My cat steals my cpap filters!

[Nilesj57]

My cat is obsessed with my Respironics cpap filters, in particular the grey foam piece. I've tried taping it in but it's messy and I don't want to compromise my airflow. She keeps stealing them and chewing them up. Any ideas? Thanks!

[OTTAVIA]

I also have a cat, and she stays in a separate room during the night; this one would be the best solution, but I understand that it's difficult change cat's habits- ....
I think you could search for something similar in a do-it-yourself shop, and let her find some pieces of it around in the room-
If this doesn't work, and il scolding her you only scare her and don't obtain anything, the only solution is teaching her to stay elsewhere during the night, in another room in the house, or outside in a good shelter protected by other animal's disturbances; I'm sure that after a first bad reaction, in a more or less short time she'll get used to the new solution-
A nice Sunday to you and a little scratch on the chin of your sweet cat!

[Julie]

Can you not block the filter area by moving your machine e.g. close to a wall, or piling books near that side of it for a week til the cat finds another game?

And cats don't like citrus smells, so put cotton balls with orange or lemon drops near your machine (but not at the air intake unless you want to smell it all night).

[Sheriff Buford]

Is the little critter doin' it at night or day? Either way, you might consider a cpap end table. You can look it up on Amazon. I love mine. Comes in three colors... I got black. It has a slot for the air hose, and a slot in the back for electrical cords. The shelf... the cpap sits on... slides out for easy access. You can use the lower shelf for your mask and supplies. Though I open the doors and slide the machine shelf out at night, you could keep it shut until the critter' learns whose boss.

Sheriff

[Pugsy]

I was going to suggest wrapping a rubber band around the filter to make it more difficult to be remove...and a small rubber band won't block the flow
But knowing how some cats are having owned a couple of cats from hell myself....the cat may persist in chewing on the foam even if he can't get the foam out of the machine.

Is this behavior happening just during the day or night or both?

If it is just daytime playing....block the access to the machine totally...put the machine in a drawer or wrap it totally with a towel or something.
If it's nighttime/bedtime playing...you might try the rubber band thing...otherwise you have to figure out some what to block kitty from getting back there where the filter is.
The kitty has decided that the foam is a toy that is well loved and wanted. I have a kitty that feels the same way about the little plastic rings that come off the distilled water bottle when we open the top. Those are her most prized toys and treasures. You should see where she hides them and then goes to all sorts of lengths to get them....cats are very persistent little buggers.

[SewTired]

I have nothing useful to tell you, but just wanted to say that this was funny. I had problems with my cats stealing my pillows off the counter while they were laying on the counter drying. They never even go on the counter normally, but darned persistent about it!

[chunkyfrog]

Dollar stores usually have little plastic baskets that can be trimmed with scissors
and taped onto the cpap machine to form a filter guard.

[D.H.]

You didn't say which Respironics machine that you have, but it sounds like the Dream Station (please update your profile).

This compartment is the air intake, so be careful. You should be able to tape the compartment shut in a way that does not obstruct the intake.

[Julie]

What Are You Talking About? Though I should know better than to ask!

WHAT compartment? And what do filters have to do with the air intake?

Are you really incapable of making sense at all?

[palerider]

What Are You Talking About? Though I should know better than to ask!

WHAT compartment? And what do filters have to do with the air intake?

Are you really incapable of making sense at all?

we all know that noisesource is incapable of cognitive function!

[Pugsy]

Actually I think CF's idea about cutting up a little plastic something and placing it over the machine to keep the kitty out is a good idea.
I am thinking even some sort of basket or bin that has a lot of holes (not solid all the way around) could be placed over the machine but air could still move easily around it but the holes would prevent kitty from reaching the filter. Something heavy could even be placed on top of the basket/whatever to keep kitty from moving the basket.
Something along the lines of this that would cover the machine but not block the air flow and the openings would likely be too small for kitty paws.
https://www.amazon.com/IRIS-USA-Inc-250 ... astic+tote

[SmokeChaser426]

Probably get attacked by the animal rights people. All you need is a squirt gun with plain water ( and good aim )
Three or four events is usually all it takes. 2 squirts to the head and you can teach them to stay away. Keep the
squirt gun nearby for a reminder. Do not abuse the animal. Another very effective training method is to twack
the top 1/4 inch of either ear, once with you thumb and forefinger. When you do either training method make a loud
snake hissing sound for additional reinforcement. Best to do when no one is looking.

[chunkyfrog]

When our Siamese started to bully the calico, my son started out with a squirt of water.
Now she behaves when you make a hissing noise and point your finger at her.

[D.H.]

What Are You Talking About? Though I should know better than to ask!

WHAT compartment? And what do filters have to do with the air intake?

Are you really incapable of making sense at all?

Below, you will see the compartment in question on the right hand side of the machine. The filters (and the SD card) go in this compartment. The air intake is also through this compartment. If you don't block the opening (which can be clearly seen in this photo), you should not interfere with the air intake. If you tape the compartment shut, the cat should not be able to get to your filters.

[OkyDoky]

What Are You Talking About? Though I should know better than to ask!

WHAT compartment? And what do filters have to do with the air intake?

Are you really incapable of making sense at all?

Below, you will see the compartment in question on the right hand side of the machine. The filters (and the SD card) go in this compartment. The air intake is also through this compartment. If you don't block the opening (which can be clearly seen in this photo), you should not interfere with the air intake. If you tape the compartment shut, the cat should not be able to get to your filters.

She never stated she was using a DreamStation. Other Respironics machines have open filter areas. That's what was confusing the issue.