Wood stoves/Fireplaces and Cats

Both have screens/doors obviously and i am less worried about the fireplace than the little pot belly stove we might use in winter. i mean what if she jumps on it? or will she naturally sense the heat and stay away?



Just like in the kitchen, she stays away from the lower oven when its hot.

Diana (the neighborhood worry wart)

I've never had a cat that would get very close to a lit woodstove, their instincts are pretty good about telling them that excessive heat is bad.

Just watch for a few minutes when you've got them burning, I'm sure it'll ease your mind.

If your cats won't go near the oven when it's hot, chances are you're fine. I don't blame you for wondering about the iron stove, however. My former cat, Brodie, would bring his nose dangerously close to candle flames, and didn't fear bringing his nose equally close to the iron grill on our wood stove in our fireplace. However, he never hurt himself or tried to jump in, and we were always present and watching.

Besides, you should never leave a fire unattended. So long as you are keeping your eye on the fireplace, you will be around if their curiosity overcomes their caution.

I ahv also never had a cat that would get too close to the woodstove, although they do like to lie in front of it and worship the heat

I was worried when I moved to my house b/c we have a propane gas stove. It's hot, but not so hot you would get burned if you touch it real quick. Anyway, the cats have not jumped on it once (to my knowledge). They did spend a lot of time in the basement this winter so they enjoyed the heat, and also sometime hang out near the heat grate over the stove in the kitchen.