Question for parents with cats

[Sorsha]

Lucas recently started crawling, and we decided to remove the rug from the living room (which we have all baby-proofed and gated so he can roam fairly freely in there), because it really quickly collects cat hair and lint and other bits of things we don't want him putting in his mouth. I ordered some foam interlocking squares (like these: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rainbow-...ildren-Crawling-Playing-Floor-36-PCS/39804839 ) so he'd still have a soft surface to play on. Well, they arrived yesterday, I put them down, and within five minutes one of the cats was sharpening his claws on them. I can already see that soon little bits of the foam will be breaking off, and we don't want the kiddo eating that either.

So I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for floor coverings that would provide some cushioning for the baby but also are relatively cat-proof? We're not too fussed about how it looks, as long as it functions as desired.

 

[Kittycat155]

Soon as I read foam I knew where this was going as a multi cat owner

How big an area do you want this to cover? Was thinking a quilt you could wash? Or cover the tiles with a sheet-that would depend on your cats age/activity. Mine are a bit older, fat and to lazy to go through the "trouble"

There is rubber flooring that may hold up better-maybe grab a tile and try it out. Google "rubber flooring" they have rolls and tiles. Made often for gym floors or garages.

 

[KylasBaby]

My mom has a home daycare and my cats live there and one of them destroyed those foam mats! She's relatively young, 3-4, and used them to scratch all the time. Luckily they just close the door and don't let her down there. The 10 year old cat can't be bothered so he's allowed down. So you aren't alone.

Maybe try putting a different blanket down each day and just wash the one from the precious day?

 

[claudinator]

Have you a cat tree?? And cat graters we have two cats and we found those great.

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

We have the ABC/123 foam mat from Toys R Us, and they haven't managed to scratch pieces off it yet, just left a bunch of marks. When I see one start to scratch I just chase them off, and now DD does the same thing (they've been doing it less since she started defending her turf ).

 

[Gnomer]

Something you can fold up when it's not in use! I velcro'd an old couch throw to one of them rollable bamboo mats. The cat would still want to be on it and scratch at it, but the mat stopped it bunching up, and I could chuck it in the wash when it needed it.
Foam mats are a huge no go, my son had one of them jigsaw kiddy ones. I woke up one morning to pieces of it all over the house.

 

[Sorsha]

Thanks for the ideas! The problem with a loose blanket or quilt is I think it'd quickly get bunched up as the kiddo is crawling on it (he's not all that agile yet), and also it'd be hard to find one thick enough to provide real cushioning (see above--he still tips over and bonks his head from time to time). The cats do have a scratching post etc. but one of them in particular likes to sharpen his claws on *everything* and we haven't been able to train him out of it. I'll have a look into the more durable rubber flooring options.

Still open to other suggestions!

 

[Sorsha]

Has anyone used gymnastic tumbling type mats with cats around? Those look pretty heavy duty, but they're also pretty expensive, so I'm hesitant to invest in one without knowing whether it'll stand up to cat claws.

 

[claudinator]

Ooohhhh cover it in lemon juice that's what we did when DS was born to keep them away from his stuff

 

[Melly Belly]

cats are jerks like this...mine did the same thing...she likes to sharpen her claws in the mats (we pick them up after baby is done playing on them and is in her playpen or eating instead) and my shoes, and my textbooks if i leave them on the floor next to my desk... i know when our family dog wouldnt stop tearing things up and chewing shoes, etc. we used something called "bitter apple" spray...its just nasty tasting to the dog, and it taught her that those shoe things are yucky...dont know if it would work with the cats or not, since theyre clawing and not nomming...but might be worth a try!

 

[fieryphoenix]

You could use soft paws, just while your lo is in the crawling around phase.
Www.softpaws.com

 

[GemM83]

I don't think it matters what you put down (material wise) if your cats are inquisitive as my mums, anything new you put down they are probably going to claw! Little sods!

 

[Gem1302]

There is a spray you can buy that puts cats off going near whatever you spray it on. I can't remember which one we used last year but we had to buy it because our cat was constantly attacking the Xmas tree.
Some smell horrible and I wouldn't use it around a crawling baby but the one we had last year was unscented to us. Have a google & see if you can find one?

 

[Maxy1]

Citrus is a good deterrent for keeping cats out of areas.

We just use blankets and replace them every day, but we have relatively soft carpet. We have those foam mats in our garage and out on the deck under the kids play area and the cats killed them in minutes. Our cats tend to avoid the baby though after learning the tough way with LO1, that bad behaviour will not be tolerated around the baby.

No new ideas, but am definitely following this one for some!!

 

[Nicole_E]

Wow, I honestly haven't even thought of letting our LO crawl around on our rug, lol! I feel kind of silly for not thinking about it, but to be honest I work from home and I vacuum the rug about 3 times a week, not just for cat hair, but we all walk on it. We have been putting a blanket down, but now that she is starting to crawl a bit, she goes off it quite a bit (see my profile pic). Our cat tries to claw everything...I don't know what would be a good surface for your LO to play on that's cat-proof, but if you find something let us know! If you find it good enough I might just go get it

 

[Bex84]

We just use rug but with my dd cats did occasionally claw foam mats had at time but all happened was pin prick wholes. I do hoover quite alot

 

[ButterCup17]

I don't think anything will work tbh...I have two cats and they lay in anything and everything. I got the foam mats too, but for his bedroom which is also hardwood but honestly he just spent all gis time taking the puzzle prices apart and not crawling anyway. He just crawls all over on the hardwood and doesn't seem bothered by it at all, I'd just let him go!

 

[Elemnop]

I bought a tumbling mat when my LO started to roll and crawl. I bought this one:

https://www.schoolsin.com/Merchant5..._7cELR_d_031&gclid=CNWC7fLnu8ICFUMV7AodvAQASg

If you can't see the link, google ECR4Kids mat; mine is the multicolor one piece.

It was expensive. But sooooo worth it. It fit perfectly in the baby playpen that I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V87MJQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Again, expensive. But I used the playpen with mat and locked him in when going to the bathroom or quick laundry room swap out time or whatever. When he got to crawling it was safe space. When cruising, he used the playpen to "walk" around. And now I use pieces of the playpen as a gate around my fireplace and I use the mat still for the bottom of a step down (2 steps) down into my living area. My LO walks and also climbs the step but he's practising stepping down so he uses the mat to fall down alot (it's a hardwood floor). He still uses it to roll around and play or whatever.

The investment was worth it and I can see using the mat FOREVER for one reason or another.

OH! I have two cats. They walk over the mat but don't scratch or try to mess with it. It's very thick and softens falls and tumbles.

Oh and we have a no shoe rule in the house - that cuts down on vacuuming or otherwise having dirt from shoes etc. so you don't have to worry as much. Believe me, your LO will find the smallest piece of dust to swallow no matter what so anything to keep the dirt away is best. I also have my cats shaved twice a year to reduce all the hair (they are long haired himalayans) along with regular brushing. Takes time, but again, reduces the need to vacuum so much and worry about swallowing cat hair.

Good Luck!