Hi,

We've had our cat for about 4 weeks now. In that time we've had no toilet training related problems. Indeed, on his first day he took to the litter tray we placed in 'his' room (for the first day) and which has remained in the same place, like a veteran user. He knew what it was foor immediately.

Since the weekend however, we've had problems. We've found cat poo twice now. Last Saturday night on the front room carpet (after a day out) and this evening after a day at work at the top of the stairs in the hall (near where our cat sleeps). Now, I don't want to jump to conclusions (although I already have), but we've noticed a larger black cat loitering around our garden several times in the last two weeks. Maccy (our cat) has approached him, but is clearly not the dominant cat -the black one stands his ground and Maccy retreats. Also, Maccy has started sniffing a lot at door frames and other furniture -in the same manner a dog does when he smells another's scent. We've also noticed our cat seems slightly wary of the catflap recently, is constantly checking the catflap whilst eating and I even saw the enemy cat (for that's how I see him now ;-)) sniffing at our cat flap from my vantage point upstairs.

What do you think is the most likely situation? That our cat has developed toilet 'issues' suddenly (I saw him use his tray last night and the night before so don't believe this to be true)? Or is the enemy encrouching on our territory and marking our house as his own?

Apart from buying a magnetic fort knox cat flap, is there anything I can do? I've heard that it's best to ambush the 'evil one' and wet it with a bucket; but he's always last seen dissapearing over the fence as soon as I come home and open the back door!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

Matt