Temporarily block chimney in fireplace idea needed - kitten problem!

bbat

There is a fireplace in my bedroom. Victorian. I've just got a kitten. While letting him explore the room he decided to leap up the chimney in the fireplace. I had to reach up and grab him. Now me an him covered in rubbish and I'm scared to let him wander about the flat now!
Any ideas to soft block the chimney in the fireplace without putting a guard in front of it? I know it will still need to 'breathe'.
Of course now he keeps wanting to leap up there!

bbat

I've had a feel around and can't feel a damper in the chimney.

Teapot55

I’d normally recommend a ‘Chimney Sheep’, however as the kitten might see the string that hangs down as a challenge you’d have to tuck the string out of sight. 

As a temporary measure you could double-wrap a cushion or pillow in two plastic bags and stuff them up the chimney. 

bbat

I'll look up chimney sheep, thank you!

youth_leader

I was horrified when I moved into a rental and my cat did this.  I stuffed a large black sack with scrunched up newspapers and put it up the chimney. 

bbat

youth_leader said:

I was horrified when I moved into a rental and my cat did this.  I stuffed a large black sack with scrunched up newspapers and put it up the chimney. 

My heart is still racing!!

MalMonroe

Why will it need to breathe? When the big wintry winds blow, all the debris that is still up there will be blown into your room.

When we bought an old Victorian terraced house there were fireplaces in every room, even the kitchen but not the bathroom. . . . Before we moved in we had all the chimneys thoroughly swept and cleaned. That's what I'd recommend you do because you don't want all that mess to fall down into your bedroom and besides - I am not a fanatical cleaner by any means - but knowing that a big mess was up the chimney would really unsettle me!

Chimneys do need cleaning regularly, even if they are not being used and please don't forget to have a cap fitted to the top outside so that birds won't fall down.

You can put a guard in front of a fireplace and it will still 'breathe'. But for kitten safety, after you've had the chimney cleaned you need to put some hardboard or similar over the opening so your kitten cannot get in there. It'll be fine. Kittens love to play and have adventures and if they can climb up inside a chimney, that's great. From their point of view.

You could do worse than keep your bedroom door shut as well. I've owned both Victorian houses and kittens, I know these things. 

twopenny

I used scrunched up newspapers.

They work well.

My friend had a free range hampster that, when left in my charge, disappeared up the chimney.

Or you could cut a board to cover up the opening, even just cardboard. Something that's easy to remove when they calm down

Silvertabby

We had this very problem - solved with a piece of clear perspex cut to size, and fixed with a couple of pieces of sticky tape.

In our case, it was the living flames gas fire in the lounge.  It has a metal baffle fitted, so hoolikitten couldn't actually climb the chimney, but it wasn't for the want of trying!  

We rarely use the gas fire, but the piece of perspex is easily removed/replaced when we do.  It looks good, as well.

bbat

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions! Previous owner of flat had chimneys swept and was probably about 10 months ago. So will think about getting that booked in. 
I'd like kitty to have a bit more space to explore when I'm at home but don't want to have to watch him every second. My old very very senior cat didn't give the chimney a second glance when we moved in. This little terror wants to explore everything!  

Silvertabby

bbat said:

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions! Previous owner of flat had chimneys swept and was probably about 10 months ago. So will think about getting that booked in. 
I'd like kitty to have a bit more space to explore when I'm at home but don't want to have to watch him every second. My old very very senior cat didn't give the chimney a second glance when we moved in. This little terror wants to explore everything!  

Our 2 seniors couldn't even jump up onto the kitchen work surfaces - but I swear that this little madam is a cross between Sherpa Tenzing and a Ninja warrior!