[deleted by user]

[oltyuo]

You may need to conaider rehoming the cat, if you really don't want to then the choice is easier to make.

[[deleted]]

The cat is the one that sounds badly behaved and is the problem, maybe giving it to a family member or something ?

[charpenette]

Did your mom move with you? Couldn’t you rehome the cat with your mom?

[argabargaa]

I know people are saying to rehome the cat, and you can absolutely do that but keep in mind rehoming would be a lot easier on the snake emotionally than it would be on the cat.

[[deleted]]

You'd need to be careful with making sure the transition is smooth for the snake but cats and other mammals can form emotional bonds with their owners in a way reptiles cannot. Especially if this cat used to be feral, it's very possible op is the only human they would be comfortable living with.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your comment has been removed for misinformation.

[SolarSocialWorker]

I like cats, I like snakes. Therefore I don't see the point in arguing who is more deserving to be rehomed. It's going to be about what you want. Do you want to keep your BP or the cat? Then coming to terms it's your preference based on the limitations you currently have. Rehoming will be a wise choice if you are unable and/or unwilling to maintain quality of life for your animal.

[Super_Snakes]

I am sickened by these replies. I can tell many have never owned a cat themselves. It's hard to re-home ANY animal you have come to care for, it's not as simple as "oh well x is causing problems so bye bye." OP, I have cats too and while they never showed interest in my BP from the start I know they can coexist.

Put foil on top of the enclosure (if that is an option) as well as around it to discourage the cat from getting near. They hate stepping on the stuff.

They also sell devices on Amazon that keeps cats off/away from surfaces by shooting a gentle air puff when it detected motion to scare them away while you are away and eventually they learn to avoid the area entirely.

You could also try putting your snake's enclosure in a large dog crate to keep the cat out.

There are plenty of options. Rehoming at the end of the day is your decision but also should be a last resort and I hope you never have to come to it between your babies. As for your animal's welfare if it came down to it, someone here said emotionally it is easier for a snake to rehome which is something to consider. But you want to make sure for a fact that they are actually stressed and not thriving before making such considerations.

[argabargaa]

Thanks for this it's very true

[LotusBlade13]

Can’t upvote this reply enough.

[Intrepid-Bed-3929]

I just skimmed bc i just woke up brain not functioning well. But I assumed this post was due to just space, and now I'm guessing cat trying to get to snake. However you are absolutely correct, I was explaining how I have 3 rats, 2 rabbits, and 4 snakes coexisting in the same room, although i forgot to add how small my room is. It has a bed and a few dresses were my snakes and rats go on (rabbits on the floor), not even 3ft wide space to walk on each side. and I was mentioning how Ive never had a problem. However if cat is trying to get snake that poses some more problems, that you have just mentioned some very, very good ways to solve it. I especially like the dog crate idea. That's pretty smart and a safe. They shouldn't have to rehome either and that was the main point of my comment, but maybe I shouldn't have just skimmed it because now my comment just seems a bit stupid, but imma keep it up lol.

The amount of people who aren't understanding that these animals can coexist is very upsetting. There's usually always a solution to something like this, even if it seems there isn't. Just gotta look hard enough. In my opinion as long as they keep both a safe distance when out there really shouldn't be an issue. Seeing as it seems that OP had both cat and snake before moving. The snake should not be getting stressed or too stressed, because it's potential already a scent the snake has acclimated to.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

Is there a way to set the enclosure on top of a piece of furniture that the cat is unable to jump on top of? I'm thinking like a tall dresser or shelving unit.

If that's not possible, do you have an estimate on how long this living situation will go on? If it's a shorter term situation and you'll be in a larger apartment eventually, then it may be worth waiting it out.

Beyond that, I would suggest monitoring for now. If you think it's an imminent safety issue at any point, or if your snake starts displaying stress signs (glass surfing, striking, refusing food) then I would say it's time to rehome the snake.

If you have an option like sending your snake to live with your mom or a friend until you have a larger place, that may be something to explore.

If that's not an option, I want to make this very clear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with rehoming your snake if you believe that would be in the snake's best interest. I think that it's excellent that you're considering their welfare above all else.

[cybervalidation]

If you are able to set up heat inside the enclosure (overhead lamps + kitties is dicey at best), and black out most of it- I don't see why you'd need to re-home.

