Why do cats / kittens climb curtains? With 12 ways to stop them!

Kittens are so adorable and playful. They bring so much joy via their innocence, their energy and their sense of discovery and curiosity. But sometimes the hyper behavior can seem to be getting out of control. When household items such as curtains and sofas are being ripped and scratched, cat owners can become exasperated as to why this is happening and how to stop it. Understanding the reasons behind certain animal behaviors can make finding solution easier and more effective. Climbing curtains is a common behavior in cats and one in which owners are constantly discussing and seeking ways of deterring them. So why do cats and kittens climb curtains?

Cats love climbing

Climbing is a natural instinct in cats. Their bodies are built for climbing with their sharp, extendable claws perfect for gripping onto the object they are climbing while their back legs push forwards. To prevent themselves from falling they hold their bodies, the centre of their weight, close to the climbing object. They will climb for several reasons – for fun and exploration, to hunt, and to get up to a high location to feel safe. Therefore, long draping curtains can be the perfect object to help them satisfy the instinctive climbing urge. Once at the top, the curtain pole can be the perfect place to view all that is going on around them.

Playing and exploring

Cats, and especially kittens, love to play and to explore. Just like children do! Whether alone or with the company of other kittens and cats, they all like to play. Playtime is an important part of a cat’s daily routine. It relieves stress, anxiety and behavioural problems. Exploring new places is one way a kitten or cat will amuse themselves. The smells, texture and sights of their environment all need to be discovered and examined by them. Once they discover the fun that can be had by climbing up the curtains at full speed or clinging on while they sway then it simply becomes a fun game.

Trying to get outside

An unspayed kitten or cat, may climb the curtains as a means of trying to get out of the house to find a mate. The urge to find herself a partner will take over as her priority and objectives.

A cat who has had previous access to the outdoors but is now an indoor cat, for whatever reason, may be simply investigating ways of escaping through a window, or finding another outlet to the outside world. Similarly, a cat who is bored, lonely or under stimulated may seek an escape route.

Seeking attention

Most cats like a daily dose of fuss and attention. Keeping cats fed and watered is simply not enough. They need love and attention just like us humans. Destructive behavior can be a cat’s way of communicating to their owner that they are here, they want to be seen and heard and given attention. Boredom will see kittens and cats will making their own entertainment and their choices may simply not sit well with our human lives sometimes.

Dominance

In a multi cat household, displaying dominance can become an issue. A position of height is one way that dominance is displayed and where best to display your position than on the curtain pole – the highest point in the room! Bullying and aggressive behavior can also be a factor in multi-cat household and a cat who is afraid will also seek high places in order to escape and find solace.

Feeling unwell

Any behavior that is new, or uncharacteristic to your cat, should always be check out by a veterinary. When cats feel unwell, anxious or stressed they may seek somewhere high up to get away from people and other pets.

12 Ways to stop cats from climbing curtains

Many, although not all, kittens will grow out of climbing curtains. Hyper behavior such as scampering up your beloved curtains is mostly seen in young kittens as they play and climb to burn up their endless energy reserves. Stopping curtain climbing when they are kittens will certainly help prevent them to be curtain climbers as adult cats. However, if this is one trait that your kitten has held onto to into adult life, or you need tips on how to stop kittens damaging your curtains, here are several things that you can try.

1. Use tie backs on your curtains

By using tie backs on your curtains, or any other curtain accessories, to keep your curtains tucked away, curtains may simply not be as tempting or as obvious.

2. Ensure there are plenty of areas for your cats to satisfy their climbing needs

Kittens and cats all love to climb. They thrive on being able to climb to higher levels for comfort, safety, exercise and playtime. Providing cat trees, cat towers or cat shelves ensures climbing areas are safe and designed for cats. Hanging a natural rope on the cat tree may be an alternative climbing option for those kitties who enjoy the swaying motion of the curtains. Their own familiar smells on the cat tree will be comforting and it will be your cat’s own personal space. Cat trees can help maintain harmony in a multi-cat household too. The availability of a higher perch to display highest ranking position is a much more harmonious way to display ranking rather than fighting or bullying.

