Crib tents to keep cats out?

[heathertexas80]

I have three cats (and three dogs busy house!) and am going to have a baby in october. I need tips for keeping the cats out of the crib. I know, keep the door closed. Mine like to hide under things like most cats. I had read about crib tents. Do they work? Are they safe? Thanks all in advance, Heather

[pamxch]

I'm interested in this topic too. So far we've just been keeping all the bedroom doors closed. We have multiple cats. I miss napping with cats.

On Amazon, there are reviews of the Tots in Mind Cozy Crib Tent http://www.amazon.com/Tots-Mind-Cozy-Crib-White/dp/B00014PLAY/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1236194075&sr=8-1

I've never seen it in person or know of anyone who actually has used one.

[fivi2]

We didn't do a crib tent, but we put a screen door in (yes, inside our house!). We had a hallway that led to the bedrooms that we used it on, but you could replace a bedroom door with it. It allows the air to circulate, sound to travel. Ours didn't latch, so if a cat got stuck on the wrong side, they could push their way out. It was a white one with screen and really didn't look all that terrible. Yes, a little odd, and we did get a few comments, but honestly I loved it.

A lot of people do love their crib tents though!

[elektra]

We used a gate (1 cat, 2 dogs) across DD's doorway combined with just closing the door. The gate was more for the dogs, as I think the cat could have technically just jumped right over it if she really wanted to but she never did.

[heathertexas80]

We use baby gates currently to keep the puppy out of the cat litter... so thats out lol. The cats know how to get over them fine. I've thought about just keeping the door closed but their very sneaky if they want to be somewhere. I'm going to try and eliminate hiding spots in the room as much as possible. I have thought about a scat mat too. Its a mat that when they jump on it gives off a vibration and a noise to discourage them from being on that surface. We would put it in the crib a few months before the baby is born and when they jump in the crib they would get the vibration. Crib tent just seems like extra protection.

[justincase]

Along the same lines as a scat mat but cheaper, we did sheets of tinfoil in the crib, bassinet, etc. for a couple of months before DS was born. That worked on my scaredy cat, who doesn't like any unexpected noise.

[o_mom]

We use a Crib Tent II, but just to keep the kids from climbing in/out of the crib (no cats) and have had no problems with it. If you get one, check on if you can use it with the mattress in the higher positions. The II has mesh all around the inside, so I don't think you can with that one, but the original would not prevent them from reaching through the bars if that is a concern.

[heathertexas80]

I'll have to try the tin foil then. Scat mats are about 30 bucks. But if I can save that 30 bucks by putting some tin foil down. It's defintely worth it. Maybe that combined with a water bottle will work. Cats hate being sprayed with a water bottle. If not I guess I can always get the crib tent.

[emschwar]

Along the same lines as a scat mat but cheaper, we did sheets of tinfoil in the crib, bassinet, etc. for a couple of months before DS was born. That worked on my scaredy cat, who doesn't like any unexpected noise.

empty, cleaned soda cans are another option

[pamxch]

I'm rather taken with the indoor screen door idea, but I doubt my husband will go for it.

[heathertexas80]

I don't see mine going for it either. I will try the tin foil though. Be my luck that one of the cats would love it.

[mom2binsd]

Do you think they will try to get in the crib??? You might wait and see first if it's an issue....the old wives tales about cats taking away a baby's breath is just that I haven't heard of many cats wanting to be anywhere near a new baby who has completely destroyed their tranquil lifestyle!!!

We have the original to keep DS in the crib. I don't think you'd need the one with the mesh all the way done, personally with a little one who is in and out of the crib multiple times for naps etc I'd wait and see if you need to add an extra step to your day (it take a few seconds but every second counts with a newborn in your life!)

[pamxch]

While browsing Kidsurplus.com, I saw they have the Original Cozy Crib tent for $53.19. There's 99 cent shipping for orders above $49 until 3/6/09, code is on their homepage.

Crib Tent http://www.kidsurplus.com/itemDetail-item-20%20TIM%20016~catid-710~fromsearch-true.asp

[elliput]

My cats did not want to be anywhere near my DC when they were newborns. Sure, they checked out and napped in every single piece baby gear that came through the door, but if the baby was already sleeping in the crib, they didn't want to have anything to do with it.

I'd wait until your DC is home before spending money on something.

[heathertexas80]

Do you think they will try to get in the crib??? You might wait and see first if it's an issue....the old wives tales about cats taking away a baby's breath is just that I haven't heard of many cats wanting to be anywhere near a new baby who has completely destroyed their tranquil lifestyle!!!

