FishProfiles.com Message Forums

My male betta smokey died yesterday when my cat knocked his tank off of a 5-shelf bookshelf where thought he was safe and my cat, Fez, couldn't get to him. (cat owners- you know how facinated they are with water, they always want it spilled) I had to move ALL of my tanks upstairs and my boys (3x rats) downstairs to make room I'm so sad! Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happining again???? *Ugh!*

Inky

Get some blue tack (aka poster putty) and put it under the tank/bowl. Makes it a lot harder to knock over. We do this for vases at my house and the cat hasn't knocked them over since (although she still does pull flowers out sometimes).

><>

I'll have to try that on my smaller tanks. Right now they are locked in my room but my cat has been known to open doors My boyfriend suggested finding a place to put the cat while I am out but the only place I could think of doing that would be in our bathroom or our walk-in pantry and my cat likes to run around. The putty does sound like a good idea Thanks ^_^

Inky

So I take it this is an indoor cat you have? That is aweful about the betta bowl. Thank goodness it was nothing heavier where you could have had substantial water damage (along with fatalies). I agree to put the cat somewhere safe while you are out and tack down the tanks would be the best bet. Otherwise, if it is not too late, train it as an outdoor cat.

Just trying to help. Good luck!

---

"it's the neck, it creaks under the weight of too much heavy thinking."

You could try those little rubber mats and make sure all your bettas have a snap on lid.

___________________________________________

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

My cat was an outdoor cat, but I prefer him indoors since there are ALOT of strays in my area and many cats turn up on the side of the road (My guess is people bring them to the college and turn them loose when they relise they can't have them. With my cat, some one in my apartment complex was caring for him and left him) For saftey issues, I prefer the cat indoors (though I do take him outside once and awhile) Would he be okay in my pantry (its about the size of a small bathroom... his litterbox, toys and food fit in there comfortably with some room for him to run around?

Inky

Sorry about your betta.

I have to agree that cats are better off indoors. Inside cat may = dead betta, but outside cat may = dead/injured cat. Creates a whole 'nother problem. All it takes is one cat fight and you've got some real vet bills in your future. Or worse, a dog...or a car...even a racoon can rip a cat to shreds, and they often hang out in urban areas. Not to mention that outdoor cats prey upon wild birds....

Can you create other areas for the cat to jump onto? In other words, is it the tank he was after, or was he just jumping on the shelf? Maybe he's in dire need of climbing/jumping perches. It can be hard for once-outside cats to adjust to indoor life. Sometimes with the use of catnip and treats, cats can be redirected to other lounging surfaces. I would be concerned that cooping him up in the pantry/bathroom would just cause more pent-up energy. How long would he have to be in there at any given time?