how to keep cat from clawing through window screen!?

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
hi there!! I have 3 cats, one is only a year old and still causes quite a mess. Yesterday I attempted to leave the windows open through out the night because it feels so good outside, but I caught this youngin attacking the corners of the window screen as if she wanted to tear through it. We live on the 2nd floor, moving to the 3rd floor in a few weeks, so you can see why this is a huge problem! I live in an apt so i can't actually just replace the window screens, and I found this product sold from Uk called "flat cats" but it's like $50 for one screen cover. I'm trying to figure out an AFFORDABLE alternative. I can't find anything else like "flat cats" online.

any suggestions? I would really like to open my windows this fall!!
 

cheylink

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
8,259
Purraise
102
Location
queens, new york
Kitties love to hang out and gaze through windows. Best to give them a couple of windows they are drawn to, build window shelves for them.
An easy way to have fresh air is to open the top of your windows, till you can afford a better solution......
 

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,886
Purraise
28,287
Location
South Dakota
I think some people have used accordian-style baby gates to prevent cats from getting out of windows. There are also screen protectors that are usually used on screen doors that are inexpensive. I'm not sure if there's any non-permanent way to attach them, though. And they may not fully protect the screen. Even if you live in an apartment, it's fairly easy to replace screen--you just need some spline, a splining tool, and new screen. So if she does damage it you can replace it before moving out so you still get your deposit back. They also sell pet-proof screening, if you want to replace it before moving.
 

3catsn1dog

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
2,987
Purraise
11
Location
Trapped in the catroom! ;o)
For me it just works best to either only crack the windows open or just not open them at all. I have a bunch of trees right outside the favorite windows and with all the birds and differant flying things whizzing by its just honestly easier to not open them or only open them enough that a cat cant actually do anything.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Put regular adjustable window screens in front of the true screens. Put a shelf of some sort at window level so the cats can still enjoy the window without needing to get on the sill.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
we already have a ledge for the windows and they sit up there all the time. i dont think i understand what some of you are saying.. add a shelf on top of the window ledge?
what im saying is this cat is actually clawing at the corner of the screen to tear it open/ push it off.. something of that nature. i could put on the kitty resistant screens, but those are $45 a screen, we have about 8 of them so thats really not affordable for us.

and someone suggested to open the tops of the windows, this would be a great idea but the tops do not open! only the bottom of the window slides up.

looks like the most affordable suggestion i got, was to only crack the windows a little. which wouldnt really be beneficial if i wanted to be able to air out the apartment. i could only crack them about 3 inches maybe.

is there a way to "train" her to not do this? my other 2 cats do not tear at the screen.
 

cmedeiros17

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
257
Purraise
7
Location
MA
I had this problem with my kitten- he did eventually outgrow this behavior. He's about a year and a half old now. I had to deal with only opening the windows a crack for quite some time. I tried only opening the tops of the windows, but he still scaled the windows and sat on the top!!!!! Little bugger. My only idea would be to put one of those little window fans in one or two windows that you want open. At least you'll be getting some air and she can't get at the screen.
 

otto

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
9,837
Purraise
197
Just use adjustable window screens in front of the regular screens, they are about 6 bucks a piece if that.

Like these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/New-York-W...en-15/17133586

You fit it into the window frame, then push the widow sash down to sit on it to hold it in place. This will keep her away from the apartment window screen, to keep her safe.

Then, put some double sided sticky tape across the bottom and corners of the adjustable screens to discourage her from digging at the adjustable ones.

Since the adjustable ones take up the sill space, is why I suggested putting a shelf of some kind in front of the window.

double sided sticky tape

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=14938
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
Also use velcro, double sided, tape, at the corners. I doubt cats like the feel of velcro on their paws.
Ritz' favorite activity is being on the window sill, looking out. Like you I live on the third floor, a death drop. And like you I love the smell of fresh air, even in the dead of winter I crack open my windows.
What I did is buy some metal cake rack pans and placed them in front of the screen. I adjusted lide the screen opening to meet the cake rack pan. (If you bake a cake, that's what you put a cake on to cool, in case they're called something else where you live. And they are readily available in thrift-resale stoers). At the very least, it's a barrier between the cat, the screen and the ground.
Good luck.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
Originally Posted by otto

Just use adjustable window screens in front of the regular screens, they are about 6 bucks a piece if that.

Like these:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/New-York-W...en-15/17133586

You fit it into the window frame, then push the widow sash down to sit on it to hold it in place. This will keep her away from the apartment window screen, to keep her safe.

Then, put some double sided sticky tape across the bottom and corners of the adjustable screens to discourage her from digging at the adjustable ones.

Since the adjustable ones take up the sill space, is why I suggested putting a shelf of some kind in front of the window.

double sided sticky tape

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=14938
this is great, thank you for being so detailed!!! right now i'm loopy and i blame it on being pregnant!!!

im going to order a screen and try this and if it works ill order more for the other windows. yay! i am excited to try this out
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
Originally Posted by Ritz

Also use velcro, double sided, tape, at the corners. I doubt cats like the feel of velcro on their paws.
Ritz' favorite activity is being on the window sill, looking out. Like you I live on the third floor, a death drop. And like you I love the smell of fresh air, even in the dead of winter I crack open my windows.
What I did is buy some metal cake rack pans and placed them in front of the screen. I adjusted lide the screen opening to meet the cake rack pan. (If you bake a cake, that's what you put a cake on to cool, in case they're called something else where you live. And they are readily available in thrift-resale stoers). At the very least, it's a barrier between the cat, the screen and the ground.
Good luck.
i'm going to purchase the velco as well! do any of these look like what i need??

http://www.walmart.com/search/search...h_constraint=0

i want to get it all from the same place.. what do yall think would be better.. velcro or doublesided tape??
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
Yes, these look good. I'd go with Velcro because I think the irritating factor would last longer. Dust, etc. would adhere to the sticky tape more so than Velcro.
You might also want to put citrus flavored scent or other cat-deterrent smell on the Velcro. Cats don't like the smell of citrus.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
would the adhesive from the velcro be easily removed from the window though?
 

ritz

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
4,656
Purraise
282
Location
Annapolis, MD
I would think so with something like nail polish remover, but defer to people who have more expertise in handy-man-woman type stuff.
 

cat person

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
1,880
Purraise
27
The only way I could keep Loki the Savannah from clawing threw my window screens and escaping was lots and lots of double sided sticky tape.

With a pure domestic, if the window is high enough, you could stand under it and spray the cat with water. This did not work with my Savannah as he likes water.

My other other domestics go in and out at will or stay inside by choice. So I can only say I have heard water spraying helps deter them. I have NO hands on experience with that method.
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
Another member solved the problem by buying the cheap white lattice-work stuff used for gardens, cutting it to the size of the window part that would be opened, and tacking it in.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19

silly_ goose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
135
Purraise
1
Location
TEXAS
Top