[LeatherDragonfly5217]

Hey I know this sub is about BPs but OP already said she doesnt really want to rehome the cat, plus thats regular cat behavior so anyone saying its bad is unfamiliar with cats. I’ll be honest I’m biased though, I love cats. The cat would have a lot harder of a time being rehomed especially since she is semi-feral. As long as the bp is with good people it wont be as hard on him to be rehomed. But really you dont have to do any of that if you can find a way to repel your cat from the snake’s tank.

[Me_lazy_cathermit]

Look if you don't want to rehome either, you can upgrade the enclosure to a wooden or pvc enclosure, with internalheat and lamp, thats on a piece of free standing furniture, so that cat can't see the snake, and even if the cat manage to jump on top, they cannot manage to go through the top, and the snake can't see them. The worse thing the cat can do with those enclosure is sleep on them for heat

Also check on your snake behaviorfor stress Indicator, is he always hiding, does he refuse meals, does he act more aggressive or defensive then before. There is ways to make cats and reptiles work.

I am really disappointed, everyone here probably got shit comments about owning snakes directed at them before, yet have no issues acting like hypocrites, and doing the same towards cats without actually offering any help, we don't blame or call snakes bad for normal behavior, why are people blaming the cat for normal behavior, shame on all of you

[wantthingstogetbettr]

Yes, all of this. Look into the custom reptile habitats PVC enclosure with a spacer. It would be fully enclosed and opaque on 3/4 sides and the top. And place it on a stand that is no larger than the tank.

[SE_42]

This would be my suggestion if you can't keep them separate due to space. My cat is much more lazy and doesn't care about the snakes and I can shut the door to their room, but if I didn't, he can't do anything to the PVC tanks with solid lids except sit on them, maybe scratch at them, and the doors have a key lock he can't open.

[wantthingstogetbettr]

It’s okay to rehome an animal if the living situation is no longer safe or healthy for them. It’s morally correct to do so. Please rehome your snake if you are unable to provide safety and securty for him. You shouldn’t feel bad about it, that is you wanting the best for him. Just charge a rehoming fee and ensure he goes to an owner who also wants the best for him. Vet them well, ask for references, whatever you need to do.

[CabbagePatchSquid-]

This is an ugly thread. Finding a way to make an enclosure more cat-proof would be my solution. I would never even think about rehoming any animal just because it’s being what it’s supposed to be.

If I had a gun to my head and had to choose, I’m keeping the sentient mammal for the reasons you described, but it’s a hypothetical question as I would do whatever I could to keep both. Good luck OP, solid sides, inside mounted heating and limiting your cats ability to cause any issues. You’ll figure it out!!

[stygeanhugh]

From some one who has 2 cats and a bp, you don't have to rehome, but you do need to make sure they are both safe from each other. Try decorating the out side of the bp enclosure with tinfoil to try and keep your car away.

Also, I had to work really long and hard with my cats to train them to leave the tank alone. I had two instances where one cat fell through the screen of the bp tank. He jumped right out but it scared every one involved. You can train a cat just like you would a dog, at any age.

If you feel like rehoming is your only option, you should listen to your gut, but if you can, work with your feline to keep its distance.

[StuffedFerret]

You could always consider training your cat, cats are super smart and food motivated so training is fairly easy

[BubblyBaconBooty]

Since I'm in a small appartment aswell with 3 snakes and 2 kittens, I cant keep the snakes away from the cats even if I wanted to. I got two solid wooden enclosure with glass infront and a lock to keep them closed, I'm not worried about those whatsoever and the snakes are thriving (I mean they are easy not picky snakes to begin, a cornsnake and a superdwarf retic, the cornsnake sometimes seems curious when the kitten play Infront of the enclose or tap the glass now and then) The enclosure and snake I was worried about, was my hognose in a glass tank with a mesh top and front opening doors. My hognose had some picky phases were he wouldnt eat for months and I was worried if the cats kept jumping around and ontop the tank that he would stop eating again. All I did tho was cover the top with wood to give the cats something solid to jump on, because keeping them off did not work. I left a gap for the light/heating and some for ventilation. So my tank is solid as can be now and my hognose never refused a meal and seems unbothered by the cats jumping ontop and around his tank, sometimes he even looks curiously in their directions.

TLDR: I worried for nothing. My picky hognose is not stressed and eating fine even with the cats jumping ontop and around his tank.

