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

Created on: 12 Jan 2021 08:17
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gla33
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!
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Phillipkau
13 Jan 2021 09:18
As an addition: Kallax shelves, due to their open compartments, are especially attractive to cats that like to climb. A study on cat behavior indicates that cats prefer clear hiding spots with defined boundaries. Therefore, I recommend:

- Installing custom-fit doors or plexiglass fronts
- Reinforcing the shelf boards to prevent sagging from climbing activities
- Using furniture anchors to secure the shelves to the wall and prevent tipping

These measures effectively reduce the risk of injury and damage to the furniture.
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pakokla
13 Jan 2021 10:11
I had the same problem; my cat just loves the Kallax. I placed heavy books in the front and used some fabric boxes. This made the shelf less interesting for her, and the mess disappeared.
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chen67
13 Jan 2021 16:57
gla33 schrieb:
How do you manage your cats and the Kallax shelves? Specifically, I’d like to know how you prevent your cat from permanently using the shelves as climbing or sleeping spots.

I can only say: cats are like improv comedy pros looking for a stage on open shelves :-). I use some nice fabric boxes for my Kallax, so there’s no more climbing in the lower sections. For the upper shelves, I created a cozy spot with a small blanket to keep her happy and prevent her from scratching the plants or the Kallax frame. Working a bit together with your cat often helps more than simply forbidding it.
Edric schrieb:
Does anyone have experience with permanently installing such doors? I’m worried my cat might still try to get inside and that could cause injury.

I’d say: securely mounting the doors reduces the risk of them tipping over; however, cats love to jump, so stable doors with a soft seal are better to prevent any loud bangs. Always train your cat patiently and offer alternative climbing options 🙂