(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cat doors, steps, nets & pens

90lbs Doberman owner here. It can be done, it just takes a few dollars, and some practice with your dog.

• You want a sling/hammock. Don't skimp on the price of this. Not saying the one you linked to is bad (I have no idea, really), but cheaping out on the hammock for your car is kinda dumb :)
  

• You can buy door protectors. They are not perfect - my dog manages to sometimes pull them out of window (they sit there with tabs that go between the glass and the rubber seal), but they're better than nothing.
  
• Get a travel harness. Giving your dog just enough freedom to reorient themselves but not enough so that they can cause an accident/damage your backseat/doors is essential. Also, if you get rear-ended, the last thing you want is an un-tethered dog flying towards your windshield.
  
• To work with the above harness (or any harness, really), get a seatbelt clip. It'll let you connect them directly to the seatbelt clip in the back seat, which is great.
  
• Get the interior of your vehicle vacuumed/detailed every month or so. Dogs gonna dog :)

Well there are a few products out there. I do suggest reading reviews on amazon to decide which is best for your cat (some make noise, others are more flimsy, only include one 'key' etc)

Ani Mate "Ani Mate Electromagnetic Cat Door"

Cat Mate "Cat Mate Elite Super Selective Cat Door"

Cat Mate "Cat Mate Large Electromagnetic Cat Door"

Ideal Pet Products "Ideal "E Cat" Door"

Staywell/Petsafe "Staywell Magnetic 4 way Locking Cat Flap"

Cat Walk "Catwalk MultiMagnetic Cat Door"

There is a product called Trixie Cat Netting (edit: it's actually called Trixie Protective Net) which you can tack up outside your windows. I can only find it on Amazon UK but on Amazon US there is deer netting which looks like exactly the same thing: https://www.amazon.com/Extra-Strength-Animal-Fence-Netting/dp/B00HQOO7LG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501494924&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+netting

You just cut it to size and nail it up, so it's much easier than a gate or screen. If you can't use nails you might be able to secure it with zip ties. So long as the squares are not big enough for your cat to squeeze through!

Here is a link to the Trixie stuff I used on my windows: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Cat-Flaps-Outdoor-Nets/Trixie-44323-Protective-Net-Transparent/B0009587Y2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501495272&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=trixie+cat+netting

not who you asked .. but we have installed 2 cat doors in our house and used this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DHMC4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pretty easy to install and didn't take them long at all to figure out how to use it.

Its definitely not too late, I just have one of these, it was very easy to train my puppy to use them. I started by tapping the bells every time we went outside and he picked it pretty quickly that ringing the bells made the door open.

May I recommend one of these? With some modifications, the bottom could be cut out and eye-hole rivets could be added to the inside bottom (when removing the floor, you'd leave a few inches of fabric to pop those in every four to six inches).

Then you can buy additional tent-pegs to attach the bottom to the ground (so that your pig can't crawl under the side and get out). He could be "in the yard," complete with grass, but safe from hawks flying above.

You just need some basic sewing skills and a few hours of time to make the modifications.

Alternatively, you could buy one of those cat mesh tunnel things that has the ends you can zip on, so he's outside, but again protected from hawks.

lol

The Mutts come and go as they please.

Typically Goober can be found hanging outside on the top of the kids’ play-set keeping her vigil over the backyard.

The pup loves AC. Goober prefers being outside.

Edit:

Quick backstory on Goobs.

We rescued her after we found her wandering the south side of Columbus (OH) at around a year old. She’s a bloodhound German Shepherd mix; smart and driven.

We tracked down her then-owner and found out that she was a bit of an escape artist. Turns out, she had escaped one more time. She escaped much so they kept her in a crate 18 hours a day. We paid them $150 and took her off their hands. After having her for years now and working with her through most of her issues she will go and hang out in a crate on the rare occasion. Otherwise, she prefers to roam free and will typically only come indoors if it’s raining or the girls are home or to sleep.

She still has some leash issues (she will choke herself to get to other dogs while baying at the top of her lungs) but she’s come a long way.

If it’s a sliding glass door at the back they make inserts for the mesh part that acts as a doggie door. Here’s one. As well as a cheaper one you can cut into the mesh directly, here. Hope these help :)

For the cats safety you may want to kennel when you’re out. I bought one of these for my kitten until he was big enough and outgrown chewing wires.
Room for bed, food and litter. Gave me peace of mind.
IRIS 3-Tier Wire Pet Cage, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C8MD130/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_y0X9BbWKC33MX

We got this PetSafe one that is intended for use in cold climates. It has the standard two thick plastic flaps on each side but also a yellow insulation piece in the middle. Very happy with it. Each flap can be replaced individually in case of wear. It comes in a few sizes, you just need to measure to your dog's shoulder I believe.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B004UORHXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mwoFDb25DHJ20

I helped a friend that did not want his wall connector outside. We put a small doggie door in the wall next to his wall connector. His dryer is gas so we used the dryer electrical line to hook up the wall connector. He pushes the cable through the small doggie door when he wants to use it and stores the cable inside the rest of the time. He got lucky the laundry is not far from where he parks.

https://www.amazon.com/Depets-Interior-Exterior-Weatherproof-Circumference/dp/B01J2UH0S8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MQ8PW14FEJJQ&keywords=small+doggie+door&qid=1570205636&sprefix=small+doggie+%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-4

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https://www.amazon.com/Tesla-Motors-Cable-Wall-Connector/dp/B01HYBZG0Q

We have a screen door doggy door that works great!! It’s similar to this one link

Pretty sure that's going to be the "key" to a doggy door PlexiDor Performance Pet Doors Pet Door Electronic Collar Key, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4MD4JY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_d..FDb1XK0XPV

I have a sliding door and got a dog door insert for it! Here’s one from Amazon. Just measure her so it’s the right size. (Don’t know where you are, but I’m sure you could find something similar)

https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Pet-Products-Aluminum-Modular/dp/B0017JVT6C/ref=asc_df_B0017JVT6C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167144469268&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16879061650536193388&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052672&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-309884200006&psc=1

If it's a corgi you really only need to find some stable table-ish surface. A console table next to a bench for confortable leaping would be one option.

