Quote:
> One of our cats is a real tree climber. And
> he likes to be around us when we work outdoors.
> Nice, but recently when we work in the green-
> house he has taken to "climbing" the plastic
> film to the top ridge. He then follows us as
> we move around inside the greenhouse.
> Of course his "climbs" leave little tiny holes
> in the plastic film. Now to try and figure
> out a way to discourage his greenhouse climbs.
Try bringing him into the greenhouse with you. Some of
my bad cats (I have 5, and they're *all* bad cats ;-) )
like to work with me in the garden. I'm usually able
to pursuade them that they only get ear scritches if
they aren't directly in front of me (i.e., in the way).
Alternative #2: the karo and tabasco trick: If there's
just a few spots he tends to climb, mix up corn syrup
and hot pepper sauce, about 50-50. Evaporate it down if
it's too runny. Add a little dish soap for a spreader-sticker,
and pour it over the ribs of the greenhouse, or the ridge pole.
Cats hate sticky feet. When encountering corn syrup, his tendency
will be to groom his feet, and then he'll get a mouthful of
tabasco. It usually only takes one, or at most two, encounters
to persuade a cat that this isn't the best spot for him. The
mixture is non-toxic, and washes off with a Garden hose.
This mixture can be used for training cats away from just about
any solid surface, including breaking the habit of munching on
electrical wires, and jumping on cars (tarp the car first to
protect the paint).
Check out the "problem behavior" FAQ from rec.pets.cats, too.
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