How To Cat Proof A fish Tank! No Cats Allowed Here!

How to cat proof a fish tank? here are 15 different solutions to keep the cat away from the fish tank plus some handy extra tips.

Key Take Aways

To summarize, some key points are listed below:

• Choose a fish tank with a secure lid to prevent cats from accessing the water and fish.

• Keep the area around the fish tank clean and free of food or items that might attract your cat.

• Utilize deterrents such as double-sided tape, aluminum foil, or textured shelf liners on surfaces around the fish tank to discourage cats from approaching.

• Consider covering the fish tank with a breathable material, like a blanket or towel, to minimize distractions for your cat, while ensuring proper ventilation for the fish.

• Keep the door to the room with the fish tank closed when possible to restrict your cat’s access to the area.

1. Discourage Cat from Getting near The tank – Use Items Cats Dislike

Cats dislike certain textures and sounds. For example, aluminum foil or double-sided tape can be highly effective deterrents due to their unusual textures and noises.

Experiment with placing aluminium foil and double sided tape near the fish tank, or on surfaces leading to the tank. This will discourage your cat from exploring further.

2. Restrict The Cat’s Access To The tank

There are several methods you can use to deter cats from approaching the fish tank. As mentioned previously, using materials like aluminum foil or double-sided tape can be effective in keeping the fish tank safe.

Consider placing the tank safe on a high surface that is difficult for your cat to reach. Clear the area around the tank of any food, including human food, fish food, and cat food. This will minimize your cat’s interest in the area.

A translucent cover on the fish tank can also help keep cats away, by making the tank’s display less colorful and exciting, while still allowing light penetration.

Reduce the visual appeal of the tank to keep your cat at bay.

3. Open-Top Aquariums – Easy Access For The cat

Open top aquariums may look aesthetically pleasing, but they are not ideal for households with cats.

Cats can easily access the water and fish.

These tanks pose a direct threat to your aquatic pets. It’s best to avoid this type of tank.

Easy Access For the Cat – Traditional Fishbowl

A traditional fishbowl, like the open top aquarium, is not recommended when you have cats in your home.

The open and easily accessible design makes it simple for feline predators to harass or even harm your fish.

Fishbowls usually offer smaller living spaces, which in the long term, is not ideal for your fish’s health and wellbeing.

Cat Cant Access – Aquarium With A Lid

Choosing a fish tank with a lid that is secure should be a top priority when you have cats around.

The lid will not only provide better protection for your fish but will also keep the cats from accessing the water.

Make sure the lid is made of sturdy materials like glass or hard plastic and features air holes, for proper circulation within the aquarium.

The lid needs to fasten securely to the tank so that a prying cat won’t be able to remove it.

Some aquariums come with lockable lids or clips that provide extra security to keep the lid in place.

Choosing a fish tank with a secure lid is the best way to cat-proof your aquarium.

4. Securing the Aquarium Lid

A sturdy, properly affixed lid can help prevent your cat from accessing the tank or causing any harm to your fish.

Sturdy Lid – Hard For The Cat To Move

When choosing a lid for your fish tank, it’s important to consider the materials used.

A lid made of hard, durable materials is effective in keeping a prying cat at bay.

A heavy fish tank lid is also less likely to be pushed aside, making it more challenging for your cat to access the fish tank lid’s interior.

Additionally, security features such as fasteners or locks are crucial in preventing your cat from dismantling the lid.

With a lid securely in place, your fish are less likely to become an easy hunting target for your feline friend.

Aquarium Lids – Different Lid Options

Aquarium specific lids are available that cater to the well-being of your fish and the prevention of feline interference.

Many aquarium lids are designed with built-in lighting, allowing for proper illumination of and supporting the needs of aquatic plant life.

These lids are built to securely fasten to the tank, making it difficult for a curious cat to remove or tamper with them.

Remember to regularly check the lid for any signs of damage, wear, or loosening.

Choose an aquarium with a sturdy, hard lid or add a mesh screen covering to your existing glass aquarium.

A mesh screen not only keeps cats out, but it also allows light and air to penetrate, ensuring the overall health of your fish.

Use mesh such as shown in the image below to make a DIY cover for your fish tank to keep the cat out.

5. Aluminium Foil

As mentioned earlier, place sheets of aluminium foil underneath or on top of the tank.

Make sure you include areas around the tank where the cat may jump or sit in order to get at the tank.

The crinkling noise and texture of the aluminium foil should be enough to deter most cats.

