Just got kittens -open top tank

[oldpaddy]

Hi all, my wife is concerned our new kittens will one day jump into our 220gal tank. I really don't want to get a glass top, but she has a point. Has anyone heard of a cat drowning in a tank?

 

[Mr.Rocc]

I can't say I have but those DIY mesh tops aren't too expensive and they will get the job done for what your looking for.

 

[rantipole]

I haven't heard of this, but I just reached out to some cat experts I know. If I hear anything I will let you know. I think there must be an easy to keep them from getting on something that would allow them to jump in the tank.

Cheers,
rant

 

[Tahoe61]

It really depends on the cat.

My female tabby Jet jumped into my tank 3 times and jumped right back out. The tank was only 45 gallons. She finally decided that getting wet was not worth it. Her sister Bennie would never even think about jumping into the tank. I went so far as to locate the tank far from jumping post, but she was determined. The only harm done was broken acropora, but they could get dry equipment wet.

I have heard stories of cats jumping on to hanging lighting fixtures as well.

Never heard of cat drowning in a tank though.

 

[JamesP]

I know someone that came home to their cat stuck in their tank. A cat may be able to push through the diy mesh even as it is held together via friction. Get some black eggcrate from brs if you want a little more strength to it. Just cut to fit.

 

[John Mills]

We have three cats and an open top 135 gallon aquarium. They are no longer kittens though, so take this as you will, but we've not had any problems with them falling in. When it was covered they would lay on top, probably for the view, and we have had a couple of small fish disappear, but I can't say for sure it was cat related. Since it's been uncovered I've never seen a cat walking the rim, though they could easily if they wanted to. I keep telling my wife if one jumps in by accident it'll only happen once!

 

[rantipole]

One of my cat writer friends had a 3-month-old kitten jump into her 50 gallon, so it's definitely possible. Take some precautions like those mentioned above.

I'm glad my cats mostly don't seem to notice my reef.

Cheers,
rant

 

[LbulletM]

Chances are that they won't jump directly into the tank. They'd probably get on something that's close to the same height first (extra stand from under the tank, cabinet next to the tank, etc). I've used sandpaper to "train" cats to stay off of counter tops. It won't hurt them, but they hate the feeling. I've also read about using lemon juice or something bitter on the surfaces because they'll hate the taste when they go to clean themselves.

 

[ironeagle2006]

My 2 cats look at the fish however will no longer try fishing. The reason the Snowflake eel and Huma Huma trigger both the last time they tried to fish bit them in the paw thinking they were food. After that my cats have decided the big box with the fish is just to look at. They did the same thing after my parrot bit them also. Heck Midnight the tabby will sleep on top of the cage with the bird on top of her.

 

[Areseebee]

I would worry about something like a mesh top, unfortunately because it gives them a place to walk out onto and risk either getting burned by the lights or ripping through it and getting held in the water by the mesh top.

 

[jhoop]

I am in the process of setting up a new 40 Gal. Filled it up and started the pump and drain from the sump. Get up in the morning and water all over the floor, I am thinking something is leaking. Looking over all the fittings trying to find the leak. About 5 minutes later here comes the cat..........soaking wet. He is nine months old but small. He was able to get out. I now have a top on it. But he is in EVERYTHING you do. You have to wait until he is sleeping to get chores done around the house.

My little " Stinker "

 

[ReefQueen]

My cats used to nap on top of the canopy, until my Persian tried to jump up there while I was doing a water change and landed right in the tank. All the cats were in the room and saw it happen, so they no longer nap on the canopy lol.

 

[LbulletM]

Thanks for this thread. I didn't knock on enough wood, apparently. Found a wet cat and a wet tank stand a few hours ago...


That's what I get for not having my lid on.

 

[alton]

My daughters cat lived on top of my old tank till it fell in after I left a cover off. He never jumped up there again, thank God it was a mess to clean up!

 

[cmcoker]

I think there must be an easy to keep them from getting on something...

Said no cat owner ever! Haha!

Motion activated air cans (like for dusting keyboards) can be used to help keep them off or away from areas.. but really it comes down to the cat. Mines a good boy so far and just watches the fish, but he's also 8 years old and past the point of trying to kill himself on a regular basis.

There's a reason they say "dogs have owners, cats have staff"

 

[Mikedawg]

Kinda off subject, but my dog ate a firefish that jumped out and then waited by the tank everyday hoping for another one...........cats may be smarter.

 

[Kyl]

My Bengal (a breed which inherently loves water) has attempted a splash once, but only once. Salt doesn't taste good, now he just looks.

 

[chefjpaul]

They only do it once.

Mine could care less about the fish.

 

[DracoKat]

mine don't care about the tanks. Though when I had my JBJ 28g cube, my cat liked to lay ontop of the lid because it was so warm.

They don't bother with the larger tank.

 

[LbulletM]

My Bengal (a breed which inherently loves water) has attempted a splash once, but only once. Salt doesn't taste good, now he just looks.

Interesting tid-bit. Cat kidneys are so efficient that they can live off of salt water.