Cats Herd You

Laugh. Learn. Love cats.

  • Home
  • Safety
  • Wellness
  • Rescue
  • Reviews
  • Life With Cats
  • About
  • Media Friendly
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Cats / A Solution for Cats Knocking Stuff Down

A Solution for Cats Knocking Stuff Down

I got a camera to watch my cats when I was out of the house, but to get it to reliably trigger when they walk across the floor, I needed to put it at the edge of the shelf.

black and white tuxedo kitten and Canary camera

That posed a problem. Not only is the edge of the shelf a dangerous place to put a camera, it is also right above one of the cat water bowls.

Canary camera and water bowl

It’s not like that shelf is a low-traffic location, either. It’s a key access point to one of the only windows in the house that faces west. That window features some good bird watching, too, so it has always been a regular hangout for all of the cats.

one-eyed brown tabby cat looks out vertical blinds

I remembered reading about a special, removable putty you could use to hold objects in place, so I did a few searches and found Quake Hold museum putty. Maybe everyone in California already knows about this, but those of us in Florida never got the memo about this stuff.

Quakehold and Canary Camera

So for folks who never heard of museum putty, it’s inexpensive stuff used by museums and I guess people who live in earthquake-prone areas to keep knickknacks from falling down. It isn’t much to look at. It’s an off-white putty you work with your fingers to soften.

quakehold sample

You can work it to whatever shape you need to fit under the base of your breakable object, then smush the object you want to stay put down onto it and let it cure for 24 hours. That’s pretty much it.

Quakehold holding Canary camera in place

For my camera, instead of round dots of the putty, I made a little putty snake and fit it around the base of the camera before smushing the camera down into it.ย  I was worried that there might not be enough surface area of the camera in contact with the putty, but it has stayed put for a month now.

Closeup of Quakehold holding Canary camera in place

Since the putty started helping keep the camera in place, the camera has seen a lot of traffic, especially from Ashton. Video taken from the camera shows her jumping up and down directly next to the camera, often close enough that you can hear her rub against the camera as she jumps. It also captures her sitting directly next to the camera, pressing against it in ways that would have dislodged it if it hadn’t been secured.

Ashton isn’t shy at all about leaning on the camera, even when she knows she is being watched. If it wasn’t held in place somehow, I’m sure the camera would have toppled by now, probably while I was taking this photo.

one-eyed brown tabby cat leans against web camera

Thank goodness for Quake Hold! It costs under five dollars, and I can’t believe it has taken me this long to find out about it. Hopefully some of you reading will break a few less knickknacks or other valuables now that you know about it, too.


This post contains an affiliate link, which means we receive a small percentage if you make a purchase using the link on this page.

Share Email this to someone
email
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Tumblr
Tumblr
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

August 21, 2017 Filed Under: Cats, Reviews Tagged With: Ashton, Cupcake 23 Comments

Comments

  1. Fur Everywhere says

    August 21, 2017 at 1:25 am

    Wow, I’d never heard of this stuff, either! What a great idea. I’m glad to know it works so well.

    Reply
  2. The Dash Kitten Crew says

    August 21, 2017 at 2:02 am

    We think Museum Putty should be standard issue to every house here in NZ, tax free. If its not puttied down its bolted to the wall MOL!!!

    Reply
  3. Summer says

    August 21, 2017 at 3:09 am

    Oh yes, we Californians know all about museum putty! Oddly enough, my human doesn’t have any, although we have quite a few knickknacks around. She needs to get on the ball – who knows when The Big One will strike?

    Reply
  4. The Island Cats says

    August 21, 2017 at 7:13 am

    The mom has used regular tape or duct tape to hold stuff down when she needs to. But this stuff would definitely work much better. Thanks for telling us about it.

    Reply
  5. Edie Chase says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:08 am

    I see Ashton is doing her best to try and knock that camera down. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. Linda says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:23 am

    I have used this stuff for years now. It works great and has eliminated a lot of breakage!

