Cat Loves Windows And Ruining Drapes

[erick244]

Hey all, I have an issue that I desperately need fixing so I can get some sleep at night. My 1 1/2 year old cat is really, really good at keeping me awake at night. She gets into things she normally wouldn't get into during the day, because she knows it's making me mad and I'll wake up and give her attention. I've already read the articles on ignoring your cat but I can't ignore destruction.

She loves to sit in windows, which is perfectly fine, but at night, she tears at my curtains and pulls them off the clips. I purposely bought curtains in my apartment because I can't stand the sound of the plastic blinds when the window is open. I'm a very, very light sleeper which doesn't help this at all!

I'm not too confident on deterring sprays as most websites have reviews that say their cat doesn't respond to them at all. Has anyone had any sort of success with sprays? Or a fragrance that their cat hates? I've tried giving her night time toys to play with but considering I'm at work all day, she wants to play when I want to sleep. I've also locked her out of my room and that resulted in torn up carpet so I'm in desperate need of a tip or two!

 

[She's a witch]

She is still very young, possibly terribly bored, and lonely for the most of her time, everybody (including humans) would be in her situation. I would play with her much more, in the morning before you leave and much longer and intensively in the evening (personally in your case I’d spend at least an hour but probably more). Hopefully it’ll give her enough stimulation to get her calm through the night.

 

[basschick]

cats are nocturnal by nature, and they're not dogs, so they do what they want. also your cat needs to have fun and needs to burn some energy. it's not just that they want to - imagine trying to keep a toddler in a small area with no attention all day. you'd have an overweight toddler who wants to get into everything all the time.

have you gotten her some exciting stuff like a multi level cat tree with things that hang that she can bat at? or another cat. that has some risks, though - they could keep each other busy or they could fight and tear stuff up.

 

[erick244]

Thanks guys for the responses. I think I am coming to terms that I may just be a bad cat mom. I remind myself that she needs to be played with more, and that I need to set time somewhere in my busy schedule to give her that attention because snuggles are not enough. She does have plenty of toys she can play with on her own and she does have her own cat tree, but having been feral and just learning to love Mom means she's obsessed with this newfound companionship and she just really wants all the time in the world with me.

I feel bad because she's home alone for 9 hours a day due to work, but I have to incorporate playtime with her somehow. I don't know if getting another cat is an option right now because I don't know how she does with other felines. It could be a really bad idea, or it could make her less lonely.

All in all, I think I may have just answered my own questions, lol.

 

[susanm9006]

Unfortunately, curtains are just an invitation to climb. When you go to bed at night I would pin up to the top curtain rod or wrap them around it so the kitten can’t reach them. Blinds are a better option or go with old fashioned window shades.

 

[basschick]

cats are mostly animals who live in groups. look at the feral colonies - they not only live as a group - they also get joined by solo cats. they play, fight, interact and socialize in many ways, and they feel safer as a groupl. your cat is alone, so you take the part of an entire group of cats.

inanimate objects like balls and wands are fun, but they're not someone your cat can talk to, groom together or hang out with.

you're right about another cat. i admit that if my cat was alone all day, i'd try it knowing it may take time for them to get used to each other. i've never had problems introducing a new cat to the resident cat, but it's obvious from hanging out on this board that people often do run into problems.

and yeah, like susanm9006 says, to natural climbers like cats, curtains are an invitation to climb. pinning them up at night or using shades would probably be your best option if you can't stand shades. i use heavy duty shades, and i haven't noticed they made any sound even with a fan running.

 

[FeralRussian]

I’m of the camp that says the best solution is to change the window coverings. Heck maybe one way Mylar would be the best solution.

I once had a lovely canopy setup enclosing my bed. Color and flow. The Kits have gone to Town relentlessly. I’ve repaired it a few times. To No Avail. I’ve attempted reducing the amount of fabric hanging down. Nada. Zip. Nope. And once upon a time I thought they would never get on the bed. I even bought kitty stairs for them. Those were the days. As they say, be careful what you wish for. Three am, midnight, five am.....they hang above me like a living cat mobile.

Years from now I’ll miss these days. Whatever you do, best of luck.

 

[LTS3]

Do you have a tall cat tree? That might help satisfy your cat's need to climb up high.

I know a few have suggested blinds but don't get them. The rattling noise of blinds is annoying Plus blind cords are dangerous. There are cordless blinds but there's still the cord in between the slats which a cat may chew on and maybe get a claw snagged in.

 

[maggie101]

I was just going to suggest a tall cat tree. Mines 72 inches. Almost as high as the blinds. Much funnier to climb.

 

[JamesCalifornia]

She loves to sit in windows, which is perfectly fine, but at night, she tears at my curtains and pulls them off the clips.

~ Welcome to the 'New Curtains' club ...

 

[danteshuman]

OK once I stopped laughing at ‘they do acrobatics above me now’, I was trying to think of how to help you.

