Cat-Proof Fish Tanks: How to Keep Cats and Aquariums in the Same Home

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Have you ever wondered if it’s safe to have cats and aquariums in the same home? If cats prey on fish in the wild, then won’t they try to eat your new scaly pets? Well, despite your cat’s love for their tuna flavored wet food, you can successfully keep cats and pet fish in the same home together. In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how to make sure your fish tank is cat-proof so you can have a peaceful cat-fish cohabitating arrangement (without one becoming a tasty midnight snack!).

Note: I am not a medical professional, and this article is not to be taken as medical or veterinary advice. Always contact a veterinarian regarding concerns about your pet’s health or behavior. Additionally, Caitycat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

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Why do Cats Like Fish So Much?

Okay, so, first things first. Why on Earth are cats so attracted to fish? Everywhere you look, it seems that fish are a common theme for cat toys. You see floppy mechanical fish, fake aquariums, fish kicker toys, you name it!

It seems odd that an animal that hates (and I mean LOATHES) going in water would like an animal that comes from water. There’s some speculation that in ancient Middle Eastern ports, cats would search for food around fishing boats, according to PangoVet. So, it stands to reason that fish made up a huge part of cats’ diets back then.

Another main reason cats like fish so much is because of the way they move and mimic prey. Fish are usually darting around quickly, so it stimulates cats’ hunting instincts. This is why you might find yourself in a bind if you’re looking to bring fish home but are worried about how your cat will react.

Fear not, my friend! I have successfully brought fish into my home with cats, so you can too. Keep reading to find out how!

How to Cat-Proof Your Fish Tank

There are many ways to make sure your fish tank is protected from your cat. I, myself, had to take precautions when bringing home my new aquatic friends, seeing as though I live in a multi-cat home with my cats Luna and Hazel.

Here are some ways you can cat-proof your fish tank and keep your fishies safe and secure in their new home.

Get an Aquarium with a Lid

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised to know that a lot of aquarists opt for aquariums without lids. Some people find that not having a lid makes maintenance tasks a lot easier. While this is true, there are a lot of downsides to not having a lid on your aquarium. This includes accumulation of dust and debris, temperature fluctuations, evaporation issues, and most importantly, not having a lid leaves your tank vulnerable to your cat (and vice versa).

To avoid your kitty taking a bath with your fish and potentially injuring both animals, get a lid for your fish tank!

Place Your Tank in a Cat-Safe Location

While you can argue that no area is cat-safe (if you know, you know), there are places you can put your tank that are a little more difficult for your cat to reach.

Before I set up my tank and brought my fish home, I made sure to look for an appropriate piece of furniture to place it on that would be somewhat inaccessible to my cats. I wanted something that was almost the exact size of the tank I was getting so my cats wouldn’t have edges to jump up on.

You don’t have to buy anything crazy expensive, either. I’m a bargain hunter, so I went searching at a local thrift store. I found a solid wood storage cabinet that was almost the same size as the tank and had a ton of storage space for fish things underneath. And, not to brag, but I only spent $11.99. 😉

Set up Some Distractions for Your Cat

Distractions are often a good way to keep your cat from doing something undesirable, such as going after your new fish. In the room you have your tank set up in, put lots of toys that will keep your cat busy and will stimulate their hunting instincts.

If you have a window in the room, it can help to put a cat tree in front of it. This is especially useful if you get a lot of birds that are visible from the windows. My cats Luna and Hazel LOVE to bird watch, and they will almost always run to the window if they see a bird. This helps keep them away from our fish tank, especially if we open the window so they can hear the birds better.

Keep the Door Closed

If you have your fish tank in a room with a door, you can always close the door if you’re having trouble making your fish tank cat-proof. In our home, I have my fish tank set up in my office which has a door. I don’t keep the door closed when I’m home since I can supervise my cats. However, I keep it closed at night because my girls like to get into some shenanigans when we’re sleeping.

I know it’s not ideal to keep your cat locked out of a room, but sometimes that’s the only solution. I also have zebra finches in my home, which I have to keep in a separate room with the door closed all the time. It’s a bit riskier to have my cats “hanging out” with the birds when they’re not closed off in a glass tank like fish are!

You’re definitely not a bad fish or cat parent if you have to keep them separate. You’re just looking out for their best interests. 🙂

Oh, and if you have a smart kitty who has learned how to open doors, you can get door handle locks to keep them out, like this one from Amazon: https://amzn.to/470eKbm.

In Conclusion

There are many ways to cat-proof your fish tank in order to make sure both your fishies and your kitty stay safe. If you have a lid for your tank, very little space for your cat to jump up on, and lots of distractions for your cat, you can ensure your cat’s fascination with your fish is limited to watching them swim around in their tank. And if all else fails, keep your tank in a room where you can close the door so your cat can’t get in. If you follow these steps, you’re well on your way to successfully keeping cats and aquariums in the same home peacefully!

Did you find this article helpful? Let me know in the comments!

See also…

Can Cats and Birds Live Together? A Guide to Peaceful Coexistence