Kittens going up chimney - ideas needed

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

We have two kittens who seem determined to go up the largish open flu above one of our fires
I have tried a fireguard - but it looks horrible - doesn't fit and just gets pushed out of the way even when wired to the grate
I have eyed up the chimney balloon things and cant bring myself to spend nearly £30 on something that looks like it would get popped by sharp little claws almost immediately
so we are currently living with a pillow rammed into the opening..it looks ridiculous.
We don't use the fire much so its really there to look good - and it doesn't - and I cant see it doing so for...ahh - ages.
I thought I would turn to your collective wisdom as I'm sure someone else has solved this before me - but I cant think what to do !...

[Toddlerteaplease]

Could you possibly get some sort of metal grill fitted to the inside of the chimney?

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

Not really ...although thinking about this made me think
no..what I really need is something temporary and removable..that springs out to fill the hole..like a car pop out sunshade.....
duh
Im just off shopping for car pop out sunshades...in black...sigh...

[thecatneuterer]

My chimney is blocked by a roll of glass fibre roof insulation. It's just shoved up there and it stays in place. You can't see it and it could be pulled out again.

[cozietoesie]

Light a fire occasionally and stay in the room while it burns. They get the message quite quickly.

[Nobrain]

I shoved a pillow up my chimney. Seems to have done the trick.

[Daisypopslop]

I shoved pillows up out of site. I have 3 open fires and a lively kitten and it's worked, plus no drafts.

[montezumasrevenge]

Google chimney sheep. I think that's what you're after.

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

thanks all
the chimney sheep don't go big enough - good suggestion though and I'm trying to remember where I've seen sheets of felted wool like that in case I get a bit DIY
I have optimistically ordered a large pop out car sun shield for a few pounds - because its easy if it works..and I like easy.
although the cushion / pillow on a rope may well be the final solution. I like the idea of stuffing the cushion with insulation too and I have a spare roll - although I couldnt get the whole roll up there, because although the shaft bit is vast, the entry hole is perfectly cat sized

[FuzzyWizard]

We have chicken wire blocking ours.

[HeyMacWey]

Another pillow stuffer here :o

[TroysMammy]

I've got no ideas sorry but would love to see a photo of your kittens. Please, pretty please.

[Janey50]

They will probably grow out of it! I know that's not much consolation at the moment. Years ago my DP's obtained a pair of kittens that were a nightmare for the first few months. Climbing up the curtains,shredding the wallpaper,getting inside the sofa (heaven knows how they managed that) disconnecting the TV aerial etc. My poor mum was at her wit's end. But by the time they were about 8 months they had calmed down a hell of a lot. So there is hope.

[Winterfairy]

Here is a tip that I used to stop my kitten running up and down the back of the sofa. Worked a treat. Blow up two normal balloons away from the cats. Take balloons and a pin and sit quietly in the living room, wait till the kittens are near you and the balloon and discretely burst a balloon in their faces. Repeat (if they come near you). If they've got the message - put a couple of balloons in the fireplace so they would need to get past them to get to the chimney. Leave them there for about a week - problem solved!

[Winterfairy]

Here is a tip that I used to stop my kitten running up and down the back of the sofa. Worked a treat. Blow up two normal balloons away from the cats so they don't see you doing it. Take a pin and the balloons and sit quietly in the living room until the kittens are near you curious about what is going on. Then discretely burst a balloon in their faces, you want to do it so they don't associate the bang with you so try and do it without moving. Repeat (if they dare to come near you but they probably won't. If they've got the message - put a couple of balloons in the fireplace so they would need to get past them to get to the chimney. Leave them there for about a week - problem solved!

[Nobrain]

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

We used to have a cat that would go all the way up a three story chimney and walk along the terrace rooves, coming down via windowsills and extension rooves.. he never grew out of any challenging behaviour, hence my paranoia....he liked balloons too, and chillies..

[EachandEveryone]

Is that a joke???

[picklemepopcorn]

Can you fill a black bin bag with crumpled newspaper and cram it up there?

[AgentProvocateur]

Can you post a photo of the kittens up the chimney? That would make my day.

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

If you meant me
No, not joking, he was our first cat, we thought all cats were like that.

[665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast]

Agent No I am discouraging them.. discouraging !

[cozietoesie]

I wasn't joking at all when I said you needed to light it. I've had cats and open fires for many many years and never had one go near a burning fire apart from to bask on the hearthrug. It's as if they suddenly 'click' - 'Oh - it's a fire, that's what it is' and the memory stays with them always.

(You'd want to ensure that they were out of the room until it was well lit and going and then stay there until you can see how they're reacting.)

[Fluffycloudland77]

Except my cat who sees a naked flame and thinks "ooh what's that? I must sniff it".

Repeat as needed for owner to stop buying candles & buy an induction hob.

I would stuff a rolled up duvet up there. Careful blocking the chimney doesn't cause damp.

[Tabbylady]

I agree with cozietoesie - ours were sooty little monsters until we actually could be bothered to light a fire.
Occasionally we light candles on the hearth when the furry overlord gets over-interested again and she's reminded that the chimney is a no-go-zone.

[cozietoesie]

Now that's .....unfortunate, Fluffy.

How is he with proper fires and not candles etc ?