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- Nov 17, 2005
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I have a ton of questions regarding cat enclosures! I'm having a hard time getting one that Tabitha can't escape built - that's also large enough for her - and I haven't set it up yet, so need advice/guidance! Figured I might as well ask every question I can think of now.
Litterboxes
1) I considered just a covered litterpan, but I am assuming it would be best to put it inside some sort of shelter to keep rain/snow/etc out?
2) Should I put the litterbox in a separate shelter than the actual shelter so the kitty doesn't have to potty where she sleeps?
Enclosure Size
1) Judging from her anxiety & behaviors now, being inside for the past 3 weeks, there is no way I can keep her in all winter. She's obviously not faring well outdoors anymore (frostbitten ears) - yet she's lived outside her entire 9 years of life. I need an enclosure I can pretty much lock her in all winter. So it needs to be fairly big, but just how big do I go?
2) Should I put a lid on the enclosure? Or for an escape artist can I get away with doing something else?
Enclosure Materials
1) I'm planning to use cattle panels (I believe 5' high & 20' long?) - and cover them with wire. Is chicken wire best?
2) Will a 5' panel be tall enough???
3) What would be most cost effective?
4) What gauge wire should I use?
5) Is there something else fairly cost effective I can use to build an enclosure?
6) What would be a material I could use that wouldn't be much of an eye-sore?
Maintenence
1) I will most likely be locating the enclosure in the grass - we have a riding lawn mower, so in the event I can't get into the enclosure with the mower, what's a good way to keep the grass trimmed down?
2) I live in MN - it snows here in the winter - so how can I keep the snow from piling up in the enclosure?
Location
1) I'm thinking, the way the wind normally blows, that locating the enclosure on the east side of a building for shelter would be best. However, if I put it strictly behind a building, then that would limit her sunshine. Would I want to locate it alongside a building, or away from one?
2) What about putting it up around a tree or shub? Do I want "greenery" inside the enclosure? Obviously this will depend on many factors, but for the kitties sake - is it better to have shrubs/trees growing inside the enclosure?
3) Are there certain types of things I should avoid when looking at where I locate the enclosure?
4) We have "the red shed", which is where most of the cats are. They are fed/watered near this shed, and most of the shelter is located around it. I am considering putting up an enclosure in front of this shed. I would have 10' on the east side of the shed where I would put it - not sure how far out I could go, though. I could also go along the east/front & then around the north/side, back about 20' I believe? Thoughts? (I know, you probably can't imagine it, but what about making an "L" shaped enclosure somehow?
)
Shelter
1) This will be primarily used in winter. We have many outbuildings, however, most of them I cannot cut a hole into for her to gain access. Several have vehicles that come/go from them, so don't want to use those buildings. Another the other farm kitties use for shelter, so I don't want to take that away. Two sheds house "toxic" materials to pets. Then we have 2 doghouses, but again the other farm kitties use those for shelter so I don't want to take them away. Any suggestions for what I can use?
2) I have a plastic doghouse I could use, however, IMO it's not very warm. I could put a litterbox in it, though.
I know that's a lot to read - if you can answer even one question, that would be fantastic! Thanks!
ETA: I've been looking at this site for ideas!
Litterboxes
1) I considered just a covered litterpan, but I am assuming it would be best to put it inside some sort of shelter to keep rain/snow/etc out?
2) Should I put the litterbox in a separate shelter than the actual shelter so the kitty doesn't have to potty where she sleeps?
Enclosure Size
1) Judging from her anxiety & behaviors now, being inside for the past 3 weeks, there is no way I can keep her in all winter. She's obviously not faring well outdoors anymore (frostbitten ears) - yet she's lived outside her entire 9 years of life. I need an enclosure I can pretty much lock her in all winter. So it needs to be fairly big, but just how big do I go?
2) Should I put a lid on the enclosure? Or for an escape artist can I get away with doing something else?
Enclosure Materials
1) I'm planning to use cattle panels (I believe 5' high & 20' long?) - and cover them with wire. Is chicken wire best?
2) Will a 5' panel be tall enough???
3) What would be most cost effective?
4) What gauge wire should I use?
5) Is there something else fairly cost effective I can use to build an enclosure?
6) What would be a material I could use that wouldn't be much of an eye-sore?
Maintenence
1) I will most likely be locating the enclosure in the grass - we have a riding lawn mower, so in the event I can't get into the enclosure with the mower, what's a good way to keep the grass trimmed down?
2) I live in MN - it snows here in the winter - so how can I keep the snow from piling up in the enclosure?
Location
1) I'm thinking, the way the wind normally blows, that locating the enclosure on the east side of a building for shelter would be best. However, if I put it strictly behind a building, then that would limit her sunshine. Would I want to locate it alongside a building, or away from one?
2) What about putting it up around a tree or shub? Do I want "greenery" inside the enclosure? Obviously this will depend on many factors, but for the kitties sake - is it better to have shrubs/trees growing inside the enclosure?
3) Are there certain types of things I should avoid when looking at where I locate the enclosure?
4) We have "the red shed", which is where most of the cats are. They are fed/watered near this shed, and most of the shelter is located around it. I am considering putting up an enclosure in front of this shed. I would have 10' on the east side of the shed where I would put it - not sure how far out I could go, though. I could also go along the east/front & then around the north/side, back about 20' I believe? Thoughts? (I know, you probably can't imagine it, but what about making an "L" shaped enclosure somehow?
Shelter
1) This will be primarily used in winter. We have many outbuildings, however, most of them I cannot cut a hole into for her to gain access. Several have vehicles that come/go from them, so don't want to use those buildings. Another the other farm kitties use for shelter, so I don't want to take that away. Two sheds house "toxic" materials to pets. Then we have 2 doghouses, but again the other farm kitties use those for shelter so I don't want to take them away. Any suggestions for what I can use?
2) I have a plastic doghouse I could use, however, IMO it's not very warm. I could put a litterbox in it, though.
I know that's a lot to read - if you can answer even one question, that would be fantastic! Thanks!
ETA: I've been looking at this site for ideas!