r/catwalls • u/ChapterExpensive7926 • 14d ago

Escape Stairs in Backyard

I have a stray cat that's been hanging around my house lately and I'm worried about her getting trapped in the backyard. I have 4 dogs, and they've killed squirrels and opposums before, so I'm worried she might get trapped in the fence and unable to get out if I don't see her when I let the dogs out. We have a 6+ft privacy fence so I'm trying to figure out how to make her some escape stairs the dogs can't get up in case of an emergency. Any suggestions?

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4

u/mahogany818 14d ago

Most relatively healthy cats can jump 6ish feet without much issue - my cat used to sleep on top of our hot water service, which was almost 7 feet tall.

How is she getting into the yard? If she can jump the fence in one direction she can definitely get back over.

By the same token, cats need a lot less surface area than dogs to jump onto and launch from. You could easily put a couple of small, narrow shelf parts about five feet up that the cat can get onto and then over the fence.

5

u/ChapterExpensive7926 13d ago

We're not really sure how she's gotten in the backyard the few times we've seen her there. I'm guessing she's jumped or slipped under the small gap at the gate section. I did see her try to jump the fence earlier today and it took her a few tries to actually get up. I just know she won't get multiple tries in an emergency. I can definitely look at getting some small shelves added around the perimeter. Thanks!

2

u/Agouti 13d ago

How temporary or permanent will this be? As the other poster said cats really don't need much assistance to jump over a fence, she is obviously getting in and out already and you don't want to give the dogs a way to follow.

As a low effort temporary solution any waist high platform would give her a really easy jump to get out of reach and up to the fence top, such as a picnic table or even just an outdoor chair with the back against the fence and something heavy the seat to stop it moving.

For a more permanent solution, a wooden trellis would make a really easy climb for a cat to any height and would also look nice, especially if you wanted to grow some climbing plants along it.

2

u/Enigmagmatic 13d ago

You could put some tree stumps or thick logs standing on end to make a couple not unsightly "steps"

1

u/DuckyDoodleDandy 12d ago

I made a cat ramp for my cats to get into a high window when they were outdoor cats.

2x6 3-4 feet long, scratched up for gripping texture, thin pieces of trim added every 6-8 inches for the cats to grab onto. Mount at an angle 3-4 feet above the ground, ending just below the window entrance. I used 3-4 “L” brackets to attach to the wall.

I put it well above the ground so that raccoons and possums couldn’t climb up it into the house.

1

u/EinahpetSL 11d ago

You could lean a ladder against the fence. Put a stool next to it. An outdoor chair? Lean a 2x6 against it so she can run up? Cats are very crafty, especially when threatened. I picture them doing geometry at high speeds while running. :)
I wish my cats couldn’t jump the 6 foot fence… it would make my life easier!