3. Spray your curtains with citrus spray

Cats do not like citrus scents. Spraying your curtains with a few drops of diluted orange or lemon essential oil can help keep them away from the curtains. Keep spraying your curtain every couple of days until they decide that this area is one that is best to stay away from.

4. Install a window seat or perch for your cat to view the outside world

A cosy window ledge with a clear, large enough view of the outside world can be a cat’s live tv dream! Watching birds, squirrels and wildlife come and go can keep them amused for hours. Set up a bird feeding station near the window and you will have no concerns about nothing to watch! And in the right spot, the warm sun can penetrate the window making it the perfect place for an afternoon nap too.

5. Spend time with your cat

Both indoor and outdoor cats need to be provided with a stimulating and safe indoor environment. But it is particularly important for indoor cats to be entertained and to have their natural instincts satisfied. Spending a little time every day playing games with your cat will boost your relationship and is a great way to get to know and understand each other better. Play time with your cat has so many benefits:

Exercise for your cat, keeping bones and muscles strong and healthy;
It can be a great tool for helping two cats to get along and become friends;
It builds the trust between you and your cat;
Playtime relieves stress, anxiety and behavioral problems.

Check out our articles ’18 Games to play with your cat for some great ideas’. If you feel some outside time would benefit your cat, check out our article ‘Do indoor cats need outside time’. The article explores several ways of allowing your cat to experience and explore the outdoors in safe way.

And when your cat doesn’t feel like playing, simply spend time stroking them and talking to them. Let them sit on your knee and relax together. This will benefit both you and your cat.

6. Ensure there are plenty of toys and activities to keep your kittens and cat amused.

As equally important as spending time playing is ensuring there is enough to keep your cats amused whilst you are not there too. This can include:

cat trees, towers, and shelves for climbing,
tunnels and boxes are great for providing areas to hide,
activity feeders will nurture their hunting for food instinct.
toys to play with.

Check out our article ‘How to keep your cat happy – 10 key factors’ for more ideas and tips.

7. Use vertical blinds instead of curtains

This is an extreme measure if you’ve already bought and set up new beautiful long flowing curtains. But blinds are a good cat-proof alternative for your windows.

8. Put aluminium foil or double-sided tape on your curtains

Many cats do not like the texture of double-sided tape or aluminium foil. Adding these to the bottom of the curtain, or to the area that they usually climb, will make them less appealing to your kittens / cats.

9. Use a tension rod

Cat owners have shared stories of curtain poles coming away from the walls, exposing holes and bare plaster caused by a combination of ill-fitting poles and climbing cats! Tension rods are an alternative which will collapse when the cat’s weight is put on the curtain. The curtain will fall in a heap before any further climbing gets underway. No damage to the walls and after a few times it is very likely that your cat will no longer bother with this climbing attempt!

10. Motion detector alarm

By placing a motion detector on your curtain, any time that the cats attempt to climb the curtains, the alarm will be set off. Cats don’t usually respond well to surprises or unexpected noises and this unexpected noise may be enough of a deterrent to prevent them attempting it again!

11. Train your cat not to climb the curtains

Contrary to popular belief, (although there is always one kitty somewhere that defies the rules!) it is possible to train cats. When you see your cat heading for the curtains or already halfway up, remove them and take them to their cat tree or cat tower. It is not about suppressing their natural instincts but instead, providing them with more suitable alternatives. Do this consistently and they will soon realize the curtains are simply out of bounds. Punishment is NEVER the way to train. Rewarding good behavior with a positive experience will reinforce their good behavior.

12. Ensure your cat is spayed and that there are no other medical issues

Any changes in your cat’s behavior or on-going concerns should always be checked out by a veterinary to rule out any underlying medical issues. Ensure your kittens are spayed, this will decrease the urge to find a mate.