Final Up to date on: April 3, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Cats like to climb, and it’s deeply rooted of their feline DNA. In my expertise, cats will climb absolutely anything to take pleasure in a little bit of vertical enjoyable. For no matter motive, curtains appear to draw feline consideration frequently. Some cats restrict themselves to utilizing thick curtains as an occasional additional scratching floor, however others take pleasure in indulging in a great climb. If in case you have a feline curtain climber at dwelling, it’s possible you’ll surprise if you are able to do something to persuade your cat to cease.
Cats climb out of intuition, so the easiest way to maneuver your cat away from curtain climbing is to supply them with an acceptable technique to interact with the world as they naturally would. Under I’ll assessment 4 potential methods to cease your cat from climbing the curtains.
Why Do Cats Climb Curtains?
To alter your cat’s habits, it’s important to grasp why they climb curtains, to start with. Cats are pure climbers. Within the wild, kitties climb bushes to survey the world for prey and hazard. Additionally they use vertical areas to relaxation and loosen up, as being up excessive permits them to shortly see hazard and react whereas the issue remains to be comparatively far off.
Whereas we could discover the harm kitties do when scaling the heights of our curtains irritating, there’s completely nothing mistaken with cats who climb issues—they’re fulfilling a pure feline want. The easiest way to persuade cats to cease climbing curtains is to present them a extra engaging technique to meet the identical want. Many cats will fortunately pivot to napping in cat bushes or exploring mounted cat cabinets if given the chance (maybe nudged in that route with a number of tasty treats).
Punishment doesn’t work and infrequently leads to stressed-out and confused cats who don’t perceive what’s anticipated. With out different actions, cats don’t have the bodily assets required to satisfy their fundamental wants, which might result in stress and anxiousness. Preserve studying to be taught extra about steps you possibly can take that will scale back your cat’s curtain climbing.
My 4 Tricks to Cease Cats From Climbing Curtains:
1. Present Vertical Alternate options
My favourite technique to deal with this downside is to introduce enjoyable alternate options to appropriately fulfill your pet’s want for a little bit of vertical enjoyable. Cat cabinets and bushes are wonderful merchandise since they offer pets locations to hang around and maintain tabs on issues. With only a few cat cabinets and a hammock, you possibly can create an impressive play and leisure space the place your cat can leap, climb, and loosen up.
Cat cabinets, specifically, are an reasonably priced DIY possibility (nice for a Sunday afternoon challenge!); search for designs which can be broad sufficient on your cat to comfortably relaxation and choose supplies that may safely maintain your cat’s weight. In the event you’re within the temper to deal with your cat to one thing spectacular, contemplate buying a catio that attaches on to your window to present them a pleasant perch from which to observe outside actions.
2. Put money into Scratchers
Cats usually take pleasure in digging their claws into thick curtains, which might result in climbing in the event that they’re having a great time. Scratching is one other a type of actions firmly rooted in your cat’s DNA. Cats have scent glands of their paws and infrequently scratch to mark their territory and supply details about themselves. Additionally they do it to maintain their claws sharp and wholesome.
Scratching posts and horizontal scratchers present felines with much less damaging methods to satisfy their must unfurl their claws. You may search for merchandise with totally different textures to present them choices; some cats adore the texture of cardboard, and others can’t resist carpet. Put a model of your cat’s favourite scratcher within the room with the curtains you’d desire your pet to keep away from, so that they don’t must go far to take pleasure in a great scratch.
3. Scale back Accessibility
Some cats don’t reply at first when supplied with alternate options, so it usually helps to make it tough on your cat to get to the curtains. Tying again heavy curtains discourages some cats from climbing as a lot. In case your buddy insists on climbing the curtains after you’ve pulled them again, calmly take away them and transfer on.
Take into account including an additional deal with or two to the cat tree or different place you’d desire them to hang around. However let your pet gravitate there by itself. Reward your companion with treats and reward whenever you see them investigating their new vertical playground or hanging out of their new cat tree.
4. Make the Space Disagreeable
One other trick I like to recommend making an attempt is utilizing disagreeable smells and textures to make your curtains unattractive to your cat. Cats intensely dislike sure smells, together with citrus and sure styles of Irish Spring cleaning soap. Take into account spritzing your drapes with a product designed to discourage feline curiosity. Many cats dislike the texture of tape and aluminum foil and can take lively steps to keep away from strolling over both product.
Putting tin foil or tape within the areas your pet makes use of to entry the curtains and the areas instantly across the drapes could scale back the entire enjoyment your cat will get from the exercise, rising the probability they’ll naturally start gravitating in direction of the enjoyable catnip-laced different you’ve supplied.
Conclusion
You may persuade your cat to observe its really unimaginable climbing expertise in ways in which don’t contain your curtains. It’s typically so simple as offering cats with a extra fulfilling different that meets their bodily and social wants.
As a result of cats are predators and prey, they usually really feel most snug when perched excessive above every little thing, the place they will control the world. Giving cats alternative routes to benefit from the heights usually helps scale back curtain climbing.
Featured picture credit score: Inga Gedrovicha, Shutterstock
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely youngster. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to another. With a ardour to coach the general public about every little thing, there may be to find out about felines, their habits, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that each one cats and their homeowners know the significance of aware dwelling – and loving!
