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Cat-proofing

rushrulz

rushrulz

New member
I was just curious what the best way is to cat-proof the viv. I don't yet have the snake, but the cat has jumped up onto the lid a few times. I chase her off when I see her, but I can't be there all the time.

Of course, I could spray her when I see it, but to be honest, she doesn't seem to respond too well to that. I think she'll still engage in the behavior when I'm not around to threaten her.

I'm concerned that one of these days, the mesh is going to break loose from having that 10-pound weight land on it over and over. I can't cover it with anything really solid, or I'll be blocking the air supply, of course. So...does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
 
Is there any way you can keep the cat out of the room the snake viv will be in? eg. put the viv somewhere the cat can't get to it?

Or will it be displayed in a "lived in" part of your house?
 
Just a thought, what about those plastic spikey strips for pigeon-proofing? I'm wondering if a bendy (so as not to hurt the cat) sort of an arrangement like that would work quite well
 
I have had the exact same problem and my screen top did eventually rip open causing numerous escapes even after many attempts to repair it. My advice: Don't let it rip open! I found a very simple solution. I went to my near by lumbar yard and bought a thin, flat piece of wood cut to the dimensions of my tank. I actually left a couple inches off the length and added couple to the depth. It still allows for perfect air flow and also does well for decorating purposes :) It also provides better humidity in my tank. However, I do live in Arizona where humidity is often lacking. So just be sure you are monitoring your tank. Hope this helps!
 
So it covered it partway...? I suppose I could always get sort of a plank thing set up, and she'd be more likely to stand on that than the mesh. I can't keep her out of the room because I've only got two rooms (it's a one-bedroom apartment). So she's only got so much space as it is, and the room with the snake (my bedroom) contains my bed, which is where she hides if there's trouble (i.e., anyone besides me coming in the apartment). So the snake and his hides are in the same room as the cat's hide. :)

I guess if I really get into the snake thing one day and have several (I don't know if that'll happen), I could upgrade to a two-bedroom in this same complex, and the snakes would have their own room (which would also double as a storage room). But with the extra rent, those'd be some darned pricey snakes. ;)
 
I have five snakes (five vivs) and nine cats. We use the wood lids, but drill several holes for more air. We found the cats as ours are very big 14-18# could slide the lids off, so now we put a lip of molding around the outside. It is a pretty snug fit and the cats can't knock the lids off anymore. susan
 
What about buying a piece of pegboard fitted for the top of the lid? There would still be enough air ventilation but still sturdy enough for the cats weight? Just a thought...
 
:rolleyes: Figures! I'm at work with a PC on a network with internet that SUCKS. Eh, I'll fix in when I get home. Sorry. But you should be able to Google "X-mat" and be able to find it. I got mine at a local petstore, but they did have to order it.
 
I went out and bought a piece of pegboard today, actually. So we'll see how that goes. I'm so glad they cut it for me, heh.
 
I had the same problem with our cat, hes a maine coon and about 2 1/2 feet long hes huge so theres no way of stopping him with wooden lids etc. The only way was to put a simple bolt on the outside of my bedroom door to stop him entering my room, i let him in when im there to keep an eye on him, but as you can see by his expression, i dont think he has any ideas of making friends with my corn just yet or ever lol
 

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Use double sided sticky tape. Cats apparently hate the way it feels, and you can take it off once they are "trained." It also doesn't hurt most furniture and other places.
 
Hypancistrus said:
Use double sided sticky tape. Cats apparently hate the way it feels, and you can take it off once they are "trained." It also doesn't hurt most furniture and other places.
Click to expand...

Stole the words out of my mouth.
 
Mine too. My cats don't bother the snakes, but my mom's did and I told her to use double-sided tape and it worked like a charm.
 
I was worried about my cat at first, but the Viv has a lock so not too worried. Then I caugh the cat watching him and got scared.. till I watched the cat. She sits there, (Or lays on the glass shelf above the viv) and watches but doesnt even seem a bit likely to attack. Just kinda looking and thinking " What is this funnything?"
 
My cat loves to watch the snakes, but she's never shown any aggression towards them. Not even when I have them out. Then again, I don't let her get too close to them, just to be on the safe side.
 
I have two cats and they've broken the top of the viv twice... I just keep the door to my room closed. The X-mat seems like an awesome idea, though.
 
Well, now that I have the snake, I can see how the cat-snake thing is working out. The cat really doesn't notice him, but when I'm hanging around the viv, she comes over because she pretty much always follows me around (she's really bored). Sometimes, she jumps onto the viv. There's a piece of pegboard there to keep her from going through, but it makes the whole table wobble, which Severus doesn't like. He's noticed her, I know, and he doesn't seem too happy. However, he's getting more and more used to me, so maybe he can get used to her? Anyway, I may try double-sided tape.
 
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