Indoor cat figured out doggie door

[Tom Meter]

Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
never returned. So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign of
the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her and
keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?

[Karen]

"Tom Meter" > wrote in message
om...
> Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
> never returned. So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
> Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
> times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign
of
> the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her
and
> keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
> bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
> have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?
>
>
Well, you could try that. From what I hear, once they figure out the doors,
it's pretty hard though. Do the dogs *have* to have free access?

Karen

[Karen]

"Karen" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Tom Meter" > wrote in message
> om...
> > Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away
and
> > never returned. So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
> > Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
> > times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign
> of
> > the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her
> and
> > keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let
me
> > bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the
dogs
> > have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?
> >
> >
> Well, you could try that. From what I hear, once they figure out the
doors,
> it's pretty hard though. Do the dogs *have* to have free access?
>
> Karen
>
>
Or, here's another thought. Can you cat proof your backyard?
www.catfencein.com


Karen

[Kristine Kochanski]

On Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:13:46 GMT, "Tom Meter" >
wrote:

>Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
>never returned. So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
>Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
>times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign of
>the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her and
>keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
>bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
>have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?

A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an over-sized
catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds best,
though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog out
2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!

[Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin]

Put your cat in one of your rooms so it won't get out & take that door
off it;s hinges & put another door in it's place with out the door flap.
Plain & simple but may be costly. Other wise though you might loose your
cat and it'll happen each time you get another cat. Neer heard of somone
who owns a cat to make it easy for their cat to go outside Not if they
want to keep their cat safe inside their own house. Of course that'll
men you'll have to get off your butt to let your dog or dogs outside &
back in but life for you will go on but life for your cats won't-if you
don't

[Alison]

"Kristine Kochanski" > wrote in message
...
>> A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an
over-sized
> catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds
best,
> though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
> like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog
out
> 2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!

We have fenced back gardens (yards) and front gardens are usually
fenced and gated but not always . ( An Englishman's home is his castle
LOL) and we also let our cats out so its not a problem.
Alison
>

[Tom Meter]

"Alison" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Kristine Kochanski" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an
> over-sized
> > catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds
> best,
> > though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
> > like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog
> out
> > 2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!
>
> We have fenced back gardens (yards) and front gardens are usually
> fenced and gated but not always . ( An Englishman's home is his castle
> LOL) and we also let our cats out so its not a problem.
> Alison
> >

We have a wall but the cat can easily jump up and over. Are you mainly
talking about keeping your cat from being attacked because I can't see how a
fence can keep a cat from roaming off and running away (my wife will be
heartbroken for months if this happens with Brittney).



>
>

[Tom Meter]

"Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin"
<Listen2Dah_L00nEYbird_Coz_Dah_L00nEyBirdZ_ME@webtv .net> wrote in message
...
> Put your cat in one of your rooms so it won't get out & take that door
> off it;s hinges & put another door in it's place with out the door flap.
> Plain & simple but may be costly. Other wise though you might loose your
> cat and it'll happen each time you get another cat. Neer heard of somone
> who owns a cat to make it easy for their cat to go outside Not if they
> want to keep their cat safe inside their own house. Of course that'll
> men you'll have to get off your butt to let your dog or dogs outside &
> back in but life for you will go on but life for your cats won't-if you
> don't

Wow, I thought this was a somewhat cordial group. Didn't know I was going to
get nasty remarks when I was merely asking a question about keeping my cat
inside. Just for your edification I happen to walk my dogs twice a day every
day, at 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM. I've been doing this every day for 10 years.
They are older dogs so the need to go outside at odd times. Sometimes they
need to go out at 11:00 at night. Maybe you need to get off your butt and
read a book because not everyone in the world has the same needs as you.

Geez. Some people.

