry cowboys, you can't kill it. If you get caught, it'll cost you a lot more than a new top ($) if you come before some PETA loving judge... and, there's more than one cat checking out your car. One or more of these legit suggestions will work.

I don't have a garage, only a carport, and my neighbor's cat loves to lie on my ragtop and of course claw at it. I have a cover, but of course the cat's claws tear right through it. Any advice on how I can make my car unappealing to the cat? Thanks!

shot gun!

I don't have a garage, only a carport, and my neighbor's cat loves to lie on my ragtop and of course claw at it. I have a cover, but of course the cat's claws tear right through it. Any advice on how I can make my car unappealing to the cat? Thanks!

seriously though. Been told cats don't like back pepper (as in salt n pepper)

Sorry cowboys, you can't kill it. If you get caught, it'll cost you a lot more...

I don't think antifreeze works that fast. How are they going to prove that it was you?

MAJIC!!!!:stickoutt