Cat-Proofing your recording setup?

[ClusterFlux]

I recently adopted a cat, who is incredibly cute. Unfortunately, she also loves to chew on wires and velcro, both of which are a part of my recording and beat-making setup. She also loves to leaps all over computers, keyboards, instruments etc when I'm using them.

Everything is in one room, so I usually keep the door closed. However, I live in a small apartment, so this cuts down on her territory. She also desperately craves company, she gets a bit upset if I'm in there too long. She also gets bored with self-play toys after a few minutes, so I can't distract her with that.

My other MO is to work while she's sleeping. However, being a cat, she seldom naps at a time that's convenient for my workflow.

Any suggestions on a better option to manage this situation?

 

[Obese Chess]

I have a fairly well-behaved senior cat, so this may not be applicable, but putting a small cat tree/perch next to my recording desk was a good distraction. She likes being close by and having things to do, but it keeps her out of trouble while I work. Even then she does occasionally go for a stroll across the keyboard but this is rare.

 

[Aloe]

my bandits say hello:

1. you usually can explain a cat not to chew your wires or velcro. it's a cat, not a polecat or a rat. is the cat young, so like has some teeth itching or she's just bored?
2. tripping over computers/keyboards is common and basically there's no way around it other that setting a way, the cat wouldn't trip. sometimes you just need to put some object in the way, sometimes you need to put some scotch tape with the glue up, so cat will be pissed off stepping on it.
3. designate some spaces for the cat, like put a pillow or a box, or something else. let her have her own places to stay. mine especially love windows, they're all theirs. they trip through some equipment and tables to get there, but our agreement is they don't stay there for longer than they need to pass through.
4. it seems like she's lonely. from my experience, the best way around this is getting a second cat. I do have an automated laser pointer tho (that plays with the cats without me), sometimes they got interested with it. once in some days I do actively play with the cats, they get tired and don't bug me for a while.

and yeah, pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Aloe]

oh yeah, and get your cat a scratch post, if you don't have it already.

 

[DirtDog]

(This may become my new avatar).

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Sorry, cats rule.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

There's a spray (please don't ask me the name) which is safe for pets, but they despise the taste. It has to get reapplied every few days, but after a while, your animal will be conditioned to understand "wires taste awful".

 

[And I]

definitely get a couple of scratching posts and put one in your studio and one elsewhere. when the cat starts chewing or clawing at stuff she shouldn't, put her on the scratching post. she'll get the point soon enough.

 

[Josh Ryan]

I love my cat but he's a monster. I've resorted to buying automotive wire loom, it's that black plastic corrugated looking material you see bundling wires under the hood of your car, and wrapping everything he can get to with that. It's not a perfect solution, and it's not pretty, but it works fairly well and it's cheap.

 

[bass81800]

I have a cat who loves to chew on wires. She prefers Apple products, especially charging cords but anything is fair game. At least she does not go for electrical cords. She started to cost me a fortune until I started covering the wires with this kind of product also mentioned in another post. Highly recommended. Made of plastic and easy to put on wires.

One option is ZhiYo 100 FT 1/4" Wire Loom Split Tubing Auto Wire Conduit Flexible Cover. The 1/4" works for just about everything. Found on Amazon.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Resistance is futile.

 

[Patrice B]

My home studio is « no cats land » (door always closed)… as one of ours has a tendency to urinate in… ahem… unexpected places when she’s stressed or the two others attack her!

My Nektar MIDI controller was used twice as a litter. Still works but it was a pain to clean/repair!

 

[Boundary Effect]

And then there is the cat hair... My grand piano has a full quilted piano cover that I then put scat mat on top of. The cats are not allowed down into the basement studio and mix rooms. They occasionally get past the doorway, and immediately out comes the spray bottle.

 

[pfschim]

I'm lucky I guess. Our cat has been known to do real damage to furniture, and does like to hang out in my studio space, but always just sort of chills there and never seems to be inclined to eat cables or other more disgusting stuff.

 

[ZonieBass]

And then there is the cat hair... My grand piano has a full quilted piano cover that I then put scat mat on top of. The cats are not allowed down into the basement studio and mix rooms. They occasionally get past the doorway, and immediately out comes the spray bottle.

A squirt gun gives you more range. Safe and effective for the cat.

 

[byacey]

I finf that once a cat bites into a line cord, they lose interest in chewing on wires.

 

[Sam Evans]

If my cat messes with my wires, I ignore her. If I chase her away, then she just wants to do it THAT MUCH MORE. Ignoring her makes it less interesting to her. Eventually she gets bored and leaves things alone.

 

[bass08053]

My trick is to build an amp cab tower. That seems to work with my boy.

 

[Lobster11]

Get rid of the cat. Problem solved.

 

[Aloe]

Get rid of the cat. Problem solved.

reported. cats rule