You are here:
Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/outdoor cats
Advertisement
Question
We live in the country and see many strays. Is there anyway to keep them off my hottub cover... we have one who has clawed a hole in our cover. We have scratching posts for this guy who hangs out, but he insists on climbing on the hot tub cover. Any advice?
Tammy,
Cats do not have any reasoning ability so they don't understand why they can climb on this thing and not that thing.
Here are some suggestions:
Put mouse traps UPSIDE DOWN under some taped newspaper (for the cat's safety). When they jump on the cover the mouse traps will go off and scare them.
Orange Peels: save citrus peels and put them on and around the hot tub Cats hate the scent of citrus. To make the peels go further, grind them in a blender to release the citrus oils and mix with water and sprinkle around the tub or put in small dishes on top of the cover.
Cut some chicken wire the size of your cover. Tape the ends so they are not sharp. Lay it on top of your plastic cover. Chicken wire is difficult to walk on and the cat will not like it.
I hope this helps.
Tabbi
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
***********
Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.