Kitchen Questions

[NikkiA]

Hello everyone,
We have three boys, F3 Jarvis, F4 Mickey, and F5 D. We are having a bit of a problem keeping food secure (yes, I know I am not the only one on this forum who has that problem).
Mickey is our master thief, if it is accessible (and by accessible I mean inside of an unopened cardboard box with an unopened bag- he got into a new box of crackers last night), it is fair game. We were trying to deal with that, but yesterday I noticed Jarvis opening a cabinet. He repeated his trick twice for me yesterday.
They get wet food in the morning, and they have dry out all day, and yet it appears that I am in need of some child safety locks.
What do you guys use to keep your SV's out of the food they should not be eating?

 

[Trish Allearz]

Locks, put stuff in the microwave, toss it in the oven (try to remember before turning on the oven). Heck, we had locks on our old fridge because the F1 learned to paw it open- and she was stealing straight out of there.

It isn't that they are hungry, but SVs like a challenge and they like to play- your kitchen is often a wonderful playground for them. YOU might not see it that way, but they sure as heck do.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

It truly depends on the cats, and what "special skill" they develop...I find all of mine have their own specialties. Fortunately none have taken to opening cabinet doors, whether it is because ours are heavier or what I don't know. We just changed from wood doors to parapan(a solid polymer material) and I did think doing that "whatever will we do if we have to put locks on these fancy doors?".

Depending on the doors, I'd look into what child locks are going to work and try them out. Hopefully you will only have to use them for a month or so until Mickey loses interest and finds a new thing to do.

The Savannahs and our beagle have trained us well... we don't leave any food out, a cardboard box is no deterrent and in fact likely adds to the appeal! Over the years we've become used to immediately putting things away, it makes us tidier ;-)

 

[Ashley]

Luckily Kovu is pretty good in the kitchen, but we've recently had to baby proof the bathroom or else he'd open the door, sneak in, open the drawers, and try to eat my hair ties. -_-

Baby proofing has helped a lot in our house.. and squirt bottles of water.

 

[Patti]

Trish is sooo right, in that it's not so much of a food drive as a challenge to see how far they can get I think. I have child proof safety locks on all of my cabinets (upper and low), and even have a chain on one cabinet.

 

[Pam Flachs]

I'm with Trish: the microwave and oven are where we put foods that we are currently eating. Pizza in the box goes straight from the front door to the oven...and yes, I have forgotten a few times and turned on the oven before checking

 

[Wyldthingz]

I don't even have food in our cabinets (we keep the food in the pantry) and they STILL want in there to do whatever. Baby locks are an option and a pain. I have not tried but have someone that once suggested the magnetic locks, fairly strong yet not as problematic as baby locks? Has anyone tried this option. Our cabinets are cheap and fairly light wood so they are easy to open.

 

[Patti]

I have not used the magnetic locks but have seen them in action in the pediatrician's office. They work great as long as you don't lose the 'key', and from what I recall the last time I researched them, they are pretty pricey.

 

[Wyldthingz]

I don't mean a locking mechanism type, but ones that hold the cabinet in place with strong magnets. I don't know if they are strong enough however for a Savannah.
http://www.ecrater.com/p/12172211/4-pieces-cabinet-magnetic-closet-catch?gps=1

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I'm like Pam etc and use the microwave and oven to store things that need to be at room temp but away from prying paws.... especially bread. It's so attractive to the kitties it seems although they will only gnaw at the crust a bit before the beagle finds it and devours it!