Outdoor enclosure for indoor kitties???

stampit3d

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,864
Purraise
1
Location
Michigan USA
Ever since I mentioned to him that I have read posts on here about some of you having them, my Hubby has been talking about building an outdoor enclosure for our 2 indoor cats...with a small "doggie" door for them to go in and out on their own, as they please.....but I have QUESTIONS!
While i would LOVE for them to be able to go outside (because THEY would LOVE to) I have concerns about other cats, or wild animals, coming up to the fence and contaminating our cats (with some dreaded disease) through it.
Also...what about fleas? Is there a way to treat the area to keep those little critters out without using pestisides?
Send answers quick...he wants to go tonight to see about buying a large hollow log from an Amish friend...that he wants to build into a "Cat-House", comlete with different room levels and a pointed top roof....to make it look like a little elf house with window cut outs...shutters and all. Once he gets this log it will be hard to convince him not to build the enclosure!
 

tlunn

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
9
Purraise
0
Location
west tennessee
I would love more information on that too!!!!
I would love my indoor dog to go out with them too....definetely need a top on it to keep them all in and safe!
 

tnr1

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Oct 5, 2003
Messages
7,980
Purraise
13
Location
Northern Virginia
Here are some examples....see if any of them work for you:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/cats/enclosure.asp

Also:

Cat Enclosure Tips

When designing an enclosure or habitat, consider the following:


Cats are very good at climbing, jumping and squeezing through small holes. Be sure the enclosure is sturdy and secure. This is particularly important when using cat proof fencing.


Donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t use materials that are toxic or harmful to cats, such as wood preservatives or sharp uncovered metal.


Supervise the first week or two to be sure kitty doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t find unnoticed escape routes.


Include a roof that is catproof and weatherproof, or that can be made weatherproof during the winter months.


Make sure to secure the bottom as well as the sides and top. Cats may dig their way out from underneath.


Always provide access to shade and water, or allow your cat to retreat into the house when necessary. Putting your cat in a shadeless enclosure in the sun on a warm day can kill.


Include perches, walkways, cat trees, and other equipment to give cats the opportunity to exercise and satisfy their need to scratch.


Use many different levels. This adds to the available space and gives the cats room to explore and stake claims to individual areas.

Remember, most enclosures will not prevent exposure to parasites and communicable diseases. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies and other organisms can jump or fly into an enclosure. Free roaming cats infected with contagious diseases can pass them to your kitty if they can get close enough. While some diseases like feline immune deficiency virus (feline AIDS) are not easy to contract through casual contact (the common mode of FIV transmission is bite wounds), others such as the deadly feline leukemia virus (FeLV) can be contracted more easily. Be sure kitty is current with all vaccinations including FeLV, and use a flea preventive if you live in an infected area.

http://petplace.netscape.com/article...asp?artID=2974

Katie
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

stampit3d

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,864
Purraise
1
Location
Michigan USA
what about ticks etc...will Frontline or Advantage protect against critters other than fleas? Are they a type of poison that can hurt the cats?
 

tlunn

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
9
Purraise
0
Location
west tennessee
Thanks for the enclosure ideas!

I am not very handy, and neither is my husband...but I feel like we could make a modest enclosure with the 2/4's and chicken wire that would make a GREAT outdoor place for my three cats AND my inside dog! They would LOVE it! We have a deck...and we rarely use it...so it might be their new place!!!
Gonna do some more google searches!!!!
Thanks again!!!!
 

emb_78

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
3,095
Purraise
1
Location
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by stampit3d

what about ticks etc...will Frontline or Advantage protect against critters other than fleas? Are they a type of poison that can hurt the cats?
Frontline works againist fleas and ticks! They aren't poisoness, but you have to put it on the skin in between their shoulder blades so they can't lick it! If the lick it, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea! This about it!
 

hissy

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 19, 2001
Messages
34,872
Purraise
76
If you do not put your own floor in the enclosure- and just put it on bare ground, you also have to be cognizant of the fact that mice and small rodents will burrow into the enclosure, so not only should you keep your cats safely flea treated by advantage or frontline from your vet, but also keep them dewormed safely as well.

Also cats can reach their shoulders, but have a hard time reaching the back of their necks which is where you should put the spot on flea treatment. They will get a nasty taste in their mouth, but not much else happens if they happen to lick it (since the stuff does "travel")
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

stampit3d

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,864
Purraise
1
Location
Michigan USA
I`m thinkingmore andmore that I do not like the idea of this outdoor inclosure....sounds like too many types of critters might contaminate my bayies....I think I`ll just keep them inside...they`ll have to resort to looking out the doors and windows. (Too scary to think about all of the possibilities in the BIG world out there)
 
Top