How can I keep my cat off my TV?

Question

I have a 50” projection HDTV that my cat loves to climb. She climbs behind it and messes with the wires, she climbs on top of it and knocks off the speaker I have sitting up there, which then falls into the screen. Lucky it has not broken yet, but I know it will soon if this keeps up. How can I keep my cat from messing with these things?

I have a 50” projection HDTV that my cat loves to climb. She climbs behind it and messes with the wires, she climbs on top of it and knocks off the speaker I have sitting up there, which then falls into the screen. Lucky it has not broken yet, but I know it will soon if this keeps up. How can I keep my cat from messing with these things?


*Edit*

It is a TV and there are electronics involved, so I don’t want to use the spray bottle (Which I use for other bad behaviors) and I don’t trust liquid deterrents for use on and around my electronic systems….

Answer 1

Hi there...for deterring inappropriate cat behaviour around sensitive electronics consider using double-sided sticky tape on top of the TV where the cat jumps onto before getting on top of the speaker. Cats dislike having their paws stuck to the tape and after multiple attempts will learn to avoid areas which are unpleasant. This is helpful for when you cannot be physicially present to supervise the cat. For the wires consider using a cable wire loom to bundle up the the wires. The loom is very inexpensive and not only does it prevent the cat from tangling in the wires, but also tidies the area up as well.

Cable Organizer Wire Loom: http://cableorganizer.com/wire-loom/

Answer 2

Double sided sticky tape will deter the cat without damage, but may leave some goo on the TV.

I've heard, though not tested, that spray on deodorant repels cats (You might be able to spray that around the area without damaging anything, as long as you don't spray through the vent holes).

Do NOT use mothballs as suggested by another person who answered, because though they ARE effective, they contain napthalene which causes fumes that are very unhealthy for a cat -- if he's particularly sensitive, it can even kill her.

I'd suggest moving that speaker or finding a way to solidly mount it so that it can't fall and break your screen.

You might try making a loud noise she doesn't like whenever she heads for the TV (crinkle aluminum foil, spray an air freshener can into the air, whatever your cat dislikes) to teach her to stay away, but cats are usually smart enough to learn to avoid something only while you're looking!

Best bet - I'd say put some cling wrap or aluminum foil on the TV where kitty likes to go, then put double sided sticky tape on that (to avoid goo on your TV) and keep it there until she learns.

Answer 3

Skip the water bottle thing, and chunking balls at the cat, they learn to just not jump on it when you're around. When you're not around then it's okay to them. Instead first try putting masking tape or painters tape on the areas your cat uses to climb up such as the corners or along edges, this way you don't leave sticky residue on your equipment. Then buy double sided scotch tape and put it over the painter's tape. make sure to put tape all over where the cat likes to sit that way it sticks to the fur and she will realize that it's not a comfortable spot. It won't harm her. This kept my cat off my entertainment center and it didn't ruin my surfaces. After two weeks problem solved, just make sure to put fresh tape as needed since it may lose it's stick due to debris and fur.

Answer 4

Pet stores have a deterant spray. Does she have her own cat steps? buy that and sprinkle a small amount of catnip on it. Rub your screen so she gets a shock if she climbs on it. Put a few circle of tape on the top and her mounting point when her paws get stuck she'll get the message.

Answer 5

Put in a perch for the top of the TV and buy a falcon, the cat will stop climbing onto TV

Answer 6

alrighty, I HAD suggested a water bottle, but you're right, not a great idea around electronics. Perhaps just something else to shoot the cat with then.... a rubber band, a koosh ball something like that. Best of luck!

Answer 7

I know this may seem harsh but a squirt bottle ... or put odds and ends on the top that way she cant get up there... you can also spray the wires with hairspray... but be careful of any lose connectons.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Every time she starts over in that area spray her with a water bottle,,,, cats hate water and soon she will connect the area with getting sprayed.

Answer 10

the cheap and easy way......Mothballs.....cats hate 'em. sprinkle one or two (trust me, that's all it should take) behind the TV and maybe one hidden on top. replace every few months. quick, easy and cheap. Best of all, no sprays or special formulas that might ruin your furniture, carpet or TV.

In response to someone else.....I have had cats all my life and have never had a problem using mothballs. Not one has ever gotten sick or died and they stayed out of the area containing the mothballs. Yes, excessive use can be harmful but one on or behind the TV is not.