Cat mom’s quirky spatula hack might just stop your pet from disappearing for good 

Cats do not really have nine lives, even if the felines themselves might believe so. Cat owners know it well and are always coming up with creative ways to keep their cats within the safe boundaries of the house. Jumping off balconies and disappearing into thin air is a common trend that most cat parents experience with their pets. Tired of her cat’s antics, Miranda Knabe, who goes by @mirandaknabe on TikTok, unveiled a practical hack using a spatula to keep her cat from doing stunts off heights. 

In a viral clip with 17.1 million views, the cat mom showed her kitty out on the balcony with a wooden spatula tied to its back. “Operation keep cat on balcony,” an overlay text hinted. Meanwhile, the cat headed straight for the gap between the balcony fences. However, the spatula hack seemed to work as it obstructed the cat from slipping past the tiny space. A hilarious scene unraveled as her pawed pal tried its best to make it through. Eventually, the cat found its way with the wooden spatula, so the owner replaced it with a heavier, metal one.

At one point, the cat’s forelimbs splayed in the air while the spatula prevented the rest of its body from passing through the fences. The post got 2 million likes, and several comments praised the hack. “Why is he so determined to go over the edge?” @pjmatheson mused. “What is that invisible force he might be thinking,” said @gifpngjpg. Other cat owners shared their personal hacks that have worked out for them. “When I was in an apartment on the second floor, my cats wanted to jump out so much. I bought chicken wire from Tractor Supply or something and stapled it onto the post, and it stopped the cats from going through!” noted @nnamas._.

Similarly, @dertij shared, “I just filled the gaps with chicken wire,” and @ashleighschafer suggested, “Catio netting! You can find some on Amazon.” According to Loveland Regional Animal Hospital, cats are highly curious and have an instinct for exploring their surroundings, including heights, like balconies and buildings. Though it seems dangerous, their climbing skills and balance often prevent injuries from jumping off heights, although the risk of a misstep or unexpected fall remains.

Therefore, it is advisable for cat owners to carefully assess open and high surroundings before letting their cats out. Some measures that may ensure their safety include securing the area with high barriers or cat-proof netting. Secondly, owners should make sure their pet cat has a way inside in case it wants to retreat from the outdoor space. It is not recommended to let your cat roam freely on a balcony for hours, as they may find a way to escape and possibly get lost. Oftentimes, it is better to keep your cat indoors if the balcony is too high or insecure.

You can follow @mirandaknabe on TikTok for more videos.