We just got a young cat. She is very sweet but just one problem. She seems to really like my layout, as in getting on it and chewing stuff up. I already have to redo some telephone poles and such. What do you guys do to keep your cats off your layouts? Any help will be welcome besides get rid of her.
LOL Are you in for a treat. Everytime she gets on the layout gently remove her telling her that's a "No No". As she climbs back up on the layout with a determined look in here eye repeat above. Pretty soon she or you will tire of this game or one of you will get scratched. Now take out a spray bottle and shoot her in the butt. After doing this enough times she might get the hint or the layout will get a good cleaning. I'm not sure which comes first. Finally, you think you've won the battle and she isn't paying any attention to the layout. Until you run you're Big Boy, you know the one with all the bells and whistles. The expensive one. You turn your back as it climbs the helix and you hear a sickening noise. Yep, she took a swat at it. Your worst fears realized. I really don't know what you can do about this. I have cat's (plural) for years and we have pretty much coo-habitaited together. Of course there's no scenery on the layout but oh how much fun the trains have trying to out run the cat's. Some help eh? Seriously! The pet stores sell a spray "Cat Away". It doesn't smell pretty but it might work for you. Otherwise throw the cat out the door and close it...quick! What door? Humm, now we have a real problem. How about a catatorium? And give her, her own G gauge trains to chase or ride around in.cute:
They hate nylon bird netting as used to cover fruit trees. Your cat should quickly learn that a curtain of it won't support her weight. Obviously the curtain would need to be hung from above layout height, not just from baseboard height. Spray bottles are good too.
Why didn't I think of a repellent. Thanks BarstowRick, I think I will try that first. If that don't work I don't know what to do besides cover the layout with a net or plexi. She seems to do her best work when we are away, so the spray bottle trick may not do it. I will let you guys know. I'm off to get some "Cat Away" or similar product.
Get some mouse traps and place them upside down. When the cat steps on them they will snap and scare it. Gary
We have used peppermint extract to repel the cats. We soaked a couple of cotton balls in the extract and hung them from paperclips where we didn't want the cats to go.
Ok, I just got back from the local Wally World. I found a product called RO-PEL Animal Repellent granules. It looks like balast, smells a little like rotten eggs, and says it does not harm animals. I will let you know if it works. Should only take a day or two and I will know for sure.
Try this: Official Innotek Site: Ssscat Youtube video: Make sure sound is on, but don't drink soda while watching!
I always though it might be interesting to put about 30v to the rails when the layout was turned off. Not enough to hurt the kitty, just enough to deliver a bit of a shock when she touches the rails.... then again, my wife would never stand for that. In my house, the cats are not allowed in the garage where the layout lives. All are happy.
LOL Funny! I can just see hiss-cat on a train layout, fully scenic'd. Trees, people, automobiles, train cars being scattered here and to fro. I can see overhead trolley lines crashing down. All at a unsaid cost. Funny!
So far so good. She was not happy at all. But my layout was not damaged any more last night (her favored time to play). I think this stuff is going to work. She is staying totaly away from the area.
Well this can be a problem. I'm no 'cat whisperer' but I can tell you that cats, and dogs, do know and if they don't know, can learn the word "NO!" I realize that disipline is a vanishing thing these days, but saying the word strongly to your cat for any negative behavior will put an end to these shinanigans. I have two cats and they are pleasant companions in the trainroom with me most of the time. Jim
She already knows the word "NO" and was getting down when told. It is the times when I'm not around that she was doing the damage.
I was not even going to reply to that post, but since nscalerone did, here goes my reply. NO I WILL NOT KILL THE CAT! Sorry, but please do not post if you can not offer anything better than that.
