If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly)
"non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. -- I firmly believed we should not march into Baghdad ...To occupy Iraq would instantly shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us and make ... a latter-day Arab hero assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator[.] -- GHWB |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
"Hactar" wrote in message ... We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. Get your friend on a decent allergy medication, and get your cats things they prefer to scratch on, like Alpine scratchers and tall post, and keep their claws trimmed. Once a month does it for us. You can keep living in this ridiculous way, but you know you don't want to. Although, if you do, it will keep your cats occupied and laughing. Too funny. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 1:04 PM):
We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. If they're sliding doors and have a top rail, then just get pieces of wood that you can jam in the top rail, the cats can't reach 'em, problem solved! Alternately, maybe you can buy child-proof latches like for cabinets, and modify them for use. What you just need to think of is a kind of latch you can set up high enough, and is complicated enough, and small enough, that a cat cannot jump and undo it, or jump, hold on, and undo it. I can understand your friend needing a cat-free zone, but you might just want to give it up. If they're getting in there every night and have for a while, it's no longer a cat-dander-free zone anyway, even if you clean it really well, unless you replace the carpeting and the furniture. jmc |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
In article ,
jmc wrote: Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 1:04 PM): We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. .... So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. If they're sliding doors and have a top rail, then just get pieces of wood that you can jam in the top rail, the cats can't reach 'em, problem solved! Well, neither can some of the humans. It can be mounted lower though. However, if I understand what you're recommending, that can't be operated from both sides. And, they're not glass doors, they're wooden. Except for the slide-or-swing/latch hardware the doors look like any other hollow wooden interior door. Alternately, maybe you can buy child-proof latches like for cabinets, and modify them for use. What you just need to think of is a kind of latch you can set up high enough, and is complicated enough, and small enough, that a cat cannot jump and undo it, or jump, hold on, and undo it. Maybe a door chain? Some kind of peg into the door along the back edge? I can understand your friend needing a cat-free zone, but you might just want to give it up. If they're getting in there every night and have for a while, it's no longer a cat-dander-free zone anyway, even if you clean it really well, unless you replace the carpeting and the furniture. We had the floor redone from carpeting to wood, so that should reduce the airborne contaminants considerably. -- -eben P royalty.mine.nu:81 Q: Why do black holes never learn? A: Because they're too dense. -- ZurkisPhreek on Fark |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
"jmc" wrote in message
... Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 1:04 PM): We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. If they're sliding doors and have a top rail, then just get pieces of wood that you can jam in the top rail, the cats can't reach 'em, problem solved! Pocket doors are not your typical sliding door found on most American patios. The "tracks" are hidden, inside the wall, and the door slides into the wall when opened (some are even made to 'disappear when opened, so that all an unsuspecting guest sees is a doorway, or opening in a wall) - something 'on the track' that would stop the door from opening is not feasible. http://www.pocketdoors.net/index.php...f-pocket-doors -- ^..^ This is Kitty. Copy and paste Kitty into your signature to help her wipe out Bunny's world domination. -- The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) comcast (dot) net http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
Suddenly, without warning, Magic Mood Jeep exclaimed (5/27/2009 8:34 PM):
"jmc" wrote in message ... Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 1:04 PM): We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. If they're sliding doors and have a top rail, then just get pieces of wood that you can jam in the top rail, the cats can't reach 'em, problem solved! Pocket doors are not your typical sliding door found on most American patios. The "tracks" are hidden, inside the wall, and the door slides into the wall when opened (some are even made to 'disappear when opened, so that all an unsuspecting guest sees is a doorway, or opening in a wall) - something 'on the track' that would stop the door from opening is not feasible. http://www.pocketdoors.net/index.php...f-pocket-doors Oh, yea, I remember now. I think we had those doors in the house I grew up with, before they were removed and used to shore up the garage floor (which was a crime, they were beautiful cherry wood doors!) jmc |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 7:24 PM):
