Door Darting

[Pam Flachs]

The American version would work if it was full sized, and not half-door sized....I can't see it stopping a determined Savannah!

I have seen retractable screen doors, but the screening mesh is very thin and weak...

 

[Pam Flachs]

These claim to be pet proof or offer a pet proof option:

http://www.disappearingscreendoors.com/index.html

 

[Trish Allearz]

I hate to say it, but I'm thinking of ordering one of these things just as a back-up. I haven't had a baby F1 in my house in a loong time now :/

 

[Patti]

I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to how either of these might stop a cat from getting out the door unless I'm missing something. A cat will easily jump over the half-screen, and will just as easily get through the full screen as a human exits through it, as it will through a regular door, by darting between or around the legs.

I think the only truly secure method is the double entry as already mentioned so that you have the ability to snatch up any determined cat in the enclosed entryway and toss him back into the house before exiting out the second doorway. The other thought is to build a secure outdoor enclosure off the back of the house with a 'doggie' door for easy entry and exiting by the cat. I have found now that I have an outdoor enclosure in the back my cats are less interested in trying to find out what is on the other side of my front doorway.

 

[Trish Allearz]

I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss as to how either of these might stop a cat from getting out the door unless I'm missing something. A cat will easily jump over the half-screen, and will just as easily get through the full screen as a human exits through it, as it will through a regular door, by darting between or around the legs.

I think the only truly secure method is the double entry as already mentioned so that you have the ability to snatch up any determined cat in the enclosed entryway and toss him back into the house before exiting out the second doorway. The other thought is to build a secure outdoor enclosure off the back of the house with a 'doggie' door for easy entry and exiting by the cat. I have found now that I have an outdoor enclosure in the back my cats are less interested in trying to find out what is on the other side of my front doorway.

The half door-- to me-- you'd see them go over it easier than you'd see them dash between your legs.

 

[Patti]

Exactly Trish - I have used baby gates for just this purpose and it doesn't stop anything over five weeks old, at least not for long. But in order to get through the full screen, you still have to open it, so I don't understand the purpose of it in regards to keeping cats in while you're going out.

 

[Jim & Baghira]

I thought the same thing....that they´d just jump over it , but they say they don´t . All I can say is that I think I could stop them easier with the half one. I have the full one for the balcony, but it´s not for the cats because I put netting all around it. It´s just for the flies.
I find that the half screen could help because they´d have to jump threw you to get past you .

 

[Patti]

LOL, I guess you've never stood at a baby gate trying to stop a Savannah from jumping over: catch, toss back, catch, toss back, catch, toss back, etc., etc., etc. Remember, Savannahs can be very persistent! And if there is more than one - well let me just say it calls for extreme dexterity...

 

[John Popp]

Thanks for all the comments and po noting me in the directions of the other threads.

A few more details, the scat mats are in place, we always make direct eye contact with him when we leave and he only goes outside with a walking jacket, leash and under arm. He's jumped over the scat mats a few times before and hung from the doorscreen, although always nervous about jumping off.

I do think a retract a gate in conjunction with a scat mat could work. Together the leap is somewhat precarious with the landing zone being the wedge between the two doors and definitely a good opportunity to thwart the jailbreak. I'm ALS going to use some extension scat mats to see if they alone don't do the trick.

Thanks again for all the comments!

 

[Jim & Baghira]

LOL, I guess you've never stood at a baby gate trying to stop a Savannah from jumping over: catch, toss back, catch, toss back, catch, toss back, etc., etc., etc. Remember, Savannahs can be very persistent! And if there is more than one - well let me just say it calls for extreme dexterity...

Yeah, but I´m not talking about opening the door all the way. Your baby gates are probably blocking a whole doorway. Lol I can´t open my door all the way or I´ll have one cat going up the stairs ( Baghira ) and one down the steps ( Gimli ).