Don't get me wrong I'm a cat lover. My layout is two levels with O gauge on first level and N scale on top. I am getting ready to think about scenery and am wondering how to keep my feline off the layout while still allowing him to be in our family room. At this point he doesn't really do much harm , but when scenery is added it could present problems I would think. Anyone else had this problem and found solution? Papa
You have to convince him trains are off limits. Cats are smart and he knows the difference. That may sound simplistic, but it depends somewhat on the cat. My cat knows NEVER to touch my trains, but he is often with me right in the train room, just hanging out. I toss toys at him and just pay a little attention to him once in awhile. YMMV.
I was talking with someone just yesterday, and their cat had meandered through a shelf of HO models, causing quite a bit of damage. Especially when several items hit the floor. Thankfully, we have NO cat. Boxcab E50
Usually simply putting the cat on the floor will teach it to leave a certain area alone after a while. If that doesn't work, a little squirt gun will. Unless you have a cat that doesn't mind water and likes surprises.
I don't know if this will help, but some years back my cat (who is now 13) liked to get on my On20 layout and nap in the canyon. He never did any damage except for the cat fuzz...but I figured a way to end the problem. I "planted" suhuaro cactus in the canyon-made from hard plastic. He got up there one more time and didn't like the surroundings, jumped down and never got up again. Something else that could discourage cats is to keep a water pistol loaded and if the critter gets where you don't want...squirt once. The cat will remember and not get there again! Woodie
Lay some slightly crinkled foil across the surface when you're away, the cat won't like the sound and feel of the foil and quit jumping up there.
This was the best/easiest/quickest way to train our cat that Trains are off limits. Just dont accidently grab the 50/50 water/glue mix.
Well. I have two cats and while I won't say I have a mysterious tree toppling from time to time I will say that cats do respond to the word, NO! Say your cat's name, and the word, NO! It/they will learn. My female cat keeps me company as I work on the layout. I would miss here if she didn't. They'll learn. Jim
A 12 gauge works wonders...J/K !!! :tb-tongue: A BB gun maybe? J/K again...sheshhhhhhhhhh!!! :tb-tongue: The squirt bottle does work. I had a cat...years ago. I have since found the squirt bottle also works on my dogs and my parrot ...LOL. Hey...I love cats...they taste just like chicken...:tb-tongue: .
Cats & Trains We have two cats that we have had since they were kittens. Both were taught that there are areas in the house that are "Off Limits" to them. The kitchen counters and the dinner table along with the layout and other places have been and still are "off Limits" and punishment is quick if the rules are violated. Cats learn fast and are a lot like kids. Just have to be firm and consistant with them. The little grey cat is afraid of the trains and the big fat black one is curious but knows his limits.
Some cats just like to watch, and a layout offers a good perspective. What I would try is have a high pearch near the layout (maybe with a piece of scrap carpet on top) where the cat can watch. However, there are also some cats who learn to stay off the layout when you are there too, but there may be an N scale earthquake when you're not home.
I’m also looking for a solution. I have a fold up cover over my 3x8 layout, but my new yard addition isn’t going to have one because of space constraints. The cover doesn’t make much difference because my wife’s cats are causing a lot of damage from below, They are eating my wiring from below. I ran a couple of 120 volt extension cords to teach them a lesion and even though there are a plenty of tooth holes in the insulation there haven’t been any incidents yet. They seem to know which cord what, because they chew completely through the turnout and track wires. They chewed the insulation all the way down to bare wire on my NCE PowerCab power supply cord. I told the wife that that was the last straw and I was going add more 120 volt extension cords unless she keeps them out of the train room. I’m not sure if she heard me because they are still chewing on my wires. When my son was little he had a little robot that would light up and make noises when anything passed by. I don’t know if its still around, but I’ve been going through all the old boxes looking for that thing.
I am taking notes on this one. Laura has made it clear there is a cat in our future. Hmmmm. Squirt bottle Crinkly paper 12 Guage Strong firm words Uncomfortable cactus and such Boundaries A place near by to watch Motion sensitive toy robots "Mostly" great ideas.
Thanks for all the replies. I must tell you as I'm writing this my one year old male cat is sitting on my lap......he seems to be smiling.
Best. Soultion. Ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EFUJ-DEBpA&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlCzIr-_0GI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG0ciR_k8ck&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN5jL7B8Ocg&feature=related if you do use one of these, a video camrea is a must!!!
This seems more like them demonstrating a dislike toward either you, the model RR or both. Boxcab E50
It could be they are a little upset with me. The room was my daughter’s room and the cats did belong to my daughter. When she moved out, she left the cats and I took over the room. There were three cats but one left home and never came back, but that might be because I got a new dog about that time.
