Cats vs. Stair Gate for new daughter

Help ME!!!!

I have a 5 month old daughter and now I have to install a gate at the top of the stairs.

I also have 2 cats.

This is where my problem begins. When I put the gate at the top of the stairs, if they jump from the stairs over the gate, no big deal as they are landing on solid ground.

However, if they go from solid ground, over the gate, they are landing on stairs without having much room for landing safely. No Carpet either as my girlfriend is allergic to carpet dust.

I could raise the gate a few inches, but that could put my daughter in danger if she slid under the gate and got stuck.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks

Not knowing your floor plan, but is it possible to place the gate anywhere not directly over the stairs, like a wall before the stairs? I say this because even for your daughter's sake, the gate would be better off not directly over stairs (if enough pressure is placed on it, your daughter could go tumbling down the stairs with the gate). This would also be better for the cats, obviously.

If that is not possible, it is best to get a gate that is permanently placed with screws and can be swung open.

Just a thought. My kids are older now, but I've been there, done that LOL.

When we had small children in the house we had this style of gate and the cat just walked through it.
http://www.kiddicare.com/icat/stairgates
Anne

Originally Posted by Anakat

When we had small children in the house we had this style of gate and the cat just walked through it.
http://www.kiddicare.com/icat/stairgates
Anne

Click to expand...

I also have a 5mo daughter and the above gate is the one that we have.