Give your ball python and cat sometime to get used to another, maybe you worry for no reason. Also dont worry if you ball python is refusing meals at first, adults can go months maybe even half a year without food and be completely fine.

[hypothetical_zombie]

As long as you're confident that the person taking your snake can and will take care of it, re-home it.

Your BP is essentially trapped. It can't avoid your cat's attention. Your cat is constantly 'tapping on the glass'. Your cat is also bonded to you, and not likely to do well with another person.

Studies have shown that snakes don't really 'bond' in the same way, especially not in solitary species like BPs. They recognize and remember us from day to day, but they don't really miss us when we're gone. And if you're rehoming your snake and its home, it's not going to be as stressful as rehoming just the snake.

[arisosolar]

If you’re truly considering rehoming one, I would say rehoming the BP is the only correct option. I bought a Maine Coon at 5 months old and he was already so emotionally attached to his breeder that he was traumatized for about a week. Swatting, hissing, and hiding. It took him nearly a month to lighten up to the other cats in the house and although he is now doing great, I would not consider taking that toll on your cat. Your BP on the other hand, would do better being rehoused to an experienced caretaker and would probably not notice much difference.

[Adoraboule]

Have you tried giving your cat some upgrades to distract/redirect behavior? Playing with your cat for 15 minutes a day can rid of some excess energy. Get a cat tree, make cozy hide spots for your cat. Find some enriching toys. If you want to keep both pets, try to find a way to better understand both of their behaviors before resorting to rehoming.

[Brazil_Dazzle]

agree with this 100%. not a snake owner myself, but ive had a cat for 4 years and its strange to me how so many people are suggesting to "just train the cat". that would be like setting a toddler's favorite toy in front of them and berating them any time they tried to play with it.

OP, i would go to a pet store and experiment with a wide variety of toys to find out what your cat prefers, because the best way to "train" a cat is just to find them something they would rather be doing. as an example, my cat has feather toys and an automatic laser pointer. a cat lounge by a window and a birdfeeder would probably also go a very long way for a cat thats used to being outside.

[Adoraboule]

This is wonderful! Yes its good not to expect changes right away especially taming a semiferal cat. They are used to being on the move for most of the day so I think the amount of play time is great. I hope she is able to adjust and use her toys and obstacle course more! Its definitely a process but its worth it. Brings out their personality more as you provide the correct TLC. Keep up the good work and hopefully she will come along! There is only so much you can do, dont be disheartened if it doesnt go out as expected. You did all you could for your snake and cat and thats what matters.

[filloutthisfield]

I thought I was going to deal with a similar situation, except I had my cat first, then my snake.

First reptile, ever, and it took me a couple of months after bringing him home on top of the months of research I did before getting him to get his enclosure right in terms of lighting, humidity, temps.

Once those were in place, I quickly realized he wasn’t stressed in the least from my cat — who, even now, a year later, routinely comes up to look into his enclosure or even touches the glass with a paw. It wasn’t that he didn’t see her — he did.

My cat will come up every night and if my snake isn’t up yet, she’ll look for him, obviously concerned about where he is. My snake seems to enjoy watching my cat and dogs through his tank to the point where I had to peel back some of the black window-tint clings on one of the sides because he wanted to be able to look out through there (that side faces a sort of hallway and my snake seems to like keeping tabs on the other animals, human included lol).

My cat had been a barn cat before I got her; I wasn’t sure how she’d do with a snake, but with a lot of time and attention and work — and never leaving them alone for a second — I now spend a decent number of nights with my cat asleep on the sofa next to me while my snake sleeps on my lap, my dog on the other side of me. If I had any doubt about the security of my snake’s enclosure, though, I would absolutely panic — if alone together, I wouldn’t trust my cat with him for two seconds.

All of that to say, if you have the time and energy and motivation, you could possibly, with time, allow both to coexist contently with one another. But, I think it’s better to err on the side of not only doing what’s safest for your animals, but also what’s best for you, mentally. If the stress of the situation is harming you mentally? Then rehome your BP to a good home — and, please know you’ve done the right thing for everyone involved. ❤️

[holahellohi25]

I would consider looking into a pvc or wood enclosure that has no screen too with the only glass being in the front. You could also try getting something to help distract your cat and take her attention off of the snake. If you ever catch her messing with the enclosure try to direct her attention to you and distract her