How to Repell House Cats From Air Conditioning Floor Vents

Heating ducts and air conditioning vents are one of the most important features of your home, and can also be one of the most interesting to your cats. Cats will often chase their toys into the vents and can fall down them and injure themselves if not carefully watched. Some cats also choose to use vents instead of their litter box, causing a very smelly problem for the homeowners. Repelling your cat from the air conditioning vent can take a little time and effort, but is well worth it for the safety of your pet and the condition of your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Soap
  • Scrub brush
  • Floor matting
  • Scissors
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Spray bottle
  • Crate
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Instructions

  1. How to Repell House Cats From Air Conditioning Floor Vents

    • 1

      Clean the area around your floor vents well. Cats are often drawn to the smell of other pets, and if another animal has urinated or otherwise marked around the vent, your cat may attempt mark the area himself. Wash the area with plenty of soap and water and scrub it down with a stiff brush to remove any old scents from the vent.

    • 2

      Trim four small pieces of floor matting to fit around your vent. A flexible floor mat with raised bumps on it works best and can be found at most office supply stores. The bumps on the matting irritate your cat's feet and will help keep him away from the vent.

    • 3

      Run a think layer of liquid dish soap around the vent opening. Cats do not like the smell or feel of dish soap and they will avoid the vent. Any liquid dish soap will work well and can be easily washed off your cat if he walks in it.

    • 4

      Fill a squirt bottle with plain water and watch to see if your cat approaches the vent. Spray a stream of water toward your cat and say "no" in a firm voice to chase him away from the vent. The repeated use of the no command with the squirt of water will teach him that he is not allowed near the vent and he will learn to stay away from it.

    • 5

      Contain your cat in a crate if he is playing around the vent overnight or while you are away from home. Fill his crate with a few toys and pad it with his favorite bedding to make him safe and keep him occupied. Introduce him to the crate slowly, leaving him in it for a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing the duration until he calmly lays in the crate while you are gone.