How do I get my cat to stop looking from the balcony?

Question

I have two balconies in my house, one overlooks the foyer and the other the family room. Whenever I am watching TV, my 7 month old kitten, Mindy, looks over the family room balcony and it looks like shes trying to jump. I've tried everything, putting up blankets, pillows, cardboard, but she always finds a way to get to the balcony. The way i stop her is i go running to the stairs and she goes to the stairs and attacks my leg. What can I do to stop her??

Answer 1

The only suggestions that I can think of is to put some aluminum foil down in the balcony area, which may deter her.

Spraying a citrus solution (available in pet stores) in the area may help

You can also try purchasing a cat tree or stand and encourage the cat to use it.  

Answer 2

I think this sounds like an attention getting activity. You say she does this when your watching TV which means your attention isn't focused on her. Next time she does it try this: instead of running up the stairs walk slowly calling her name. Bring one of her toys with you then pick her up and bring her back down to the couch with you. You can play and interact with her while you're watching TV. It's like when a child yells, "Mommy, look! Watch me!!" If you give her a better activity which involves your attention, the behavior will stop. Hopefully with time she will come to you when you call her name while she is up there and you won't have to go get her.

Answer 3

My kitten is currently in hospital suffering from a broken leg after a nasty fall from a window. He too, loves doing things that are dangerous.

You may have a thrill-seeking kitten but you need to rectify the situation, not only for her safety but for your own peace of mind!

Firstly, I have found that kittens love attention. If she realises that you make a big fuss every time she goes up there, and reacts by playing and attacking your leg, she may be viewing the situation as a game. She knows that going to the balcony is a sure way of getting a lot of attention.

Perhaps a solution would be to somehow make it impossible to fall from the balconies. Maybe attach some chicken wire to prevent her from being able to jump though?

That way when she goes up there, you can be safe in the knowledge that she won't fall. This leaves you able to actively ignore her when she does this.

Apparently, a kitten will do a naughty action 3 times before they will stop.

Whenever my kitten does something naughty, (like running over my laptop keyboard!!!!) I simply look him in the eye, give him a loud hiss and move him. Afterwards I attempt to ignore him for a little while as he tries to appease me with cuddles.

The loud hiss is something a kitten will associate with their mothers anger and my kitten usually gives me a startled look when I do this and runs away.

I hope you find something that works for you.

Answer 4

You can't, she's a cat and they live for tall places. Let her be. Very few are dumb enough to jump, they are just fulfilling their genetic code by going hunting up high.

It's a cat thing.

Answer 5

You're worrying too much. A cat will not attempt a jump that it knows it cannot make. It can FALL, but probably not off the balcony you are describing. I have a cat tree in my apartment. The top "ledge" is about a foot from the 8 foot ceiling. My cat jumps off of it all the time.  

Answer 6

Bring her downstairs. It sounds like she just wants to be part of the family.  

Answer 7

Why are you trying to stop her? She's just playing.

Answer 8

This is actually a common problem with cats. I have had a lot of owners tell me their cats do this. It is likely more of a dominant behavior. Cat is trying to show you that I'm your boss. Obviously, this behavior is not acceptable. How embarrassing it would be and your cat start humping.

You will need to train cat not do this. It is going to require that you be very firm with cat (remember, cat thinks I'm the boss right now), and very consistent.

If your cat humps anyway, firmly tell that no and place him on the floor.

Answer 9

Probably nothing... Cats are curious by nature. My cat stares out of the 6th floor balcony all the time, he even walks around the outer ledge. Keep in mind that cats have very good balance and it is very unlikely that it will fall by accident.