Cats are incredibly smart, sweet, inquisitive and active animals that give us a lot of joy and positivity. But some behavioral habits, seemingly innocent pranks of a small kitten or an adult cat, cause owners a lot of problems. For example, cats, especially growing cats, love to hang or ride on curtains. This harmful habit is characteristic of both high-pedigree and ordinary mongrel cats. If you know this problem firsthand and you don’t know how to stop a cat from climbing curtains, we recommend reading this article.
Why do cats climb on curtains and window screens?
Regardless of age, gender, breed, or whether you've trained cats or not, it's completely normal for your pet to want to climb up vertical surfaces, says Dr. Carlo Siracusa, assistant professor of behavioral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
If you give cats unrestricted access to areas with long curtains, most will end up damaging them just because it's fun and in their nature. This is considered a problem only because this behavior is undesirable for pet owners. If your cat's climbing on curtains bothers you, you should give him the opportunity to climb in another way that is acceptable to you.
We use curtain ties
The surest way to save curtains is to hide them away from the cat's paws. Curtain ties will serve for these purposes. Magnetic, clips, hairpins - there are many options. There are simpler models, but there are others that will help add an interesting accent to the interior. The price of the issue is small: a pair of grabs will cost 500-600 rubles.
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The tendency to climb is a sign of curiosity
Dr Siracusa says: “If your cat was often outdoors, she would have access to and climb on a lot of high places. You've probably noticed more than once that cats climb trees. They do this to find safe places, study the environment, catch prey, and for fun.”
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Dr. Brian Collins, an instructor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, agrees with Carlo. He notes that cats are naturally curious. And the tendency to climb up vertical surfaces is their natural need. Cats want to climb high because it gives them a better vantage point to spot prey, and also because the cats themselves are at risk of being harmed by larger predators. Collins says cats are both hunter and prey. And this behavior cannot disappear just because the cat lives in an apartment.
Weaning methods
If you are tired of torn curtains, tulle with marks from cat claws, or an energetic pet loves to climb the curtains, you need to immediately take measures to prevent such destructive actions.
Among the most effective options are:
- Elastic fastening of curtains. The essence of this method is that the curtains are fixed with some freedom, not rigidly, but with elastic elements. As soon as a kitten or an adult cat hangs on the curtain, the fabric under the weight of the pet will sag down from the fastenings and, best of all, with a crash and noise. If they are frightened, the cat will run away, and the curtains can be returned to their original place. After several unsuccessful attempts, the animal realizes that climbing the curtains is associated with danger, very unpleasant, scary sensations.
- Verbal reprimand. Have you noticed that the kitten is playing with the curtains and jumping on the curtains? Scold the animal in a stern tone and lower it to the floor away from the window. Make it clear that this cannot be done. Cats are great at picking up intonation and understanding what is wanted from them. Therefore, talk to your pet more often, be persistent until the cat realizes its guilt. We'll have to be patient. Don’t think that a strict tone will instantly keep your pet away from the curtains. It is possible that after some time the cat will return to the old ways. But if you act persistently, the cat will obey the “warning call.”
- Fright, various “scarecrows”. Almost all cats do not like surprises, sharp unusual sounds, so when you notice that your pet is sneaking up to the curtain or is already hanging on the curtain, shout loudly “No”, “No”, “Ugh”, “Shoo”, clap your hands. Spray the cat with water from a spray bottle. Roll the newspaper into a tube and pat it on a hard surface near the cat. As a rule, the last option is the most effective and efficient. Cats are very frightened by rustling sounds, creaking, popping, screaming, rustling. Repeat the steps until the kitten or adult pet understands that such entertainment is fraught with danger.
- "Substitutes" for curtains. Switch your pet's attention to other objects, for example, place a rolled up carpet, path, driftwood or log in the corner of the room, hang an old rug or towel on the cabinet doors. Build a special vertical support on which the animal can climb up. An excellent option is a vertical pole with a rectangular platform on top. It is possible that climbing on it will be much more interesting for the kitten than on the curtains.