6. Keep The Cat Mentally Stimulated

One of the reasons why cats are attracted to fish tanks is that they provide visual and mental stimulation.

Reduce your cat’s interest in the tank, provide alternative sources of cat entertainment .

Interactive toys, scratching posts, and puzzle feeders engage your cat’s mind and encourage them to focus their energies elsewhere.

This a simple and affordable solution.

7.Double Sided Sticky Tape

Using double sided sticky tape around the aquarium is another effective deterrence method.

Cats generally dislike walking on sticky surfaces.

Applying this tape on the edges of your fish tank’s stand or surface can discourage cats from approaching. Regularly check and replace the tape as it will lose its stickiness over time.

A textured shelf liner, something with a spiky surface, can be placed on the area around the tank, making it less appealing for cats to jump on.

8. Citrus Scents As A Deterrent

Many cats are repelled by citrus scents.

Place lemon, orange, or grapefruit peels around the perimeter of your aquarium, or use a citrus scented air freshener nearby.

Replace the peels or refresh the scent regularly to maintain effectiveness.

9.Deterrent Sprays – How Do They work?

Deterrent sprays can also discourage cats from approaching fish tanks.

These sprays usually contain harmless, but unpleasant scents that cats dislike.

Spray the area around the aquarium according to the product’s instructions, taking care not to spray directly on any electrical components or the fish tank itself.

If your aquarium is open, cover it before using any cat deterrent sprays and make sure that the cat is no where near the area being sprayed.

10. Electric Deterrents – Are They Safe?

Another option to consider is an electric deterrent, such as motion-activated devices that emit a high-pitched sound or an air puff when a cat approaches.

These devices can be placed near fish tanks and will activate as soon as a cat gets too close.

It’s crucial to make sure the device is compatible with your aquarium setup and will not harm your fish or water quality.

A combination of these methods, may work best for you to cat proof your fish tank. The deterrent shown below emits a puff of air. You can train your cat to keep away from the tank.

11.LED Lights

Using LED lights in the tank can provide safety benefits for your fish and your equipment. They are energy efficient and less likely to cause heat related issues.

Plus, they can be an excellent deterrent for cats, as the bright light may make the fish tank less appealing for them to explore.

12.Grow Aquarium Plants

Having a healthy aquarium environment is important for the wellbeing of the fish. One way to do this is by including live aquarium plants.

As well as providing shelter and hiding spots for the fish, aquarium plants also help to remove harmful substances from the water and produce oxygen, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for the aquatic life.

Plants can also play a role in cat proofing your fish tank. Having tropical fish in a densely planted tank can help reduce the visibility and accessibility of the fish.

The fish are not as easily seen by the cat, making the aquarium less interesting to curious cats and feline paws.

The plants shown below grow along the surface of the tank which means that they are a great solution to stop the cat from reaching the fish.

13.Remove Any Jumping Platforms Near The tank

Clearing the area around the fish tank is also important, as it helps ensure that cats don’t have an easy platform to jump onto. Maintain a clean surface and removing tempting treats, such as fish food or cat treats.

You can make the setup less attractive for your feline friend to explore. The mat shown below is a deterrent to prevent cats jumping onto counter tops.

14. How To Distract cats with Dangling Fabric!

Introducing bright colors and dangling fabric near the fish tank will serve as a distraction for your cat’s attention .

By offering an alternative play area, it can encourage them to interact with the fabric instead of attempting to reach the fish tank.

This can be a simple DIY project using a combination of fabric, ribbons, or strings that your cat will enjoy playing with.

15. Looking For A temporary Fix To Keep the cats Away from The Tank? – Old Blankets

Another quick fix that works well when you temporarily need to protect the fish tank is to cover it with old blankets.

This helps block the view of the aquarium and dulls the attractiveness to your cat.

However, it’s important to ensure the blanket doesn’t cover any necessary ventilation areas,

This method should not replace a proper tank cover or lid.

Move The Fish While You Cat Proof

One way to protect both your fish and equipment is to temporarily move them to a safer location while you cat proof the tank.

This will help ensure that the fish are not at risk of being caught by curious cats and that the equipment remains undamaged during the process.

Regularly trimming your cat’s claws can help reduce the risk of them causing harm to the fish should they manage to reach inside the tank.

Ensure that paws of the cat are clean and well groomed. This decreases the chance of them contaminating the water.

You may need to try multiple methods or a combination of solutions to find the best approach for your specific cat proof aquarium situation.

Last update on 2026-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API