How Do I Keep My Cats Off Of My Tanks?

[Zach72202]

My cats really feel the need to drink out of my fish tanks and like to lay on top of the glass lids and dip their paws in the water. Now I am not really concerned with them catching my fish, but I think one day one of two things will happen, either the cat will fall in, break my glass lid and ruin a light possibly and much more bad things, or, when my fahaka puffer is bigger and they decide to put their paws in the water he might bite some toes off.
As a side note, I found my amano shrimp 'basking' on top of my glass lid for a hot minute before I could blow him back into the tank. I don't exactly want them to find any other curious shrimp and get a sashimi snack.

 

[Pfrozen]

Lol sashimi! Cats dislike citrus scents and they are harmless to your fish. I would just try rubbing a slice of orange around the perimeter of your tank. Just leave a light coat so it leaves a bit of scent

 

[Algonquin]

I remember having an issue with the cat jumping into the crib (many years ago) and using a sheet of tinfoil on the mattress (when the crib was empty obviously! ) because they don't like the sound or feel of it. You could try lying a slightly crumpled (so it's bumpy) sheet of foil along the top of tank for a few days - if they don't like it, maybe they'll stop going up there and you can remove it (not a great look, i know!)
Do they have an alternative spot where they can sit to watch the fish?

 

[Zach72202]

The tank is pretty much on the floor (Its a double stack 29 gallon stand ). The only fish in there is a betta, and they don't pay him much attention, they like to watch my Green Spot Puffer in the tank nearby. They just like to drink out of the tanks versus their water bowl for some reason! Its like fresh clean water twice a day, or old fishwater, who knows. I'll try the tin foil method here shortly. Thank you for the reply!

 

[Algonquin]

Have you tried putting a bowl of tank water on the floor next to the tank for them to drink?? Ewwww gross, but they're cats. My cat used to go lick the shower pan immediately after someone used the shower, so who knows what they are thinking

 

[AngelfishDude722]

The tank is pretty much on the floor (Its a double stack 29 gallon stand ). The only fish in there is a betta, and they don't pay him much attention, they like to watch my Green Spot Puffer in the tank nearby. They just like to drink out of the tanks versus their water bowl for some reason! Its like fresh clean water twice a day, or old fishwater, who knows. I'll try the tin foil method here shortly. Thank you for the reply!

It is because it is hard for cats to drink out of a bowl

 

[Zach72202]

Hmm, its like a little fountain thing, I supposed we could change it up since they are bigger now, but makes some sense. Thanks for the reply!

 

[AngelfishDude722]

No problem my cats did the same I am sure they even got a fish

There is supposed to be crying emojis in that last post of mine

 

[juniperlea]

The tank is pretty much on the floor (Its a double stack 29 gallon stand ). The only fish in there is a betta, and they don't pay him much attention, they like to watch my Green Spot Puffer in the tank nearby. They just like to drink out of the tanks versus their water bowl for some reason! Its like fresh clean water twice a day, or old fishwater, who knows. I'll try the tin foil method here shortly. Thank you for the reply!

Mine loves tank water too! I keep fresh tank water in a bowl on the floor, right by the tank.

 

[Skrabbitskrabbit]

I squirt mine with water from a spray bottle when I catch him where he’s not supposed to be. Mine also likes drinking the water

 

[juniperlea]

I set out two new bowls a few minutes ago. One has tank water and the other has rain water. Tank water won! I love my 20 yr old man!

 

[Utar]

I built a canopy top for my 55 gallon aquarium, this keeps my cat off my tank.

 

[AJE]

Put a dog on the tank

 

[juniperlea]

I squirt mine with water from a spray bottle when I catch him where he’s not supposed to be. Mine also likes drinking the water

Set out a bowl of tank water. Mine hates tap water. So do my house plants and tank plants!!

 

[Zach72202]

Set out a bowl of tank water. Mine hates tap water. So do my house plants and tank plants!!

This might actually be the best idea for me currently. I have so low stock tanks that might be good for this... Its gross to me, but I guess whatever works for them, not like its toxic at all so.

 

[juniperlea]

This might actually be the best idea for me currently. I have so low stock tanks that might be good for this... Its gross to me, but I guess whatever works for them, not like its toxic at all so.

It's funny, because I posted about my cat drinking tank water months ago and ppl responded how their goats, dogs, etc love to drink it. What do these animals know that we don't?!