A spray to keep Ollie out of a potentially dangerous area?

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Ollie has found an opening under the cabinetry in the kitchen that he can squeeze through. Unfortunately, the opening is so low to the ground that I can't see in it. I have no idea if it's safe in there, such as there maybe being wires or hot water pipes in there. I tried using two flashlights to illuminate it and using the video camera on my phone to get an image of the inside, but I couldn't make anything out after many tries.

I'm also worried that he might eventually get stuck in there and I'll have no way to get him out without destroying the cabinets which are the building's.

With the opening so low, I'm not sure if I can attach a covering that will be effective. I will try tomorrow, but I have a feeling it's too low to get a screw and screwdriver under there, or nails, or a stapler. Glue would be the only option if anything.

As an alternative, is there any spray that I can spray into this opening and the small cavernous space it leads to that will make him NOT want to go in there? He has alternative spaces, I think he just likes going in there as a game, but I want to keep him out.
 

momofmany

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
16,249
Purraise
70
Location
There's no place like home
I've never found a spray that deters cats. Can you just shove a towel or blanket in the opening of the hole for the time being until you can put in something more permanent? And if all else fails, there is duct tape. Won't be pretty, but it will keep him safe.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Originally Posted by Momofmany

I've never found a spray that deters cats. Can you just shove a towel or blanket in the opening of the hole for the time being until you can put in something more permanent? And if all else fails, there is duct tape. Won't be pretty, but it will keep him safe.
I've blocked it with towels and the laundry hamper until I figure out what to do.

I'm just thinking in terms of - what if I can't close up the hole? I'm trying to plan for alternative methods of resolving this issue.
 

aileen06

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
733
Purraise
12
Location
New Jersey
I have a small whole under the cabinates in my kitchen that Princess was always checking out. I took an old mousepad and cut it to the size of the hole and taped it over the hole. It worked and its been there for months. Luckily I had a black mousepad to match the trim that was already under the cabinates. I used packing tape on it.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
I looked at SSScat today. I was thinking however that since I can only reach into the area the hole leads to a few inches, it would be so close to the entrance that Ollie would be easily able to knock it over and I'd never be able to get it.

I might still get one and put it near the hole, but not actually inside where it can get knocked over, but I also got some 3/16" wood today and some epoxy glue to hold it to the cabinetry wood closing up the hole. I need to paint it tomorrow and then I'll glue it in place. It's going to be tough to get my hands in there, but I'll manage somehow.
 

momofmany

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
16,249
Purraise
70
Location
There's no place like home
If you want more ideas, take a picture of the opening and post it here. It's hard to visualize your problem so I don't have any recommendations for something more permanent.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
I will do that if this solution doesn't work.

I've glued some craft plywood to the area with 265 psi rated epoxy. I'll see if it holds.
 

darlili

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,310
Purraise
14
Location
Illinois
You are such a good daddy!!! I hope you're feeling better - and why do I figure you've got a vet all sorted out for the bitties, but no doctor for yourself yet?
 

iheartstrays

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
128
Purraise
2
Location
Del City, OK
There is a spray available at Petsmart called "Boundary". My aunt used it last Christmas to keep the cat away from the tree; she swears by it. Has to be reapplied every two or three days, she says, but apparently there IS something out there.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
You are such a good daddy!!! I hope you're feeling better - and why do I figure you've got a vet all sorted out for the bitties, but no doctor for yourself yet?
Thanks.

Yeah, I actually do have a vet lined up for Ally and Ollie, but am struggling to get a primary doctor in line. The one I wanted to use personally reviews new patient requests and decides whether or not he wants to take them. No word yet back from him.

Another one I'm going to speak to Monday about how soon I can get an appointment.

It's being worked on. I did schedule an appointment with an ENT to see if maybe my headaches are caused by a sinus infection.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
So, it's still glued there. It was a pain of a project to do this since the wood had to be cut to precise measurements and I had to add small strips on top of it to be the pieces that contact the cabinet itself otherwise it wouldn't hold.

Anyways, the end result seems to be holding right now. I don't think Ollie is going to get the best of it as I used plywood that is too thick for me to snap in half without putting some serious muscle into it, and the glue is rated for holding up to 289 lb psi.

If he breaks it, I'll call Guinness to see if he qualifies for "Strongest Cat Ever".
 

littleraven7726

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 1, 2002
Messages
3,339
Purraise
12
Location
Next to the World's Largest 6-pack
Originally Posted by LawGuy

I've glued some craft plywood to the area with 265 psi rated epoxy. I'll see if it holds.
I was going to suggest something like that. We had an apartment with a hole between the stove and cabinets that Nabu could get into. Scared the heck out of us when we couldn't find him just hours after moving in! We used cardboard to block him out of there. It worked for the several years we lived there.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

lawguy

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
936
Purraise
29
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Oh whoops. Not that this matters all that much but I caught a mistake I made. I quoted the glue as being 265 lb psi in one post and 289 in another. I checked the tube. I was right the first time, it's 265 lb psi rated. I don't remember where I got the number 289 from.
 
Top