In most cases, cats can survive falls and won’t show any signs of bruising or internal damage. But in some cases, they can become weak or face difficulties breathing.
This is why it’s essential for every cat owner to cat-proof their house to keep their felines safe and sound.
As the weather gets nicer, you’re likely to leave the windows open as you want to let the fresh air in.
But if you’re worried about the well-being of your cat, you should learn how to keep cats off window sills to prevent unfortunate accidents. Keep on reading to learn more about this topic.
Why Should You Keep Cats Off Window Sills?
Cats are amazing creatures, and it’s your responsibility as a cat parent to make the house a safe environment where they can thrive and play happily.
They’re natural climbers, and it’s in their nature to climb objects, so they can watch the world and maybe catch prey.
Actually, watching the outside world is crucial for the cat’s development and enrichment, so your job is to find a safe way so they can do that.
At the same time, you need your house to stay clean and hassle-free. Here are some reasons why you should keep your cats off window sills.
- When cats climb, they can scratch furniture and damage curtains.
- Outdoor cats can climb from and into the house, bringing inside all the debris that’s been lying around in your backyard.
- Sitting on the window sill subjects your feline to what is medically known as high-rise syndrome, a medical condition that can put your cat’s life in danger.
Of course, if you think about it, there’s nothing wrong with a cat sitting in the fresh air to watch the birds, especially in warm weather.
But something can startle your cat; the sound of a vacuum cleaner, a loud shout, a fascinating bird that evokes its prey instinct, or it might even fall asleep while sitting in this dangerous position.
This is why it’s critical to cat-proof your windows and think of practical ways to prevent your cats from sitting on window sills in the first place.
How to Keep Cats Off Window Sills
Luckily, there are several tips that you can follow to prevent your cat from sitting on a window sill and avoid all the consequences of falling off a height.
All you have to do is to think about what works for your feline friend, and maybe you’ll use more than one method to make sure that the house is cat-proof.
1 – Give your Cat a Good Alternative By Setting Up a Perch
Cats are hunters by nature, and it’s in their blood to watch their prey. If you really want to keep your cat happy, you can set up a perch, where it can sit comfortably and watch the birds.
Set up the perch in front of a closed window with no blinds to give your cat a clear view. If it’s comfortable and cozy enough, it will soon become your kitty’s new favorite spot.
2 – Make the Window Inaccessible
This trick will work if you have a kitten or a cat that doesn’t climb or jump due to its age or any medical condition.
The idea is to make the window sill inaccessible by removing all the furniture pieces that the cat can use to reach the window sill.
By doing so, the cat will struggle to reach the window sill, and eventually, it will give up.
3 – Use a Smell That Cats Hate
Cats have extremely sensitive noses, and most of them hate the smell of lemon and methanol, so you can use either to drive your cat away from the window.
Try spraying some lemon juice on your window sills and on the curtains. Not only will it make your house smell fresh, but it’ll also keep cats away.
If the lemon juice doesn’t work, you can spray any chemical compound that contains methanol.
Methanol can be found in several household products like soap, furniture polish, deodorants, and adhesives.
Rosemary, lavender, and mint are other options that might work too. At the same time, if you add a pot or a plate that contains any of them, they’ll add a pleasant smell to your house.
4 – Use Double-Sided Tape to Make the Window Sill Less Appealing
Although your feline wants to look out of the window to enjoy the views, it doesn’t want to get its paws stuck. And this is why double-sided tape works.
Double-sided tape is super strong, and if the cat steps on it, it will get its paws stuck. After a few times of trying to step on the window sill, your cat will know that this spot is off-limits.
5 – Use a Carpet Runner
This is another method to make your cat hate stepping on the window sill. All you have to do is to place a carpet runner along the sill, with the rough side up.
Every time your cat tries to step on or sit on the window sill, it won’t like how the rough texture feels against its paws or skin.
Eventually, your cat won’t be interested in sitting on the sill because it hates how the carpet runner feels more than it likes to watch the birds and the butterflies.
6 – Teach Your Cat to Stay Away from the Window Sill
This method will work for you if you really want to keep your windows open and keep your cats safe. It’s a great technique to follow if you have a kitten because it will learn quickly.
The idea is to startle your cat every time it gets close to the window sill.
You can use a spray bottle and spray a few spritzes every time your cat approaches the window, so it’ll choose to stay away.
You can also put a few coins in a can and shake it every time the cat jumps on the window. The loud noise will make your cat uncomfortable, so it’ll step away.
By associating their behavior with your action, by time, your cat will be less interested in sitting on the window sill.
There are some cat repellent devices that you can also buy. They emit an annoying puff of air or a loud sound if the cat is present where it’s not supposed to be.
7 – Reinforce the Screens from the Outside
If nothing else works, you can reinforce the screens from outside, so the cat won’t be interested in sitting on the window sill.
You can use tape or nails to make sure that the screens are always shut, and your cat is safe.
The only problem is that you won’t be able to use the window or open it as much as you would like to. But if this is the only way to keep your feline safe, then it might be worth a try.
Final Thoughts
Cats are natural climbers and are always fascinated by the outside world. But keeping them off the window sills is essential for their safety and your peace of mind.
Luckily, there are multiple methods and tricks that you can try to make your windows cat-proof.
So if you have a stubborn cat that you’re worried about, give one of them a try and see how it works.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.