Advice on critters of the large furry kind...

tomkeogh · Jul 10, 2010

Hello all, In a few weeks time I am going to be moving into a new house, I am a little concerned as there is a cat in the house, I do not use hoods on my tanks due to temperature, instead I use DIY mesh hood's, now I am not suggesting this cat can remove the hoods, but, in your experiences how much attention will a cat pay to axolotl tanks, I am expecting it to jump on the hood etc.

Any advice on this subject, is 'cat proofing' needed? or am I worrying too much as per usual?

daniellog · Jul 10, 2010

Electrify the tank? I don't think the cat would care too much anyway and wouldn't be able take off the mesh hood. I have my tank lid up at the moment but when it cools down I close the lid.

tomkeogh · Jul 10, 2010

I dont actually have a hood for my large tank as I built it myself, I will make one from acrylic....In my current location it is impossible to keep my small tank to temp with hood on.

Otterwoman · Jul 10, 2010

One of my cats will sometimes jump on a mesh hood, only to get to a higher goal. They never watch them moving. I think you'll have to see how your cat does, and I bet it gets bored quickly if it even watches the axie at all.

daremo · Jul 10, 2010

I made a lid with a mosquito net (made of plastic somehow hard) stuck to some steel sticks, its light but steady and it allows air to flow
I only once brought my cat to my house (my cat lives with my mom) and he didn't even noticed the axie, however he was kind of exited about the new place...

I was thinking about sticking the lid to the glass with some tape if I bring him back again or using something that prevents him to open the lid, just in case, you never know... they're smart... he knows how to open doors and steal food...

Ken Worthington · Jul 10, 2010

Tom, get a big dog.....the cat won't notice the axies :rofl:

Mac Myers · Jul 10, 2010

Ken's right!

I have a cat who sits on the bed and watches the tank sometimes but never jumps up. I guess the lights and tubing etc. worry him.

I did have a cat that did jump up on top of a tank while I had to top off to feed it's occupants, Astronotus ocellatus, but the rim of the tank is too small to land on and the cat failed to realize that there was a rim anyway. There was a LOT of water flying, some unhappiness on the part of the tanks occupants, and a very wet cat, but over all I think the cat was the most unhappy of the bunch.

Taste it cat. Oddly enough he never tried it again. Lid on or off.
I use this: Zilla Fresh Air Screen Cover With Center Hinge - Accessories - Habitats & Accessories - PetSmart now and it works quite well. Had to use tin snips to make access holes where needed. But it does it job and allows easy access for feeding, water changes etc. :happy:

dragonlady · Jul 10, 2010

Tom,

I suggest a water gun. If you see the cat nearing a tank, simply fire upon it! It is very entertaining, stress relieving, and funny as heck - well for everyone but the cat. heehee

Dawn, just kidding...

Bellabelloo · Jul 10, 2010

My cats attempted to get at my guys on a few occasions. One especially was too good at getting into things. I ended up having to put heavy books/ bricks etc on top to protect the axolotl. If the tank is open, I wouldn't risk the cat getting at them. Some cats seem to be more interested in hunting things than others, I am currently watching my dippiest cat hunting cabbage white butterfly.

angie · Jul 12, 2010

I have 3 cats all under 18 months and no lid on my tank and none of them have even looked at it
it all depends on the cat
good luck

deliriah · Jul 12, 2010

I definately depends on the cat. I have 3, and they could care less what goes on in my tanks. But one in particular seems to prefer to drink tank water over the fresh water left out for them in their bowls. I have even considered setting up a small uninhabited tank on my kitchen floor, complete with filter and whatnot just to make him happy.

Needless to say tanks without tops are not possible with Sammy around. Best to see how this particular cat behaves around your tanks.

Kaysie · Jul 13, 2010

The only attention my cat ever paid to the tanks was to get a drink, and then she much preferred the flavor of the tupperwares full of larvae on the table. But that being said, all of my salamanders were in a separate room, which the cat wasn't allowed in without supervision. She's also declawed (not my doing, she was like that when I got her).

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Advice on critters of the large furry kind...

tomkeogh

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Otterwoman

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Ken Worthington

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