Cat-Proofing Closet Doors?

[AmyO]

Does anyone have any advice on how to “cat-proof” my sliding closet doors? He is 11 months old and is able to open the doors and has literally eaten many pieces of my clothing. I’m not sure why he does this–he has so many toys, is fed high quality food and gets lots of love and one-on-one play time every day.

Any advice on how to keep these doors shut and maybe get little Jack to quit destroying my clothes? It’s getting expensive and I’m sure it’s not healthy for him to consume fabric.

Thanks!

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[Franci]

Oohh This reminds me of a cat I had years ago. He would get bored during the day while I was at work. I came home one day to find clothing and jewelry scattered in the apartment. He wasn’t eating it, just playing I guess. That prompted me to close the door to my bedroom. I came home the next day to find he had ‘dug’ out the carpet on both the right and left sides of the door, trying to dig his way in I guess.

I was going to suggest closing the door to the bedroom, then remembered my experience.. Good Luck!

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[maplesyrup]

Put a pit bull in the closet.

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[cjboffoli]

AmyO: Clearly Jack does not approve of your sense of fashion. I suspect he is eating them to prevent you from sartorial disaster. It’s his way of saying, “That’s a lot of look, Amy.”

Or perhaps he is trying to alter hemlines on his own and is just a bit clumsy with the teeth and claws. Maybe the solution would be to find him a kitty cat sized set of pinking shears and a sewing machine. You might just have a feline fashion prodigy on your hands. Make it work!

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[miws]

I’m trying to recall if I’ve ever seen kid-proof locks or latches that would work on sliding closet doors.

Like maybe something that would fit/wedge in between the doors somehow at the center point of the closet opening.

Will keep thinking (which is very taxing for me ;-) ), and do a little poking around on the ‘net when I get back from Thriftway.

Meantime, maybe try McLendon in White Center, (206)762-4090, and ask for the “Hardware” dept. If that dept doesn’t have anything, then “Inside Lumber” might, or they may have some suggestions.

Mike

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[squareeyes]

Can you put wedges (matchbooks, magazines) at the bottom of the doors so they don’t slide? Or maybe straighten a wire hanger, thread it between where the two doors overlap, and then rebend it in a way that the doors won’t slide? No idea if something like that would work…just thinkin’ out loud.

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[Sue]

Would something like this work for you? It’s a childproof latch for sliding doors: http://www.totsafe.com/proddetail.asp?prod=2007&cat=3

or http://www.totsafe.com/proddetail.asp?prod=2005

I don’t know anything about this particular company – I was just googling for ideas. My cat was a pro at getting the accordian doors open in a previous apartment and I had to go with child-proofing it. In my case, it was a pantry, and he’s carb obsessed. I’ll never forget walking in with him with his head in a plastic bag, munching away at some cheerios-type cereal.

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[miws]

Okay, Here‘s a tutorial site that I just skimmed over quickly, but looks like it has good info.

It describes different types of sliders, which didn’t even dawn on me, because I was thinking of the overlapping type like squareeyes mentions.

I’ll add anymore links/info that I find to this posting.

Here‘s a “flip-lock” that supposedly works on various type of doors and windows.

Mike

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[AmyO]

You guys are awesome. Those little gadgets all look like they would do the trick.

I guess I just need to get one of those, a pit bull and sewing materials. He does prefer cashmere and wool so I know he’s got great taste. This morning it was a nice summer dress with a little beading on the neckline…

I would shut him out of my room, but I live in a studio so that’s not an option unfortunately (don’t worry, it’s a large studio. I’m not keeping him in a shoebox all day).

Thanks again. You have all been very helpful!

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[Kevin]

You could drill a small hole in the outer slider to the inner slider. Then use a nail with a double head and slide it through the outer door to the inner door.

.

Come moving time, a small amount of wood filler will easily hide the hole and likely never be noticed.

.

The only risk to any of the solutions suggested so far, including this one is that kitty may end up scratching the door before he finally gives up.

.

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[2krazy4words]

and as a side note be sure everything is away from the doors. I had a precious kitty that did the same thing. I don’t remember how I secured the doors, but then I found her reaching with her “arm’ as far as she could to see if she could snag something with her claws. They do love wool type fabrics. With mine is was my socks – chewed the tops off every pair! That and stealing the tooth brush! I had to keep it in a drawer

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[WSeaFam2]

We gave up long ago trying to keep our cat out of any cabinet or door, otherwise our heads would have exploded like confetti. Anything we lose we just chalk up to love it was that or give away the cat which we could not do ^.^

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[JoB]

broomsticks in the track work really well…

you secure the back side then close the door and secure the front.

fit them snugly or your cat will simply paw them out of the way

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