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Unfortunately my wife has decided to get 2 cats. Is there anything I should or could do to cat-proof my warhammer stuff? It is all already kept in a room which we are planning to keep closed to stop them from getting in, but is there anything else I need to do?

For example, I sometimes paint/model in the lounge while watching TV. Would I need to keep the cats out while doing this, or will I still be fine doing this?

I’ve never had cats before and so have no idea what adjustments will need to be made.

Mogs can be cuious and will have a sniff at any thing your working on, just play hiss at them and go to swip them if they start chewing on any thing, works for my mog.

It all depends on the cat: I had a roommate with two cats who constantly knocked my models over, but my mom's two cats never caused any damage to my models whatsoever-just left them alone. I currently have a cat and leave models out all the time-no problems at all. See how they interact with your models first before going all out to protect them if you don't need to.

My kitten loves the game almost as much as I do, whenever I'm painting he'll jump IP to help and Is thrilled when I get new models. He doesn't like the vehicles as much but basic infantry will be taken to his play area where he can spend hours tossing around just One model. My other 3 cats ignore it all though

Hmmm... hopefully I might be able to train them to paint some of my figures then...

[/cunning plan]

The only certain way to cat proof your materials and minis is to lock the cat outside of your home. After a few days, it ought to run away.

Don't trust doors- they can operate them. Cabinets are usually ok, and I've never seen one of these creatures able to open tupperware- although they can topple smaller boxes off of shelves.

Instead, you must begin the never ending dance of serving your new gods or goddesses. A happy, well played with cat will not bother things you treasure. A neglected cat, or one seeking attention, will destroy that which you hold most dear. Stock up on wet tuna, and treat your cats when they behave after you paint if you want peace while you do it.

Get a water pistol. Squirt them in the face when they show interest in your models, or anything else you don't want them doing for that matter.

Tell your wife she has to get rid of the cats.

Unfortunately the waterpistol and getting rid of them are ideas that I cannot implement

They should be fine. Don't play a game on a table or floor whatnot in their presence unless you make rules for them...

When it comes to painting etc. they should be OK staying away, if they're lap cats then they may bug you a little bit, but just block their path with your army or blow at them or whatever.

I expect it'll be fine though, never had any real problems myself and I don't even have a seperate WH room. *grumble*

The training them to paint may be difficult however as they don't have opposable thumbs. Could always dip them in paint and use them on a Super-heavy for maximum coverage however?

Or you could put Smarties Tubes on the cats legs and have them as a counts-as titan?

Tell your wife she has to get rid of the cats.

Or just get rid of the wife.....

A spray bottle with water gets their attention pretty quick.

Treat the cats similar to a child. Do not leave your hobby knife lying around. Cats love to pounce on things and are very curious.

Do not leave your troops or bits out at night unless you want them knocked around the room. Tanks and larger vehicles are fine.

Do not leave dirty paint water out. They will drink it and get sick. (Happened to me).

Do not leave paint on your paint pallet un-attended. They might step in it and leave a trail of footprints from your hobby room to your living room (raises hand again).

Teach them not to get on tables. You AND YOUR WIFE must both be 100% consistent with this while they are young. The water bottle method works. They can learn that tables are off limits. But the burden is on you AND YOUR WIFE to teach them.

Edit: My cats are in the room with me while I paint all of the time. There is no reason to shut yourself in a room while painting. If you teach them not to get on tables, you'll be fine. Mine will sit on the floor or in a box on the floor or in the window or top of the bookshelf (where I secured a place for them to lay down).

Do cats shed? My biggest fear every time I drop something I've been gluing together is that it will come up covered in dog hair, but I guess my dog is excessive about that.

If you're not allowed to spray them with harmless water then I'd say you're doomed. Sell all your models and buy a purse collection.

Kronk's pretty much spot on.

I've never had them get sink from paint water though and I find simply blowing at them works instead of needing a water squirter.

It can depend on the cats personality though; if they're Tortoiseshell coloured then you're f***ed my man - those cats are naughty (and fun) like nothing you've seen before!

I wouldn't say it's anywhere near as hard a work as Kronk seems to imply though...

They are both 2.5 years old, so I just hope their previous owner did not teach them any bad habits, but thanks for the pointers kronk. We are both going to be strict about them not getting up onto tables and surfaces etc, so hopefully that will be ok.

And I think they should look great as Chaos titans, though I don't think they will obey the turn system very well

So long as the blood flows then the Chaos Gods wont care.

Also, leave catnip by your opposing army...

I second the use of a waterpistol.

Keep in mind we are not talking Super Soaker, but rather a small water pistol.

It will teach the cats, using a completely harmless and not in any way cruel method, which parts of the house that is off limits, such as dinner- and coffee tables for example. I have used it on all my cats (four of them) and it simply works. When they have been hit 5 or 6 times (on separate occasions, of course) they just stop getting up on the table.

Make a deal with your wife. If you cannot use a small water pistol to educate the cats, then she take take full responsibility for any and all clean up in connection with them. This means washing, vacuuming, litter box, food and so on.

Steelmage99 wrote:she take take full responsibility for any and all clean up in connection with them. This means washing, vacuuming, litter box, food and so on.

