Do reef/ fish tanks and cats mix?
 

I am considering getting a cute black kitten for my two boys but I am now concerned with the kitten may want to jump into the tank or go after the fish. Can anyone share of their experience, both good and bad and any suggestions if I do get the kitten?

Thanks
Wayne

i have lights on top of my tank and a screen cover! they sit on the arm of the couch and watch and tap the glass from time to time but that's about it

It may jump in the tank once but it will never do it again after that. Mine only jumped in once but the tank say there empty for a few weeks and the cat got use to hanging out in it. Then when I started filling it the cat had a little swim but it got out just fine.

Honestly though my best advice, don't get a cat, they ruin your life and live forever.

My cats can't reach my reef so its not a problem. It took me close to two years to realize that the reason my freshwater fish never lived more than a couple months was that the cat would sit next to the tank at bat at the fish all night long. I started putting a towel over the tank at night and didn't loose another fish for well over a year.

There are lots of videos out there of cats falling into open top tanks though. The trick is to have it tall enough that the cat can't jump on it, no room on the stand for the cat to use as a step, and no furniture next to the tank for the cat to jump from.

my cat just watches from the couch. if its something they are used to they pay no attention. just dontleave your fish aclimating on the floor without supervision

If fish ever jump out your cat will help you pick it up.:biggrin:

I think it depends on your cat.

Lazy Maine Coon probably not a problem.

Hyperactive Bengal may be curious and try to go fishing.

Most don't like to get wet.

I don't have a problem with my cat other than her trying to drink out of the ATO water. Simple lid solved that.

My tank is in the kitchen/dining area beside a counter. Our cat will sit on the counter or a chair and watch the fish for hours, but has never tried to jump in. He's curious but doesn't seem to bother them. My new tank won't be as accessible but last night caught him standing on his hind legs trying to look in it. I've caught him drinking the top up water as well...lid is coming....lol

My dog only cares when something new is added and it's because he gets jealous the attention isn't on him.

I have 1 cat that could care less about the tank, the kitten stares at the tank but has yet to make a move, I was concerned about claws and the acrylic tank but I am shutting that down now and most likely cutting it up anyway so I'm not so worried now.

I have 4 cats and none of them give a hoot about the fish tanks. With the stand my SW is 2 feet off the ground, beside the fireplace which has a 2ft wide ledge 1ft off the ground. Only the dog cares about the tanks, the most the youngest cat will do is put his 2 front paws on the fireplace ledge and sniff the QT tank that I have on the ledge. The FW tanks are in rooms the cats dont usually go in but are super accessable by them and they just dont care. The SW and FW tanks are however covered in dog snot. I have a egg crate top just incase a cat does decide to care ;)

+1 and litter boxes come on meow those things are just nasty:P

my cat was a bad kitty at one point but has since settled in now she watches the fish sitting on the couch... Obviously missed my thread from November :lol:

Cats work out a lot better than two malamutes do.

Get a puppy!

do reef tanks and cats mix?????......not very well as I find it takes a long time for the cat to dissolve:twised:

+1 dogs are winners. I only took my cat in out of a promise to someone once close to me. I'm a dog person thick and thin though.

lol

Not planning anytime soon in putting a screen over my tank at this time... hope this won't be a huge concern...:neutral:


Like to hear your story of how a pussy cat ruined your life...:sad:

Guess I should go thru all the cat youtube vids...:biggrin:

thanks for the tips! :biggrin:

Another great tip... get lid for water.

Litter boxes are not even close to an issue, catgenies work pretty good. My complaints are more along the lines of not being able to train them. They into everything, they learn to open cupboards and can reach virtually every height meaning no hiding spots. They eat and knock over house plants, destroy your work, scream and bark (my neighbor hears them), keep you up all night and sleep while you're away. But my personal new favorite.... Eat your freaking clothes.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/bbc27ac9.jpg

But yeah they leave my tank alone.

That's my ideal cat... sit and stare at the tank with me...:biggrin:

My stand is 3.5 ft from the ground. I don't think she can jump this high right now but who knows in couple years...

It's a long story but picture a mutant baby that can get into everything

Had considered... It just would'nt be fair to the puppy right now as I would not be able to dedicate the time it requires...:sad:


Hahaha! Good one! :lol: Now, the honest truth, you have tried it too, right?

Hahaha... so just stick with the tank?

to be honest?...... I havnt tried it........but I am moving in with Laurie (fishoholic) soon and she has a cat, soooooo:twised::surprise:

Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences, suggestions and funny stories... My boys really want to kitten so I will get one for them. If I do get one I will probably keep the door to the tank room closed for now. We are just waiting for the approval on the adoption papers...:biggrin:

Yeap! Dogs are fine if you train them.

When you do, please do share! :lol::lol::lol:

I'll give you $1000 to pass on those papers and take one of my cats

Oh my.... is this for real? Let's see pics of your cats... Now how do you intend to ship your cat???:lol:

Here's a pic of me trying to train the dog to eat him
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/90a17244.jpg

mine use to break into the cupboard and use his paw to knock plates and cups off the shelf, i would wake up at 3 in the morn and hear glass breaking and walk across glass into the kitchen.....of course the culprit long gone hiding in the darkness cause HE KNEW he wasnt allowed in the cupboards lol


final and last straw for said cat who ironically i named lucifer was he befriended the cat across the hall from my apt......well it was weeks of non stop meowing ,the two of them would wine all day and night back and forth....i ended up having to feeding him next to the door cause he would just never leave lol

did learn how to play fetch though lol totally worth the damage and headaches.......not lol



dog= mans best friend

cat= enemy of dog

enough said...trust your friends!!!

He's also stolen my spot in bed... Do not tell my wife I posted this :surprise:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...1/0d14e7a0.jpg

I had cats once, the ex GF wanted 2 cats. They urinated in every room except where the litter box was, cost me thousands to repair the damage. Chewed through my RO line, flooded the house. sharpened their nails on my oak railings. Crapped in the plants.

I.Hate.Cats.

Reminder List: child lock all the kitchen cupboards...

Awww... I sense a lot of jealousy in you...:lol:

:lol: so so naive

Yeah you think he's cute, that's how he gets you.

I don't think all cats are like that... Sounds more like what a dog would do...