I'm having problems with my 1yr old cat, she's a very stubborn cat, she like getting on my fish tank. Im a cat lover but this cat is the only cat that I've had problems with. She's so set on her ways. I've been patiently trying to train her to be a good housecat. She was born wild but I got her when she was 2 months old. I don't know whether if this is the fact that I have problems with her but I've tired everything even giving her some tough love. (I don't abuse her) I will either spray her with water, raise my voice and I'm to the point of giving her a little spankin to see if that will calm her down. When I not home I always make sure the door is close but when I'm home and in the computer room she's always getting up there. Is there any other suggestions or ideas that will make my cat stop getting on my fish tank.

I'm moving in with my boyfriend I want to put my fish in the living room because there is a perfect place for it and because there is less electronics there than the computer room. I don't want our computer stuff getting wet when I clean the tank out. I also want the fish tank for "show" for my friends and family to see.

Thanks! :D

Hi,
I can understand your frustration in this matter, but you should never hit a cat or any other animal for that matter. I know you stated that you haven't yet, but if you were to, it wouldn't work anyway. Animals are unable to rationalize "spankings" when they are doing what instinctively bred in them to do.
I have 5 aquariums running in my house and I've had my first 2 cats (ever in my life) for the past 6/7 months. I have always kept all openings from the top of the aquariums covered with a rubbery plastic trim that you can buy at pet/fish shops that you cut out where your filters and air tubes and heaters are. My cats hopped on top at first, but found out that there was no way in, so they stopped doing it. They still like to watch them through the glass and I see no harm in that.
I would suggest going to a pet/fish shop a buying "rear hood panels" are what they're called and put them on the back of your tank.
I effectively taught my cats in a short amount of time not to jump up on the counters with a water spray bottle. There's a trick to it. They can't see "YOU" spraying the water at them. They have to think that every time they jump up on the counter (fish tank in your case) that these squirts of water just appear out of nowhere and gets them wet. That came directly from the vets mouth.
Good luck,
-Kae

Hi,
There are also spray cans of Cat Repellent available at Pet Stores. Here is a link that might give you some more ideas:

http://www.perfectpaws.com/train.html

I do wish you the best.

Easy, Easy, Easy, I hope any way, I have two cats. They use to counter walk this made my husband absolutely crazy (germ-a-phobic). Well any way we have a little window like space between the kitchen and the enclosed porch, the cats love to go out and lay in the sun, when they where all done instead of using the door the would come threw the opening and jump down on the counter next to the stove. I took out all of my cookie trays, filled them with a little water and placed them in their landing spots. I sat on the stairs and waited for them to jumped threw the hole and land in the trays of water. It took a few times but they do not counter walk at all any more, and it was a trip to watch. Now if I could keep them out of my plants I would be doing something.

That's a great idea, Lilfyre! I have also had success using double sided tape. Put the tape in all the places you don't want your kitty to walk. They do not like the sensation of having their feet sticking onto the tape and will give up walking there. Good luck!

Thanks to all for the advice! I have put double-side tape on the fish tank top and on a carboard with tape as well to the desk. Once she got on the desk she didn't like it. She doesn't get on it though I have seen her getting on the desk with the tape and she's trying to tolerate it, like she's trying to get use to the tape being on her feet. I couldn't believe this... she has cut down trying to get on the desk to get to the fish tank. I'm afraid now that she will start getting use to the tape which to me is very weird and fustrating. My cat is weird, lol! My next option is to get the spray can cat repellent. I just hope to God she doesn't try to get use to that. Well there's one problem I don't have to worry about so much now. I love my cat, I spoil her so much, I have not idea why she gets like this... I have other problems with her but I'll put that on another forum/blog. Thanks to all again! Take Care!

Another thing you could try is getting a stand for the fish tank that is only big enough for the fish tank... the cat could try to jump on it and knock it over but I'm not real sure. My cat stopped doing it because she had no where to stand next to it to get the fish. So all she did was sit on the ground next to it and stare. Lol. If the problem is REALLY bothering you, you could always get a lid or new aquarium with a lid. I tried the tape to and my cat got her paws wet and in turn got the tape wet so it was no longer sticky. Lol. That's what I get for raising a smart cat! Lol.:)

I got a fish tank stand and was going to put it on when I notice my cat got really excited seeing the fish especially the Algae Eater(that one gets hyper)so it really gets my cat attention and is so focus trying find a way to catch it. Lol I've seen my cat jump onto high places, I couldn't believe she could jump that high but even there times when she doesn't make it to the surface she's trying to get on and of course drops anything that she can grab on to safe herself from falling. So it really scares me to put the fish tank on the stand. I have went to Wal-Mart to see if they had cat repellent and they didn't have any... I probably should have check the dogs aisle to see if they had it there. Tomorrow I'll go and also check at a pets store as well. Your cat sounds very smart especially getting her paws wet so they wouldn't stick the tape. Knowing my cat if I got a new lid for the tank she would still get excited just staring at them and will continue finding a way to get on it or get next to it. I really don't want to risk putting the tank on the stand just yet until I know for sure she's stop getting on it. Thank you for the good idea though, I really appreciate everyone's advice/ideas!! It helps out a lot!

Hi to all, very frustrated here. Today I had bought the Spray Repellent and with all hopes of having my cat problem solved, I am once again disappointed and in search for more ideas. I had put on more double-tape and some spray repellent (repellent-for the 1st time)around my fish tank. And sure enough my cat waited for the perfect time to jump on to the tank. I think she waited until the smell of the repellent was dying down to jump on there. I was thinking of putting big bowls of water all around but I know she will tip them over once she jumps onto the desk. I don't know what else to do, I don't want to have to come to a decision where I have to choose on which animal to keep if I can't find a way to break her bad habit. I don't want to be that kind of person that couldn't handle an animal. I don't want to give up but I'm afraid I'm getting close to that point. Any suggestions? Take Care, jessi

Hi Jessi... I have another suggestion. This one requires a little vigilance and patience to make it work but it did work for me! Fill a tin can or pop can with some change. Wait until your kitty jumps on the fish tank and then shake the can behind her loudly and shout NO, BAD KITTY! Do this every time she jumps up. I did this with one of my cats (the one in my avatar) whenever he tried to chew on the television cord. It worked with him and he is one of the most stubborn cats I have ever dealt with. Good luck! :D

Wow! I never thought of doing that. I sure will try it... I do hope it will knock some sense into her. Lol! I'll keep you/everyone posted on how that goes. Thanks! Jessi

Very Good