>

[Karen]

"Tom Meter" > wrote in message
. com...
>
> "Alison" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Kristine Kochanski" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >> A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an
> > over-sized
> > > catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds
> > best,
> > > though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
> > > like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog
> > out
> > > 2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!
> >
> > We have fenced back gardens (yards) and front gardens are usually
> > fenced and gated but not always . ( An Englishman's home is his castle
> > LOL) and we also let our cats out so its not a problem.
> > Alison
> > >
>
> We have a wall but the cat can easily jump up and over. Are you mainly
> talking about keeping your cat from being attacked because I can't see how
a
> fence can keep a cat from roaming off and running away (my wife will be
> heartbroken for months if this happens with Brittney).
>
Again see www.catfencein.com

[Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin]

I wasn't trying to be nasty or sarcastic. I also have to take my dogs
out. If you're worried abut your cat taking off & not coming back home
like your other cats did. Wouldn't it make sense to you to fix it s your
cat can't get out? The only way I can think of is to put a different
door in with out a doggie door. In the mean time sense your original
door will be off it's hinges making it easy for your cat or dog to get
out. I thought it would be wise to confine [ especially your cat] in
another room until you put your new door in. Naturally the new door has
to bought & right next to you so it caN be done right away. Where I
live 3 families lost their cats. One was my daughter inlaw because she
didn't bother having them fixed. She actually had 3 males. Only one male
kept coming back home. Finally she smarted up & had him fixed the other
person had a male cat that was fixed & it still disappeared. If your cat
is getting out by using that door. Don't you think the door should be
changed for a different one? I wasn't trying to be snotty or anything
like that. Too many cats & dogs disappear.

[Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin]

So your dogs are as old as mine. I have a lab mix name Kathrin she'll be
10 years old July 1st & 2 ****zus who just turn 11 years old but I also
have a husband who is practically bedridden & I my self have bad legs &
I'm 61. but I still take my dogs out. But we were taking about your cat.
Your cat is getting out because of that door. Am I right? Or did I miss
something?

[Tom Meter]

"Karen" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Tom Meter" > wrote in message
> . com...
> >
> > "Alison" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "Kristine Kochanski" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > >> A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an
> > > over-sized
> > > > catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds
> > > best,
> > > > though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
> > > > like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog
> > > out
> > > > 2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!
> > >
> > > We have fenced back gardens (yards) and front gardens are usually
> > > fenced and gated but not always . ( An Englishman's home is his castle
> > > LOL) and we also let our cats out so its not a problem.
> > > Alison
> > > >
> >
> > We have a wall but the cat can easily jump up and over. Are you mainly
> > talking about keeping your cat from being attacked because I can't see
how
> a
> > fence can keep a cat from roaming off and running away (my wife will be
> > heartbroken for months if this happens with Brittney).
> >
> Again see www.catfencein.com


So you put that all along your fence? I'll look into it. Thanks.


>
>

[Terry Grimes]

Telling someone to "get off their butt and walk their dog" isn't being
snotty?


"Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin"
<Listen2Dah_L00nEYbird_Coz_Dah_L00nEyBirdZ_ME@webtv .net> wrote in message
...
> I wasn't trying to be nasty or sarcastic. I also have to take my dogs
> out. If you're worried abut your cat taking off & not coming back home
> like your other cats did. Wouldn't it make sense to you to fix it s your
> cat can't get out? The only way I can think of is to put a different
> door in with out a doggie door. In the mean time sense your original
> door will be off it's hinges making it easy for your cat or dog to get
> out. I thought it would be wise to confine [ especially your cat] in
> another room until you put your new door in. Naturally the new door has
> to bought & right next to you so it caN be done right away. Where I
> live 3 families lost their cats. One was my daughter inlaw because she
> didn't bother having them fixed. She actually had 3 males. Only one male
> kept coming back home. Finally she smarted up & had him fixed the other
> person had a male cat that was fixed & it still disappeared. If your cat
> is getting out by using that door. Don't you think the door should be
> changed for a different one? I wasn't trying to be snotty or anything
> like that. Too many cats & dogs disappear.
>

[Karen Chuplis]

in article , Tom Meter at
wrote on 4/15/04 5:37 PM:

