You may be worried about one thing if you have a cat and a reptile – whether your cat will attempt to jump into the reptile cage. Cats are dangerous to reptiles, but you need to take steps to keep them away from the cell despite being aware of the danger.
Cats have a knack for getting into trouble, whether emptying the dishwasher to eat your clean dishes or jumping onto the draperies. Conversely, cats are fascinated with everything reptilian, including real snakes in aquariums and adorable tiny turtles in enclosed terrariums.
If you have one, nothing will prevent your cat from attempting to open the reptile’s cage. How to prevent a cat from accessing a reptile’s cell is the topic of this article. Keep reading if you want to find out something.

Chapters
The Best Way to Keep Your Cat Out of Reptile Cages
Method 1: Make a Fence & Padlock
Materials: A strong mesh net, cable ties, and two wood stakes
- Make a mark on the floor by measuring and marking a square or rectangle. You can use the largest of your reptiles as a guide to determine the size of the enclosure that will work best for your reptile. Ideally, the pen should have a width of about 10 inches. Make sure the mesh is cut to size using wire cutters.
- Put a wooden stake on the floor at one of the rectangle’s corners, checking its verticality with a level app or propping up its bottom with another stake if required. Cut off a piece of mesh sheeting and use a cable tie to secure it towards the middle of each large side. Put one end of the framework through a drill to make two holes for the cable ties.
- Loop a cable tie over the bottom of the frame, in which the four corners meet, and secure it to the wooden posts at the corner of your choice. Assemble the remaining ends to their stakes using cable ties, then raise the frame to reveal an accessible pen measuring about 10 inches on all sides.
- If necessary, continue this procedure for the other ends of your reptile cage, and then fasten all four sides with a length of solid plastic mesh or fence wire bent to form. Use cable ties or something similar to secure the net to the four corners of the pen.
Method 2: Make a Water Bottle Repellent
Materials: Permanent marker, spray bottle of vinegar or water
- To prevent your cat from entering the room containing the reptile cage, you may use a marker pen to label an unused plastic bottle as a “cat” or “reptile” repellent. If you write anything on this bottle, it will end up on its side once you spray it, so you probably wouldn’t bother.
- To repel an invading cat without harming it, fill this container halfway with half vinegar and half water and use it as a spritzer.
- Whenever your cat enters your sight, you may flip the bottle open, spritz its face, and then close it. Your cat may have to be sprayed multiple times if it is determined to break into your reptile’s enclosure, and you may need to shift the bottle about so the cat is never sure when or where the following spray will come through.
Method 3: Use Hair Conditioner
Materials: An easy-to-use permanent marker, a bucket of medium size, hair conditioner (or shampoo)
- Gather roughly 2 liters of conditioner or unused shampoo; one easy method is to load up the empty bottle of shower cream you no longer desire with water and then add a little hair conditioner. If you want to create a variety of repellent sprays for your hair, use different colored food dyes in each bottle.
- If you know your cat is going to enter the room containing your reptile’s cage, write “DO NOT TOUCH” on the side of a pail and fill it with as many containers of hair conditioner or shampoo as you can find that carry a combination of good odors.
- Before taking your cat outdoors for a short while, place the container near the area you want it to avoid; if you’re using food coloring, be sure no white markings appear. If you leave your cat alone for more than five minutes, it may get curious about the source of the delicious aroma wafting from the puddle.
- When your cat isn’t curious in the water in the bucket when you get back, you may write “Cat’s Do Not Touch” on the bottom with a permanent marker and move it farther out from your reptile’s cage before repeating the process with two or even more buckets.
- If you already have more than one harmful liquid outdoors, you may construct an unseen but overpoweringly nasty line by moving the containers closer together until they are contacting.
Method 4: Using Plants and Flowers
Materials:This will be accomplished by putting a permanent marker on your cat’s bed, peat moss or soil, a planter or flowerpot (any shape will do), and a few plants your cat isn’t fond of smelling.
- Before filling a plastic water bottle three-quarters with peat moss or gardening soil, label one edge of the bottle “cat” and the other “reptile” using a permanent marker. There isn’t enough room to go into detail on where to purchase plant pots or how to drill drainage hole in the bottom of whatever container you’re using, so you’ll have to figure it out on your own if you run into difficulties.
