'They told me it feels like she’s watching their soul and that she’s bringing bad energy': Neighbors insist cat is hexing them, leaving pawrent juggling a hissterical catroversy and looming feud

Cleo the cat has managed to land herself in the middle of a full-blown pawlitical dispute. For four years, this independent little lioness has enjoyed her outdoor kingdom: porch sunbathing, car-top catnaps, and the occasional soul-piercing midnight stare. To her pawrent, it's classic cat behavior. To the downstairs neighbor? It's straight-up paranormal activity. They insist Cleo's nocturnal window-lurking feels like she's hexing them with "bad energy." Three polite (and increasingly spooked) requests later, the neighbor is convinced they're being haunted by a whiskered specter.

While most would call it classic feline nonsense (cats love a warm windowsill and an unsolicited audience) this has sparked a whisker-thin standoff. The owner doesn't want to ignite a furocious neighbor feud, but also knows that telling a cat where not to sit is about as effective as telling water not to be wet.

The verdict? Nobody's the villain here, but the real solution is compromise. Enter: the catio. Cleo keeps her outdoor sunbeam privileges, the neighbor gets their "ghost" exorcised, and peace reigns once more. Talk about a purrfectly diplomatic ending.

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Author image for Sarah Brown Sarah Brown
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  • 01
    'I really don't want to start a neighbor war over this'
    via suziejurado / Canva

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  • 02
    I've had my cat Cleo for 4 years. She's super independent and loves being outside. She never wanders far, mostly just sunbathes on my porch or naps on other people's cars (oops). She's chipped, spayed, vaccinated, all of that. I check on her constantly and she always comes when I call.
    via Calmredhead
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10548176384
    via poonsaplikitwachalakul / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 04
    Last week, my downstairs neighbor came up and asked if I could do something about her. Apparently, Cleo likes to sit in front of their window at night. She doesn't do anything, just sits there and stares in like cats tend to do. It's creeping them out. They told me it feels like she's watching their soul and that she's bringing bad energy.
    via Calmredhead
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  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10548176896
    via mkmOriginals / Canva

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  • 06
    At first I laughed it off, but now they've asked me three different times to keep her inside. Yesterday I overheard them telling someone in the building that my cat is haunting them. She's literally just a cat who likes a warm windowsill.
    via Calmredhead
  • 07
    Am I in the wrong for still letting her out? I really don't want to start a neighbor war over this, but it's honestly starting to feel a bit weird. Edit: Thank y'all for the feedback, i'll now try to build a catio
    via Calmredhead
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  • 08
    shiroshippo Your neighbor is being overly dramatic but people do awful things to cats all the time so it seems risky to keep letting her out knowing that you have a neighbor who hates her. A catio is a great idea if you have space for it.
    via shiroshippo

  • The neighbor might be a tiny bit overdramatic, but hey, better safe than sorry! A little indoor-outdoor setup or catio could keep Cleo happy and the peace purrserved.

  • 09
    hoagie-pierogi Keep your cat inside, besides from the thousands of dangers, your neighbors are clearly bothered by it. People are jerks and you dont know what they may do to your cat if you aren't proactive about stopping the cat
    via hoagie-pierogi
  • 10
    minkamagic You best keep it in before your cat disappears
    via minkamagic
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  • 11
    Subject_Song_9746 I think you should keep the cat in for their safety, especially at night. I really don't blame your neighbor, although it is just a cat, their experience is quite unsettling. I'd also be weary about having them outside at an apartment complex. Someone could take them in thinking they're a stray, that would be my biggest fear.
    via Subject_Song_9746
  • 12
    OccularSpaces The haunting bit is weird for sure but they're definitely right about keeping your cat inside. It's bad for your cat and even worse for the environment.
    via OccularSpaces
  • 13
    pin... objectively, it shouldn't matter at all and yeah they suck. even so, you need to bring the cat inside. people do terrible things when they deem something "demonic" and you do not want your animal to be a target. cats shouldn't be outside anyway.
    via pink-starburstt
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  • 14
    SerentityM3ow When your pet becomes a nuisance to others you need to do something about it. They don't want her on their sill so take steps to stop it. It's just courtesy
    via SerentityM3ow
  • 15
    Calgary Calico Please keep your cat inside for her safety. Why is she allowed outdoors at night? That's the most dangerous time for a cat to be outdoors
    via Calgary_Calico
  • 16
    silveraltaccount Your animal is bothering your neighbour and youre refusing to do anything about it, including keeping your animal on YOUR property. You deserve neighbour wars. Do better
    via silveraltaccount
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  • If your pet is repeatedly bothering someone, even if you think it’s harmless, it really does become your responsibility to step in. It’s part of being a considerate neighbor and good pawrent. 

  • 17
    BiploarFurryEgirl You shouldn't be letting your cat out at all. They destroy ecosystems and frankly have insanely shorter lifespans compared to indoor cats. Either way, they have tried to be civil about it. Bring the cat inside at night. The real long term solution? Build a catio and keep your cat inside.
    via BiploarFurryEgirl
  • 18
    CatFanIRL A cats number one natural predator is a ford f150. I wouldn't be letting her out in the first place
    via CatFanIRL

  • It’s always safer to keep your precious fur babies inside anyway. Less risk of cars, predators, or grumpy neighbors. Plus, you get more snuggles and they stay healthier and happier long-term!

  • 19
    lifes_a_zoo94 As an animal person, I also wouldn't want your cat sitting on my window and staring at me while I am trying to sleep. Keep your cat inside or at least on your own property. Your neighbors should not have had to ask 3 times.
    via lifes_a_zoo94
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  • 20
    terradragon13 Keep your cat inside. Your cat does not belong outside. End of discussion.
    via terradragon13

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