CATS & BETTAS?!

[mozgrrl]

Hi everyone, I currently have (2) 1 gallon Betta tanks at my home and I am planning on gettting a few more today. My question is, how do cats mix with fish tanks? I am getting a new kitten this weekend and another the following weekend and I am very worried that they will mess with my fish. Do you think I should let the kittens see the fish or try to hide it away from them?
Thanks,
Andrea

 

[wuvmybetta]

I think you'll be ok since they're kittens. If it was a full grown cat and you were introducing fish, it may be a different story. But since it's the other way around and the kittens are coming into the fishes territory, you can get it to work. Make sure your lids are tight fitting!

 

[rykitten]

I sort of agree but disagree at the same time. Kittens tend to be playful and more rambunctious then adult cats. Because of that reason, try to keep it in an area where it's protected so the kitten can't tip it or collide with it.

My cat is 2 and spends hours with the fish tank. He lays next to it, shoves his nose against the glass and paws at the fish. It scares me sometimes because the tank is only 2.5 gal. I just talk to him in a stern voice and tell him no a few times. He knows my warning voice and he seems to get it. My other cat pretty much ignores the fish except to drink out of the tank.

I guess it really depends on the cat. Just make sure he knows right away that he can look, but he can't touch.

 

[shrks1fan]

I would think trying to hide them would be the worst thing, because then when the cat eventually sees them (and you know they will eventually), it will be new and interesting to the cat (you know the thing about curiousness and cats, hehe). But if it's just the normal everyday item, then the kitten may learn to leave it alone.

I don't have a cat personally but I've read many posts in the past about how people say their cats use the fish tanks as water bowls, but leave the fish alone. But then again I've hear of cats going fishing, Lol. I would say, figure out a way to train your kitten to not go fishing (look but don't touch) and the household will be happier

Linda
http/www.pet-emporium.com/files
http/www.cooking-fanatics.com/files

 

[wuvmybetta]

I agree Linda. When I went to the betta show, there were hundreds of lidless betta jars and 2 cats. The cats DID drink the water, but other than that they were good. Somebody even got a cute pic of one of the cats passed out in between 50 jars But, those cats were raised around bettas

 

[mozgrrl]

Thanks for all the info guys. All of my Betta tanks have lids and are sort of tucked away. I will let you guys know if I have any catastrophes! My kitten is a Sphynx, so they get baths every week and love water...hopefully he won't try to take a bath in my fish tanks!!

My LFS just got a new shipment of Bettas today! I can't wait to get outta work to go look at them...maybe I can find other colors besides blue and red! I really want a yellow one and an orange one.

 

[PETsMARTchick]

The best thing to do is to see how they react, if they notice them at all. I have 2 hamsters and my cats don't know they exist. They also have never noticed my brother's betta. My kitty loves to watch my fish tank though. But the only fish he cares to watch are the coreys. So maybe slow-moving bettas bore cats.

 

[shrks1fan]

Cats in Betta Fish rooms seem to be common, I dont' know how many Betta websites I've been to, looked at the pictures of their fishrooms and seen pictures with cats in them, Lol. I only have a dog and she doesn't even like to go in the fish room, I think for 2 reasons, 1) it's too hot (she hates the heat and I keep my fishroom at least 80F) 2)she doesn't like to go in rooms that are usually closed up, which the fishroom is to keep the heat inside. She does get jelous though when she sees/hears me talking to the fish, she'll come running to get HER attention, haha.

Linda
http/www.pet-emporium.com/files
http/www.cooking-fanatics.com/files

 

[wuvmybetta]

omg'sh my dog does the same thing when I talk to the fish But she's quite happy to sit and stare at me while I'm in the betta room, humid hotness and all

Good luck finding some beauties,mozgrrl Be sure and tell us what ya got!

 

[wrs]

one of my cats afraid of my bettas

 

[rykitten]

Silly cat!

 

[abe]

My one kitty (about 4 years old) used to love to watch my fish, then he grew out of it, now he loves to watch my betta... My kitten likes to watch the big tank though, heh. I think you should be ok though, Ive never had anything happen w/ them, and my tank has no hood at the moment either.

Good Luck w/ your new kitty

 

[Sorrell]

I have two kitties and they leave the fish alone, but all that are in their reach have good lids on them. I'm sure with a nice lid you'll be fine

 

[jacblades]

i have six cats and they dont bother the fish-they just like to drink out of the tanks. just dont put the betta in a bowl or something that could easily be knocked over. as long as you have a lid (which you should have anyways), there should be no problems