Keeping Your Cat from Climbing in House
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When it comes to fun, cats find few activities more enjoyable than watching the world from up on high. Unfortunately, our precious pets often like to perch where they don't belong, such as on the tops of bookcases and dressers, where fragile objects are easily broken. Keeping a cat grounded can be a challenge, but it's in your pet's best interest to do so. It's possible for a cat to injure herself by becoming tangled on something while jumping from one piece of furniture to another or by leaping onto an unstable fixture such as a plant stand.
5 Tips for Keeping a Cat Grounded
How to Change Your Cat's Behaviour
How to Change Your Cat's Behaviour
When it comes to fun, cats find few activities more enjoyable than watching the world from up on high. Unfortunately, our precious pets often like to perch where they don't belong, such as on the tops of bookcases and dressers, where fragile objects are easily broken. Keeping a cat grounded can be a challenge, but it's in your pet's best interest to do so. It's possible for a cat to injure herself by becoming tangled on something while jumping from one piece of furniture to another or by leaping onto an unstable fixture such as a plant stand.
5 Tips for Keeping a Cat Grounded
- Remove her launchpad. If your cat is gaining access to a high bookcase by leaping from a nearby chair, move the chair. Without her launchpad, your pet will no longer be able to reach her perch.
- Use a doorknob alarm on your curtains (available at some travel and security stores). When pinned to the drapes, the alarm will sound every time your cat tries to use your curtains as a ladder. Another solution may be to replace fabric curtains with vertical blinds.
- Place obstacles in her path. A couple of strategically placed potted plants or large books can work wonders in keeping cats off shelves and dresser tops.
- Give your cat a more acceptable place to land, such as a freestanding cat perch. Most retail pet stores sell them, and they're easy to assemble. Or, you may prefer to build one yourself if you're handy.
- Consider a window perch for your feline friend. You can put them together quickly, and they'll give your cat hours of entertainment -- especially if you place a bird or squirrel feeder in the garden outside the window. Make sure the window is locked and reinforced so your pet won't fall out.
How to Change Your Cat's Behaviour
If your cat doesn't get the message and continues to climb, try startling her into behaving better with a squirt gun, a whistle or a beanbag. The key is to make sure your cat doesn't come to associate you with the water, noise or sudden motion. If she does, she may become frightened or continue her bad behaviour behind your back. Here are some tips:
- Don't make eye contact with your cat when you use a squirt bottle or noisemaker. Every time she starts to climb, give her a quick squirt or toss the beanbag near her (not at her), then walk away. You want to make the consequence of her behaviour unpleasant, not terrifying.
- Try temporarily putting foil on the furniture she climbs. She won't like the sound or texture.
- Buy a motion detector that sounds an alarm every time your cat enters the forbidden area. For best results, get the kind that resets itself after every use.
- Don't scream at or strike your cat when you catch her perching in a place where she doesn't belong. Physical punishment can sometimes adversely affect your relationship and lead to other destructive behaviours.
- Don't startle your high-minded cat with a squirt gun or noisemaker when she's perched near something breakable. She's liable to jump in fear, knocking the object to the floor and possibly injuring herself.
