Preventing Cats Getting Out Of Windows

[wrayperson]

I have seen adverts for Flat Cats. Strong mesh windows fitted over your window openings with something like very strong Velcro. has anyone used these or are there other ways to stop cats getting out, but still having windows open.

[Buenchico]

I've got 4 very adventurous 11-week-old kittens and I've improvised some window barriers using this stuff:
http://www.diybuildingproducts.co.uk/barrier-fencing-1m-x-50m.html
(I got mine from B&Q for slightly less than that price). It's a bit 'rough & ready' but it does the job for me and keeps these little darlings in:
http://ukcatlover.rajce.idnes.cz/Patches_and_Her_Kittens/
(except that they're nowhere near as little now!)

[anneasquith]

awe, is mum well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,excuse me wp.

[boxtops]

Chris, as long as the little sweeties can't get their heads caught in the holes :-(

Why do you want to stop your cats getting out, wrayperson?

[wrayperson]

The kitchen windows open onto our front drive which goes down to the road. the cat flap they use is out of the back porch into a large back garden.

[jomifl]

Preventing cats getting out makes for friendly neighbours?

[wrayperson]

Cats like to be outside, hunting,playing, exploring etc in the fresh air, not cooped up inside. If you want friendly neighbours, that would mean stopping all the dogs barking at all hours.

[boxtops]

I agree with you wray - our cats would go mad stuck indoors...

However, if you let yours out in the back garden, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they make their way round to the front already. Just because you don't let them out the front doesn't mean they don't know how to get there. Mine only go out the back through the catflap, but if they get out of the front door (and they do, sneaky little chaps) they know exactly how to work their way round to the back of our terraced block to find that back door again. Our house is right on the road with only a 3ft front garden.

[tonyav]

I think if we tried to make our cat stay indoors she would wreck the house trying to find a way out.

[boxtops]

The trouble is, ours have free rein to go out of the back door, but because we don't like them going out of the front door, they want to :-)

[wrayperson]

That's true boxtops, but at least I will be cutting their options down a little

[snags]

How about something like this? You can still open the window/get fresh air coming in but the cat can't get out through the gap.

http://www.jackloc.com/technical.php

[boxtops]

Snags, I was going to suggest something like that - on our inner front door, we've fixed a door security chain. It opens wide enough to let air in, but we fixed it so that there's not enough between door and frame for said cats to squeeze their way through. I guess it depends what sort of windows wray has, and whether they want to drill into them.

[wrayperson]

The " Flat Cats" are strong coated mesh held onto window frames inside ( ours are plastic ) with very strong sort of Velcro . In summer when it is very hot windows can then be opened wide.

[DaisyNonna]

Daisy, Tony?

[tonyav]

LOL, yes, Daisy.

[DaisyNonna]

That's my girl!

[boxtops]

well, the people on this forum are recommending Flat Cats! (and see also the contribution from the person from the company, which looks really helpful) http://www.petforums.co.uk/cat-chat/156515-window-screens-review-3.html

[wrayperson]

Thanks box top for link. I was wondering if anyone had actually used them. My husband has made a frame with chicken wire in that hangs on hinges when needed on the outside door of our front porch. This is really good, but would be too fiddly to make for windows.

[boxtops]

My friend had a chicken wire frame made for her French window, wray, and it works very well. She has pedigree Siamese cats and won't ever let them out. The screen's been in her house for years - sounds very much like yours.

What about the panels you can buy against mosquitos and flying things, would they be any good?

[wrayperson]

Hi Boxtop, think those may be bit too flimsy. Flat Cats sound quite sturdy