Need apt ventilation while keeping kittens safe.
November 2, 2015 10:46 AM Subscribe
We live on the third floor of an apartment complex, we have kittens, we need to ventilate the apartment without jeopardizing the safety of the kittens; help us solve this problem.
I'd like to be able to open the sliding glass window and glass door without the kittens trying to claw/climb the screen. It gets stuffy and I need fresh air! How can this be achieved while keeping kitties safe?
Temporary solution for door | the window | our solution to making balcony safe (note: kittens are not allowed on balcony, this is a 'just in case' measure) | the drop (it would kill my kittens I do not want dead kittens I've grown to like them)
A bit more info:
- the sliding glass window is right next to the kitchen, we need to be able to open it all the way to ventilate for cooking.
- the cardboard guard we made for the sliding glass door is pretty good, however, the kittens are becoming increasingly aware and curious about the outside world and are pushing their boundaries every day; one kitten has already gingerly stepped on the top of the cardboard from an adjacent table (I have since moved the table). Also, I would like more of the sliding glass door to be open, this is just a small sliver.
- We're looking for a low-cost solution, and are pretty decent at DIY. Ideally this wouldn't cost much but if we have to lay out cash we will. We already popped into a couple of different hardware stores looking for solutions to the bedroom window (since solved with sturdy cardboard).
- We provide lots of play and interesting things for the kittens to experience/explore, so we don't think they're bored, they're just KITTENS. One has climbed the screen twice now and we have no reason to believe he won't again.
I'd like to be able to open the sliding glass window and glass door without the kittens trying to claw/climb the screen. It gets stuffy and I need fresh air! How can this be achieved while keeping kitties safe?
Temporary solution for door | the window | our solution to making balcony safe (note: kittens are not allowed on balcony, this is a 'just in case' measure) | the drop (it would kill my kittens I do not want dead kittens I've grown to like them)
A bit more info:
- the sliding glass window is right next to the kitchen, we need to be able to open it all the way to ventilate for cooking.
- the cardboard guard we made for the sliding glass door is pretty good, however, the kittens are becoming increasingly aware and curious about the outside world and are pushing their boundaries every day; one kitten has already gingerly stepped on the top of the cardboard from an adjacent table (I have since moved the table). Also, I would like more of the sliding glass door to be open, this is just a small sliver.
- We're looking for a low-cost solution, and are pretty decent at DIY. Ideally this wouldn't cost much but if we have to lay out cash we will. We already popped into a couple of different hardware stores looking for solutions to the bedroom window (since solved with sturdy cardboard).
- We provide lots of play and interesting things for the kittens to experience/explore, so we don't think they're bored, they're just KITTENS. One has climbed the screen twice now and we have no reason to believe he won't again.
I would take the approach of teaching them not to climb the screen. Otherwise you're setting yourself up for a life of weird hacky workarounds for everything. Now is the time.
I would also be teaching them how to behave on the balcony, IMHO. Our balcony sun patch is our cat's #1 joy in life.
posted by bleep at 11:08 AM on November 2, 2015 [5 favorites]
I would also be teaching them how to behave on the balcony, IMHO. Our balcony sun patch is our cat's #1 joy in life.
posted by bleep at 11:08 AM on November 2, 2015 [5 favorites]
Cover the open door space with a sheet of lattice?
posted by advicepig at 11:21 AM on November 2, 2015
posted by advicepig at 11:21 AM on November 2, 2015
Partner here: also, this is a rental apartment so (a) the screens are old and flimsy and won't survive a kitten-turned-4lb-cat climbing them, and (b) we can't make permanent changes.
I have been thinking about making / getting made a replacement screen for the window using PetScreen, but while that's tearproof I don't know that a climbing cat wouldn't simply pull the fabric right out of the frame. Also wondering if we could put some sturdier metal mesh/grid inside the existing screen.
Before they discovered that the screen mesh is climbable, the kittens did like to sit by this window and see the sights / hear the sounds / feel the breeze; so a safe fix here would be good for all of us.
The balcony: it's 4 storeys down to tarmac and the kittens are still brainless, rampagey, and incredibly curious; that drop has always been our biggest kitten-safety worry.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:28 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have been thinking about making / getting made a replacement screen for the window using PetScreen, but while that's tearproof I don't know that a climbing cat wouldn't simply pull the fabric right out of the frame. Also wondering if we could put some sturdier metal mesh/grid inside the existing screen.
Before they discovered that the screen mesh is climbable, the kittens did like to sit by this window and see the sights / hear the sounds / feel the breeze; so a safe fix here would be good for all of us.
The balcony: it's 4 storeys down to tarmac and the kittens are still brainless, rampagey, and incredibly curious; that drop has always been our biggest kitten-safety worry.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 11:28 AM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Zarq's solution, plus build a shelf/canopy/kittybaffler about 18" up that is angled too sharply to jump onto or climb past.
You could make the same thing out of these things.
Do also deploy the squirt bottle when they climb, though.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:29 AM on November 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
You could make the same thing out of these things.
Do also deploy the squirt bottle when they climb, though.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:29 AM on November 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I got pet-resistant screen for my screen windows when my cats climbed them as kittens. It was whatever they sold at Home Depot. It has a thicker weave and does not let quite as much light in, but it was basically indestructible and they climbed all up and down it without problems. I never saw them pull the fabric out and I replaced the screen myself with normal tools.
Also, generally by the time they weigh enough for that to be a risk they're also old enough that they aren't inclined to climb screens higher than they can stretch out.
Anyway, I would give that a shot. Screen replacement is pretty easy.
posted by Anonymous at 11:45 AM on November 2, 2015
Also, generally by the time they weigh enough for that to be a risk they're also old enough that they aren't inclined to climb screens higher than they can stretch out.
Anyway, I would give that a shot. Screen replacement is pretty easy.
posted by Anonymous at 11:45 AM on November 2, 2015
This is only workable if your carpentry skills are up to it. I would build a box frame out of 1x3 lumber that is bigger than the entire door and about 1 foot deep. The front and sides would be made out of that wooden lattice material that is usually used for fences or trellisses. It would need a door for non-cats. You could open the door to operate the sliding door or go outside.
It would need to be securely fastened to the wall around the sliding door.
The cats will love it and may never come down. Shelves and platforms will add to the fun!
posted by H21 at 1:07 PM on November 2, 2015
It would need to be securely fastened to the wall around the sliding door.
The cats will love it and may never come down. Shelves and platforms will add to the fun!
posted by H21 at 1:07 PM on November 2, 2015
I would recommend lots and lots of anti-screen climbing training. One of my 2.5 year old cats (adopted at 1 year) will throw herself against the screen door about half way up and then climb the rest of the way. The door has a metal grid with fly screen over it so she's safe enough (all 11 pounds of her!) but it makes a loud thump which isn't good for my nerves (or the poor door) and she's poked holes big enough for the mozzies to get through.
Schroedinger's cat(s) sound better behaved tham mine.
I always read your name now as "Joseph Kittens is fully awesome". Because J&J are so adorable!
posted by kitten magic at 1:40 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Schroedinger's cat(s) sound better behaved tham mine.
I always read your name now as "Joseph Kittens is fully awesome". Because J&J are so adorable!
posted by kitten magic at 1:40 PM on November 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Two pet gates in the open door, one above the other.
posted by tamitang at 3:55 PM on November 2, 2015
posted by tamitang at 3:55 PM on November 2, 2015
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posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:58 AM on November 2, 2015