I could have sworn this required opposable thumbs
November 23, 2018 4:05 PM Subscribe
One of my cats heretofore not known for his brilliance, Allan, has figured out how to turn on the faucet so he can enjoy that sweet running water. For obvious reasons (starting with his disinclination to turn off the faucet...), I am not altogether thrilled by this development...
So far, I've managed to stop him using the bathroom faucet by putting the handles under tupperware, which I can replace with something heavier if he figures out how to get them off. The problem, though, is the kitchen sink: you turn on the water by pulling out the handle. I've seen Allan turn this on by accident while playing, and would like to discourage further experiments. Because of the handle's position, I can't cover it. Other options? There must be someone who has needed to discourage a child from fiddling with the sink...
So far, I've managed to stop him using the bathroom faucet by putting the handles under tupperware, which I can replace with something heavier if he figures out how to get them off. The problem, though, is the kitchen sink: you turn on the water by pulling out the handle. I've seen Allan turn this on by accident while playing, and would like to discourage further experiments. Because of the handle's position, I can't cover it. Other options? There must be someone who has needed to discourage a child from fiddling with the sink...
Maybe something to deter Allan from jumping onto the counter in the first place? Back when I had a cat we were able to train it to stay off the counters by using aluminum foil and tape. It looked really dumb for a few weeks, but once the cat learned what happened when it tried to get onto the counter it eventually stopped trying.
You could also go with the Nuclear option: change the faucet/tap to a different kind.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 4:17 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
You could also go with the Nuclear option: change the faucet/tap to a different kind.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 4:17 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Get him a cat fountain and painters-tape, velcro strap, or small-bungee the sink handle to the faucet when you're not home. He should, hopefully, transfer his affection to the fountain pretty quickly.
posted by Lyn Never at 4:32 PM on November 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 4:32 PM on November 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
A Tupperware that fits over the handle of the faucet and two bungee cords to hold it on to the side. A determined cat will make short work of painters tape and may figure out the bungee cord + container situation in time.
Seconding a cat fountain. Additional tips:
Change still water dishes twice a day
Move water dishes far away from food dishes
Have multiple access points to water
Keep the toilet very clean and the lid up; like many dogs, your cat might like toilet water. Don’t think too hard about it. Your cat licks his own butt.
Cats are weird.
posted by bilabial at 4:39 PM on November 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Seconding a cat fountain. Additional tips:
Change still water dishes twice a day
Move water dishes far away from food dishes
Have multiple access points to water
Keep the toilet very clean and the lid up; like many dogs, your cat might like toilet water. Don’t think too hard about it. Your cat licks his own butt.
Cats are weird.
posted by bilabial at 4:39 PM on November 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Best answer: If you google "babyproofing sink" and the like, or go to a baby supplies store (the kind of place that sells cribs and strollers) you will see a lot of products made for this sort of thing.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:31 PM on November 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:31 PM on November 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Lo, our cat masters are plotting against us.
I see you are keeping the hot water handle covered. Good. But it just takes once, as you are no doubt aware, so I'm seconding BlahLaLa's suggestion about canvassing the childproofing supplies for long-term solutions.
Also, check with a couple of plumbers, who might have some odd stories along these lines about cats and dogs that think the water supply is their own domain.
Cats are weird.
posted by TrishaU at 8:02 PM on November 23, 2018
I see you are keeping the hot water handle covered. Good. But it just takes once, as you are no doubt aware, so I'm seconding BlahLaLa's suggestion about canvassing the childproofing supplies for long-term solutions.
Also, check with a couple of plumbers, who might have some odd stories along these lines about cats and dogs that think the water supply is their own domain.
Cats are weird.
posted by TrishaU at 8:02 PM on November 23, 2018
Those goddamn faucets that activate via sensor...what about changing to those? Allan can get his sweet sweet tap water, and it'll shut off on its own when he loses interest.
(Downside: humans have to deal with those (OQ@*$#^%E(*OYAZHFLKGD!Q)"$*o^YL<N sensors at home, instead of just at airports.)
posted by Tailkinker to-Ennien at 8:08 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
(Downside: humans have to deal with those (OQ@*$#^%E(*OYAZHFLKGD!Q)"$*o^YL<N sensors at home, instead of just at airports.)
posted by Tailkinker to-Ennien at 8:08 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
First, you shouldn't have named him Arm-adale and now you'll need to install a different set of taps that are rotational rather that lever based.
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:05 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:05 PM on November 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This should work, no? Keep it around the base of the faucet and then just wrap it around the handle when you need to lock it up. In the meantime, head to Home Depot and pick up a jar of zip ties. Same idea, but you have to cut them off every time you need to use the faucet.
posted by dancinglamb at 1:21 AM on November 24, 2018
posted by dancinglamb at 1:21 AM on November 24, 2018
You can buy self-sticking velcro/velcro zip ties as well.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:03 PM on November 24, 2018
posted by Lyn Never at 1:03 PM on November 24, 2018
Our cat stopped turning the faucets on once we got her a cat fountain she approved of. We have the Catit one and it’s been perfect for years.
posted by lydhre at 5:32 PM on November 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lydhre at 5:32 PM on November 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by muddgirl at 4:10 PM on November 23, 2018 [5 favorites]