Kitty Porch Protects Cats for under $50

This is a fun weekend project, looks good and protects your indoor or semi-indoor kitties while affording them a taste of the outside world. There are commercial products like this which can be purchased for hundreds of dollars and have limited customization options.

The total cost of this project was under $50 (not including the kitty door which was already installed.
The 20" x 36" x 72" "cage" allows our cats to step outside and observe the critter highway in back of our house

The tricky part of this project was that the whole thing had to be secure, but the sliding screen door behind it had to still function.

Since kitties love high places and afternoon sun, I also built in three sunning shelves for them to lounge around on. The "front" or large side of the cage is hinged and has two barrel bolt latches. The entire panel can be opened for access. The primary materials are 2 x 6 wire fencing and redwood 2 x 2s.

Baxter approves

The enclosure is constructed of redwood 2x2s, 4x2 wire fencing, pine shelving and plywood. The 2x2s were slotted down the middle on a table saw, and the wire fencing was "inlayed" into them for a secure fit around the entire perimeter of each panel.

I only had to construct two sides and a top. The top is a piece of plywood which also acts as a storage shelf. I also added a spring to the hinged side as safety measure, in case one of us need to get into the cage for some reason, and stepped away from it, leaving the side panel open by mistake.

The spring closes the door so if a forgetful human opens it up and leaves without latching it, the door will close by itself. It's up to the human to remember to latch the bolts. The theory is, that if the door is just closed but not latched, a cat who ventures out into the cage will see that there is no opening, and not try to get out. The barrel bolts prevent cats who try to get out from escaping.

Its very secure, durable, cat and critter-proof. I stained the wooden parts before assembling the whole thing with brass hardware, so it looks nice as well.

Low-cost Ways to Protect your Cat from Outside Dangers

Commercial "catio" enclosures, components, cat-proof fencing, fence toppers and kennels can be expensive. Even many DIY projects require materials and tools. Many loving cat owners don't have the resources or technical ability to construct elaborate outdoor safety zones for their feline family members.

1) Raise or convert your cat as an indoor-only cat.

This is of course, the least expensive way to protect your cat from outside dangers. There is a common misconception that cats need to live outside in order to be happy. Cats can be perfectly happy in an all-indoor environment but there are some caveats. A single indoor cat will be much easier to manage than multiple indoor cats. Indoor cats may require more interaction, playtime and attention from their owners, in addition to the use and inconvenience of multiple litter boxes.

Basic needs:

• At least one scratching station for each cat to keep your furniture in good condition. Perfectly adequate scratch boxes, posts and similar products can be fairly inexpensive.
• Cat toys are key of course, but you don't really need to buy anything extra. Empty and “modified” cardboard boxes are usually a big hit. There are plenty of items around the house which can be made into cat toys. Our cats are perfectly fine with a wadded up ball of tin foil, or piece of cardboard hanging from a string. 
• Cat grass as a dietary supplement.
• Dried catnip (optional) 

You can also build a small outdoor "safe area" out of scrap wire fencing and chicken wire with a connection (cat flap door) to your home.

The one pictured above is connected to a larger cat-safe yard but the concept is the same:

The one below is a bit more elaborate, but the materials cost was under $50:

Kitty Porch

I have also reviewed several commercial products that allow your cat to roam outside in the safety of your own yard. The review is a bit old but these products are available and there are quite a few options if you do some web searching.

Your Cat's Diet: "Going Raw" may significantly improve health and happiness

This is the third and final installment of a 3-part series of posts about the benefits of a raw food diet for your cat. Here are links to installments #1 and #2.
Addressing concerns about raw pet food and converting your own cat to a healthier diet.

If you are concerned about things like bacteria and disease, fear not. Commercially-made raw food is carefully prepared and naturally treated for harmful organisms. It does not contain the "guts" of animals - where the bulk of harmful parasites are found (stomach, intestines, etc.). These items are removed as part of the processing. Have you ever noticed your cat leaving you a "present" of mouse guts? That's why. Your cat knows what to do, avoiding the "bad" parts. The "good" organs like the heart and liver are typically included in raw food products, and these are parts your cat will readily consume from live prey anyway.

Some of the bacteria we hear about in the news is already present in the digestive flora of your cat, and your cat's digestive system is fairly short, and very well equipped for the consumption and digestion of "live" food. If you're still concerned, make sure your raw food is frozen solid for at least three days, that will also help ensure purity. Raw cat food is as safe as any regulated pet food, and doesn't contain harmful chemicals or substances your cat cannot digest.

Converting your cat to a raw food diet

Of course, the best way to get your cat accustomed to a raw food diet is to start her off young, so she doesn't become used to kibbles and mainstream cat food. Converting a "spoiled" cat to raw food can be a small challenge. It can take a few days, or a few weeks to convert a cat to a raw food diet. Some cats take to it right away, others are a little more stubborn. Cats love routine so getting them from one routine to another can be challenging, but once they get used to the new routine, they usually just settle in. Persistence is key, you may need to be the Alpha Cat in your household for a while. 