We have the original to keep DS in the crib. I don't think you'd need the one with the mesh all the way done, personally with a little one who is in and out of the crib multiple times for naps etc I'd wait and see if you need to add an extra step to your day (it take a few seconds but every second counts with a newborn in your life!)


Yeah I really do think they'll get into the crib at least one of them I know will. She's fearless. She's actually intrigued by things like crying screaming babies etc. I have 3 cats and only one of them is skittish. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Train them to stay away while using the crib tent, and slowly quit using it. No I didn't plan on getting the one that goes all way down and stuff.

[mamafish]

We're also debating what to do about cats and baby cribs (expecting our first human child, have 4 cats). We tried foil in the crib for a while, but the cats didn't mind it a bit.

Our vet recommended emptying out and cleaning soda cans and putting something in them to bang/rattle if they get knocked around. This is supposed to scare them. We're going to be trying that before baby comes home to train them.

[heathertexas80]

The cat that I'm most worried about (oreo) is fearless, she likes things that make loud/strange noises. I trained my other two cats with a squirt bottle of water, I just have to reach for it and they run. Oreo on the other hand just gives a mental shrug and continues doing what she's doing... She could care less... It's gonna be a challange. I'll try the soda cans though... maybe I can find something really weird sounding.

[mousemom]

We have the Tots in Mind crib tent. We have two cats and it has served its purpose for us. One cat never had and still has no interest in the crib, whether the baby is in it or not. Our other cat made a habit out of sleeping in the crib when it was first put up before the baby arrived. Putting the crib tent on before the birth kept her out and made her understand that it was not her bed.

Since the baby has been here, the cat has jumped on top of the crib tent a few times while the baby is in the crib, usually when I am trying to get the baby to sleep and the cat wants my attention. The cat shows absolutely no interest in actually jumping into the crib with the baby (she's still a little scared of him). Given this, we normally leave it unzipped when the baby is in the crib for easier access and so that the noise of zipping it doesn't wake him up and only zip the tent during the day when the baby is not in the crib, so that the cat does not reclaim it as her bed.

Overall, I'd recommend this product.

[heathertexas80]

I appreciate your responding. I'll look for it. Where did you get yours? Thank you Heather

[MCsMom]

We have 2 cats and we bought 2 tents, one for the co-sleeper and one for DD's actual crib.
Ended up returning the one for the crib but had to keep the co-sleeper one because I got rid of all the packaging.
We never needed either tent because the cats just would not go near the baby. DD slept with us in our room in her co-sleeper. The cats sometimes on our bed with us. They would go over and sniff the co-sleeper but they never jumped in there.
DD sleeps in her crib in her room now and I can shut the door.
Am surprised really because our male cat is always jumping up on things. Maybe the baby just freaks him out :-)
Hope that helps...

[heathertexas80]

See, I'm really hoping that they'll be skittish (just enough to not want to go near the baby asleep) I figured I'd buy it and if I never need it then I'll sell it at a garage sale; but if I do end up needing it then I have it to put on there. Do you think having the baby in the co-sleeper made a difference because she was next to you?

[mousemom]

I appreciate your responding. I'll look for it. Where did you get yours? Thank you Heather

We got ours from Walmart (online with free shipping to the store). Seemed like as good a price as anywhere and that way we knew we could return it without a problem if we wanted to.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4726174

I should also note that the crib tent is not meant to be used with all styles of cribs - the front and back rails need to be the same height so that it sits flat on top of the corners and it needs a metal mattress support to tie the ends to. One thing I wondered about before I got it was whether I'd be able to use the drop-side of my crib with it on and the answer is yes (although in the end I never use the drop-side anyway!). Also, watching the video on putting it together on totsinmind.com was very helpful.

[MCsMom]

Sorry, in my earlier post, I should have said they never went in the co-sleeper with the baby in there.
Before we started using it as I was setting it up, the girl did jump in there because she was trying to get out of my way. I let her sniff around then shooed her away. Once the baby was in (and I had that co-sleeper canopy ready), they both would sniff then turn away.
Yes, I do think having DD beside me at first made a difference. I would never scold them though because they were just curious. I would just watch until I thought they were about to get in there but they never did. If they did, I would have just shooed them again.