In article , jmc wrote: What you just need to think of is a kind of latch you can set up high enough, and is complicated enough, and small enough, that a cat cannot jump and undo it, or jump, hold on, and undo it. Maybe a door chain? Some kind of peg into the door along the back edge? I think a door chain would work well, but put the sliding bit up-and-down at a slight angle instead of horizontal, or it'd be difficult to set it up to both latch properly, and keep the doors closed enough to keep the cats out. You could set it for just wide enough to slide a hand thru, so you could unlatch it from either side (you wanted to be able to do that, right? Oh, and did you know that there is such a thing as a "pocket door latch"? - google it. Not sure if that's what you need, but here's one: http://tinyurl.com/onhsea jmc |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
In article ,
jmc wrote: Suddenly, without warning, Hactar exclaimed (5/27/2009 7:24 PM): In article , jmc wrote: What you just need to think of is a kind of latch you can set up high enough, and is complicated enough, and small enough, that a cat cannot jump and undo it, or jump, hold on, and undo it. Maybe a door chain? Some kind of peg into the door along the back edge? I think a door chain would work well, but put the sliding bit up-and-down at a slight angle instead of horizontal, or it'd be difficult to set it up to both latch properly, and keep the doors closed enough to keep the cats out. You could set it for just wide enough to slide a hand thru, so you could unlatch it from either side (you wanted to be able to do that, right? Oh, and did you know that there is such a thing as a "pocket door latch"? - google it. Not sure if that's what you need, but here's one: http://tinyurl.com/onhsea That looks like what we have that doesn't hold. I'll look for sturdier varieties. -- -eben P http://royalty.mine.nu:81 "You're one of those condescending Unix computer users!" "Here's a nickel, kid. Get yourself a better computer" - Dilbert |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
Hactar wrote:
We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. The house is divided like this for two reasons: I have a friend who's very allergic to cat and rabbit dander, and the non-c side of the house isn't remotely catproofed. During the day they normally stay with the humans in the catty side, but during the night there's nothing we can do. Usually, cat #1 forces a door open then both cats take advantage of the added room. Both the doors have built-in latches, but those are easily overridden. Now, one of the doors (the one they use most often) has Velcro (or a generic) on the door's leading edge, as well as a kickplate mounted vertically (to eliminate claw damage). And in front of where the doors close there's a 1-gal jug for one and a 4 lb bag of kitty litter for the other. Those usually slow her down long enough to bring a squirt bottle to within firing range. For a few days we had two "Ssscat"s http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/ until (I gather) it got knocked over and quickly dumped its propellant on the floor. While they lasted, they worked well. I figure that after a while they may not have to be turned on; I don't know how long "a while" is however. I've ordered some refills. I would prefer something that didn't go off on humans, but it's better than nothing. I'll tape down the refills to make sure they can't get knocked over. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. How about a hook and eye near the top of the door? Not beautiful but it would work. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
cat-proof latch
In article , MLB wrote:
Hactar wrote: We have sliding (pocket) doors connecting the "catty" and (ostensibly) "non-catty" sides of the house. So, is there anything that can reliably keep the cats in their half the house? I'm thinking about a latch for the doors. The sticking point is finding something that's easy for humans and impossible for cats, can be operated from both sides, and doesn't make it look like we're in a prison. How about a hook and eye near the top of the door? Not beautiful but it would work. Hook and eye is inoperable by cats, especially these cats. It can't be higher than a seated person can reach, but about as high as a doorknob should be OK. It'd have to have enough slack in the mechanism to allow a hand through so you could work it from both sides; I dunno if you can do that unless your hook is long enough to allow enough of a cat through to put significant force on the mounting. -- -eben P royalty.mine.nu:81 LIBRA: A big promotion is just around the corner for someone much more talented than you. Laughter is the very best medicine, remember that when your appendix bursts next week. -- Weird Al |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
They do go outside... the proof is in the pics! | cathyxyz | Cat anecdotes | 10 | October 9th 05 11:54 AM |
Want Proof That Dan Lied to Us? | Mary | Cat health & behaviour | 32 | July 6th 05 02:20 AM |
Cat proof backyard indeed! | dgk | Cat health & behaviour | 10 | April 19th 05 12:24 AM |
Proof... | dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers | Cat anecdotes | 24 | July 4th 04 09:31 PM |
Proof of the Mothership! | Karen Chuplis | Cat anecdotes | 19 | April 25th 04 02:55 AM |