Here are some things you can try if your finicky feline does not immediately take to raw food

• Try to get samples of various raw cat foods to try on your cat. Better pet stores may have samples of some of the more popular raw food products.
• If canned food already part of diet, conversion may be easier. You can try switching to 100% canned food, then to raw. 
• If your cat is already on a mostly kibble diet, upgrade to better kibble (more protein, less grains/vegetables)
• If your cat just refuses the raw food altogether, don’t force him to not eat. Liver failure can occur within days, sometimes in as little as 12 hours.
• Try mixing raw and canned food
• Put crushed kibble on top of the raw food
• Try ground up dried chicken liver on top of raw food. Freeze-dried chicken liver can be found at better pet supply stores. Make sure it's 100% just chicken liver and nothing else.
• Put a small amount - teaspoon or so - of raw food next to a bowl of regular food, this can help your cat associate the food she is used to with the raw food.
• You can try raw chicken necks (also available at better pet supply stores). Do not cook them.
• Spread an all-meat baby food on the raw food
• You can try 100% dried fish sprinkled on raw food
• No or low sodium chicken broth or tuna juice - slightly warmed, poured over the raw food sometimes helps 

Cat owners who are successful in switching their feline companions to a raw food diet are often amazed by their cat's health improvements. Few ever go back to commercial cat food, and all are helping to improve the long-term health and happiness of cats everywhere.

If you simply cannot afford a 100% raw food diet for your cat(s)

What ever you do, eliminate the dry food (kibble) if at all possible. Replace it with high-quality, high-protein canned cat food. Include some raw food if you can as a supplement or as treats. High quality doesn't mean "Fancy Feast" either. Most high-quality cat foods are found in smaller independent pet supply stores. Some larger commercial retailers stock some of the better products. You may have never heard of some of these brands as they are not mass marketed. The "mass" market is not interested in high-quality cat food. Cheap cat food is what the mass market wants. Cheap means lots of additives, fillers, chemicals and other things your cat was never meant to consume, some of which can actually harm your cat and possibly shorten her lifespan. If you feed treats, choose only pure meat, or cat-specific raw treats. You can dice some non-ground meat from your grocer and cook/boil it lightly (but completely), or you can choose from many excellent freeze-dried treat products. If you purchase pure-meat treat products, it doesn't matter if the packaging says "for dogs" or "for cats." As long as it is pure meat (actual pieces of meat), you can feed it to your cat, but only feed pure meat treats to her as an occasional treat. Your cat's diet needs to be balanced and cat-specific.

The following list will help you find high quality alternatives to a 100% raw food diet. Note your cat does not need all those vegetables added to many canned foods, and should not consume grains, potatoes or other carbohydrates either. Make sure the product you choose contains at least 10% "crude protein" (more is better), no grain (rice/wheat), and little if any vegetable ingredients. Be sure to check with your veterinarian about any dietary changes to your cat's routine. I also strongly recommend against purchasing any pet food products imported from or processed in China that you intend on feeding to your cat in large quantities (as her primary food source). All of my recommendations below (with one exception) are either of domestic origin, or other reliable, healthy sources. You can find these products in most independent pet supply stores. The proprietors of the independent stores are an excellent source for information about better pet food products. and in many cases they can be found on the web for better prices, especially if you buy in larger quantities.

The links below will allow you to purchase the items directly from Amazon, but you can also shop around the web for better pricing/shipping if you like.

Canned Cat Food (check with manufacturer to be sure cans do not contain BPA):

• Nature's Logic varieties, typically at least 40% crude protein.
• Weruva varieties, typically at least 40% crude protein.
• Old Mother Hubbard "Wellness Core" varieties, typically at least 10% crude protein.

Note: The above recommendations are for products from manufactures who have addressed recent concerns over BPA in pet-food cans.

Pre-packaged All-Meat Treats:

• PureBites treats. Other varieties are available.
• Wildside Alaskan Salmon - (this one is such a huge hit with our three cats, we continue using it, even though it is processed and packaged in China) 
• Cat Man Doo Wild Alaskan Salmon treats
• Bravo Bonus Bites treats. Several varieties are available.

Others:

• Stella & Chewy's - They offer raw, freeze-dried food which can be given as primary diet or as treats. You can also purchase small sample packages.

Always consult with your veterinarian before attempting any changes to your cat's diet.

Good Luck!

Many thanks to Vanessa Hill of The Raw Connection in Carmel, California. Her knowledge, expertise and personal experience with raw pet food has been helpful in the research of this article, and invaluable to the well-being of our own three cats. Here are links to series installments #1 and #2.

