How to Keep Cats off My Turtle's Cage

Cats are natural jumpers and climbers and are easily able to get to unwanted areas such as counters, closets or even your turtle cage. Some people don't think cats can be trained, but they are smart animals that can be trained with consistent positive and negative reinforcement.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray bottle
  • Surface covering
  • Scratching post
  • Cat treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep a spray bottle filled with water on hand at all times. As soon as your cat gets on the turtle cage, give it a quick squirt with the spray bottle and a firm "no." Don't spray it directly in the face because you don't want the cat to negatively associate you with the bottle, but rather to associate the cage with a spray of the bottle. This method does not always work, but most cats don't like water and it's one way to deter them from unwanted areas.

    • 2

      Cover the cage with a surface covering that will be uncomfortable for the cat. You don't want it to be painful, just uncomfortable enough to keep the cat off the cage. Double-sided tape is a good choice because when the cat feels the stickiness of the tape under it paws, it will soon associate the uncomfortable feeling with the cage. Plastic carpet runners are another option; turn the runners upside down to display the grips, which will also be uncomfortable for the cat. Aluminum foil is another material cats don't like, and if the surface covering is unpleasant, the cat will learn within a few days not to jump on the cage.

    • 3

      Purchase a scratching post and treats. One way to train your cat with positive reinforcement is to have it associate treats with good behavior. For example, whenever the cat jumps on the cage, say "no", then pick the cat up, take it to the scratching post, place its paws on it, and give it a treat. The cat will quickly learn that using the scratching post is what will earn it treats, not jumping on the cage, and this will typically keep the cat off furniture, counters and other unwanted areas. Whenever the cat does something that you don't want it to do, use a firm "no" combined with the action of using the spray bottle or removing it from the cage.