How do I keep my cat from getting into the cupboards and dresser drawers at night while we are sleeping?

Question

She doesn't use it as a bathroom or anything like that, but I don't want her in with the dishes and stuff.

Answer 1

get child locks or stack a chair against it, or if you really want to tick it off, put it in it's carrier

Answer 2

Lucy C. Tabby does this too. I don't know why. But you can buy little latches at a hardware store. These are actually designed to keep little children out of cabinets where stuff like cleaning supplies is stored. Cats can't usually open these either. Either that or lock the cat out of the kitchen. Or is the house planned so you can't do that? Will she react badly to being shut in one room for the night?
Lucy C. regards a closed door as a crime against nature.

Answer 3

Close the cupboards and drawers. If for some reason she can open them, then maybe try the locks that you can get to keep toddlers out. If you don't have doors on your cabinets, then maybe you can lock her in a different room for the evenings.

Answer 4

You can put some child saftety latches on the handles so the cat can't get in. I bought a bunch from the dollar store to keep my cats out of the kitchen cupboards.

Answer 5

Don't the cupboards have doors or panels of some sort? When I want to keep my cat outside something (especially drawers!) - I keep it closed. If they don't close tightly and the cat can open them, I find some way to fix them closed (a small bar, or something, usually works sufficiently).

Or just close the door to the kitchen altogether, unless her litterbox is there.

Answer 6

I don't blame you, I've worked long and hard at making sure my cat is well trained to not do that. It's difficult, but worthwhile.

First, try getting those doodads that people use to babyproof their cabinets. Then I'd stay up late with the lights off with a water bottle then every time the cat tries to do what you don't want it to do, squirt it with the water. That's what I did. Took some time, but it worked like a charm.


Good luck.

Answer 7

Put child safety locks on you cupboard doors. The locks keeps my kids and cats out.

Answer 8

Child safety locks. Just get them at WalMart - the same ones you use to keep toddlers out of cupboards. They are in the baby section.

Answer 9

You can buy & install some inexpensive baby/child-proof locks for the cabinets.
It sounds like the cat likes to hide & "nest" at night. Try getting it one of those wicker laundry baskets or even a cardboard box to hide in.

Answer 10

Buy and install some of the child proof latches. The kind they use for keeping little babies out of cupboards.

Answer 11

Buy the drawer and cabinet locks (the same ones parents buy to keep small children out of things).