How to Keep Cats From Speakers
Cats have a natural need to scratch. They do so to stretch, mark territory, sharpen their nails and relieve stress. If not given an acceptable alternative, such as a scratching post, your cat might use your furniture or stereo speakers to scratch instead. To keep your cat from destroying your fabric speaker grills, you must first protect the speakers with a physical barrier, then take steps to discourage the cat from using them as a makeshift scratching post.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Cotton twill or felt fabric
- Scissors
- Self-adhesive hook-and-loop fastening strips
- Plastic carpet runner
- Cotton balls
- Lavender or orange essential oils
- Double-sided tape
Instructions
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How to Make Covers to Protect Speakers From Cats
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1
Measure the length and width of the front of the speaker. Add 4 inches to each measurement to determine the size of the cover.
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2
Cut a piece of cotton twill or thick felt according to the calculated dimensions and cut 2-by-2-inch squares out of each corner of the fabric.
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3
Apply self-adhesive hook-and-loop fastening strips around the sides of the speaker and on the edges of the fabric.
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4
Attach the cover over the front fabric grills of the speakers using the hook-and-loop strips for easy removal. Make as many covers as you have speakers. Keep the covers over the front of the speaker grills, when not in use, to protect them from your cat's scratching. These physical barriers discourage your cat from scratching them.
Other Ways to Keep Cats Away From Speakers
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5
Lay a plastic carpet runner, nubby-side up, over the top of each speaker so that it hangs over the cloth speaker grill. Cats do not like the texture of these runners, and you can easily remove them from the speakers when in use.
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6
Soak a cotton ball in a strongly-scented essential oil, such as lavender or orange, and rub it over the fabric grill of the speaker. Cats do not like these scents, which smell pleasant to people. The essential oil will not harm your speakers.
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7
Cover the speakers with double-sided tape. When the cat attempts to scratch it, the tape will stick to its paws, discouraging it from attempting to scratch them again.
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Tips & Warnings
Give your cat an alternative to scratch, such as a sturdy scratching post. Purchase a tall post, at least 3 feet high, and place it next to or in front of the speakers. Praise the cat for using the post to scratch.
Avoid declawing your cat to protect your electronic equipment. The Humane Society of the United States recommends against this painful procedure, which can lead to behavioral problems.
Don't punish your cat for scratching the speakers. This only increases the cat's stress level, encouraging more scratching, and might cause it to fear you.
References
Resources
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