- Repellent scents will help keep your cat away from curtains Cats are naturally endowed with a strong sense of smell and can detect odors that humans cannot sense. In addition, some aromas attract cats, while others, on the contrary, repel them. Using this trick, you can once and for all wean a kitten or adult pet from climbing curtains.
- Cats cannot stand the smell of citrus fruits. They do not like cloying, strongly sweet floral scents (lavender, rue). Place orange, tangerine, lime peels on the windowsill, under the curtains, or simply spray the edges of the curtains with a citrus-scented air freshener.
- You can also place an aroma lamp and a bowl of essential oils of grapefruit and lime on the windowsill. Apply a few drops of essential oils to tulle and curtains. Veterinary pharmacies and pet stores sell special sprays or cat repellents with odors that have a repellent effect on cats. But before using them, make sure that they do not stain the fabric.
Why is your pet climbing up the curtains?
If a cat is feeling stressed, anxious or unwell and wants to be left alone, she may seek out a high-altitude area to be away from other animals and people. The cause may also be certain metabolic disorders, such as hyperthyroidism, as well as certain medications.
Having multiple surfaces at different levels in quiet areas for your pet is especially important, especially if you have multiple cats. These animals need privacy from time to time.
Satisfy your cat's needs
If curtains are just a path to a certain secluded place to sleep. Decide for yourself: in principle, are you satisfied if the cat sleeps there? If so, then you can simply hang a rope or ladder for the cat to the “shelf” where he lies down. If not, you can simply set up a trap in this area using plastic cups or unstable boxes to discourage the cat from making a den there. Instead, offer him a cozy, protected place, a new house or just a box where he will be comfortable.
Offer your cat options for “climbing”: various ready-made or homemade structures. Or pull out some unnecessary fabric for the cat that you don’t mind tearing with your claws.
All members of the cat family need to sharpen their claws. For this reason, be sure to monitor the condition of your pet’s claws. Also, in time, buy a scratching post that your cat will like, and trim the claws that are too long. Then the pet will not think of tearing off the beautiful curtain with its claws.
Be responsible owners if you decide to get a pet. Remember that you need to play a lot with cats, and especially kittens, so that the animals do not jump on the walls and curtains.
How to wean a kitten from this habit
Both doctors are adamant that from the cat's point of view she is doing nothing wrong and should not be punished. Kittens will climb on curtains and screens out of boredom, Collins notes, so giving them places to climb can keep your curtains intact.
Kittens, like children, learn by exploring, experimenting and playing, and climbing is an important part of this process. Instead of scolding or hitting your four-legged friends, simply provide them with an alternative and reward their good behavior with treats. Any unjustified punishment, experts say, can cause aggression in a growing cat.
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The best approach is to provide your kitty with suitable climbing options. For example, this could be a frame or a climbing ladder, at different levels of which there are your pet’s favorite treats, toys with feathers, and catnip.
Let's analyze why this happens
To begin with, it is important to understand your pet's behavior. Or rather, answer the question: why does the cat behave this way? And believe me, most often the cat does this not at all in order to anger his owner. Sometimes a kitten, for example, does not have enough toys. Or the shiny and rustling curtains look more attractive than what he has in stock for the game. If the house is full of cat toys, and the cat still ruins the curtains, start training.
How to fix tulle
Restoring tulle fabric will be somewhat more difficult than polyester curtains. To do this you should:
- Prepare assistant accessories: a needle, a glass jar, a magnifying glass, an eraser, a table lamp.
- Pull the fabric tightly over the neck of the jar.
- Secure the area with an elastic band.
- Adjust the table lamp so that the light shines directly on the damage.
- Looking through a magnifying glass, push the thread with the blunt end of the needle in the opposite direction.
Continuing the movements to the beginning of the tightening, it is easy to restore the original pattern. But this work is very painstaking and cannot be rushed.
Put up a cat house
Perhaps the cat is jumping on the curtains out of boredom because he has few toys and simply has nothing to occupy himself with. Buy a cat house or play complex for your pet. In this case, he will quickly switch his attention from the curtains to more interesting objects. The animal will be able to satisfy its natural tendency to climb without causing damage to furnishings, including curtains.
You also need to make sure that your pet has as many interesting toys as possible, for example, balls or wind-up mice.
