Cats keep turning on light switch

I have a shed on my farm where I keep rabbit cages and other small animals. When the barn cats are pregnant they get moved in there because otherwise something always kills the kittens. One (or more) of the cats in there climbs the post next to the door and keeps turning the light switch on and off. I used to think some person was not shutting it off until I saw the cat turn it on, and then just when I was going to go in there to shut it off, the cat turned it off. I must admit I do have a weird cat. Is there anything that I can buy so make the switch so the cat cant get to it. My electric bill is high enough. I know they make keyed switches, but I also know I'll never remember to keep the key on me, and if I hang it in there I'll have a hassle finding it in the dark, or the cats will knock it down. I also know they make things that go on a screw to make a switch inoperative, but I am not going to keep unscrewing it. I just need something that where they cant flip it, but I can. I was thinking of those small fuse holders (normally used on furnaces) where there is a small metal box over the fuse. But I never saw those made for switches. That would be ideal if they made them. (unless the cat figures out how to open that too).....

Any ideas?

By the way, I know someone is going to comment about keeping cats and rabbits together. No, the cats dont hurt them. The rabbits are in cages, and the cats know they belong there. Sometimes the rabbits get out of cages and they usually scare the cats away from them if they do anything at all. The cats will eat rabbit pellets though, which is rather odd since the pellets are just compressed alfalfa and ground up vegetable matter. Like I said, weird cats....

thanks

Reply to
letterman
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I think there are childproofing things to prevent kids from doing this. *might* work for cats! :) Try the baby section!

KD

Reply to
KD

They make a small metal strap that screws over a toggle switch to prevent accidental operation of the switch. I have no idea what they call them, but any electrical supply should carry them

Reply to
RBM

Assuming this isn't a troll...

Get one of these. If your cats figure out how to use it, run away.

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Or...

Turn the toggle switch upside down. When they think they're turning it on, it will go off and vice-versus. That should freak 'em out a bit.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

wrote

Duct tape. Put a piece over the switch. When it loses it's stick, put on another.

Reply to
Steve

there are turn switches too..........

or put a box around the switch so the cat can longer reach the switch

Reply to
hallerb

Replace the cover plate on the switch that you have with one that has a spring-loaded door. Replacement is a 5-minute job and you can find various cover plates with doors at any hardware electrical department. They're used for outdoor wiring.

TKM

Reply to
TKM

wrote

Cute! Well, you've had several good suggestions. Pending if you want to spend a little money, or just use duct tape. If you make the duct tape in a circle so it's 'sticky side out' on all sides then tuck that around, the cats wont like touching it.

If that doesnt work for you, saw a post long ago about a fellow with a somewhat similar problem (was a dog). He wasnt worried about looks and was looking for something free. He cut off the top 2 inches or so of a 1 quart plastic milk jug and taped that over the switch. His finger fit in but the dog couldnt nose it on and off.

Reply to
cshenk

A weatherproof cover would probably work and it won't make your life too difficult. You would just flip open the door to operate the switch.

A substitute for what RBM suggested would be a two hole pipe strap. You would just attach it to the existing wall plate using the existing screws or slightly longer 6/32 screws. I forget what pipe size is close to the proper dimension. Maybe 11/4" or 11/2".

Reply to
John Grabowski

..

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

In the winter when food is scarce rabbits become very aggressive!

Reply to
kato

And another few pieces for the cats.

Reply to
AZ Nomad

That's what we do when we want either of my two toms to leave something alone. They _hate_ the "feel" of the duct tape and they can't simply yank it off whereever we've placed it. Now, if I get out the roll, simply stripping a piece off will send both running for their favorite under-couch hidy-hole.

Interesting idea.

The Ranger

Reply to
The Ranger

Forget the toggle type switch. Change the plate to a rectangular opening and get one of the pushon/off switches. The cat would have a hard time pushing in hard enough to turn the light on.

Reply to
Jim L

my thought too, leviton contura switch.

- larry/dallas

Reply to
larry

perhaps a rotary switch. maybe even a decora would do the trick.

s
Reply to
S. Barker

snipped-for-privacy@invalid.com wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

What a long story.

Reply to
TD

Cats are carnivores and cannot digest plant material.

You're making expensive cat poo.

Reply to
HeyBub

How about an old-fashioned pushbutton light switch? They're expensive compared to common toggle switches, about $15, but I doubt a cat could operate one.

Reply to
Larry W

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