Flippin cat plus reptile tanks= UGH!

[And_Lyn]

When we got our leopard gecko our cat decided that the tank was the cool place to sit. Unfortunately her chubby butt started ripping the screen so I no longer let her in the bedroom. She is a big "talker." She's always meowing. Anyway, she would sit at the bedroom door and meow her head off until I either distracted her or opened the door. I have no idea why it was such a HUGE deal in her little universe to get into the bedroom. Then when we got the keelback we also got a small tank for feeder minnows. Our cat about had a heart attack when she saw them. Of course she wanted to sit on the dresser and try to get them. Even though we returned the keelback we still have the feeders. We also have a fish tank on the kitchen counter that she likes to sit on. That one I dont mind so much since its a hard plastic dome thing...but I still make her get down. Anyway...we're moving at the end of the month and I want to make the little "dining room" niche in our new apartment the reptile/fish tank area. I just dont know if it's gonna work. I already know shes going to be trying to get onto the dang tanks. I especially dont want her jumping up there because I'm sure she'll knock the heat lamps off and I already know she'll tear the screens. Plus...if she somehow manages to open the screen a tad I'll have a lost snake on my hands. So today I opened the bedroom door. I figured if I let her in there to explore a bit and let her have access to where the tanks are...she'll get over it. NOT SO MUCH! Ugh! I've already had to give her a light smack on the bottom to make her get down. This is so annoying. I dont want to keep the tanks in the bedroom anymore but I guess it's unavoidable. Cats disgust me with their "everything is about me" attitude . Oh, and we've tried the water bottle method. She'll just sit there on the counter or next to the tank and squinch her eyes shut as you squirt her . It worked the first few times but now she doesnt care


Anyone have any tips before I ship her off to Timbuktu?

[guidofatherof5]

Heck, if she wants the minnows so bad, put her in the tank(not a cat lover).
Just so you know, minnows are bad for Garters. A little something call thiaminese. Will kill a garter after awhile. Guppies, salmon, tilapia, trout. All on the good list as long as it's not a product of China(personal opinion) Check out the "care sheet" on the home page. You'll be up to speed in no time.

[And_Lyn]

Heck, if she wants the minnows so bad, put her in the tank(not a cat lover).
Just so you know, minnows are bad for Garters. A little something call thiaminese. Will kill a garter after awhile. Guppies, salmon, tilapia, trout. All on the good list as long as it's not a product of China(personal opinion) Check out the "care sheet" on the home page. You'll be up to speed in no time.

Yea...we found that out after we got them. One care sheet we found online had them listed alongside the other acceptable foods. We're gonna take the minnows back, just havent had a chance yet. But thank you for the advice

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Heck, if she wants the minnows so bad, put her in the tank(not a cat lover).
Just so you know, minnows are bad for Garters. A little something call thiaminese. Will kill a garter after awhile. Guppies, salmon, tilapia, trout. All on the good list as long as it's not a product of China(personal opinion) Check out the "care sheet" on the home page. You'll be up to speed in no time.

just to clear one thing up, not all minnows are bad for snakes, but fatheads, aka rosy reds or "tuffies", are one of the fish containing the bad enzyme. And... unfortunately, they are usually the only minnow sold at a pet store. Wayne and I have both used blacknose dace, a wild caught minnow local to where we live with great results, and they are thiaminase free! You can probably get very similar baitfish or even those, at a bait shop. If you went that route I would suggest identifying the species and looking it up prior to feeding!

[guidofatherof5]

just to clear one thing up, not all minnows are bad for snakes, but fatheads, aka rosy reds or "tuffies", are one of the fish containing the bad enzyme. And... unfortunately, they are usually the only minnow sold at a pet store. Wayne and I have both used blacknose dace, a wild caught minnow local to where we live with great results, and they are thiaminase free! You can probably get very similar baitfish or even those, at a bait shop. If you went that route I would suggest identifying the species and looking it up prior to feeding!

Good point to bring up, Shannon. I guess my comment was from my personal experience. Fatheads and Rosies are all that is available in my area. Thanks for clearing-up my post.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Good point to bring up, Shannon. I guess my comment was from my personal experience. Fatheads and Rosies are all that is available in my area. Thanks for clearing-up my post.

fatheads and rosies are pretty much all that is available to most people at pet stores... so in a way, your cautious advisory is a good thing! I would honestly rather people think that all minnows are bad and opt for guppies, than accidentally use the wrong kind of minnow thinking "some of them are good and these look like the good ones", because to the inexpierienced eye, all minnows look the same!!

[jitami]

Not sure if you want to go through the hassle, but we figured out that our cat can't/won't climb or jump over a 48" high metal dog exercise pen. We were using it for the dog, of course, but noticed that the cat wouldn't go over it. You could use one or two panels as a "gate" to the dining room. Our cat theoretically *could* climb it, but won't.... maybe because it wobbles a bit? May be worth a try? Still kinda sucks, but may be better than having to keep the tanks behind closed doors.

[And_Lyn]

Not sure if you want to go through the hassle, but we figured out that our cat can't/won't climb or jump over a 48" high metal dog exercise pen. We were using it for the dog, of course, but noticed that the cat wouldn't go over it. You could use one or two panels as a "gate" to the dining room. Our cat theoretically *could* climb it, but won't.... maybe because it wobbles a bit? May be worth a try? Still kinda sucks, but may be better than having to keep the tanks behind closed doors.

Hmmm I might try that. Im desperate at this point. I'd like to be able to use our dressers for something other than reptile tanks. Thanks

[guidofatherof5]

There's been plenty of posts recently, regarding cats and snakes. As a rule the snakes don't comeout to healthy. Or even found. My dog could care less about my snakes. Don't get me wrong I'm sure they(dogs) have and will cause problems but as a rule I think a cats curious nature and stubborn attitude is a bad mix with snakes.

[And_Lyn]

Yea plus cats dont listen when you tell them no. I guess I could just shoot her with the BB gun when she jumps up there :P