Quick answer: To keep a terrarium out of reach of cats, measure your cat's standing jump and every launch point nearby, then either enclose the terrarium in a closed cabinet or mount it on a shelf with no landing space around it. Anchor everything, keep lids on, and still choose cat-safe plants in case the cat gets in.
A terrarium on the desk looks lovely until a cat decides the moss is a bed and the pebbles are toys. Glass can tip and break, lids get knocked off, and some popular terrarium plants are toxic if chewed. In a home office, there is also a laptop, cables and paperwork in the line of fire.
This guide takes a measured approach: work out exactly how high and far your cat can reach, then build a home for the terrarium that sits outside that range, using pine plywood that you can finish to match your office.
Why Keep a Terrarium Out of Reach of Cats
Terrariums mix three cat hazards in one jar: glass, small loose items and plants. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that cats are notorious for ingesting thread, wool, paper, rubber bands, plant materials, and small toys, and decorative gravel, moss and tiny figures fall into the same category.
Some common terrarium plants are also a problem. Check every plant against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list before it goes in, even if you plan to keep it out of reach. Assume that one day the cat will get to it.
- Glass that can tip, crack or cut paws
- Pebbles, sand and figures that can be swallowed
- Plants that may be toxic if chewed
- Water and soil spilled onto electronics
- Lids that slide off when a cat leans on them
Measuring Your Cat's Reach
Cats can jump surprisingly high from a standing start, and much further using furniture as a step. Measure rather than guess.
- Note the highest surface your cat jumps onto from the floor in one go
- Add the height of anything nearby it could use as a step: chair seat, desk, filing cabinet, windowsill
- Measure the horizontal gap from each of those to where the terrarium will sit
- Watch the cat for a few days and note any new routes it finds
- Treat any surface within about 1 m of a launch point as reachable
| Launch point | Typical height | Risk to a terrarium nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Desk | 73 to 76 cm | High; cats walk across desks |
| Office chair | 45 to 55 cm | Medium; often a step to the desk |
| Filing cabinet | 70 to 130 cm | High; flat top invites landing |
| Windowsill | 75 to 100 cm | High; cats sit and watch |
| Bookcase top | 180 cm+ | High if any other surface is nearby |
Option 1: A Closed Pine Plywood Cabinet
The most reliable answer is a cabinet with a door. A simple pine plywood box with a hinged or sliding glass-free front keeps the terrarium visible through a small mesh panel while fully protected.
- Use 12 to 18 mm pine plywood for the carcass
- Fit a door with a magnetic or push latch, not a loose catch
- Add a small ventilation panel of fine metal mesh so the terrarium does not overheat
- Make the top sloped or narrow, so it is not a landing platform
- Fix the cabinet to the wall or to the desk with brackets
Seal the plywood with a water-based finish and let it cure fully before placing it in the room. The US EPA notes that paints, varnishes and wax contain organic solvents that can release compounds into indoor air, so good airflow while finishes cure matters in a small office.
Option 2: A High Shelf With No Landing Space
If you want the terrarium on display, a high shelf works only if there is nowhere for the cat to land beside it and nothing to climb on below it.
- Mount the shelf above the height your cat can jump from any nearby surface
- Make the shelf only as deep and wide as the terrarium, so there is no spare space to land on
- Keep at least 1 m clear on all sides from other shelves and furniture
- Fix the terrarium to the shelf with museum putty or a lip
- Do not put a cat bed, perch or tree anywhere near it
Use proper wall fixings into studs or masonry. Our stud finder layout guide explains how to find and use studs safely.
Cutting the Pine Plywood Pieces
For a compact cabinet that fits a medium terrarium on a desk or wall:
| Piece | Size (cm) | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Top and bottom | 40 x 30 | 2 |
| Sides | 35 x 30 | 2 |
| Back | 40 x 35 | 1 |
| Door frame | 40 x 35 with a 25 x 20 cut-out | 1 |
| Mesh panel | 27 x 22 | 1 |
Glue and screw the carcass together, sand every edge, then fit the door with two small hinges. If you are new to the tools, our beginner tool kit for cat furniture DIY covers the basics.
Choosing Plants as if the Cat Will Get In
Even a well-built cabinet gets opened for watering. Choose plants you would be comfortable with if the cat nibbled one.
- Check every plant on the ASPCA list by its scientific name
- Avoid any lily anywhere in the home
- Use smooth, large pebbles rather than fine gravel
- Leave out tiny figures and loose decorations
- Water with the cabinet door closed behind you when the cat is shut out of the room
Our list of cat-safe houseplants and the toxic plant swap guide are good starting points. For a cat that likes to graze, a pot of indoor cat grass in a safe spot often takes the pressure off the terrarium.
Caring for the Terrarium Without Inviting the Cat
Maintenance is when most accidents happen. A door left open while you mist the plants, or a lid set down on the desk, is all a curious cat needs.
- Shut the cat out of the office before you open the cabinet
- Do all watering, pruning and cleaning in one session
- Put the lid back and close the door before letting the cat in
- Wipe up spilled soil or water straight away; cats investigate new smells
- Check the cabinet latch and wall fixings once a month
Closed terrariums also build up heat and humidity. Keep the cabinet out of direct sun and away from radiators, and do not place it above a computer or power strip in case of condensation. A cool, shaded wall away from the desk is usually the best spot, and it keeps the cat's favourite sunny windowsill free for the cat.
Home Office Habits That Help
Close the office door when you are out, at least for the first few weeks, and keep the chair pushed in so it cannot act as a step to the desk. Give the cat its own spot in the room, such as a bed on a shelf away from the terrarium, so it has a legal place to be near you while you work.
Keep cables tidy and out of reach too. A cat that is redirected to its own perch is far less likely to explore the desk and its neighbours. A cat that has its own warm perch by the window is much less interested in a glass box on the far wall. Our cat-safe indoor garden hub has more ideas for combining plants and cats in the same room.
Terrarium and Cats FAQs
Are terrariums safe to have with cats?
They can be if the terrarium is out of reach or in a closed cabinet, and if every plant is checked against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list. Glass can tip, and pebbles, moss and figures can be swallowed, so assume the cat may get in one day.
How high should a shelf be to keep a cat away?
Higher than your cat can jump from any nearby surface, with no landing space around it. Measure the desk, chair, windowsill and cabinets near the shelf, keep at least about 1 m clear on all sides, and make the shelf only as large as the terrarium.
Is pine plywood safe for a plant cabinet near cats?
Yes, once it is sanded and sealed with a water-based finish that has fully cured in a ventilated room. Sand every edge smooth, fit a secure latch and fix the cabinet to the wall or desk so a cat cannot pull it over.
How do I choose terrarium plants that will not harm a cat?
Check each plant on the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list by its scientific name before planting. Avoid lilies entirely. Choose plants you would be comfortable with if your cat nibbled one, use large smooth pebbles and leave out tiny decorations.
