Protecting screens

I am not allowed to put in aluminum screens at my apartment (although I don't know how they would know on the second floors) and I cannot put lattice in the window as suggested previously.

Any other thingss I can do so I can still open the windows without worrying that the cats will rip them out? Will Soft Paws work in this situation? Problem with that is I don't know which cats are ripping out the screens, the one I suspect would kill me before I could get soft paws on her nails.

Help please! Other then Soft Paws, is there anything else I can put in the windows?

two things that have worked in past is the screens sold at a hardware store(its meant for ppl who don't have screens but I run mine on the track where window opens) and other thign(And guessing this is definatley a no go but ...) a baby gat in the window worked for a very lose 2nd story windo i havd-never worried about them taking that out with thier nut runs. I know they make pet safe screening-redoing it might be option and then put teh old when back in when you move out-Not sure of price on that but think it looks like regular screen just weave is done better for pet owners. RJ

OK that is a thought. I know they said no aluminum screening, but I cannot imagine how they would know. It looks exactly the same I think. Baby gates are an idea along the lines of lattice. I do not have too many options as far as screening though. I guess if they tear it out again I can just take the frame out right away and have my dad replace it. I they will just keep it up I know it.

Any other ideas?

How many windows are they going after or is it all of them...I was going to say a window fan?? I had a cat who only wanted to get ou of the two windows facing our backyard(alot of wildlife) but would happily sit in any other window. I tried softpaws for one cat I had-cause he used to tear carpet up to get out of my room...then go sit by another door waiting to get in(don't you love that hehe) but he hated them and when I took him out on leash I was worried if he got off no defense so I stopped. also could put a dog crate in front of widnow (in apartment) but thats another if its only a window or two(you might look just a tad bit crazy if you block every window but hey if it works... RJ

There are only 3 windows, one will be closed most of the time because I have an air conditioner in that room. the other is downstairs where will be hot so a fan is agreat idea there. The other window is in the other bedroom and a fan is probably a great idea there too. Only problem is that I know my cats are going to figure out how to get on top the fan or to knock the fan over. I will have to really wedge he fan in there (the windows open side to side not up and down).

thanks.

soft claws will definately work. try to do it when the cat is sleepy and laying down for awhile. They you can clip their nails. And maybe get 1 on... then in an hour try to get the 2nd 1 on. Or however long it takes for your cat to calm down again. It took me 2 hours to get them all clipped and on. She kept needing to get up and run around after each one. And I'd con her back to me in a few minutes with treats... then I gave her a few treats after wards with TONS of praise!

that's weird... at the hardware store the pet-proof screen and the regular screen looked exactly the same I had to replace the screens at my place because my DOG was scratching them out and of course the cats were getting curious about that hole like you said, how would they know the diff?

hmm okay I am going to look into the pet proof screening, I cannot imagine how they could tell. Plus that with the soft claws and possibly window fans, that should work I think.

I have a ton of soft claws but no glue. Is it just fingernail glue or super glue? I think they are the same thing.

If you have a few tools, and are minimally handy, you can make yourself a "portable" screen that fits into the window from the inside to protect the permanent screens. Then you just take it out when you want to close the window. The landlord can't possibly have any objection to that.

My friend had those type of windows..He had to do something due to the window wouldn't stay shut(had 4 cats) He nailed a few straps into the window and ran it to the wall on other side...now renting in apartment I really don't know how good of an idea that is but it worked(they just moved and landlord didn't say anything...). They never managed to get the window fan out by sitting on top of it. But his cats wern't the most motovated cats I've seen lmao!!! RJ

Originally Posted by coaster

If you have a few tools, and are minimally handy, you can make yourself a "portable" screen that fits into the window from the inside to protect the permanent screens. Then you just take it out when you want to close the window. The landlord can't possibly have any objection to that.

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wow that is a great idea!! I will definately look into that!!

Pet Screen isn't aluminium - it's coated nylon, I believe. It tends to reflect light a little bit more than regular screening, and to make it a bit darker inside.
We have it, so I can show you what it looks like inside and out when installed:


Another possibility is to buy "cat net", i.e., fishing net, and tack it inside to prevent the cats reaching the actual screens. You'll probably have to provide an alternative to window sills, though, like a table or cat tree they can climb up on to watch out the window.