Hello everyone,

I moving, and the only suitable option that I have found is on the third floor. I also have a cat and she is used to coming out, so I am looking for ways on how to let her out.

Now the question to all those people who have cats and their cats go out from the floors higher than the 2nd.

Can you please tell me about your experiences and the technologies that you use. Do you use just the cat stairs, or the cat just sits by the door and the neighbors let your cat in? I would appreciate any feedback.

Thank you very much

Bungee. .......

I live on the top floor... we don't let the cat out free to wander, we DO though have the balcony enclosed (and do not have a roof over it, so there is plenty of sunshine) by a net so that the cat can't go walking across the rooftops. She seems pretty happy with this arrangement and will spend hours out there watching the birds (and has even caught overly-brave souls twice).

I've seen folks using the cat stairs from balcony to ground, but only as high as 2nd floor, I think the general idea being that higher than that risks injuries if the cat falls off.

When looking for pictures of "cat nets" and things like that, I've also come across some photos of (small-ish) cat enclosures that can be affixed to a window, which would then connect to a larger enclosure elsewhere, whether on balcony / patio or further out into the yard (some shown here), usually with the path (cat ladder or stairs) also being enclosed to help ensure they don't fall. Perhaps a setup like that will work for you and your kitty.

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The Joys of Opticianry

[probably not helpful]

Personally I would never have an indoor cat, especially one that has been used to have access to outdoor. I don't mean to offend, sorry- but for me cats love being outdoors too much. In the UK we had (lovely) neighbours with a huge garden and they took the cat for a walk in the garden on a leash twice a day. Apparently too posh to be let loose.

Will you have a balcony? If so, letting kitty out could be very dangerous as it will try to escape- so some sort of barrier will be required- but that could bring its own dangers. If you let the cat out when you go to work, where will it go in case of bad weather? And if neighbours let it in, where will it go - on your doorstep? what will happen when it needs to do its business? Again, I am sorry - you are looking for solutions but I honestly and sincerely think a cat that is used to go out will find it really hard. Perhaps try and see how it goes- but if your cat gets really distressed, re-homing might be the only solution. I'm sorry.

A cat on a leash? If I put a leash on my cat, he will probably never speak to me again!

My neighbours are also on the 3rd floor, and every morning they bring their cat outside through the stairs.

Usually, a helpful neighbour lets the cat go back in through the main (entrance) door when he wants to. The cat knows how to wait by the door untils someone arrives to open it for him

I think you need to give your cat a chance to adapt. My parents have 3 outdoor/farm cats. They have always been outside and yet they sit and cry at the patio doors for hours begging to come in. The oldest has now become an indoor cat and lies on a comfy rug in front of the patio doors mocking the 2 cats left on the outside.

I live in the top floor and have a horse-shoe shaped balcony. I leave to door open for my cats when I'm at home and when the weather permits and they still don't go outside (only to potty).

I'm sure your cat will be fine. As suzybg said, I think she just needs time to adjust.

Even though I respect your opinion Odile, you should know that indoor cats live well longer than outdoor cats. A suitable balcony with a protective net will do!

If a cat has never been an outdoor cat then yes this is probably quite ok. I wouldn't even try to convince my two though to give up their roaming - they'd drive us nuts.

I know someone who lives on 2nd floor and the cat has catflap in the window and a ladder to get in and out. But 3rd floor is pretty high, I think just letting it out and in would be easier, depending on neighbours.

In Zurich someone has one of these going to the 3rd floor (street 'untergraben', kreis 3):

I convienced mine Where I live there are wild pigs and horses and as much as I love my kitties, they are very dumb :S

We moved over with a two year old make cat who was used to going outside and he adapted very well to being a house cat. We converted half the balcony into a cat forest with lots of those scratching posts floor to ceiling, had a large litter tray and he was a very content cat for 7 years. We are in a house again and he can go out and has his own cat door. But he would much rather shout at us and have us open the kitchen door to let him in and out. I reckon he spends about 70% of his day on the sofa waiting to scrag anyone who wants to sit down.

He did become much nicer to the children after we moved as he has more options to get away. He will now go up to them and allow himself to be petted wheereas before he would jump up out of reach on his cat shelves in the lounge (we put a series of shelves on the wall with carpet tile screwed to them that he could jump up to via the sofa - meant he could get away from everyone if he wanted.

hth
Caz with a very lazy black beastie

is it a fluffeh kitteh?

) thanks, but not an option though.

see, i have seen those as well, but i have never seen the stairs actually being used.

this is a cool photo with a cat on it, that gives me hope.

I agree with you here, and that is why I would like to make sure that I can do everything to let her out.

I can make a cat door in the outside door, and in my own door, maybe?

Perhaps they do - it would be true I suppose for most animals- but for ME, even domestic animals should have access to the outdoor and 'as natural a life as poss. All our cats have lived to be 16-19 btw, but it is surely not about length of time, but quality. This is not the point and my personal opinion is of no importance here. Animals will get used to all sorts of things if used to it when they are young, but a cat who is used to outdoor access will most likely find it very stressful if this freedom is withdrawn.
Yes, nextdoor cat had a harness and would be taken for a walk in a beautiful large garden on a leash and was even scared of birds. He'd never known anything else - but it almost made me weep!

I am sure you cat will adapt to living most of her time in doors. I had a cat in the UK who was free to roam through local fields- often away for days at a time. Then we moved to The Hague- living on a busy main road and so I restricted the amount of time she went out- literally 10 minutes let out at night or early morning to do her business. After a couple of years, we moved to a much quieter area and I though she would be desperate to get out but no.... she would cry to come back after just 10 minutes!!!! To be honest- if you had to re-home her, its probably fair to say that she will be spending quite some time at a cattery beforehand with very limited outside space and the need to adapt to living with dozens of other new 'friends'. I think this would be worse. Plus, don't forget that as cats get older, they do become lazier and she may well enjoy her new surroundings more than you think right now.
Good luck with it all whatever option you go for