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Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Cat-proofing a stairwell to keep bunny safe?

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    • bunnnnnnie!
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        Not really sure if this should be in habitats… as it’s not really for a cage or pen or anything… but it is for Zeus’s living quarters, so there ya go.

        In about a month or so (as long as everything goes smoothly… fingers crossed!) Zeus and I will be moving from our little studio aparment into a big Cape Cod house with my family.  My family includes mum, dad, labrador retriever, and 3 cats.  The upstairs will be mine and Zeus’s area.  The dog doesn’t do stairs (he doesn’t understand them, bless his heart  , so no problem there.  But how on earth do I keep the cats out?  There’s no door for the stairwell into the upstairs.  The upstairs consists of a bathroom, foyer, and bedroom.  The bedroom currently has no door, I plan on putting one in with help from my dad.  But I’d really love to give Zeus free roam of the entire upstairs, foyer included.  I’m not even sure if I could install a door in the stairwell, it’s got a high ceiling so there’s no place for the top of the door to be framed.

         

        To give you an idea, the top of the stairwell looks exactly like this:

         http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3572/…6786_z.jpg“> 

        Any ideas or suggestions?


      • Cupcakesmom
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          Baby gates I use 2 of them…one “stacked” on the other so my Dizzie can’t jump over them. This could possibly work for you, plus then Zeus can possibly see the family and hear everyone so that he will get used to the extra noise…


        • bunnnnnnie!
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            Posted By CupcakeandDizziesMom on 06/05/2012 03:27 PM
            Baby gates I use 2 of them…one “stacked” on the other so my Dizzie can’t jump over them. This could possibly work for you, plus then Zeus can possibly see the family and hear everyone so that he will get used to the extra noise…

            Hmmm, never thought of stacking baby gates.  But I’m not sure there’s any place for two of them, if you look at the photo there’s not really a narrow spot where 2 gates could go.


          • Cupcakesmom
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              I’m at work, so I cant see the photo Don’t tell my boss Have you tried letting them meet? I’ve seen lots of cats that are “friends” with bunnies.


            • Monkeybun
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                Maybe a baby gate ont he bottom, and then hang a curtain? A visual barrier may stop the kitties if they can’t just saunter in on the bottom.


              • Cupcakesmom
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                  That might work…and it’s worth a shot!


                • Sarita
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                    Are you afraid the cats will make Zeus nervous…I don’t think that the cats will injure him if that’s what your afraid of – annoy yes, injure no :~)


                  • bunnnnnnie!
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                      Posted By Sarita on 06/05/2012 05:02 PM

                      Are you afraid the cats will make Zeus nervous…I don’t think that the cats will injure him if that’s what your afraid of – annoy yes, injure no :~)

                      I don’t think it would be a problem of the cats hurting him, but he’s quite scared of cats.  I’d be afraid they’d make him panic or something?  


                    • Sarita
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                        I don’t think you can stack those baby gates either – they need a wall or barrier on both sides and the stairwell stops halfway up.

                        I think your only solution is that door really. I know that is not a solution that you are looking for, but that seems to be the only one. Unless you can put a baby gate down at the bottom of the stairs – not sure how agile the cats are with jumping – probably too agile.


                      • mocha200
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                          I have five cats and two baby gats wouldn’t last for long! we tried that before they just climb it. I have heard that a 45 degree angle will stop any cat from jumping over. like if a gate was at a 45 degree angle they wont jump it. I can’t seem to explain this well but look it up on google ans you will find some answers.


                        • bunnnnnnie!
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                            Hmmm, sounds like it may just be easier to try and get them to cohabitate peacefully.  Any suggestions on teaching Zeus he doesn’t have to fear kitties?

                             

                            If not, I’ll enlist my dad to figure out how to install a door.


                          • Hazel
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                              I would take the cats (one at a time) to come see him in a closed room, a smallish room would be best so Zeus won’t run off and lose interest. Sit down on the floor while holding the cat and let Zeus come over to investigate, feed him some yummy treats when he comes close. Once he gets more comfortable you can start to let the kitty roam around the room (if that freaks him out, go back to step one).

                               

                              Keep the sessions short as to not stress either animal out and try to end on a good note every time. Good luck!


                            • bunnnnnnie!
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                                Posted By Hazel on 06/06/2012 03:42 PM

                                I would take the cats (one at a time) to come see him in a closed room, a smallish room would be best so Zeus won’t run off and lose interest. Sit down on the floor while holding the cat and let Zeus come over to investigate, feed him some yummy treats when he comes close. Once he gets more comfortable you can start to let the kitty roam around the room (if that freaks him out, go back to step one).

                                 

                                Keep the sessions short as to not stress either animal out and try to end on a good note every time. Good luck!

                                Thanks for the tips!  Luckily I don’t think the kitties will get too stressed.  Zeus is about the same size as them so I’d be surprised if he triggers their “prey reflex”.

                                Holding the kitty while letting Zeus come up on his own accord is a fantastic idea.  And one of our cats looooves to just flop in your arms and doze for as long as you’re holding him, so that’d be perfect.


                              • Hazel
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                                  Great! If the kitty enjoys being held it will make it so much easier for you

                                  My cats were all terrified of my bunnies (which the buns took full advantage of), I guess they could sense the “evil”


                                • Rex
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                                    I know many cats get along with rabbits, but my mom’s cat attacked my rabbit for trying to hop past her. She isn’t allowed to be near the bunny when he is out anymore. Just take it slow and make sure the cats are comfortable, too.


                                  • Malp_15
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                                      My old cat had a huge prey drive and we worked it out with the rabbits, after a couple of months they were laying next to each other. And my rabbits are 3 lbs!, versus Zeus whose like 8..? So if the cats get a bit aggressive, take it slow and don’t loose hope!


                                    • lwayne
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                                        Posted By Monkeybun on 06/05/2012 03:37 PM

                                        Maybe a baby gate ont he bottom, and then hang a curtain? A visual barrier may stop the kitties if they can’t just saunter in on the bottom.

                                        I like this idea, at least for a temporary solution.  In the mean time, get them acquainted so they aren’t as curious. 

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                                    Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Cat-proofing a stairwell to keep bunny safe?