>
> "Karen" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Tom Meter" > wrote in message
>> . com...
>>>
>>> "Alison" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>>
>>>> "Kristine Kochanski" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>>> A doggy door??? Never heard of that, I presume it's like an
>>>> over-sized
>>>>> catflap?? Must be an American thing. The electronic thing sounds
>>>> best,
>>>>> though I've never seen one so I couldn't comment! Presume it works
>>>>> like the magnetic catflap. Or do what the Brits do - take your dog
>>>> out
>>>>> 2 or 3 times a day supervised when it needs its poop!
>>>>
>>>> We have fenced back gardens (yards) and front gardens are usually
>>>> fenced and gated but not always . ( An Englishman's home is his castle
>>>> LOL) and we also let our cats out so its not a problem.
>>>> Alison
>>>>>
>>>
>>> We have a wall but the cat can easily jump up and over. Are you mainly
>>> talking about keeping your cat from being attacked because I can't see
> how
>> a
>>> fence can keep a cat from roaming off and running away (my wife will be
>>> heartbroken for months if this happens with Brittney).
>>>
>> Again see www.catfencein.com
>
>
> So you put that all along your fence? I'll look into it. Thanks.
>
>
It's reported to be VERY effective. I hope you can give kitty her safety. I
highly doubt you can keep her from using the flap once she learns how.

Karen

[Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin]

Your right, I did say that. I just know if that was my cat I would make
sure my cat couldn't get outside. You have that door so your dogs have
an easy way to go in and out which is fine but you also have to worry
about the cat. So what do you think is best? Maybe you have another and
better idea. You have to think of something. Maybe I said about the door
the wrong way but that's the only thing I could think of to save your ot
your fiance's cat.

[Robert Casey]

Tom Meter wrote:

>Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
>never returned.
>
More likely they got lost and didn't return because they couldn't figure
out where home was.

>So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
>Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
>times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign of
>the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her and
>keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
>bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
>have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?
>
>
>
>
I wouldn't let the dogs loose outside as they would face the same
dangers an outdoor cat
would face. Doesn't your town have leash laws anyway?

[Why doesWAcky WEEniE kEEps saYin]

Are you talking to me? Of course there's a leash law also there's a 3
dog limit to every house hold. If a tenant or home owner has more then 3
dogs then one of them is not licensed. May have a rabies tag but is not
license where I live. I didn't mean you let your dog just take off. I
assume you have a back yard & your dog goes in & out of it's own free
will. Unfortunately you have a cat that wants to do the same thing.

[Karen Chuplis]

in article , Robert Casey at
wrote on 4/16/04 11:43 PM:

> Tom Meter wrote:
>
>> Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
>> never returned.
>>
> More likely they got lost and didn't return because they couldn't figure
> out where home was.
>
>> So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
>> Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
>> times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign of
>> the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her and
>> keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
>> bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
>> have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?
>>
>>
>>
>>
> I wouldn't let the dogs loose outside as they would face the same
> dangers an outdoor cat
> would face. Doesn't your town have leash laws anyway?
>
I'm thinking its an enclosed yard.

Karen

[rumer]

Karen Chuplis > wrote in message >...
> in article , Robert Casey at
> wrote on 4/16/04 11:43 PM:
>
> > Tom Meter wrote:
> >
> >> Hi. My wife has lost two cats in the last few years that just ran away and
> >> never returned.
> >>
> > More likely they got lost and didn't return because they couldn't figure
> > out where home was.
> >
> >> So she is really concerned that our current indoor cat
> >> Brittney will flee now that she has gone out the doggie door a couple of
> >> times. We are currently locking the doggie door while she has full reign of
> >> the house but it's getting harder and harder to juggle the dogs and her and
> >> keep her from "escaping". Both times she just sat on the porch and let me
> >> bring her in. Should I invest in an electronic door and just let the dogs
> >> have "keys" or does someone have a better suggestion.?
> >>
>
currently i have four cats and all but one is an ourdoor cat. i have
never encountered a problem with my cats leaving home once they
discovered the broad outdoors. then again, i live in suburban america.
but i think if i did have this problem i would get rid of the doggie
door pronto. i have two dogs that can not decide whether they want in
or out at all hours of the night. but this is the responsibility i
knowingly took on when i got them.
just shuffel back a few steps to the old days where doggie doors where
but a dream. getting up every so often is a hastle but not in
comparrison to searching and then losing a dear friend.