How do I protect my monitors from my cats?
January 30, 2012 5:55 AM Subscribe
Over the weekend, one of my cats managed to destroy two TFT monitors. How do I protect the replacements from a similar fate?
At some point between late on Friday and lunchtime Sunday, one of my cats decided that both of monitors needed their screens doused in urine.
By the time I'd discovered this (Sunday lunchtime) both monitors were completely ruined. The foul sticky mess has gone down the front of the screen and worked its way in to the electronics and switches. PCBs were corroded, switches were all either stuck off or randomly flicking between states, the minuscule wires and connectors are knackered, and the capacitative switches on the newer monitor are just completely fried.
They're dead.
Replacements are on the way.
How, oh great hivemind, can I stop the replacements falling to the same fate? Trying to remedy whatever triggered the flood is one thing, but how do I protect the electronics from a bath they were never designed to endure?
At some point between late on Friday and lunchtime Sunday, one of my cats decided that both of monitors needed their screens doused in urine.
By the time I'd discovered this (Sunday lunchtime) both monitors were completely ruined. The foul sticky mess has gone down the front of the screen and worked its way in to the electronics and switches. PCBs were corroded, switches were all either stuck off or randomly flicking between states, the minuscule wires and connectors are knackered, and the capacitative switches on the newer monitor are just completely fried.
They're dead.
Replacements are on the way.
How, oh great hivemind, can I stop the replacements falling to the same fate? Trying to remedy whatever triggered the flood is one thing, but how do I protect the electronics from a bath they were never designed to endure?
Response by poster: Oh, I meant to say that we're checking the cats out. It's likely something anxiety related - either from the back garden that floodlights when a foreign cat wanders past, or from me "ignoring" one of them. It's probably the later - the prime suspect is a quiet cat who will sit at your side silently demanding you notice her, so it's quite likely I offended her by not realising she wanted a cuddle.
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 6:35 AM on January 30, 2012
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 6:35 AM on January 30, 2012
Plastic covers. Possibly a Feliway pheromone dispenser in the area, some people have good luck with them some don't. You can get static sheets that help keep cats off of things, or sensors with basically cans of air in that "hiss" at your cat if they jump up as well.
When I had cats, I found the pheromones the most useful way to stop spraying, you can also get a collar.
posted by wwax at 6:52 AM on January 30, 2012
When I had cats, I found the pheromones the most useful way to stop spraying, you can also get a collar.
posted by wwax at 6:52 AM on January 30, 2012
This may be an ugly solutions, but aluminum foil may work. The cats normally do not like walking on the tinfoil so if they can not get near your monitors, then they wont be able to urinate on it.
I would ask your vet, they can give you solutions. Depending on the issue you may need more kitty litter boxes or different kitty litter boxes. If it is a behavior thing, then it may take work to retrain your cat.
posted by Jaelma24 at 9:12 AM on January 30, 2012
I would ask your vet, they can give you solutions. Depending on the issue you may need more kitty litter boxes or different kitty litter boxes. If it is a behavior thing, then it may take work to retrain your cat.
posted by Jaelma24 at 9:12 AM on January 30, 2012
I'm assuming the monitors were on a desk at the time? How are your cats getting up there? My cats won't jump onto the desk from the floor, but they will get up there if there's a chair something nearby they can use as a stepping stone. Try making it as difficult as possible for them to get onto the desk?
posted by platinum at 10:44 AM on January 30, 2012
posted by platinum at 10:44 AM on January 30, 2012
my cat, who is very bonded to me, expresses his anxiety when i am away too long, when he can smell strange cats in our yard, or when he feels otherwise unseasy by peeing on stuff. i put him on prozac and the problem has disappeared entirely.
posted by hollisimo at 1:41 PM on January 30, 2012
posted by hollisimo at 1:41 PM on January 30, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:06 AM on January 30, 2012