Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a Cat Enclosure

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a Cat Enclosure

Equipping your home with a cat enclosure is a great way to get your feline pal active and mentally stimulated. However, it’s essential that you do it the right way, as neglecting to set up your cat enclosure optimally can lead to quite a number of problems down the line.

From loose fencing to ceiling cave-ins, small errors in the installation process can have dire consequences. As such, if it’s your first time installing a cat enclosure, it’s important that you follow the best practices and consider every minute detail throughout the setup process.

If you’re keen on eliminating any possibility of error during the process, then you’re in the right place. This article will delve into some of the most frequently occurring mistakes cat owners can encounter when installing a cat enclosure. Then, we’ll jump into ways you can steer clear of these problem areas.

Let’s dive into these common mistakes more thoroughly to ensure that your cat’s new space is as safe as it can be!

Buying from a Subpar Supplier

The first common mistake comes before the installation process, but it’s a key one, and that’s buying from a bad supplier. It’s important to thoroughly vet your potential suppliers before you purchase their cat enclosure products. 

Some suppliers may have an eye-catching marketing campaign, but all the glitz and glamour of their posters or social media posts could be hiding a flimsy cat enclosure that fails to hold up adequately for your needs.

To spot a bad supplier, take a look at third-party websites like Google for reviews on their business. If they have a handful of 1-star reviews with justifiably unhappy customers, then that’s a telltale sign that they may not be worth your time. 

If they’re a fairly unestablished business with limited reviews, take a look at their product line-up and ask them about the construction of the product before purchasing. If they have a physical branch, go to it, test out the cat enclosure and feel its material before buying it. 

In some cases, you could find out that the material is made from flimsy synthetics or easily-marked materials that can give you more headaches down the line. In such cases, leave the store and find a new supplier.

Another sign of a bad supplier is a lack of proper communication or unclear instructions. If they are delayed in sending messages or fail to respond to your inquiries outright, then that’s a sign that you may be better off finding another supplier.

On the flip side, your research process can also reveal potentially good suppliers with a wide range of high-quality cat enclosure types. 

Essentially, if their cat enclosures are made from durable and secure netting, they respond quickly, and they have a lot of good reviews under their belt, then you can rest easy knowing that you’re dealing with a top fellow.

Crowding Your Cat’s Enclosure

Another common mistake people make when installing their cat enclosure is failing to take into account ample space for their cat or cats when setting it up. 

While cats, just like dogs, generally enjoy small and enclosed spaces, an overly crowded or small setup can be uncomfortable for your cat to live in for hours on end. It’s not just about the crowdedness of a small enclosure that could give them the ick; it can also be the chaos of a space littered with too many toys or accessories.

It’s generally much more optimal for them to be spoiled for choice; that is, to have a small, confined area (like an enclosed kennel with a single opening) inside a larger, more spacious enclosure.

Furthermore, cats can have territorial personalities. Putting two male cats in a small enclosure can be a recipe for disaster, as they may scowl, scratch, and be at constant odds with each other, making for an uncomfortable situation for both your cats and yourself. 

Remember: cats enjoy their independence. As such, it’s vital to pick and set up your cat enclosure in a way that’s generous with its space and with many private corners to provide your cat some comfort. By doing this, your cat will be able to relax more easily and feel secure in their surroundings. 

Placing the Cat Enclosure in a Noisy or Hazardous Area

When setting up your cat enclosure, particularly if it’s a fixed setup, it’s vital that you place it somewhere that’s free from any dangers and risks. 

Cats are fairly sensitive to their surroundings, and some of the more anxious breeds can feel a great deal of stress when constantly exposed to loud noises or strange sights and smells.

Some no-nos when picking a spot to set up your cat enclosure are putting it in an active construction zone or near a busy road. These places can be incredibly noisy and distracting to the cat’s relaxation time, which can make them less satisfied in their enclosure.

On top of that, putting a cat enclosure near a lawn exposed to outdoor predators or unleashed dogs can also be a bad plan. The constant threat of these predators nearby can remove any feeling of safety the cat may have in their cage, even if it’s made from a durable metal construction.

Another spot that can be silently dangerous is near still water sources and behind A/C units. These places can harbour bacteria and insects that can use your cat as their host. This, in turn, can harm their health and potentially lead to illnesses.

Having said all this, it’s essential to place your cat enclosure in a place that’s free from all these risks. If the risks are variable or only seasonally occurring, then buying a mobile cat enclosure may be the more optimal choice to give you the flexibility to move it around as needed.

Placing the Enclosure in a Non-Shaded Area

Another common mistake homeowners make is assuming that the cat enclosure is enough to protect their cat from the weather and the elements. While some cat enclosures come with roofs, not all of them are adequate enough to protect your cats from the sun and rain. 

Remember: the sun’s rays can shift throughout the day, and rain coupled with strong winds can enter your cat’s enclosure. Failing to take this into account when setting up the cat enclosure could lead to your cat having to deal with uncomfortable weather conditions during set times per day.

When your cat is unknowingly exposed to hot weather conditions, this could cause problems like dehydration, respiratory issues, and heat stroke. If the cat enclosure is made from metal or plastic surfaces, a heated floor can also burn your cat’s paws over time.

Needless to say, no cat owner would want their cat to deal with these issues. As such, it’s important to equip your cat enclosure with a good UV-resistant shade structure and a roof with ample outcroppings to prevent rain and snow from entering the space. This way, your cat’s comfort will be assured all year round.

Not Considering Human Access for Maintenance

When setting up a cat enclosure, many people work with the mindset that this task is a one-and-done endeavour. However, such an assumption is far from the truth. 

In truth, you’re responsible for maintaining the cat enclosure’s hygiene and maintenance for as long as it’s being used. As such, you should ensure that you’re familiar with the process of opening and accessing it whenever the time comes to inspect and clean it.

Some ways that you may have to deal with the cat enclosure post-installation include disinfecting the surface and taking out the cat toys to clean them. You may also have to inspect the structure of the cat enclosure from time to time to ensure that it’s free from any major damage.

Besides knowing how to access the cat enclosure completely, you should also make it easy for you to do everyday tasks, like refilling the food and water bowls and disposing of cat litter. In doing so, you’ll have a much easier time managing your cat’s needs, making care more convenient for you and the space more comfortable for your feline friend.

 

We hope you’ll learn from these common mistakes and walk the road of being a responsible pet owner. All the best!