Do you have any tips on indoor cats and windows please?

[aproblemsharedandallthat]

Hi all,

Bit of background...

I have 5 (yes, 5!!) amazing cats. They are all indoor cats. They've plenty of room around the house and we have lots of windows but I'm too scared to open them because of the cats! My NDNs cat got out on the ledge on the second floor (3 storey houses) and it couldn't get back the way it came and they had to get a ladder out and rescue it! It's quite a big drop from the middle floor so you can imagine the drop from the third floor. The windows are all currently ajar but that is just for air (not much gets in though). The window isn't actually open because I can still lock it when it's ajar.

I have seen some window safety locks which lets the window open up to 10cm and can't be opened any further and is lockable. I've also seen something called 'cat flat' which is like a mesh that sticks on the window frame so that the window can be opened fully. Reviews are good but there are 4 out off 44 which have said that the mesh has ripped etc (which was my first thought when I found the product).

Has anyone got any recommendations or tips for me please? I love my cats dearly and want to keep them safe but it's also like a sauna in our home!

Thanks in advance!



Ps - feel free to include any pics of your furry friends!

Pps- for those few that like to spoil it for others with unhelpful comments and the fact that whenever I'm asked about my cats and I say they live indoors, the response I usually get is "cats should be outside". My cats are happy and loved and if anything they let me live here! They are all indoor cats for a reason. They have no interest in going out because of their history and to be honest there are some people out there that like to harm cats and mine have already had a hard life as it is. I've not had any of the cats from kittens; my first cat was a stray that's been with me over 10 years, 3 cats that were housed with me temporarily due to a very bad situation and I didn't have the heart to let them be rehomed separately (none of them were from the same litter) and by that time, they had stolen my heart! Especially the one that had been very very badly tortured resulting in her only having one eye. They've been with me for 7 years now. The last cat was my partners and she joined us when he moved in last year. They are very happy, loved and spoilt.

[thecatneuterer]

Flat Cats is good. I know a lot of people who have it. It really is what you need.

[EachandEveryone]

Yes i second them not cheap but last for ages. They are alot stronger than they look.

[BackToTheFuschia7]

I have window restrictors, the ones you can buy if you have small children. They were cheap from wickes. My parents also have a similar mechanism built into their solid wood window frames for the same reason. They’re not security rated but I live in a safe area and regularly leave the windows open on the restrictors. Think there’s a heavy duty version called Reslok(?) if you need better security.

I’ve heard good things about flat cats but technically you’re meant to be in the same room to supervise them. I’m sure most cats would be fine.

Do you have space to build a catio? My cats love theirs, and it means the windows can be fully thrown open in that room.

[ShinyShooney]

Surely if "they have no interest in going out" then you won't have any problems opening your windows?

[VogueVVague]

My cats have a huge catio they access via a window held ajar with these things from trixie.

[Allergictoironing]

I have Flat Cats. Girlcat had a real try at them when I first got them (memories of cat dangling from the mesh by her front claws), but they look untouched after nearly 2 years.

I plain couldn't afford a tailor made Flat Cat screen for my patio doors, so I rigged up some of the nylon cat netting you can get. This has failed once (aggressive local tom broke in) but that was the fault of the fittings not the netting.

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

Definitely Flat Cats, don't be tempted by cheaper versions. I have an indoor cat and every time it gets hot I swear I'm going to get some... 🙄

Also keeps bugs out!

Here's my lad. Indoor boy, but goes for walks on a lead!

[acatcalledjohn]

Interested in this. I did look at flat cats, but one of my boys is a crafty bugger and has already taught himself how to open drawers, and my hand bag. I'm worried he'd manage the same with this stuff.

[Allergictoironing]

They use the strongest velcro I have ever seen - some days I really have to work at getting the screen open so I can then open the window behind it. Your cat would need to have a) the ability to work out how the velcro works and b) paws and claws the strength of a tiger and the manipulation of a monkey!

[viccat]

Shiny it doesn't work like that; cats are curious and all you need is a fly or a bird on the windowsill and a cat will chase it and falls do happen.

I have Flat Cats upstairs too and they are great. I would not recommend leaving your windows fully open with them if you are out just in case, but other than that, I've never had an issue with any of my cats trying to scratch or climb the mesh and the velcro is very strong around the edges.

[EachandEveryone]

So strong it does pull your paint off so try and get it right first time!

[aproblemsharedandallthat]

Thank you all (except Shiny) there's always one).

I really appreciate your feedback and your pictures! I will put some up of mine in a mo. Flat cats have won me over, gonna look into this now! Thanks again for taking the time to reply

Shiny - as pp has said and which I thought was pretty obvious; falling, bird watching, bugs etc etc. I pretty much covered everything in my post even including 'no unhelpful responses needed' from people like you but just to summarise for you; three storey house, lots of windows, open windows, flying bugs, balancing, birds on ledge, cats playing in window. I hope that has provided you with an obvious answer!

[aproblemsharedandallthat]

Thanks backto! Will have a look in to catio too!

[aproblemsharedandallthat]

This is Tabby 🐈😊

[aproblemsharedandallthat]

This is Lorelai 🐈😊

[LanguidLobster]

Pretty cats :)

Mine managed to sneak out of a few inch window gap the other day. I didn't realise anything was wrong until I went out into the room and saw she was on the other side of the pane.

Next door got her down with a ladder, she loved the attention.

Good luck with it be very careful about them sneaking out of windows!!

[MrsPawsitive]

We installed a pet door in one window that goes outside to a catio. We just doubled the size of the catio and I have no doubt eventually it will probably cover the entire yard at the rate we are going.
I especially love your picture of the two sleeping companions!

[sunshinesupermum]

I'm happy with the mesh but Gertie hasn't tried to snag or pull at it.

[BackToTheFuschia7]

Naughty torties!

They’re beautiful. Hope you find a solution soon.

[AornisHades]

Mamy years ago DH built frames out of 2x2 with chicken wire stapled to it to put in our windows. Very simple to do. You could use stick on velcro to secure them in place.

[GertyTheGert]

Beautiful cats - and lovely to hear they are rescue ones - poor things deserve a lovely life! BTW My curtains are exactly the same as your spotted cushion! My cats had the equivalent of a catio - a patio with green plastic "netting" at the end - only ever had one (horrid) mishap when a bluetit managed to get in and Mr P caught the poor thing.......