If your cat has been climbing curtains a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat climb curtains? The most likely reason why your cat climbs curtains is that it simply enjoys climbing. However, it could also be due to fearfulness or because it is playing.
Your cat might be doing it for a number of different reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main reason.
Why does my cat climb curtains?
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Fearfulness
It might be the case that your cat has been climbing curtains in an attempt to get away from something that has been causing it to be fearful. This would be more likely if your cat has been doing it more when it is likely to be fearful such as when a dog is nearby or when there are loud noises inside.
Your cat naturally likes to climb things
Cats naturally like to climb things and it is likely that your cat has been climbing your curtains because it enjoys doing it. This would be more likely if your cat has not been behaving unusually in other ways and it seems to do it at random times. In this case, it could help to keep your curtains rolled up high or to tie them up high.
Your cat is playing
It is also likely that your cat does it because it naturally wants to climb things when it is playing. This would be more likely if it does it in the early morning or late evening when cats tend to have a lot more energy.
Trying to get outside
It might also be the case that your cat has been doing it in an attempt to get outside. This would be more likely if your cat has been climbing curtains next to the door or window that it normally uses to get outside.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always climbed curtains
If your cat has not always climbed curtains, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as something happening inside that caused it to start getting anxious or it might have learned that it is fun to climb curtains.
The timing of when your cat climbs curtains
If there is a certain time that your cat tends to do it, it would also help to consider the timing. For example, if it does it when there are loud noises inside, your cat might be doing it in an attempt to escape the noise.
What to do about my cat climbing curtains?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Avoid encouraging the behavior
When your cat does climb curtains, it would help to avoid giving it rewards such as food or extra attention so that it does not learn to climb curtains for rewards.
Give it a scratch post or other distractions
It could also help to give your cat things to be distracted by such as a scratch post or other toys to play with so that it is less likely to want to climb curtains.
Raise your curtains
If there is a certain time that your cat tends to do it, another option would be to temporarily raise your curtains during that time so that it can’t climb them.
Limit reasons why it might be fearful
It would also help to limit reasons why it might be fearful inside such as by letting it stay in a different part of the house.