Whether you’re bringing a fish tank into a home with a cat, or vice versa, this article has everything you need to know to help them peacefully cohabitate.
You’ll learn five of the best ways to keep even the most determined felines out of the fish tank and away from your fish.
Whether you attribute it to the popularity of *Finding Nemo* or the proliferation of beautiful, accessible, affordable freshwater fish, there’s no doubt that fishkeeping has become more popular as a hobby in recent decades.
This has led to a rise in the number of housecats cohabitating with fish tanks, and an increasing urgency to the age-old question: How on Earth do you keep a cat out of a fish tank?
1. Use a Tank Lid or Other Covering to Prevent Access
This is perhaps the gold standard of cat-proofing a fish tank: It’s obvious, easy, cheap, and incredibly effective. Many fish tanks already come with a lid, or you can fit your tank with a makeshift covering of wire mesh or something similar. This will prevent your cat from batting at or pulling your fish from the tank and also stop your cat from drinking from the tank, which can be dangerous for them. The one problem with lids is that your cat may find them a perfect place to lay down, especially if your tank is well-heated and the lid is warm. This can stress out your fish, so you’ll have to find a way to keep your cat away from the tank entirely.
2. Place the Tank Somewhere Inaccessible
Inaccessible is a tricky word with cats, given their willingness and ability to jump, climb, squeeze, and seemingly fly into spaces that should be impossible for them to reach. You could set up your fish tank in a room your cat doesn’t have access to, but this may not be feasible given the size of the tank or your house. Placing the tank in a high position can also make it harder to service and increases the risk of it falling and injuring someone. However, you can position your tank in ways that make it less accessible to your cat by moving furniture they can use to jump at the tank and placing as many sides of the tank as possible against walls.
3. Tuck Away Anything That Dangles Off the Tank or Table
With the electrical extras – filters, air pumps, heaters, and lights – required to maintain a fish tank, it’s no surprise that they are often adorned with dangling wires and cords. While some people may want to place a blanket or tablecloth under the tank to protect their table or catch leaks easily, all these tantalizing items can tempt a cat to try to catch or play with them. Unfortunately, even a small cat giving a tug on a wire or tablecloth could send the tank crashing down – or on top of your cat. Wrap up all your wires and place them on the table or stand, or connect them to a single power strip with a short cord out of your cat’s reach. You can tape down the edges of a dangling table cover to the bottom of the table or choose a smaller cover that won’t hang over the edges.
4. Find Other Ways to Fill Your Cat’s Needs
Your cat isn’t trying to mess with your fish tank simply because they’re mischievous; they are likely acting on their predatory instincts. If you can fulfill this need with an appropriate distraction, like small, independently moving toys, your cat will most likely leave your fish tank alone. Cats may also enjoy watching fish swim, as it can stimulate their senses. Creating a space for them to gaze out the window or showing them nature documentaries can help keep them entertained. Additionally, if your cat enjoys drinking from the tank, it might be due to the appealing moving water. Providing a fountain-type water bowl or simply ensuring they have enough fresh water can solve this issue.
5. Use Deterrents to Train Your Cat
Contrary to popular belief, cats are trainable, and there are various deterrents you can employ to create a negative association with the fish tank. Commercial scat mats, which provide an electrical pulse or an unpleasant spiky surface, can be placed around the tank stand. For a budget-friendly approach, you can create your own DIY scat mats using aluminum foil, which creates a sound most cats dislike, or sticky tape, as cats hate the feeling of stickiness on their paws. These may be tedious to replace, but ideally, once your cat has experienced the unpleasant consequence, they will learn to avoid the tank. Another effective deterrent is scent; citrus scents like lemon, lime, and orange are naturally unpleasant to cats and can help keep them away from your fish tank.
Fish tanks often attract the curiosity of cats. However, your cat may only be inquisitive about the new addition for a short time or even ignore it altogether. If that’s not the case, you’ll have effective methods to entertain your cat while protecting your fish.
