Cat frees crickets, gecko goes hungry

#Middlebury #Cat #Gecko

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I have a leopard gecko named Lenetta, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. There’s a problem, though. I also have a cat, and that cat always finds a way into the room where Lenetta is kept, and spends his time chasing the crickets through the plastic “kritter keeper.” Sometimes it gets flipped over and the crickets escape. Then I have nothing to feed to Lenetta, and there are loose crickets all over the house. How do I get this cat to stop obeying his instinct to chase these bugs? Help, before any more crickets get loose! – Josiah from New York

DEAR JOSIAH: Ah, that’s the thing: It’s a cat’s instinct to chase small, hopping things. Cats think it’s awesome.

Rather than try and teach your cat not to chase crickets – a tough job that will require long-term commitment, daily training sessions and possibly some genetic manipulation to remove that hunting instinct – make it tougher for the kritter keeper to get turned over.

Solution 1: Duct tape. One piece on each side of the lid, being careful not to cover the air vents. If you use a cricket shaker or something similar, take out the shaker tube and secure the lid.

Solution 2: Camouflage. Make the cricket cage invisible. Put it on a shelf that the cat can’t reach. Cover it with a thin cloth (that air can get through) or place it behind other objects. Out of sight, out of mind.

Solution 3: Keep the door to Lenetta’s room closed. This may be more difficult because your cat clearly has figured out how to get in. Think about other ways to discourage his entry.

Good luck!

Send your pet care questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.