cats on the roof
#1
05-07-18, 02:55 AM
cats on the roof
We have 2 cats that are close to 1 yr old. The heavier of the 2 loves to get on the roof. Not a problem with the barn or shed roofs as it can also get back down. It also gets on the house roof but can't get down. I trimmed the tree it was using to get up there and that stopped it for awhile but now it's discovered that if it climbs the hickory tree, walks out on a branch and jumps down 6'-7' it can get on the roof.
Any ideas on keeping the cat off of the house roof? I'd prefer not to cut that branch as it provides shade for my back porch along with the fact it would be a bear to cut loose and not damage the roof.
That cat got on the roof about 4AM, when it gets light I'll have to get a ladder and get it down
Any ideas on keeping the cat off of the house roof? I'd prefer not to cut that branch as it provides shade for my back porch along with the fact it would be a bear to cut loose and not damage the roof.
That cat got on the roof about 4AM, when it gets light I'll have to get a ladder and get it down
#2
05-07-18, 03:56 AM
Member
I don't see the problem! It's cat! Just kidding.
Maybe you can provide some type of decorative lattice or rope or some thing it can get up and down. The down side is it will allow other critters to do the same. But the cat may prevent that problem too.
Maybe you can provide some type of decorative lattice or rope or some thing it can get up and down. The down side is it will allow other critters to do the same. But the cat may prevent that problem too.
#6
05-07-18, 05:02 AM
Group Moderator
Hopefully the cat will lean that the roof is a place with no exit. For that to happen though you'll have to be less prompt with your rescues.
#7
05-07-18, 05:03 AM
Flashing sounds like it might work, unless someone comes up with a better looking solution I'll try that. Wonder how wide it would need to be?
I usually let the cat stew up there for awhile but it's not made any difference ...... yet.
I usually let the cat stew up there for awhile but it's not made any difference ...... yet.
#8
05-07-18, 06:21 AM
I like Norms idea of allowing access/egress to the roof. Instead of fighting the cat, just go with it. Like a theory of water management, sometimes you have to let it in to get it out.
An unintended consequence would be if others, such as raccoons and such will get up there.
Flashing around the tree such as squirrel proofing does, is another good suggestion by Tow Guy.
An unintended consequence would be if others, such as raccoons and such will get up there.
Flashing around the tree such as squirrel proofing does, is another good suggestion by Tow Guy.
#9
05-07-18, 07:43 AM
Group Moderator
The flashing around the tree will be high enough up that the cat can't jump above it. Then it needs to be wide enough that the cat can't reach around/above it. I'd figure about one cat length so some 20-24" wide flashing or aluminum siding trim material would work.
#10
05-08-18, 08:10 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
I too like the idea of allowing the cat a ready way to get on and off the roof. Cats are naturally prone to wanting to be UP above things, hence the climbing and being on the roof, up a tree etc. If you decide not to let the cat on the roof...be sure that flashing the one tree is going to be enough. Look around and see if there is any other way that kitty is possibly going to use to get up there, and rectify that situation too.
Do keep us posted on how things go. And for the record, I am with your wife, you will have a cat on a hot roof, if the situation is not remedied...and sadly that could have a bad ending...
Do keep us posted on how things go. And for the record, I am with your wife, you will have a cat on a hot roof, if the situation is not remedied...and sadly that could have a bad ending...
#11
05-08-18, 09:25 AM
I'm fairly certain that remaining limb is the only access the cat has to the roof. I've trimmed all the other branches/trees. Short of building a 'ladder' I don't see any way of giving the cat access off of the roof. I do intend to wrap some metal around the upper portion of the tree's trunk ..... just have to find the right piece.
Funny thing is that cat's sister [same litter] followed it up on the roof once but since there isn't an easy way down it's never got back on the roof.
Funny thing is that cat's sister [same litter] followed it up on the roof once but since there isn't an easy way down it's never got back on the roof.
#12
05-08-18, 11:58 AM
Eh, I'd grab six 2x4's at standard eight feet long, , cut one in half, overlap them each by 4', then lag bolt them together. Find some scrap jute rope, and tack-nail it in a zig-zag pattern as "rungs" every couple inches.
Lean it against the roof when the cat gets stuck - Cat ladder.
Of course, you can get more flamboyant and aesthetic
Lean it against the roof when the cat gets stuck - Cat ladder.
Of course, you can get more flamboyant and aesthetic
Last edited by Hal_S; 05-08-18 at 01:45 PM.
#15
05-08-18, 03:12 PM
That's more effort than I willing to expend just so the cat can find it's own way off of the roof!
I ran across three 2' pieces of vinyl underpinning so I slid them together and at 8'-10' height it was just enough to go around the tree. Not sure what my wife will say when she sees that white band around the tree.
I ran across three 2' pieces of vinyl underpinning so I slid them together and at 8'-10' height it was just enough to go around the tree. Not sure what my wife will say when she sees that white band around the tree.
#17
05-10-18, 03:29 AM
She hasn't been on the back porch yet so she hasn't seen it. I could paint and streak it to match the bark but I've got enough to do without volunteering for more.
So far the cat hasn't gotten back on the roof.
So far the cat hasn't gotten back on the roof.
#18
06-07-18, 09:12 AM
Well it's been a month and that cat got back onto the roof this morning. Not sure how it got up there and it found it's own way down while I was getting a ladder. Hope the roof was hot enough and the trip down was hard enough that it won't want to repeat the process.
#19
06-07-18, 11:16 AM
Next time you see the cat up there, put a little miniature Schnauzer up there with it. In about 3 seconds that cat will find an emergency exit off the roof.
Now of course I am just kidding but I have a mini schnauzer and... it aint that she hates cats, but she is just naturally going to chase anything that moves & cats give her a good chase.
Now of course I am just kidding but I have a mini schnauzer and... it aint that she hates cats, but she is just naturally going to chase anything that moves & cats give her a good chase.
#22
06-07-18, 01:40 PM
The cats even though sisters have different personalities. The skinny one hunts while the fat one watches and the fat one climbs while the skinny one watches.
Still don't know how the cat got on the roof, I thought I had all the access points taken care of.
Still don't know how the cat got on the roof, I thought I had all the access points taken care of.
