Cat problem

[f1_indy2000]

All members responding to this thread, Please keep your replies humane and serious in nature. Failure to do so will lead to this thread being locked with disciplinary actions taken up to, and including Bannings.

Any of you out there have a cat and does your cat like to get up on your layout and make an area(my coal mine) a favorite spot to hang out or just become clumsy and knock things over that looks like godzilla had arrived? Well thats my issue and want to get some ideas of how to keep the pest off. I wouldn't just get rid of the cat because he is a good little guy and the boss(wife) wouldn't allow it. I'm just looking for some suggestions of how to deter him from getting up there without harming him. I have used a spray bottle with water. That seems to work on getting him off but that's it. He still gets up on the layout.

[Rybcon]

I'm not a cat person at all so any of my suggestions probably would be unacceptable.

[railfan]

Wow, this could open up a pandora's box of interesting and humorous possibilities.....but seriously......I see your problem and I like cats too.


Mike

[RichardAJensen]

Originally Posted by f1_indy2000

He still gets up on the layout.

Not quite sure what your setup is, but the best option may be to make it difficult for the cat to get on the layout. Which may be hard because there is much on a layout to fascinate a cat, meaning multiple attempts to figure out how to get on that oh so interesting layout.

If the cat is hopping down onto the layout from a nearby shelf, can you put something on the edge of the shelf? Or if he's hopping up onto the layout, can you put up a fence or rail that will keep him from being able to hop up onto it? What I've found with my cats is that, often, they just want to be around their 'owners' (and I use that term in the loosest possible sense), so is there a way of setting up some other part of the room as a better cat hangout?

You could also try this:

[John P]

There are more ways than one to skin a cat. And if the cat gets on your railroad, you might end up trying some of them.

[NYSW F45]

small spray bottle with water. If you see him/her getting ready to jump up, spray them with the stream, not the mist and tell them no. Eventually they'll learn not to do it.

[ricjus001]

Invisible fence around the layout. If anything, the collar may prove too heavy for a cat and jumping would prove challenging.

Justin

[h44]

lets see where is your layout it is in a room where you have a door? if not are you able to build a partition wall with studs and drywall? if you have a basement layout building a walls around your layout space to make a room could be used, i did something similiar for making a inlaw bedroom in our basement, it was a wierd basement the ceiling was about 6 feet above the floor, it was uneven concrete which was no problem where the frame was going i used the above floor joist to attach the frames to and used 2x4s to build up under the frame and used drywall to cover the walls, and of course don't forget the door i found a used prehung door which was easier and cheap, anything i used to attach to the concrete i used masonary nails worked good. i have never had a basement layout i have been lucky to have a spare room or attic space( was not so good)
so a door works great to keep the furry friend out of the train room
mk

[h44]

"A Somewhat Crass and unfeeling statement removed "

The poster asked for helpful hints not a ridicoulous statement or inhumane advice. If you can't help with advice to the problem don't offer. However if you wish to express sympathy or lack of knowledge on the subject there's no problem.

[Lionel fan]

= Statement removed

I agree with your reasoning.