# My cat keeps pulling up the registers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187 "2026-08-06T18:25:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/21 "2026-08-07T04:27:08Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I think I’m gonna take the double-sided tape a step further, and try Velcro tape on the short ends of each register. If we were planning to stay here, I’d do something a bit more permanent. But since we’re selling, I figure the registers shouldn’t be too hard to pull out for the new owners. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/22 "2026-08-07T04:30:53Z")
We had a GSD who developed an obsession with pulling up the floor vents. We eventually concluded that she was trying to turn on the A/C. After all, if she dug at it long enough, it almost always came on. And on the rare occasions she got it all the way out, she would look very confused if it didn’t start to blow. Try leaving a plastic or rubber snake inside there. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/23 "2026-08-07T04:43:47Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > Just open up the vents and let the cats find their way into the ductwork when you show the house. Although that way, your cat will _really_ be underfoot. They’re inside the perimeter! They’re in the vents! They’re coming out of the walls! They’re coming out of the goddamned walls, we’re fucked!! ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/24 "2026-08-07T12:02:28Z")
I was today years old when I learned that the floor vents for my heat/ac are called registers. Didn’t realize that vent was an insufficiently clear term. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/25 "2026-08-07T12:53:53Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Didn’t realize that vent was an insufficiently clear term. The _constant_ and _painful_ look of utter bewilderment on the faces of those _with whom you used_ the term ‘vent’ didn’t clue you in?? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/26 "2026-08-07T12:59:06Z")
Registers make me think of pipe organs, and computer processors. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/27 "2026-08-07T13:11:41Z")
If you want to be pedantic (who am I kidding, of course you do!), a vent is a generic term for any grille, register, diffuser, or pipe/duct. Grilles are perforated covers with regular openings, but no other controls or directionality. They’re mostly air returns or exhaust intakes. Registers are grilles with a damper to control airflow, and maybe direction to some extent. Those are typically your air supplies blowing in roughly one direction. Diffusers are grilles or registers designed to disperse air evenly in most or all directions. Those are generally seen in the drop ceilings of commercial buildings, offices, etc., though there are some older style baseboard supply registers used in homes that throw air out in a roughly 180º arc that could be considered diffusers too. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/28 "2026-08-07T13:21:13Z")
Have you applied any of the cat deterrent sprays available to the registers? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/29 "2026-08-07T13:50:40Z")
Today is when I discovered that floor vents were even a thing. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/30 "2026-08-07T14:08:19Z")
My grandmother’s house had floor vents. When i shopped for a house, “no floor vents” was on my list. Stuff falls into them, and they are drafty. She didn’t have pets, so i didn’t realize “bad interactions with pets” was another potential pitfall. But they are pretty common in older homes with forced air heat. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/31 "2026-08-07T16:05:13Z")
We had the same problem with our cat pulling up the registers. We replaced them with cast-iron registers, which are too heavy for him to move. I found some cost-effective ones at [Home Depot.](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Decor-Grates-Victorian-10-in-x-4-in-Floor-Register-in-Cast-Iron-Black-AC410-BLK/324761494) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/32 "2026-08-09T20:20:25Z")
Yes, something bad-smelling (to cats) or bad-tasting was my idea also. Or you could freak out Otto by placing sensors in the vents triggered by motion and causing a central receiver to emit loud barking sounds. > **[Amazon.com: Dog Barking Alarm Motion Detector Outdoor Pir Human Body Motion...](https://www.amazon.com/Detector-Electronic-Activated-Security-Detectors/dp/B0C81M2H4Y)** > > Buy Dog Barking Alarm Motion Detector Outdoor Pir Human Body Motion Sensor Alarm Electronic Alarm Motion Activated Home Security (3 Detectors+ 1 Receiver): Motion Detectors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/33 "2026-08-10T18:20:58Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Have you tried just talking to him? You’re joking, right? [![](https://scontent.faus1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/707750246_4405277296424656_4744312910418404132_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1756x1222&ctp=s720x720&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=KVb2m3hwHrkQ7kNvwFV83l8&_nc_oc=Adr2Xv6ECFtTTk47Uu0pOVXcct-JZd4gOngGurK7soEo99rkKGALnfIcQaypV9QajjlKYQ6vdKxShMFHGMMQYpJ0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.faus1-1.fna&_nc_gid=fKrGxVMKtBhMLWMb-rNKDw&_nc_ss=78289&oh=00_AQHfUkdmVUkhL4Suk4HSWqmdhUqEeVPyRFJ1dkkbGbBcug&oe=6A7FD2EC) ](https://scontent.faus1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/707750246_4405277296424656_4744312910418404132_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx1756x1222&ctp=s720x720&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=aa7b47&_nc_ohc=KVb2m3hwHrkQ7kNvwFV83l8&_nc_oc=Adr2Xv6ECFtTTk47Uu0pOVXcct-JZd4gOngGurK7soEo99rkKGALnfIcQaypV9QajjlKYQ6vdKxShMFHGMMQYpJ0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.faus1-1.fna&_nc_gid=fKrGxVMKtBhMLWMb-rNKDw&_nc_ss=78289&oh=00_AQHfUkdmVUkhL4Suk4HSWqmdhUqEeVPyRFJ1dkkbGbBcug&oe=6A7FD2EC) ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/34 "2026-08-11T04:49:05Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > Thus my conclusion is, Otto is simply dimwitted. Well, in my experience, orange cats share one brain cell. They’re awfully cute and sweet, though. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/35 "2026-08-11T18:42:46Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Also, he’s _damned_ cute Yeah, that is sooo darn cute. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187/36 "2026-08-11T19:23:24Z")
Update: Velcro tape seems to have done the trick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-keeps-pulling-up-the-registers/1032187.md?page=1)