She is the one who wanted the cats, so she is already aware that I am having as little to do with them as possible

Fiery traps, obviously, are the only solution.

My male splashes water out of cups dishes, toliet. Paint water left un attended is a nonono. He will come and sit on one of the empty chairs at the table and just watch except when an empty box is tossed his way to play in.

My female is a persian. big ole poofy kitty. now add genestealers from Battle from McCragge. hmmmm Chaos ensues. I should get some more of those.

Let me preface this by saying I am a dog person.

Evil Plan One:
Metal miniature in a conspicuous place, electrodes, energy source.

Evil Plan Two:
Get a bunch of old models you'll never ever use again, mangle them in some cat-like way, and leave them lying around everywhere when the wife is gone. You leave. She comes home first, and finds them, reports to you when you arrive home. You complain, and insist you'll have to replace them. Buy the NEW army you have been wanting.

Evil Plan One and Evil Plan Two are not exclusive.

I'm not here, I didn't type this.

Phanatik
Kabal of Lost Souls

I have three kids and used to have housemates with the world's most evil cat. It was the kind that would sit outside your bedroom, all night, howling. And it would escape down the stairs and vanish behind furniture if you tried to catch it.

Rule 1 - Accept there will be losses. The cat will always win. For they are evil. I'm not sure which Chaos God they're an avatar for, but I always suspect Slannesh. Regardless, start pinning models heavily if you don't already. Especially delicate metal ones. Pin them twice. Keep as many models as feasable sealed away. The day you decide to leave your finally finished 3000 point force out on the work table will be the day the cat gets in the room and takes a whizz. There is nothing quite as vile as cat urine, and it gets more potent as it ages.

Inevitbily, something will be destroyed. A great paintjob ruined, a plastic model knawed on, etc, a conversion using OOP parts dumped in the litter trey and...burried. At this point simply accept the loss. Yelling will only please the cat, and beatings sever enough to stop a cat would also stop a tank. Wheelie bins are not recommended, as the media looks down upon such things. Simply replace the model as best you can, pointing out if called on it that you wouldn't have had to if the cat wasn't the spawn of Satan and Hannibal Lectre.

Rule 2 - Get a latch for your room. A high latch. The sort it needs thumbs to get through, away from any flat surface a cat could stand on. Not that cats won't get through anyway, but they're more likely to wait until you forget to latch it and then get through. Cats are lazy and patient. It can afford to wait. And no, the kind with a round handle aren't gonna stop it. Anti-tank mines don't stop cats. Door handles are a mere nuisance.

Rule 3 - When painting outside the room, make sure your lady is there to run interference on the cats. However, this isn't because she'll stop them. They won't try anything until she's gone anyway. But if she's there, there evil ways shall be stumped. I also suggest setting up a case to hold models and paints and water and such, although I guess you already have something like that. There is nothing like a pot of paint all over the couch or carpet, and if not careful it won't be the moggy that gets the blame.

Rule 4 - Remember, you will most likely live longer than the cat. You can afford to wait until it finally pegs it to dance on it's grave. Venegence is best served about 3 days after death, when your wife is at the shops.

The squirt bottle works great, just make sure you get a seriously heavy duty one.

Its a lot like buying your first handgun, shop around until you find one that fits your hand just right and has the right amount of power.

Mist setting for close encounters
Stream setting for long distance shots

Carry it with you everywhere, if one of those cats jumps up on a table (this includes kichen table) let the sucker have it.

If this methoid does not work than a bath is in order for the feline, eveytime they jump on the table... instant bath time.

Lots of bubbles, cats hate bubbles, and make sure the kitty shampoo smells like concentrated violets.

Encourage the cats to participate in painting in a secondary position. IE, footwarmer. My cats love to come flop against my feet while Im painting, I can give them a good rubbing without stopping what Im doing. This appeases them and keeps them off the table, as the petting is under it.

I have had one of my cats steal my favorite Daemonette, though. All I found was one claw, lying lonely on the floor. Make sure you have a locking container or case to put your models in.

Razgryz wrote: I can give them a good rubbing without stopping what Im doing.

1. Wrap up all models in bubble wrap.
2. Place in strong plastic box.
3. Put box in loft.
4. Secure loft door with heavy duty chains and and top of the range combination lock.
5. Instal laser light movement detection alarms (optional)

More seriously watch your books!
Smudge has a very annoying habit of nibbling book corners if they are left lying around. She seems to prefer softback covers so maybe the new hardback army books aren't such a bad idea!

She also likes to play withe the LoS sticks, and have now lost one down the side of the bookcase!

I've lost D&D minis to cats at friends' houses. I refuse to keep any such foul thing myself. The only thing I can suggest is making sure you never leave anything out. Or make the cats . . . disappear.

It really depends on the cats. Some want to get into anything that you're into. Some seem to take great pleasure in expressing their disinterest in anything to do with you.

Cats are usually fine. They like the battlemats though..

Anyway, just do your modelling/painting somewhere that they won't frequent very often. Undoubtedly, they will explore that place once or twice, but that is usually the extent of it.

Respect your cat, and your cat will respect you [most of the time].

Anyone who says use a water pistol - I disagree. You said that the cats are 2.5 years old - the bonding age for cats is very young. Pissing them off won't do you any favors, especially early on.