ᐅ Kallax and Pets – How Do You Manage with Cats?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering how to effectively combine my new Kallax shelving unit with my cat. My question for you is: how do you manage your cats around Kallax shelves? Specifically, I’m interested in how you prevent your cat from repeatedly using the shelves as a climbing or sleeping area, and whether you have taken any special measures to reduce damage to the furniture. Do you use any particular covers, closures, or have you modified the shelving unit to make it cat-proof or at least less attractive to cats? I have read that cats especially like to climb into open shelves like these and sometimes even pull out toys or other small items.

I would greatly appreciate any tips, experiences, or small modification ideas that have worked well for you. Thank you in advance!

For me, it helps to close the lower compartments with sturdy baskets or boxes. This makes it harder for the cat to get inside and prevents things from falling out.

I bought special cabinet doors that fit perfectly on Kallax units. This makes the whole setup more secure and prevents the cat from getting inside easily.

I understand this very well – cats can be quite stubborn and are rarely deterred from climbing. In my case, the shelf board of the Kallax quickly became a favorite spot for midday naps, which is cute in itself but can cause problems, especially when things are stacked unstably.

LEEJU schrieb:
I bought special cabinet doors that fit exactly in front of the Kallax.

That sounds basically good and safe. Does anyone have experience with securely installing such doors? I’m concerned that my cat might still try to get inside and there could be a risk of injury if it crashes into them.

Fixed doors are secure when properly locked. However, I would also recommend blocking the bottom of the Kallax with heavy boxes, making it less attractive for cats overall.

In my opinion, the most important point is that the Kallax unit should not be used as a retreat or sleeping area if the cat could get hurt or if it would cause significant clutter. What has proven effective is a combination of:

- Installing doors or panels that close securely
- Placing heavy objects or closed baskets on the shelves to make climbing more difficult
- Providing the cat with alternative elevated spots, such as cat trees or wall-mounted shelves, so they are less curious about the Kallax

As a precaution, I would also attach ties or clamps to unstable parts to prevent anything from falling over.