A small problem (includes cats)

[cluckmecoop7]

Hello everyone,

I recently adopted two kittens named Katahdin and Acadia. My problem is this - I was planning to have their litter box in my basement, but I realized that with our wood stove going all winter, it might be dangerous for the cats. They are playful kittens, which makes it worse. (What if they jumped up on it? Then once they realized it would be too late...)

Please give me your opinions and ideas!

Thanks,

- Clucky

 

[HappyDuckie]

Is there any way to move them somewhere else? Or block off the area with the stove?

 

[SueT]

I think they'll be okay. We have a new young playful cat and a wood stove that we just started using this fall. He keeps well back from it now that it's hot.

 

[Trisseh]

My cats learned quickly (the hard way unfortunately for one) not to touch the stove. The one learned just by my telling him no, the other had to try it for himself. The biggest problem for mine was that it was a new stove that went in, so they just had to investigate it while it was being installed and not hot. You could try a scat mat on it while it’s not being used, to train them to keep away from it ahead of time.

 

[cassie]

I had wood heat and cats for years. They learn very quickly to leave the stove alone. You might introduce them to it but I really don't think you will have a problem.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thank you everyone for the quick replies.

@Trisseh - May I ask what "the hard way" about your cat means? The only reason I want to know is to see if I can prevent my cats from doing the same or something...

Thank you!

 

[Trisseh]

Thank you everyone for the quick replies.

@Trisseh - May I ask what "the hard way" about your cat means? The only reason I want to know is to see if I can prevent my cats from doing the same or something...

Thank you!

Like a kid that just won’t listen and puts his hand on the stove to find out it’s hot, my one cat refused to listen and was insistent that he was going to jump up on that stove like he had been doing the whole time it was being installed. Certainly wasn’t up there for long. He had a couple small blisters on his feet for a week or so, but no major or lasting damage.

 

[cheepteach]

cats feel the radiant heat just like you do--they will avoid touching it

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Okay, thank you for the info! Not as bad as I thought. Few! I'm glad your cats are okay.

 

[Trisseh]

Okay, thank you for the info! Not as bad as I thought. Few! I'm glad your cats are okay.

He’s my problem child but at least he learns after trying it for himself. Haha. cats are generally a lot smarter than you’d think when it comes to such things. Mine is just ... dumb. Of the bag of rocks variety. xD