Great news and some questions regarding patios

[CalliesMom]

We got back last night from NC and found a great two bedroom/two bath apartment with a study. Third floor, cathedral ceilings...so nice! My question is: this will be the first time we own a patio and I would really like to let the kitties go outside on it. What are my chances of them trying to jump from the 3rd floor? Is it just unwise to even let them out there? I'm terrified of them jumping on the railing and falling off.

[MULTICATMOM]

IT SOUNDS GREAT!!

I'D SAY BREAK THEM IN ONE AT A TIME. PATIO SUPERVISION & A SQUIRT BOTTLE, MAKE THEM DREAD THE RAILING...REMEMBER W/ MOVING WAIT A COUPLE OF WEEKS TIL THEY KNOW WHERE THEY BELONG, IN CASE OF THE GREAT ESCAPE...YOU SHOULD BRING THEM TO THIER NEW FRONT DOWNSTAIRS, LET THEM GET TO KNOW THE SMELLS, THAT WAY THEY KNOW WHERE TO COME TO...YOU CAN'T HAVE THEM LOST & NO IDEA WHERE THEY BELONG...

I'M SO GLAD Y'ALL FOUND A NICE PLACE QUICK

[catnapper]

Sounds lovely! I have some experience with kitties falling off the second floor balcony. Yep, Pouncer decided to take a leap to go afte a bird. He didn't realize that brids can fly, cats cannot.

I still allow them out there, but only when I am around to keep an eye on them. So far the kittens have been GREAT out there. Pouncer is still bad, and he's been teaching Abby a thing or two. I saw her on the very outside edge of the balcony last week, and when I caleld to her, she alost fell in attempt to get back over on the inside of the railing.

One of these years I'll cat proof and put some netting or wire up to keep them form being bad, but I have not let them out much this year.

[CalliesMom]

Thanks MCM. We really lucked out on this place. It's just down the street from where I'll be working (3-4 min. drive) and there are tons of businesses within walking distance for my husband. He just graduated with his bachelor's and though has had many job opportunities in AL, none so far in NC. We could not have asked for a better location.

[kuhio98]

It just depends on whether any of your kitties are "daredevils". In the 20 years that we've lived here, Pepper is the only one who has jumped from our second story deck. The other kitties are just happy to sun themselves and watch the birds.

Definitely keep them from walking the railing/banister. It would be easy to slip of of that if they feel the need to get up there and practice their balance beam routine.

Also, we've installed a sliding screen door so that we can enjoy the fresh air knowing that Pepper can't get out there. Halo and Cammie will sit out there for hours quite content, but Pepper can't resist the temptation.

[Barbara]

You could have an electrical fence at the railing. They exist for small animals and rabbits. Our neighbor has it in the garden to keep his kitties from leaving the garden and it works purrfect.

Our balcony is netted from top to floor- this is something not every landlord will allow. But my boys being rambunctious I know they WOULD jump.

[catmandu]

I WOULD SET UP SOME BRACKETS,AND SOME LATTICE,WILL COMPLETELY ENCLOSE YOUR BALCONY.AND GIVE YOU,SOME PRIVACY,AS WELL,AS PROTECTING YOUR CATS!

[Edwina's Secretary]

Call me irresponsible...call me naive....but I let the E's hang out all the time...unsupervised on the balcony. It is second-story. They have never given me (even bad-boy Eddie.... ) any reason to think they will jump.....