The agony with the balcony...

x-ta-z · Aug 30, 2005

Hi all,

I will be moving to a new place this weekend. It is a small apartment in the 11th storey. I am a bit scared about the cat-proofness of the whole place as it has two balconies (one very small and one large one).

As cats tend to climb and I am afraid it might be a bit dangerous for the cat (tho i can hardly believe a cat is so dumb as to fall down

, but you never know!). Actually here in Singapore i have heard of a lot of cats falling out of windows.... but then again, the maids also do (apparently!).

Anyways.... my problem is that here in Singapore - as many may know - it is very hot and humid and it would be nice to leave the balcony doors open to be able to enjoy a small breeze.

Any tips on how I can keep the door open and also guarantee a happy environment for my kitty???

I will take pictures of the balcony today or tomorrow and post them here to stimulate your creativity!

thanks a million!

jennyr · Aug 31, 2005

Cats do jump or fall - I once had one that fell two stories after jumping for a fly. Even though they are very careful when walking on narrow ledges, they do get distracted. And all of us have cats who fall off a sofa and then pretend they meant to! The only thing you can safely do is catproof the balcony with screening that they can't get through or over. Then both you and they can enjoy the sun and the view.

x-ta-z · Aug 31, 2005

I have thought of that as well, but do you mean screening as in a mosquito screen? As I will be only living there for one year (max - as the building open for enbloc sale and maybe torn down after sale), I do not want to invest too much.
The cheapest and most efficient version would be good

As for a mosquito screen-type, it probably needs to be made of wir e or something sturdy, right? She's probably capable of tearing it apart.

How about I hang a fishernet-type of screen (the thicker type) around the baclony??? Or is it a danger for her to get caught in it or climb up???

purity · Aug 31, 2005

I've also heard many stories of cats falling from balconies, they aren't always as surefooted as we think. My two will often try to jump somewhere out of their reach and end up falling, but luckily they end up on the carpet not concrete! I'm sure I read somewhere that cats have poor depth perception, so what looks a long way up to you may not be the same for your cat.

Could you get a screen door to cover the patio door? That way the air would get through, but kittie wouldn't be able to get out? I'm sure they can't be that expensive, and you could take it with you when you move?

hbrady · Aug 31, 2005

They will push the limit out on a balcony. When I lived in my 3rd story apartment, my Josie like to crawl through the railing and walk on the outer edge of the balcony, 2 inches from the edge. She never slipped, and I always had a harness on her out on the balcony. But, boy, she'd get in trouble when she did that!

halfpint · Aug 31, 2005

Originally Posted by x-ta-Z

Hi all,

I will be moving to a new place this weekend. It is a small apartment in the 11th storey. I am a bit scared about the cat-proofness of the whole place as it has two balconies (one very small and one large one).

As cats tend to climb and I am afraid it might be a bit dangerous for the cat (tho i can hardly believe a cat is so dumb as to fall down

, but you never know!). Actually here in Singapore i have heard of a lot of cats falling out of windows.... but then again, the maids also do (apparently!).

Anyways.... my problem is that here in Singapore - as many may know - it is very hot and humid and it would be nice to leave the balcony doors open to be able to enjoy a small breeze.

Any tips on how I can keep the door open and also guarantee a happy environment for my kitty???

I will take pictures of the balcony today or tomorrow and post them here to stimulate your creativity!

thanks a million!

How big of an area are you talking about?

x-ta-z · Aug 31, 2005

Originally Posted by halfpint

How big of an area are you talking about?

I think one balcony is about 8-10 sqm and the other 1-2 sqm.

I checked it out yesterday again there is a possibility to hang a net from the ceiling above down to the balustrade.... But what type of net is good for this purpose?

I know in Germany we have these netz against doves in the city, they are similar to fish nets..

what do you think?

helddown · Aug 31, 2005

We have a pigeon net on our balcony, and I still don't trust my cats on it. Both are quite persistant, and although the net will support my weight, I KNOW they could get around/through it if they like. Also, pigeon netting is fairly expensive to install. My recommendation would be to get a screen door for both entrances: it worked a charm for me. They should be fairly inexpensive and easy to install, and it lets the breeze through while keeping kitty inside.
Good luck!

kateang · Aug 31, 2005

hello.... i'm from singapore... not sure how big an area you are talking about... PM and I'll see if I can help..

halfpint · Aug 31, 2005

Maybe like a shade cloth, it's very sturdy, you can get it at a plant nursery, I think that's your best bet. We had our whole patio enclosed in it so the cats couldn't jump the fence

The agony with the balcony...

x-ta-z

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jennyr

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x-ta-z

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purity

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hbrady

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halfpint

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x-ta-z

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helddown

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kateang

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