Part of it is just her age. She has a ton on energy and well no trees inside to climb. I sleep with a very loud fan on at night to block out my cat’s hyper antics. Personally I would try a few things (besides lots more/intensive play.) I would try giving her a large cat tree or two in your bedroom to climb instead of your curtains. If/when you can I would get her a window catio and harness train her for a daily walk..... we can help with that. I would also rotate her toys so she doesn’t get bored .... and interactive toys help. Feeding birds in view of a windowsill perch is a great way to keep her entertained while you are at work. You may even attract squirrels which cats love to hunt to! I would try sticky tape all over those curtains to help discourage curtain climbing. If all else feels you can always try a miler or stained glass window film instead of curtains.

My boy loves to climb up the shelves in my closet (it is handicap accessible) so he has half the closet height to climb. I also moved his tall cat tree to my bedroom by the wardrobe so he could easily have more higher up there & space to run around on (he loves to climb.) So you can try rearranging your furniture and maybe installing some shelves that can hold your cat’s weight plus some. That way she can have lots of space to run and jump and climb up high without destroying your home.

You are not a bad cat mom. Trust us, we have learned how to be better cat parents when our problem children cats put us through the wringer. Oh the horror stories I could tell you about my punk! Take lots of photos, you will laugh about this in years to come. (If you can one of your expert curtain climber before you put the tape on.)

 

[cheesycats]

What do u mean she tears them off the clips?
I use thick curtains and tack them to the wall so my cats can’t get into them. Then close the blinds and paper clip the inner part of the curtains lol. A little extensive but my cats are blind destroyers if I don’t and I hate that look of broken blinds and tbh unless I’m home and it’s daytime the blinds stay closed. The time they get to be in the windows is when I’m home and it’s day time and they know that. I close the blinds and pin the curtains closed every night and when I go to work. They have done well with that routine.

 

[Hellenww]

Is she trying to look out the window or climb the drapes? Climbing the drapes she will probably grow out of, she will get too heavy to climb at that angle. Others have given suggestions on how to preserve your drapes. If she just wants to get to the window she can be taught how to find the center and go through. Place a cat tree centered at the window leaving the drapes open a little. Over 2 weeks close them a little more. All but one of our cat learned to push them aside so they could see out. The other one could do it would paw at the opening and cry until her Papa cat came and opened it for her. When Papa Rusty passed she got a kitten to do it for her.

 

[di and bob]

That is precisely why I don't have drapes, perpetual tears from hanging kittens. Shades might be your best bet, cheap ones to start out with. They can be cut to fit. A tree in front of your window might be a good thing too, the cat can climb it instead. Most cats adjust to human's sleep schedules, obviously yours hasn't. Maybe ask the vet about a 'calming' med, there are a lot of herbal ones on amazon, that might just make her sleepy enough to sleep at night and get into the habit. s he needs to adjust her schedule to yours. I agree with trying to tire her out at night. Look into soem interactive toys taht will stimulate her and only bring tehm out before bedtime. That may help. all the luck!

 

[Maria Bayote]

Yep, curtains are one of cats' favorite, as the more they "play" with it, the more it sways and moves and they probably think the drapes really are playing along with them. You should see my curtains. LOL.

You already have a lot of good suggestions above. Playing with your cat before bedtime is a good idea, then ensure she has also eaten, so she also would not wake up and bug you with food. Since she is still very young, she really does have an unlimited energy. If you will get another cat, I think it is better to take in a much younger cat, as kittens are easier to introduce to a resident cat. But there is no guarantee that you will have a good night's sleep, or no more curtains will be destroyed. Remember, there will be two cats already, both very young. It is a risk. But at least, your cat will have somebody to play with while you are gone.

 

[danteshuman]

at your cat that trained other cats to open your curtain for them.

Just be sure to put those interactive toys in another room, so she learns the bedroom is for sleeping.

*eyes my teen kitten* my twerp is still learning to play elsewhere when I sleep but the fan drowns him out.

 

[LTS3]

What do u mean she tears them off the clips?
.

The curtains must be on the rod with clips like these:

Curtains with grommet holes might be better but you'll have to make sure the curtain rod is securely attached to the wall just in case the cat decides to climb the curtains anyways.

Tips on how to sleep: How To Stop My Cat From Waking Me Up At Night (step-by-step Plan)

 

[erick244]

LTS3, you are correct, I do use those clips from Ikea because I have those awful plastic panel curtains in my apartment and there's no way I can remove the mechanism to get a curtain rod installed. So I just removed the panels and clipped these babies on. Very innovative! At least I don't have to worry about an entire rod coming down on me in the middle of the night!

Just a small update, it seems she's gotten bored with trying to wake me up with curtain climbing and other furniture climbing. She's now evolved to the point of perching on top of me and pawing and ALSO clawing at my head and face. This girl is persistent! I used to be able to roll over and she'd get the message, but she just perches right back on my shoulder and bats away! It's something I could ignore if the claws didn't come out so I guess I'm just gonna wait this phase out too, and I hope she'll soon learn that when Mom is in bed and under the blankets, it's time to leave her alone!

 

[danteshuman]