Cats and fish

[FishGirl-Seattle]

My cats consider the fish tanks their own personal tv's. Kind of creeps me out. I adore my furry felines, and I adore my fish, but I know if they had the opportunity the cats would lunch on my fish. I had to give away my rats for the same reason (not because the rats like fish, because the cats wanted to eat them!) This is like like being friends with a couple that is getting a divorce. Love them both but have to sneak around so you don't appear to play favorites. 'cept I'm pretty sure the fish don't have a clue....ok, maybe not JUST like friends getting a divorce...!:hmm3grin2orange:

[Lady Hobbs]

I gave my son one of my 55 gallon tanks and he keeps it in his basement. His cats never even look at the fish. It's pretty odd behavior for cats, I think. He also keeps all the furniture way from the fish tank so they don't sit there starring at the fish and getting idea's.

[rich311k]

My cat ignores the fish too, if you have a decent top your do not need to worry too much about it.

[Trillianne]

Occasionally one of my cats will watch the fish, but more often they are drawn to the flowing water of the filter than the actual fish.

[taralm13]

I wish my cats would look at my fish. I got the fish just for them to look at anyway so they would not be so bored in the house all day. I try to get them to look and they want nothing to do with it. I can't stop looking though :1luvu:

[Jemerald]

I have 2 kittens at home, and every once in a while one will stand up on the couch and watch the fish. Its cute. when i first got them they would paw at the side of the tank, but now they just sit and watch. If only they would stop pawing my laptop screen while im in a raid....

[Flakes4Bait]

Our youngest cat used to chase my cory back and forth along the bottom of the tank trying to slap at it. I think she finally realized that she can't get him because she quit doing it. Now she's really interested when I do water changes. She likes the water filling up in the bucket.

[VoidParadigm]

Everyone claims it's odd behavior when their cats don't pay attention to the fishtank, but really, most breeds of cat are water-shy, and all cat species/breeds I can think of prefer fowl and fur over fin - though most certainly could be great fishers if they didn't know there was easier food elsewhere.

Regardless, my female, an actual hunter, doesn't care for my tanks. My long-hair only pays attention when the Gourami flares at him. And my youngest just likes to drink from the filter - I'm more worried he'll accidentally drink a fry, instead of catch an actual fish on purpose! (Alternatively, in regards to rodents, my female killed one of mine and nearly caught another after she shoved his entire cage onto the floor, and my youngest constantly tried to.)

Ah well. So long as they don't figure out how to open the hood (and some will o.o) your fish should be safe! =)

[HeatherB]

We have 5 cats here, and at first they were all over it watching...but they have kinda calmed down now.

Mine love to lay on top of the light and I have one that likes to drop thumbtacks into the tank. I think he's trying to spear fish! LOL. They also love drinking out of the filters. They can down my waterlevel significantly in a day or so.

[Gisela]

Since I have fish, I don't leave my cats without me in the part of the house where my tanks are (Familyroom, Diningroom and livingroom - open concept). Also never leave a lid open, when you have to turn your back, like with waterchanges, feeding time etc. Most of them are very interested in the fish and would take their chances!

[Pleco380]

My cat ignores the fish. She's such a good cat. Sometimes she'll watch them then fall asleep. But for the most part she ignores them. She just likes to jump out the window onto the roof of the house. Then I put up the screen. No more going on the roof now.

[FishGirl-Seattle]

It's settled then - my cat is strange! She is waiting for me to slip up, turn away from a bucket, leave a tank lid up....I had to move all the furniture away from the tanks and put a big plant between her cat condo and one of the tanks. She does like getting on the end table and staring at the fluval edge though. Thank goodness she doesn't have thumbs - the lid keeps her out!