    Reply
  7. Random Felines says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:23 am

    well that is interesting….mom wishes she knew about it before some kitten with a racing stripe broke some stuff ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. caren gittleman says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Never heard of this! Very cool! Thanks for testing with the camera too. I am assuming those of us not in Earthquake zones can only get it online?

    Reply
  9. William's Kith & Kin says

    August 21, 2017 at 9:46 am

    We know about this stuff–our mom got some after *somebody* knocked the stereo to the floor. And a statuette on the sideboard.

    Hey, maybe we could use it on Ivan to give Caroline some peace!

    Reply
  10. Melissa & Mudpie says

    August 21, 2017 at 10:32 am

    That’s so great! I had never heard of it either.

    Reply
  11. Three Chatty Cats says

    August 21, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Oh, I could put that to good use over here. I’m in California and surprisingly haven’t heard of it!

    Reply
  12. da tabbies o trout towne says

    August 21, 2017 at 11:18 am

    guyz…that iz grate stuff !!! pal A… toll pal E… who toll pal S… ta tell uz bout it ๐Ÿ™‚ โ™ฅโ™ฅ { tho it waz afturr cat B knocked an ancient relic ta de floor…….ooopz ! }

    Reply
  13. Timmy says

    August 21, 2017 at 11:19 am

    Thanks fur this info
    We are moving to new digs and Dad wants to put his “stuff” out and was worried abut this same thing. Guess he will be putty man for a bit MOL
    Timmy and Family

    Reply
  14. Eastside Cats says

    August 21, 2017 at 11:55 am

    Wow! That stuff sounds like it’s purrfect!

    Reply
  15. Brian Frum says

    August 21, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    We never heard of that stuff either. I wonder if it would work to hold Brother Simon still for a while?

    Reply
  16. Ellen Pilch says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    Must be a California secret because I never heard of that putty in Massachusetts. Glad it worked ๐Ÿ™‚ Smile kitties, you are on candid camera ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. Cathy Keisha says

    August 21, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Aunt Pauline told us about this stuff a long, long time ago but we’ve never needed it so we wouldn’t think of telling anyone else. She has tons of knick knacks and stuff. I think Cat Claws used to sell it.

    Reply
  18. mommakatandherbearcat says

    August 22, 2017 at 11:32 am

    That first picture looks like Cupcake’s trying to camouflage herself with the camera ๐Ÿ˜‰
    I’ve never heard of this product … but I’ve certainly experienced my fair share of Bear knocking things off (which is why all surfaces he can reach are empty). I’m going to try this! Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Andrea and the Celestial Kitties says

    August 22, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I bet if Ashton put her mind to it, she could get that thing knocked over.. hee hee, not that we’re daring her too or anything!

    Reply
  20. Lola The Rescued Cat says

    August 22, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    I’ve never heard of this stuff! I need to invest in some because many of my things topple over, including the Petcube.

    Reply
  21. Raven says

    August 22, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    Great tip. We just don’t put stuff on the counters that we don’t want knocked over.

    Reply
  22. Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens says

    August 24, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    the big question is, how easy is it to remove.. say if you want to move the camera somewhere else?

    Reply
  23. The Swiss Cats says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:44 am

    What a smart idea ! Purrs

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Read Ashton’s Story in Rescued, Volume 2

These pawtographed books support Candy's Cats, who work tirelessly to find homes for cats in Florida.

Rescued, Volume 2: The Healing Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes. Proceeds from authographed copies benefit Candy's Cats.


Outside the US, contact us for shipping to your location.

Read Us by Email

Don't miss a thing! Cats delivered to your email.

Privacy Policy












Archives

All Rights Reserved

Articles and images on this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Please contact me if you are interested in reprinting or in having me write something unique for you.

Disclaimer

There are no veterinarians here. All health-related posts are the result of research and observation, but educational information is not a substitute for visiting your veterinarian. Do not self-diagnose your cat. For more information, see our disclaimer.

Policies

Disclosure Statement
Privacy Policy
Commenting Policy

Copyright © 2021 ยท Sometimes Cats Herd You ยท All Rights Reserved