For the doorway idea they sell some but they tend to be expensive. See if your cat can fit through a cardboard box hole that corgi can't before buying one. Some cheap people like me have also used a picture from to cover the ugly hole.

Also this door cat tree is cool if you adapt it to a wall mount (the door is shakey) and just want something to be done with. It's a little cheaper off Amazon.

PS where are our corgi and cat pictures?

Buy some MDF painted white
Or a Vinyl Tile big enough
Or a White Foam Tile

Cut a rectangle larger than your catflap, allow it to overlap the catflaps outer plastic shell by at least 1/2". Then cut the interior out and fit the catflap in into the foam.

Now you have a better surface for mating to a panel door. If you skip this then the panels in the door above will mess with the alignment of the catflap.

If you want to get fancy and have access to woodworking tools you could make something like this around it.
https://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Pass-interior-Hidden-Litter/dp/B01I1VIPLK

Thank you for the heads up. I actually had this very same concern when I bought this PetSafe cat door for our basement door, as it has a rigid plastic flap. But I tested it thoroughly by backing my arm and my finger through it and was never able to hurt myself. None of the many reviews mentioned any injury concerns either.

That being said my DIY door is a little more solid and goes to a room they're more likely to get startled in so when I try redesigning the flap I'll look into finding a material with a little bit of give or maybe softening up the bottom. Thanks!

The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door Hidden Litter Box Pet Door for cats up to 21 lbs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017KXN7DG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rO1LDbZ7NS4AM

We got this- pretty corny and cute at the same time and keeps the dog out of the litter box!

Here's the link if you want to buy one, $35. Easy to install if you have a jigsaw

https://smile.amazon.com/Kitty-Pass-Interior-Hidden-Litter/dp/B017KXN7DG

Agreed, but the threat is a reaction or a symptom of the real problem. The homeowner is clearly frustrated with cats crapping in their yard - people are required to clean up after their dogs, but cats are free to destroy property? Perhaps the solution lies in consideration and cooperation.

I'd love to find an excuse to build a curfew pet door. When the cats come in for dinner in the evening, the door could have its one-way latch set and the pets remain indoor for the night. There are many other solutions available as commercial products.

Of course, this kind of solution only solves a piece of the issue and the homeowner will likely still have to chase off other cats if there are any.

We all have responsibilities, gardening citizens and pet owners alike.

Cat cages, like this one can make good chinchilla cages with some minor modifications, and are usually less costly than cages marketed towards chinchillas.

Something like
this

Something like this? https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Electronic-SmartDoor-White-Large/dp/B000WJ0IGA

http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-CC10-050-11-Cat-Flap-Small/dp/B00061RIT4/

It's very similar.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017KXN7DG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cYbeBbPZRJNNF

I see these on Amazon. You can get the door plus the in the wall liner for about $30.

I built a house for our outdoor cat. https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Interior-2-Way-Locking-White/dp/B00061RIT4

It is -21F today. We expect to see -30 before the week is out.

There's a thing called a "selective entry" pet door. Basically, it has an electromagnetic lock and you put a bauble on your pets collar that contains an RFID chip. The authorized animal gets close enough and the door unlocks. Your cat might still be able to slip out behind the dog, but it won't be able to get out on it's own.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Electronic-SmartDoor-Automatic-Activated/dp/B000WJ0IGA/

Here is my setup. Lots of hair and dirt, but the seats look brand new when I take it all off. None of the hair ends up in the front seats either, even with the windows down.

First I lay down a large black towel on the seat and tuck in the edges. Then I have a black Formosa Cover that wraps down to the floor and around the ends of the seats. I tried a normal pet hammock before and it wasn't nearly as protective. I have fitted the hammock with some velcro on the seat ends so that they stay in place after many jumps in and out. I also have the floor end of the hammock tied with rubber twist ties around the seatbelt because my girlfriend's dog tries to crawl under it often and this stopped that.

The doors have Kurgo Door Guards with 3M non-slip grip surface added to the inside face of the door guard and black velvet added to the outside (glass) face for the tinted windows. I tried an adhesive door guard and it was junk.

Lastly the Solvit Pet Barrier keeps my girlfriend's dog from jumping over. I also found that it keeps pet hair out of the front so I have it up even when her dog isn't in the car. I do not tie it down as shown in the product page, as the pet hammock keeps it in place.

That’s why I have these throughout my house https://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Pass-Interior-Hidden-Litter/dp/B017KXN7DG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I’m always afraid some stupid guest will close the door to the litter box.

We used to have it in the laundry room but got tired of the litter going everywhere because that was such a high traffic space. Now we moved it to the basement with this kitty door after seeing someone with the same setup with a small closet.