Cat proof some tiny cabinet handles
June 17, 2021 12:16 PM Subscribe
My cat Strider has taken to chewing on these metal cabinet knobs. I'm concerned he will break a tooth doing this. These are cabinets built into the wall, and the knobs are 1" across. I'm open to replacing them with something he can't chew on, or child proofing them in some way.
My thought was to use a rubber ball with a slit cut in it and pop it over the knobs. I found these balls sized for smaller dogs, but I'm unable to cut them with a utility knife, puncture with a screwdriver, or open them up with garden shears. I'm open to suggestions for how to cut into these balls, alternative balls that will be easier to cut, alternative knobs that can't be chewed on, or some other way to cat proof the existing knobs.
My thought was to use a rubber ball with a slit cut in it and pop it over the knobs. I found these balls sized for smaller dogs, but I'm unable to cut them with a utility knife, puncture with a screwdriver, or open them up with garden shears. I'm open to suggestions for how to cut into these balls, alternative balls that will be easier to cut, alternative knobs that can't be chewed on, or some other way to cat proof the existing knobs.
would the 'fake' tennis balls for the ends of walker legs fit over the knobs?
posted by calgirl at 12:27 PM on June 17, 2021
posted by calgirl at 12:27 PM on June 17, 2021
How worried are you about aesthetics? Id try just wrapping them in tinfoil and see if that helps. Cats hate walking on tinfoil, and chewing tinfoil is painful (at least for humans..) seems it be be a easy thing to try first.
posted by cgg at 12:30 PM on June 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by cgg at 12:30 PM on June 17, 2021 [4 favorites]
Dipping the knobs in silicone tool handle dip ("plastidip" is one brand among many) might be an option. (Or, replacing them with rubber bumpers.)
For cutting the balls, a utility knife with a new blade and a good handle, a secure way to hold the ball away from your hands (vice? block of wood you can stand on and something with a divot?), and someone with strong wrists and moxie would be my first try. Or a hack saw.
posted by eotvos at 12:44 PM on June 17, 2021
For cutting the balls, a utility knife with a new blade and a good handle, a secure way to hold the ball away from your hands (vice? block of wood you can stand on and something with a divot?), and someone with strong wrists and moxie would be my first try. Or a hack saw.
posted by eotvos at 12:44 PM on June 17, 2021
Meanwhile, your cat wants to chew, so I'd look for chew toys.
posted by theora55 at 1:21 PM on June 17, 2021
posted by theora55 at 1:21 PM on June 17, 2021
I have no suggestions about how to protect the knobs but wanted to mention that new inappropriate chewing behavior can be an indicator of tooth pain or other dental issues. Has Strider had a checkup lately?
posted by jesourie at 1:22 PM on June 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by jesourie at 1:22 PM on June 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
For the balls, could you try a power drill? If you can get through it with a drill, make a "dotted line" so you have a weakened surface to jam a knife into.
Are you able to remove the knobs entirely?
posted by blnkfrnk at 2:43 PM on June 17, 2021
Are you able to remove the knobs entirely?
posted by blnkfrnk at 2:43 PM on June 17, 2021
Response by poster: I'm hesitant to use plastic coating as he has a sensitive stomach and eating any non food is bad.
The walker tennis balls may work, but I think they are too big. This is the living room so they are very visible. Ideally the solution is not an eye sore.
He has no less than 18 mice and a plastic shark made for cleaning cat teeth that he takes to bed with him.
The chewing happens generally when he wants us to wake up and right before meal time, so it is more attention seeking than anything. He had a checkup a couple months ago, and I brush his teeth daily.
I haven't tried a drill or hacksaw. I do have C clamps, but I'd prefer something like a vice to hold them very securely and not require a hand even holding the clamp so I don't risk injury to myself.
For now I have the handles removed, and to open the cabinet we have to insert the key and use it as a handle. I can't even leave the key sticking in the lock as he bites the key too.
posted by ridogi at 6:24 PM on June 17, 2021
The walker tennis balls may work, but I think they are too big. This is the living room so they are very visible. Ideally the solution is not an eye sore.
He has no less than 18 mice and a plastic shark made for cleaning cat teeth that he takes to bed with him.
The chewing happens generally when he wants us to wake up and right before meal time, so it is more attention seeking than anything. He had a checkup a couple months ago, and I brush his teeth daily.
I haven't tried a drill or hacksaw. I do have C clamps, but I'd prefer something like a vice to hold them very securely and not require a hand even holding the clamp so I don't risk injury to myself.
For now I have the handles removed, and to open the cabinet we have to insert the key and use it as a handle. I can't even leave the key sticking in the lock as he bites the key too.
posted by ridogi at 6:24 PM on June 17, 2021
I'd try looking at larger or spherical knobs that are harder to catch in the cat's mouth. Or maybe something minimalist like this would be less attractive to the cat.
posted by Aleyn at 6:54 PM on June 17, 2021
posted by Aleyn at 6:54 PM on June 17, 2021
If you have C clamp compress the ball with the C-clamp until it's like almost a donut and then try cutting along the perimeter and see if that doesn't go well..
posted by hortense at 7:14 PM on June 17, 2021
posted by hortense at 7:14 PM on June 17, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jedicus at 12:26 PM on June 17, 2021 [1 favorite]