The Puffer Forum

My cats sometimes tries to drink from my brackish GSP tank. Could this be potentially dangerous?

The extra minerals can cause bladder/kidney issues. I'm surprised they want to drink it!

Yah. Plus he usually has water at all times. Maybe he likes the salty taste?

It might be the sound of the water attracting him. I don't know what your tap water might be like, but I know mine is pretty bad, I give them filtered water. I use stainless steel dishes so it's easier to keep them very clean. One of my kitties had a bladder issue last year, she likes to lick my husband's armpits when he's sleeping. Because he was using a mineral based natural deodorant, the vet said even that small amount can make a difference. So he uses a different kind now, no more armpit licking.
But yeah, maybe he likes the salt.

I know my cats won't drink saltwater1.020 - 1.022, maybe you can upgrade your puffer to marine.

Puffers are excellent jumpers, so unless you want to find him dried up on the floor, get a good cover on there.

my cats will drink out of anything they're not supposed to.

Yes, a good cover is your best option

Lol, yeah I guess mine can't drink from my saltwater tanks, but they don't try during water changes though either. Is he managing to lift the lid? I have a couple kitties who would if they were light enough.

He gets to the water by sticking his arm in the gap in the cover next to the filter. If the filter is centered he can't get in there, but he pushes it over. I put a juice jug on the cover to cover the hole and it works some what, he still occasionally pushes it over. While he does drink the water from his hand I think its more about my puffer. I've seen the 2 "brawl". Sawyer will slap the surface of the water and my puffer nips at his hand. The other fish ignore my cat.

Can you somehow rig up braces between the edge of the tank and the sides of the filter box so the cat cannot move the filter? I am thinking bracing a small dowel rod between the edge of the tank and the side of the filter on both sides so the filter cannot move either direction. Otherwise the GSP / Cat brawl may end up with the cat getting bit and the fish becoming a dry puffer on a floor (or worse cat food).

I don't know that much about puffers, but have heard that some can be poisonous if digested..... what would happen to a cat that would bite one? Would the fish be toxic to the cat? I don't think I want to find out. Thank goodness my cat is afraid of the puffer. She will watch the goldfish for hours, but if you carry her near the puffer tank she will do everything in her power to get away from the tank.

just spray the cat with a water bottle. It will learn quickly enough

J-P wrote:just spray the cat with a water bottle. It will learn quickly enough

YES! Its so obvious! Seriously, why didn't I see it before. I'm gonna try this.

J-P hit it right on!

J-P wrote:just spray the cat with a water bottle. It will learn quickly enough

I have a cat that loves water.... the spray bottle thing didn't work with this one.

Saw this pic and thought about this thread.