i just adopted a new adult cat last week. the reason i was hesitant to do so, despite our obvious connection at first sight, was that i have several reptiles and small animals around the house. I was overjoyed to see her lack of an apparant desire to harm them, but she is a cat, and moving things catch attention. My question is what is the best way to keep her off the tops of cages and tables surrounding them. she knows what down means, and im pretty sure she knows shes not SUPPOSED to be in certain places. i started with a "No" and removing her to the floor. then it escalated to water spraying. she just cant help herself. its imperative i fix this problem, as a fallen heat lamp could be disastrous and a collapsed cage top could be the same. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me!
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
training question
Replies (5)
I don't have any of the other animals you do. But to keep the cats off things we put double sided tape out. They don't like the feel of it on their feet. Could you put that on your cages?
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker
see, thats what i planned on trying, or shelf paper put upside down as it will cover more area. im planning on putting it on the tables and stands around the cages, but im not sure how it would work on top. for one thing, it may infringe on ventilation, as the tops are screen on most-especially if i use the paper. im worried that if i use the tape ON the cages shell step around it. one of the main problem cages is completely mesh...im not sure if id be able to get these devices to stay on this and the other screen tops. thanks alot though.
>>i just adopted a new adult cat last week. the reason i was hesitant to do so, despite our obvious connection at first sight, was that i have several reptiles and small animals around the house. I was overjoyed to see her lack of an apparant desire to harm them, but she is a cat, and moving things catch attention. My question is what is the best way to keep her off the tops of cages and tables surrounding them. she knows what down means, and im pretty sure she knows shes not SUPPOSED to be in certain places. i started with a "No" and removing her to the floor. then it escalated to water spraying. she just cant help herself. its imperative i fix this problem, as a fallen heat lamp could be disastrous and a collapsed cage top could be the same. Thanks for any suggestions you can give me!
You may have to rethink how and where you have your cages set up. Is there a place you can put them where she can't jump up? Can you somehow block her access to the cages? Is there something stronger than screen that can be securely attached to the cage?
I've also heard that cup of marbles precariously balanced on something will make an excellent deterrent when a cat leaps up on something - the clatter of the marbles really can startle them. Some people put mousetraps upside down on places their cats jump, although I would be fearful of a safety issue. However, some behaviorists recommend this and you might want to consider this.
I hope some other members who have small caged animals will chime in. You might want to post in the reptile and small mammal forums and see what they recommend!
-----
I just asked my sister what she does. She said nothing the cats sleep on top of the cage. I guess the screen holds them. She has had a flying squirrel for two yrs. The cats just like to watch him I guess.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker
I have six cats, one tortoise, and six pet rats. To keep the cats from sitting on top of the cages, I put a stool next to each cage. The cats are content to just sit and watch the cages this way. Neither the rats or the tortoise seem to mind. 
Some of the cats are more interested than others. A few of the cats never pay any attention to the small animals. It just depends on the cat, I suppose.