Use verbal reprimand
Many owners believe that their pet does not accept reprimands and will never listen to them. But this is far from true: even if cats do not understand individual words, they subtly sense the mood of their owners by intonation and are quite capable of realizing that in this case people are dissatisfied with their actions.
The sooner you start scolding your kitten for jumping on the curtains, the sooner the pet will understand that it is unacceptable to behave this way. The main thing is to make comments precisely at the moment when hooliganism occurs, and not when you discover the result - torn curtains. The animal will not see a direct connection between your dissatisfaction and its actions committed some time ago.
As soon as you see that the baby has climbed the curtains or is trying to play with them, immediately lower him to the floor and reprimand him in a stern voice. Perhaps the first time the kitten will not understand what exactly they want from him, and will again decide to climb the curtain. In this case, the censure must be repeated.
If you are persistent and do not give your pet any slack, he will soon learn that curtains are not meant to be climbed on or played with, and he will stop touching them. You can reinforce your verbal reprimand with a water spray - cats hate walking around wet.
Polyester curtains
To remove puffs from durable polyester fabric, you must follow these steps:
- Place the product on a flat surface and smooth it with your hand.
- Pinch the fabric with your fingers on both sides opposite each other.
- Gently but confidently pull the canvas in different directions.
- Bring the thread to the wrong side (if it does not disappear on its own).
- Smooth out the curtains.
Alternative options
If the tips described above did not help, the cat continues to show interest in curtains, replace them with horizontal, or best of all, vertical blinds. The slats should have a smooth, glossy metal surface. The cat will not be able to climb them. No subject of interest - no problem! Don't forget that cats love to sit on the window and watch what's happening outside. Therefore, move the blinds to the side or lift them.
You can move the curtains to one side or lift them up so that the fabric is out of reach of the “tenacious” paws. Over time, the pet will lose interest in them. If this does not help, remove the curtains from all window openings for a while. After the windows are covered again, carefully monitor the cat's behavior and actions. If the prankster takes up the old ways again, have an “educational” conversation in a stern tone with the pet.
Advice! If a kitten jumps on the curtains and ruins the curtains, be sure to purchase a high scratching post from the pet store (preferably one mounted on the ceiling).
The temptation to hang on the curtains or play with the curtains increases in your absence, when no one is home, and the cat can play pranks with impunity. Therefore, when leaving home, close the rooms where the window openings are decorated with curtains. You can also use special motion sensors that are fixed on the curtains and are triggered, making sharp sounds, as soon as the cat tries to hang on them.
every three to four months . If the procedure is carried out periodically, the animal, lacking long, tenacious claws, will forget about its capabilities.
Switch your active pet's attention to other objects. Don’t leave your kitten unattended, provide it with a variety of toys (wind-up mice, balls), a house, arrange a “training” area, or purchase a play complex for cats with multi-level playgrounds. By keeping your cat varied and active, you don’t have to worry about the safety of curtains and other interior elements.
Involve your cat in active joint games. If possible, the pet is vaccinated, completely healthy, treated for ectoparasites; periodically in good weather, take your pet cat for a walk outside, but only on a leash.
There are many ways to help stop your cat from climbing or playing with curtains. Try each option, as each animal is different.
Show patience, persistence and consistency in your actions if you want to raise an obedient and well-mannered cat.
Temporarily stop using curtains
Sometimes comments on a pet have no effect. Moreover, the cat continues to climb the curtains and swing on them out of spite or out of stubbornness. In this case, the best solution would be to temporarily stop curtaining the windows. Curtains and curtains will have to be removed or replaced with slippery and smooth blinds, preferably vertical ones. Another solution to the problem is to raise the curtains higher so that the cat cannot jump onto them from the floor.
Over time, the windows can be curtained again if the blinds do not suit you. But at the same time, you will have to carefully monitor the actions of your pet. If he remembers his entertainment and starts jumping on the curtains again, he will have to remove them forever and install blinds, or resign himself and buy curtains made of thicker fabric.
Many cats do not risk mischief in the presence of their owners, but play pranks when left at home alone. In this case, it is enough to simply close all the rooms where expensive curtains hang, without resorting to more serious measures.
