How can I keep my cat off my aquarium?

Question

I have an 10 gallon aquarium on a stand and my cat keeps jumping on top and trying to get at the fish, and also knocking in the lid for my filter. How can I keep him from jumping up there?

Answer 1

It won't be easy. what you have there is CAT TV! Your going to have to admit this before you can do anything.


Put a small table or chair next to the fish tank. Encourage your cat to sit there instead. Your cat can chase the fish through the glass rather than being on the top. Try using food as a reward each time your cat uses it instead of jumping on top. Your cat is not going to want to get his paw wet anyway.

Put objects on top of the lid. Something that your cat can not jump on or knock off. Your going to have to think what will work best to deter your cat. Also, change your filter. They do have filters that work inside the tank instead of outside. They work just as well and don't have the "Cup" to deal with.

They also have locking lids for just occasions. Tanks not only have to be cat proof but CHILD proof. Visit some Mommy sites to see how parents child proof there tanks form their kids.

Answer 2

Here is something about cats jumping on counters so this might work for you.

We generally want to use what is called 'remote correction,' meaning the cat will not know where the correction came from. This will help prevent the cat from displaying the behavior simply to get attention, or waiting until we are not around to correct him.

If we see the cat starting to jump up on the counter, we can throw a pop can filled with a few coins and taped shut, toward the cat. We do not want to hit the cat, but want to startle him so he stops what he is doing. This works fine if we are in the kitchen waiting for him, but how do we correct him when we are not around? This is where imagination comes in.

Placing cookie sheets filled with water on the counter will give the cat a very unpleasant experience the next time she tries jumping up there.

Certain noises can be used as deterrents - the sound of a popping balloon, as an example. Blow up a balloon. While your cat is watching, pop it. If this is done several times, the cat will soon start to detest balloons, at which time you can place balloons along the edges of your counter. There may be other items your particular cat does not like because of the sound they make, e.g., cans of air used to clean computer keyboards. Placing several of these on the counter within visual range of the cat, may also persuade your cat to stop jumping up. There are several devices available commercially which may be helpful. Large plastic devices which look like mousetraps can be placed on the counter, and when the cat jumps on them, the paddle will slap making a loud, scary noise.

There are also 'scat mats' which will give the cat a small electric shock (like a carpet shock) when the cat jumps on them.

Finally, why does your cat jump up on the counter? If it is food that is enticing him, keep food off of the counter and put it in cupboards unless you are in the kitchen. If 'fun things' are often on the counter - pens, paper bags, pieces of paper, etc., clear these off the counter as well. If the counter is near a window, close the curtains or pull down the shade so the cat can not use the counter as a vantage point for surveying his outside kingdom. Bottom line: if the counter is empty and boring, there will be no positive reinforcements (food, toys, view) for getting up on the counter. Simultaneously, increase the interest on ground level. Buy some new toys, but do not put them out all at once. Rotate which toys are out so they will seem more interesting and not the 'same old thing.' Set up some paper bags, cardboard boxes, etc., to allow a good game of hide and seek. Your imagination is the only limiting factor.

Answer 3

Try moving the aquarium to a higher place. If that doesn't work, maybe try putting smooth sheets of metal along whatever he's using to get up there.

Answer 4

This is a place were your cat likes to go to relax. he is relaxing and meditating there it's not going to be easy. They say that in books that I have read. Try to put something up there so he can't get up there.

Answer 5

I think cats don't like the smell of oranges so you can get some orange smelling air freshner on the tank.