Protecting System From PETS??

[Khorn]

At my previous residence I had a dedicated listening room that I could close when not in use thus protecting equipement like tubes and wires from any potential damage from our cats. The place we are moving to will allow a preferable 'open concept' where I'll be able to listen to music and watch the new projecion set that I'm intending on getting from almost anywhere on the first floor.

The open situation described above while far better than the last one (I can listen to music in the background and preview much more material, and not have to go downstairs for "dedicated serious listening sessions" or not listen at all) leaves the system open to possible damage from our cats eg: chewing wires.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar situation who can offer some experienced advice.

[Dave]

Khorn,

Cats are easily trainable not to go near the stereo, leather furniture etc.

You just have to put a little time in. If and only when you catch them too near the system ( I mean like 1" or so) you strongly say NO! They are just like dogs and understand the firm tone of your voice.

If you catch them in the act, and only when cught in the act, of going to chew on anything or scratch where they are not supposed to......You treat them like their own mother would. You pick them up by the scruff of the neck (with support under their butt if they are over 2 years old) and give them a slight but firm shake and gruffly say NO! Then you toss them approx. 1 to 2 feet, just like their mother did when they were kittens.;) Works like a charm. I only had to do this once with my cat who is now 13 years old and he doesn't even think about the system now, or the leather furniture.

[Sckott]

You could always give away your cats for better equipment! Heh heh..

No, I love cats. Athough in my travels I have not had a problem with a cat jumping on top of a hot tube amp or any furry critter gnawing on wires. Here's a few ideas....

There are ways to aquire "flat wire" which is on a sort of "roll of tape" that sticks to the floors and goes effortlessly under rugs. I say, if the wire's out of sight, it's out of mind.

Another thing I've found is using homeade interconnects. I've done braided CAT5 to some coax interconnects using a heavy coated AT&T wire. It's thinnner than normal 6-type coax, but it's strong and very durable. They sound great, and all I had to do is buy some gold RCA plugs and solder. I found a big roll of this because a friend had someone who was going to "Throw it away" because he worked for the phone company, and the 200' leftovers were too short to use. Now, this is just an idea, but interconnects can be chewy and tasty. You could chew on mine for a week and not get very far. Well, you got the idea.

Now, as far as the AC cords (which are harder to modify), the only thing I could say is to try to wrap them away or tuck them completely out of sight. Duck tape them to the audio rack so they're a part of whatever they're standing on. Think like a cat, or better yet, a cocky cat (as apposed to Honky Cat, EJ). How can you make it NOT fun to grab and chew a 115v wire? You could also grab some velcro cord ties and keep all of your AC cords together in one bundle, or use duct tape. Yes, it's messy, but cat's don't mess with Duck tape that I've seen. Someone I knew used cayenne pepper and brushed a watered down version of that on his plants and his VCR cord. No pets bothered anything he could brush this on.

Oh, and I'm a big believer in negitive reinforcement. Grab a plant sprayer, with the valve set on stream. If the cat is doing something bratty, give it just one blast with the word "NO!" Pretty soon the word "NO!" will work just fine, and you won't need the water.

Again, I love cats, but I've never had ONE mess with my tube amp, ever. Must be something they know already. Some cats are more mature than others. Good luck. Ask a vetenarian as well! Is there one in the house?

[Dave]

Sckott, sorry your way is far too complex and besides mine is Vetrinarian recommended.;)

[Sckott]

Mmmph. Sorry Dave.

Although I've never had a cat go out of his way to chew the wires. My girlfriend and I are worried about her's going after the Basil plant, but so far, all is good!

Ok, so mine is basically try and tuck the wires out of the way, or out of Puddy Cat traffic. Maybe get a parakeet? That'll distract a cat! :)

[sgb]

I envy Dave for having trainable cats. I have two that must think they're audio critcs.

Bucky, a timid blowhard when other males are nearby, has done his thing to my Golden Tube SE-40 not once but twice. The second time the thing went up in smoke. He has also christened one of my speakers, taking aim directly at the binding posts. The corrosion was so bad the the factory had to rewire thw whole speaker, as well as the complete assembly holding the binding posts. Finally he decided that one of my subwoofers needed to have its finish removed. Although this had no effect on the sonic performance, I'll have to pay a professional cabinet maker to refinish the entire thing if I ever decide to sell it.

Phoebe, unbeknownst to my wife and I, had been using my c-j MV-100 as a litter box for some time. It had been resting in a corner of an unused bedroom. By the time this had been discovered (we heard her pawing around in the room and went in to investigate), the entire undercarriage and all of the tube sockets were ruined - corroded beyond restoration.

Megan and Wallie are good girls as far as the audio is concerned, but they have shredded the sofa and two leather chairs.

My wife feels it is inhumane to declaw cats (even though they are not allowed to go outside), a stance that has, to date, cost me more than $1500 in audio repairs. I don't even want to think about the furniture.

[Gary]

Wow, what a horror story! My cat never even bothered with the stereo, wires, software, anything! I guess I was lucky! Or maybe it depends on the cat... ?

Good tips, Dave!

[Dave]

Yup! You just have to put in the time factor and show kitty who's the dominant one. You! And not them.;) It's easy as mother nature.

You aren't hurting kitty in any way with my suggestion, as this is how it works in the feline social order.

[MagicAlex]

All animals in my house keep well away from not only the system but also that whole section of the house. I learned my lesson once when a neighbor brought their dog over and it lifted it's leg on one of my speakers. Luckly the only damage was a stain. :mad:

[Craig]

Originally posted by MagicAlex
I learned my lesson once when a neighbor brought their dog over and it lifted it's leg on one of my speakers. Luckly the only damage was a stain. :mad:
What was playing at the time?

[TommyTunes]

I never have had a problem with our cat going after any cables or wires (the high end system is in a closed of room, so I don't even have to think about anyone or thing messing with it). However given the chance our beagle "Zappa" would probable eat my CLS's, he's already tried to chew the siding off the house.

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by Craig

What was playing at the time?

Thank goodness, no. I never felt more like putting a dog on the ceiling with my foot though. :D