Mary Allen
Many house tigers are actually forest and meadow tigers. They leave their home on fast paws and go stalking outside. But how do they get back home? Sometimes the only way is via a cat ladder. Ten tips about the ascent aid.
Cat Kasimir has moved. His mistress simply put him on the first floor of an apartment building, but at least the building is surrounded by fields and meadows full of mice. Every day Kasimir waits until someone opens the front door and he can slip through. At the apartment door, he then makes himself heard loudly. If a mistress is at home, she will of course let him in immediately. If not, he stops meowing after about ten minutes and falls asleep on the doormat.
Kasimir is generous. Again and again, he puts mice gifts in front of the house residents’ doors. But the neighbors are all ungrateful creatures. They get upset with Kasimir and demand that he be locked up – or take a different route into the apartment. Mum, therefore, decides to buy a cat staircase that leads directly to her arbor. Because there is already a cat flap in the balcony door, Kasimir would really have free rein into the apartment. But what do you have to pay attention to?
Keep Facade
According to the letter of the law, any change to the house must be approved by the landlord. Because the facade is not part of the rented apartment. This applies above all when drilling and screwing are to be carried out on the facade. Pets are generally allowed in every rental apartment unless otherwise stated in the rental agreement. So if the landlord doesn’t know anything about the house cat, you should definitely talk about adding a cat staircase. Independent action is not recommended. If a cat ladder is placed at the back or side, chances are the homeowner will be compliant.
Friendship with Neighbors
It helps not to upset the neighbors against you and the cat. As in the case of Kasimir, one can of course point out the advantages of a cat staircase. Because thanks to this, the velvet paws no longer drag mice into the stairwell, no longer lose their hair there and no longer meow loudly to protest if they are left out.
Optics are Important
There are numerous suppliers of cat stairs, especially on the Internet, while the offer in animal discounters is rather poor. If only one floor has to be bridged, most models are suitable. There are staggered running boards on a beam, sloping boards with screwed-on strips for a safe step or even spiral staircases. Experienced do-it-yourselfers can also dare to do the construction themselves if, for example, the apartment is only on the mezzanine floor. In addition to the wallet, the design should also be considered. Even provisional solutions often remain permanently! However, a high-quality product is easier to sell as a used product if it is no longer needed after another move.
Age-Appropriate Building
A cat staircase should not be too short and should not be attached at a very steep angle. Not all cats look forward to daring climbs at night and in the fog. In addition, even house cats are not getting any younger, they may not be able to overcome a stair obstacle that is too big over the years.
Wood is Homely
The cat stairs should be made of a robust and, above all, weatherproof material. It is also important that the cat stairs are non-slip and that the water can drain off easily. Wooden steps are ideal. Because wood is familiar to the animals and they can immediately hook in with their claws in case of danger. The Sapperlot company produces true works of art.