cats and window screens

heatherita510

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
34
Purraise
1
well its getting to be that time of year to have your windows open and let the fresh air in. Problem -- Martini seems to think that screens are just bigger scratching posts. I live in an apartment that allows pets but I never told them I had her (i was planning on it, but when I got her i had to pay 800 dollars in vet bills and i just didnt have the 200 dollar pet fee after that). There are already small holes in the screens from when I got her at the end of August. There's no way I can keep my windows/balcony door closed all summer, but I cant let her damage the screens anymore! (I put her scratching post next to the door tonight and she still preferred to scratch the screen!). Any ideas on how to get her to not scratch the screens?
 

gailuvscats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
2,283
Purraise
34
Location
philadelphia
I have taught cats to scratch the post by picking them up when they are scratching something not to be scratched, and carrying them to the scratch post, and moving their paws in a scratching motion. While doing this, i gently tell them no when they are on the bad thing, and praise them profusely as I move their paws over the scratching post. They seem to catch on.
Also, it is very cheap to get something rescreened, so if that is what you need to do when you move, so be it.
 

missymotus

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
9,234
Purraise
254
If you keep the nails clipped they cannot grab the screens.
 

yosemite

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Messages
23,313
Purraise
81
Location
Ingersoll, ON
We replaced the screens in our sliding door with the pet type screening which doesn't get destroyed like regular screening if the pet scratches. It's easy to replace screening.
 

jimmylegs

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Messages
312
Purraise
1
Location
Brooklyn
i haven't tried it myself but i wonder if StickyPaws would work on screen. you could put some on the screen in the spots they're most likely to scratch and then remove it when they get the message.

there are a couple of different types of screening, it seems to me the black nylon stuff would be less susceptible to a cat attack than the aluminum stuff, but i'm not totally sure about that.
 

xocats

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
20,608
Purraise
16
Originally Posted by Yosemite

We replaced the screens in our sliding door with the pet type screening which doesn't get destroyed like regular screening if the pet scratches. It's easy to replace screening.
I did the same thing. It come in rolls of different widths and is not expensive.
I got mine at Home Depot.
Lowes carries it too.
Dexter the Destructro can't hurt it.

It should work for Martini.
Pet Screen is made from vinyl coated polyester. It is much heavier than traditional fiberglass or aluminum screening. Pet Screen is 7 times stronger than traditional screen mesh.

If you possibly can, get together a pet deposit.
Your landlord might see Martini in the window.
That would be trouble.
 

darlili

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,310
Purraise
14
Location
Illinois
If you don't feel up to rescreening yourself, Ace Hardware is usually pretty good, and inexpensive, at doing it for you. Good luck!
 

xocats

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
20,608
Purraise
16
Originally Posted by darlili

If you don't feel up to rescreening yourself, Ace Hardware is usually pretty good, and inexpensive, at doing it for you. Good luck!
I attempted to re-screen with the pet screen myself....
because the screen is thicker, I just couldn't handle it.
I had our complex maintenance man do it...
it was a breeze for him.


Please let us know how you resolve this.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

heatherita510

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
34
Purraise
1
Originally Posted by xocats

If you possibly can, get together a pet deposit.
Your landlord might see Martini in the window.
That would be trouble.
No worries. I'm in a building that allows pets if you pay the deposit... and my complex is huge, so i doubt if they saw her in the window they'd try to check if i'm allowed to have her. i've had maintenance over and stuff and they've never said anything about her.

thanks for the suggestions. i might see if my brother can change the screens. otherwise i guess i'll try to just train her not to scratch!
 

xocats

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
20,608
Purraise
16
Originally Posted by heatherita510

No worries. I'm in a building that allows pets if you pay the deposit... and my complex is huge, so i doubt if they saw her in the window they'd try to check if i'm allowed to have her. i've had maintenance over and stuff and they've never said anything about her.

thanks for the suggestions. i might see if my brother can change the screens. otherwise i guess i'll try to just train her not to scratch!
It's really not that hard. You use the same screen frame, just remove the old screen and replace it with the more durable pet screen. There is a small tool that is necessary. It looks kind of like a pizza cutter and is not expensive.

For me is was just awkward. Needed help doing it.
 

jcat

Mo(w)gli's can opener
Veteran
Joined
Feb 13, 2003
Messages
73,213
Purraise
9,851
Location
Mo(w)gli Monster's Lair
I can really recommend the Pet Screen, too. Another possibility would be to get some plastic or wood latticework that can easily be cut to size, and put it over the screens, i.e., inside.
 
Top