Silly Question About Flutes and Cats

[Kathrynbeth67214]

Hi there...

I just have a quick question... I just started to play the flute again but my cats absolutely loathe the idea. I can’t leave them outside of my bedroom when I practice because they reach underneath the door, claw the doorframe, and MEOW... LOUDLY!!! However, when I let them in to the bedroom, they jump up onto the bed or shelves and bat at my flute, one of them has nipped my upper lip (that practice session was cut short), and they have discovered that I have to stop playing when they knock over the stand. My oldest kitty gave me the most pained expression and a very disapproval merrrrrrrrow when I was practicing higher notes (he’s the one that nipped my lip...)

Is there any way that I can make my practice sessions more enjoyable for them? They no longer have expressions of abject horror like they did when I first started...

Thank you for any advice and insight...

Kat

[pied_piper]

I don't know. Do they sell ear plugs for cats?

Seriously though, play recorded flute music in the house when you are not practicing. Perhaps that will get them more accustomed to it if they hear it more frequently and don't necessarily associate the flute sounds only with you.

[Kathrynbeth67214]

That’s a great idea!!! Thank you for the suggestion!!! The kittens don’t seem to be as disturbed as when I first started, but my two old boys, Ronald and Fred (they were born when Harry Potter was being released in theaters...), seem to be the most disturbed. I’ll have to try the flute music...

[KJF_pdx]

My two Chihuahuas have an opposite reaction.

One appears to love singing along to my playing, although it sound more like a soulful moan, which is funny coming from a 6 pound dog. I don’t think it hurts his ears. He sings even when I’m playing softly and low tones.

The other only sings along periodically. She sits up like a wolf and howls a traditional wolf howl. Again funny because she is also tiny.

I wish I could get them on video but of course they stop doing anything cute when they suspect the cameras are rolling.

[pied_piper]

In addition to flute, I double on sax and clarinet. We used to have a great dane. When I flayed flute, there was no reaction, but whenever I played the sax, she would come over to sit in front of me and sort of moan. If I ignored her, she would place her paw on my leg to get my attention. If that didn't stop my playing, she would paw at my arm until I stopped.