babyproofing the cat food

Liz - posted on 11/28/2009

Our cat's food, water, and litter box is in the garage, which is downstairs from our living area and has a kitty door so she's free to come and go, so by the time my little one's old enough to be in that area by herself she'll understand that it's not a good thing to play with. A friend of mine, however, has her cat's food in a reservoir that releases food at a certain time of day (originally because the cat's morbidly obese LOL), and that helps keep her daughter out of it. The best way to do it is just to put it in an area that they can't get to by themselves, though that does make it a bit of a pain. Good luck!

Stina - posted on 11/28/2009

Do you have an area you can block with a baby gate? I have my cat litter/food/water in the laundry room where I can put a gate up in the doorway whenever I expect crawlers and toddlers. (my baby isn't quite crawling)

For laughs: When my son was about 2 years old, we had a dog and one day, he fell into the water bowl. I was using a small stock pot so his whole butt fit in there but he couldn't get out. He screamed bloody murder at the cold on his tush. It was hilarious even then.

Tina - posted on 11/28/2009

Now that my kids are adults I can sit back and laugh at this but it wasn't so funny when my daughter was small. She used to eat the cat litter. Or she would put cat food or litter in the water dish. Putting it in a different room is a good idea. Taking her away from it and telling her no never did work.

Sapphire - posted on 11/28/2009

I put the cat's food & litter boxes in the laundry room, and separate with a baby gate. The gate is NOT for my son, it is to separate it from the dog! My son never seemed interested in playing in the dog or cat food. One time I caught him washing a pacifier in the dog's water bowl-I suppose there are grosser things out there!

Amy - posted on 11/28/2009

If you don't have a room you can put the food in to keep your son away you might be able to do what my mother did to keep the dog out of the catfood: she put the catfood on the bottom shelf of a cabinet and kept the door closed. When the cat wanted to eat, boy did he let her know! The cat also got in the habit of eating at a particular time of day that way.

Patti - posted on 11/27/2009

I haven't ever found that when it comes to food, that pets need to be trained. You show them where it is a time or two and they adjust. I have, on occasion, moved pet dishes around trying to find the best spot so it doesn't get kicked, etc.

Assuming your kitty isn't handicapped in any way, you can put it up anywhere and show him a time or two and then that's good. We have a farm and we had to put our kitty's food on top of an extra refrigerator/freezer we have out there so the goat doesn't eat it. HAHA He found it just fine. I think the trick would be to find a place that the cat wouldn't feel like he has free reign to walk all over the counters, etc. Be creative and good luck :)

Weslie - posted on 11/27/2009

I just kept moving my now 2 yr.old away fro the spot and telling him no everytime he touched our dogs food or water and now he could care less!!! He knows now that is off limits!!

Betsy - posted on 11/27/2009

I'd put it in a laundryy room with a baby gate or similar location where the cat can get to the food and water/litter box, but the baby can't.

Kristin - posted on 11/27/2009

I've always put it up high. Cats like to be up high when they eat anyway.

Adrienne - posted on 11/27/2009

Quoting Michelle :

we distracted and removed our son from the dog bowls 100 times a day and told him no because eventually they out grow it and will leave it alone

This is the same thing I do with my boys. My oldest barely does it anymore and the youngest is learning. Good Luck!

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

we distracted and removed our son from the dog bowls 100 times a day and told him no because eventually they out grow it and will leave it alone

Sharon - posted on 11/27/2009

I blocked off the rooms with the litter box and cat food.

Wendy - posted on 11/27/2009

I ended up putting the food, water, and litter box in the laundry room and cut a cat door in the door. Now I don't have to leave the door open for the cats to get to their stuff and didn't have to worry about the kids playing in it either. Maybe sounds extreme to cut a hole in the door but it worked and still works. :)

Ashley - posted on 11/27/2009

my parents have a dog and i never did anything with it when we went over. i just kept taking my son away and telling him no......it was the only way he'd learn.......

Brittany - posted on 11/27/2009

i would just gate off where the cat dishes are

Firebird - posted on 11/27/2009

Geez, I never has this problem, my girl has never been interested in the cat's stuff.... all I can think of is maybe putting the cat's food and water in a room where baby doesn't go (or closet) with a door and installing a cat door so the cat can get in but baby can't. Or a put up a baby gate so you don't have to put a hole in the door. Good luck.

Angel - posted on 11/27/2009

My bathroom is set up weird. I was able to put the food water and litter box in a corner of the bathroom and block off the section with a baby gate. Maybe you can try moving it somewhere that you'll be able to block off. Laundry rooms are good, bathrooms depending on the layout. A friend pushed her fridge over and put the dishes between the fridge and wall, blocking off with a baby gate.