Kitten safety.

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pxxiegirl

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I will soon have an 8 week old kitten, Elvis, to add to my clan. I am concerned about the kitten and the upstairs rotunda. It is an 11 foot drop if the kitten tried to jump down between the banister. I know how curiuos kitties are. Chicken wire around the banister won't help because I think he would just climb it and then a fall would be more like 13 feet. Did I mention the floor below is tile? What can I do?

I even freak out when my adult cats jump on the 3 inch banister rail and stand there. I don't even think they would make it down safely. They don't do it much anymore, thank goodness.
 
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larke

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1 1/2 yrs ago our 10 wk old Goblin was on top of a half wall in the living room, the other half of which dropped down to the entrance hall in front. We had not had a kitten in a very long time, and while we were careful about what we could think of, obviously should have been a bit smarter (plus we somehow think cats can't hurt themselves when they fall, even though we do know better). Anyhow, he did slip off, fall asleep, something, and next thing we knew he was down (on tile) and crying just like a baby! It just about killed me to hear it and I can honestly say it was the most traumatic thing I experienced in a long time.. took ages to stop feeling so awful every time I looked at him. He had hit (his nose I guess) a little shelf on the way down, and did have a sore, red nose, which a cold compress fixed up pretty quickly, but until I was sure he was more or less ok, and until I could escape with him to a bathroom, from our older male cat whose instincts told him to go for the kill (even though he was our babysitter/friend/daddy otherwise) when he heard the cry, I just felt about as bad as a person can and still keep going. You absolutely must find some way to keep yours from getting through that thing (thank goodness he's too small to jump so high). What about some very inexpensive chicken wire (watch out for sharp edges!) or strong fabric, etc. wound around - and remember they can push through incredibly small spaces. Maybe just keep him away til he's a lot older because even adult cats, who have great reflexes and conditioning, can have accidents if being chased, or whatever.
 
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pxxiegirl

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Originally Posted by Larke

1 1/2 yrs ago our 10 wk old Goblin was on top of a half wall in the living room, the other half of which dropped down to the entrance hall in front. We had not had a kitten in a very long time, and while we were careful about what we could think of, obviously should have been a bit smarter (plus we somehow think cats can't hurt themselves when they fall, even though we do know better). Anyhow, he did slip off, fall asleep, something, and next thing we knew he was down (on tile) and crying just like a baby! It just about killed me to hear it and I can honestly say it was the most traumatic thing I experienced in a long time.. took ages to stop feeling so awful every time I looked at him. He had hit (his nose I guess) a little shelf on the way down, and did have a sore, red nose, which a cold compress fixed up pretty quickly, but until I was sure he was more or less ok, and until I could escape with him to a bathroom, from our older male cat whose instincts told him to go for the kill (even though he was our babysitter/friend/daddy otherwise) when he heard the cry, I just felt about as bad as a person can and still keep going. You absolutely must find some way to keep yours from getting through that thing (thank goodness he's too small to jump so high). What about some very inexpensive chicken wire (watch out for sharp edges!) or strong fabric, etc. wound around - and remember they can push through incredibly small spaces. Maybe just keep him away til he's a lot older because even adult cats, who have great reflexes and conditioning, can have accidents if being chased, or whatever.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm worried about...an accidental leap due to playing or being chased. I need something the kitten won't climb up. My husband is probably going to dissapprove of the look, but I think I will get some poster boards or something bendable to secure around the rotunda banister. My husband loves little Elvis too so I guess he'll live with it. I'll tell him it's either that or we stack about 10 air mattresses in the entryway under the rotunda! lol

Glad Goblin survived his fall!
 
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coaster

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Originally Posted by pxxiegirl

...., but I think I will get some poster boards or something bendable to secure around the rotunda banister....!
Click to expand...
That's exactly what I was going to suggest until I read you'd thought of it already.
 
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general toner

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I was concerned about this with our two new kittens and ended-up weaving plastic chicken wire through the banisters (secured with zip ties). I had thought about using a more solid object to block, however figured unless kittens could see through now they would want to explore other side once object removed.

I had originally planned to use plastic window screening, however I figured the weave would be too easy to climb. I don't see the kittens trying to climb the chicken wire as I assume the weave is not close enough for them.

Hope this helps, it was a very cheap/easy fix that shouldn't cause any damage to the house once removed.

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