Question

CAT LOVERS AGAIN - What's the best way to keep a kitten from going on top of my scanner? I had to remove the Automatic Document Feeder because her weight will eventually crack the plastic.

Answer 1

There is a product called a “scat mat” that gives them a small electric jolt (like a static discharge) – it doesn’t harm them (I’ve stepped on them plenty of times myself), and I guarantee you that it will work. The down side is that they can be kind of expensive (although this one seems surprisingly affordable http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752972&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=googleproduct&mr:trackingCode=03E85B6C-AF9E-DD11-B7E2–001422107090&mr:referralID=NA) The do-it-yourself-er method is to place upside down mouse traps on the surface so that when the kitten jumps up, they discharge with a loud clacking noise. It scares the kitten so much that it never comes back. The caveat to both of these methods is that you must protect any delicate items in the area – frightened cats tend to pogo around and break things. A less invasive (and less effective) method that sometimes works is to put something offensive smelling to the cat in the area (citrus, pine, mint, etc) as a repellent.