- Plant several seeds (of the kind you realize your cat doesn’t like) into the ground and watch them develop, but if they die, don’t transplant them into pots or even other containers; cats can still detect the scent of even the mildest-smelling dead plants.
- For a few moments before letting your cat back into the room containing your reptile’s cage, lay this container of earth and plant seed wherever you want them to keep away from, trying to ensure that all white stains do not turn up if you are using food coloring. If you leave your cat alone for more than five minutes, it may get curious about the source of the delicious aroma wafting from the puddle.
Method 5: Teaching, treats, and toys
- When you lack the resources or time to devise creative deterrents for keeping your cat out of a room. Put a baby gate in the middle of it and close off access to all but one end of the room – make sure it’s too small to let a cat through! To further discourage your feline from exploring this gap, loud music uses bright lights and Cayenne pepper spray!
- Encourage your cat to stay out of forbidden places by rewarding it when it behaves well with delicious snacks. The most outstanding technique to teach your pet to avoid a particular area is to praise it whenever it visits there.
- To keep stray cats away from your reptile cages, you must put up some barriers. Playing a “hide and seek” game with your cat is a great way to keep them from exploring areas you don’t want them to explore. On the other hand, you may get your cat a new toy that it will like playing with and will be unable to resist pursuing.
- To avoid piquing your reptile’s attention too early, keep new toys and treats at least 10 feet away from the cage when introducing them.
- Make sure you keep a careful eye on your cat whenever it is in locations where it shouldn’t be, especially when you and your partner are handling snake cages. Put yourself close to them to prevent any escape. Use these strategies to deter cats from your reptile’s home.
FAQ
- How do I get my cat to leave my lizard alone?
Put your lizard within a glass cage or behind a screen door to avoid an unpleasant roll. A barrier may protect your new lizard from harm if your cat accidentally makes contact with it during pet introductions. This might happen if your cat lunges at the lizard while it moves.
- How do I keep my cat away from my snake?
The best thing you can do to protect your snake from your cat is to keep it in a safe, secure container. Cats are curious animals that may easily topple smaller, less secure cages out of curiosity.
- Do cats stress out reptiles?
No matter how nice or playful or indifferent the cat is behaving, viewing a Reptile’s enclosure will still create worry. When a reptile looks around, all it sees are things that are bigger than it and might eat it.
- Why is it essential to keep my cat off the reptile cage?
It is crucial to keep your cat away from the reptile cage to ensure the safety and well-being of both your reptile and your cat. Cats are natural predators and may view your reptile as prey, leading to stress or injury for the reptile. Additionally, predators can stress some reptiles, which can impact their health and behavior.
- Can I use any physical barriers to keep my cat away from the reptile enclosure?
Yes, you can use several physical barriers to deter your cat. Consider placing the reptile cage in an area that is not easily obtainable to your cat, such as a room with a door or a high shelf. You can use baby gates or pet barriers to create a physical barrier around the cage.
- How can I make the reptile cage less appealing to my cat?
Cats are often attracted to the warmth and movement of reptiles in their enclosures. You can make the cage less appealing by covering it with lightweight and sturdy material like mesh or wire. This way, the cat won’t be able to jump or reach the reptile. Additionally, you can place the cage where your cat’s access is limited, such as on a tall shelf or a table.
- How can I train my cat to stay away from the reptile cage?
Training your cat to avoid the reptile cage requires patience and consistency. Whenever your cat approaches the cage, use a firm, but not harsh, voice to say “no” and redirect them to a designated area with treats or toys. Positive reinforcement will help them associate staying away from the cage with rewards. Be consistent with this training approach; over time, your cat should learn to stay away from the reptile cage.
- Are there any commercial products specifically designed to keep cats away from certain areas?
Yes, various commercial products are available that can help keep cats away from specific areas, including reptile cages. These products may include motion-activated deterrents, air sprays, or even electronic devices that emit sounds unpleasant to cats. Always ensure the product is safe for your cat and reptile before using it.
Final Thoughts
Check out this article, for additional information on keeping your cat away from your reptile’s cage. If you have a lizard or snake and a cat, this article has some great suggestions for keeping the cat away. We also have a video demonstrating the efficacy of certain goods to prevent cats from scaling walls and furniture without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Look at this!