[heathertexas80]

Well, sounds like a good idea. I use a squirt bottle with my cats (found out it works with the puppy too...) I'm kind of thinking about the co-sleeper now. Might just put the crib in our room for the first couple of months though... not sure. Got five months to figure it out! I'll look at walmarts site for the tent. Did it work for a pack 'n play or did you not try it? We live in texas so that would be awesome. No worries about our gigantic mesquitos...!

[MCsMom]

LOL
No, I never tried it with a PNP.
I do think there is a tent available if you are so inclined:D
The nesting is fun, isn't it?

[heathertexas80]

lol, I'm sorry I am.... well former military (they tell you theres such a thing as former but they lie) I'm driving my husband nuts so I'm trying to spread it around a little. I worked in the Flight Surgeons office for 3 years as a medic. I'm like... supercharged when given a task until I complete it. I can't hurry the pregnancy up so I might as well go for getting ready. I've already got a crib, registered and have decided on a theme... baby names etc. Like I said I'm driving my husband nuts... my in laws don't talk to me currently etc... lol

[MCsMom]

They are just going to have to put up with it :hysterical:
I was similar when pregnant. Read all the parenting books (wanted to throw them all out after I was done), obsessively researched EVERYTHING we wanted to have for her (furniture, gear and the like) AND had pretty much everything she needed months before the arrival, read the Baby Bargains Book over and over again, visited my local Buy Buy Baby so much they knew me by name and always had a spray bottle handy filled with rubbing alcohol because I didn't want to catch anything while with child:ROTFLMAO:
I have relaxed a little bit since DD came into this world.
Enjoy it!
I am so thankful that we were able to prepare, it made the craziness of a new baby a little easier...

[heathertexas80]

lol, I'm not reading too many of the parenting books. Am reading "what to expect when your expecting". I've gone through the baby bargains book and highlighted stuff and everything. Most of my stuff is researching what I'm buying, to save money etc. We don't have buy buy baby here. I've been going to babies r us and thats pretty much all we have around us. I'm just a really big planner, I've moved 10 times in the last 6 years and kept my sanity.

[violetsky]

Those of you who use a Crib Tent, are you still able to use a mobile?

[heathertexas80]

I'm not sure, I haven't bought one yet... Babys not due for another 5 months. :O)

[SnuggleBuggles]

My cat has hated the babies so it has been a non issue. She wanted nothing to do with anything that smells of the little ones! I would wait to see if there is a need to do anything and go at from there.

Beth

[silia]

I read good things about Secret Screen, which is sort of a cross between a pull down shade and a screen door. Supposedly some other reviewers at other forum sites have used this to block off the door to the nursery from their cats while still being able to leave the door open for airflow,etc. I bought one but haven't installed it yet. I chose it because it seemed a far simpler solution than finding a screen door to fit and then convincing my husband it would be worth installing. The whole thing takes two screws into the top of the door frame and two on the bottom jambs for the hold down clips. For the price I thought it would be worth a try. I'm not due until July, however, so the test will be how good the thing is to stop the cats all by itself without the added deterrent of crying babies. :)

[mousemom]

Those of you who use a Crib Tent, are you still able to use a mobile?

We don't have a mobile, so I don't know if it would work. I suspect the tent would get in the way, but I'm not sure. We do have one of the fisher price crib soothers on the side of the crib and that works with the tent.

[PCARN]

Hi- We have two cats who are really loving and sweet. I'm wondering how they'll be when it comes to jumping in the bassinet and crib. We haven't gotten furniture yet (am on bedrest) so I can't prep them/teach them not to go in the crib. I'm debating on getting a crib tent. I'm also wondering if it'll be necessary to keep the cats out of our bedroom while the bassinet is in our room. Has anyone ever experienced their cats jumping in? I'm sure our cats will adjust well w/our new addition but I just worry that being curious ones as they are that they'll jump in.

Also, when your baby's in his/her nursery at night, do you keep your cats out? Just trying to figure things out (first baby). I wouldn't want to keep the doors closed (either our bedroom or the nursery) but I'm worried that the cats may jump in the crib?

I'd really appreciate any advice and/or suggestions. :)

[eisnikki]

I have two cats that are determined to lay on every surface in our house, so the temptation of a whole room full of new surfaces is just too much for them to resist, screaming child or otherwise....however the one thing I've found that will keep them off of anything and actually stick in their minds for a few days is the compressed air that you use to dust your computer....I never spray them with it directly because occasionally you see a mist come from the can which worries me a bit, but just the sound bothers them, to the point where all I have to do now is pick the can up and they immediately stop whatever they are doing.....which is great because with a ton of electronics in our house a water bottle simply wasn't a feasible option.