Your Cat's Diet: "Going Raw" may significantly improve health and happiness - UPDATED

This is the first of a 3-part series of posts about the benefits of a raw food diet for your cat. Here are links to part #2 and #3.

Why a raw food diet may be the best thing for your cat since prepackaged catnip.

Some varieties of raw pet food

A lot of science suggests we humans should include more raw food in our diets, like fresh-picked fruit and uncooked vegetables. Mass-produced foods most of us eat, and feed to our pets is actually not that healthy. Cooking and/or processing removes valuable nutrients and introduces less healthy elements. Many "diet" foods contain things like "high fructose corn syrup" which is a substitute for cane sugar and other naturally-occurring sweeteners. Our bodies don't know what to do with many of these substances so they don't do us any good, or they can cause us harm and create environments friendly to inflammation and disease. Your body knows what do do with cane sugar and other foods which actually occur in nature.

It's the same way in the pet food industry, only worse, since the pet food industry is not regulated nearly as much. In many pet foods, unhealthy additives and fillers are often included to boost volume, enhance flavor, improve shelf-life, ensure package integrity, and reduce costs. A diet consisting of mostly commercial cat food is a lot like a diet of breakfast cereal, candy bars and soda-pop. Your cat may love that premium-priced "life-stage" cat food, but it may actually be more effective at improving your cat's susceptibility to disease and shortening your cat's life. "Life-stage" and other special varieties of cat food products are just marketing to get you to buy a particular product. A life-long diet of dry food like kibbles will very likely keep your cat in a perpetual state of mild to severe dehydration and destroy your cat's kidneys over time, causing kidney failure, very common in traditionally-fed cats.

In the wild, and in your back yard, cats don't eat kibbles with wheat and cranberries or beef liver paté. Cats are predators, technically obligatory carnivores. They are designed to chase, catch, kill and eat rodents, birds, small reptiles, bugs and insects. It's what they do. Your veterinarian will tell you that small bones from fresh prey clean and strengthen teeth, and that those nasty critters your little hunter brings in the house contain just about all the nutrients she needs.

Feeding your cat a raw food diet can do a lot of good for your cat, and you, including easier cleanup and less waste for the litter box, including reduction in odor, and possibly reducing your veterinary bill. Properly formulated raw cat food contains live enzymes necessary for good cat health. It takes significantly less time to digest, and many cat owners report significant outward improvements like coat health, mood improvements complete elimination or significant reduction of diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, skin problems and crystals in urine. Anecdotal information from  Bright Haven Wholistic Animal Retreat in Sebastopol, California, claims that animals are fed a 100% raw-food diet and they routinely have cats who live 20 years and longer.

Raw food is available frozen, or in freeze-dried forms. It typically costs more by the package than mainstream canned and dry food, but when you look at the actual numbers - compare the actual protein and nutritional substance, not to mention the possibility of lower vet bills, the cost may actually be less than you think and who can put a price on a happier, healthier cat?

Some useful resources on cat health and raw-food diets:

• CatInfo.org
• Feline Nutrition Education Society
• RAWR Cat Raw Cat food
• Feline Instincts Raw Cat Food
  

Always consult with your veterinarian before attempting any changes to your cat's diet. 

Here are links to installments #2 and #3 of this series.

Your Cat's Diet: "Going Raw" may significantly improve health and happiness

This is the second installment of a 3-part series of posts about the benefits of a raw food diet for your cat. Here are links to installments #1 and #3.

Brodie eats raw cat food

My own experience with a raw food diet for out cats

In the last several years, an increasing number of cat owners have begun reaping the rewards of raw-food diets. Their cats are healthier and happier, making fewer visits to the vet, having increased energy, and probably living longer, happier lives. 

My experience with raw pet food begins with the story of our own cat, Brodie, who is a senior citizen in cat years, yet he behaves like a kitten. Several years ago, my wife Nona, related Brodie's story to a friend who had asked about raw food diets for her cats:

Brodie, our 9-year-old cat had been losing weight for a long time and was lethargic. He had been successfully treated for pancreatitis and a bladder infection but still couldn't gain weight and was still lethargic so I started researching online and I discovered a book written by a veterinarian, Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, titled "Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life."

Dr. Hodgkins formerly worked for Hills (Science Diet manufacturer) and she talks about kibble as being a bad diet for cats for several reasons. She says it is basically made of cereal and has flavoring sprayed on the outside of it to make it palatable to cats. Since cats evolved as obligate carnivores they don't do well on grains. Also kibbles don't contain the moisture that cats need - drinking water doesn't provide them with enough liquid because they were originally desert animals and don't get as thirsty as they should and therefore they need to eat food that contains moisture.

In her book, she talks about cats treated in her practice and talks about how she treats her patients for various diet-related problems. She feeds her own cats a raw diet and she encourages her clients to do the same, but if they can't handle that, she suggests a high-quality canned food diet.

After getting Brodie on raw food exclusively, he gained 11 ounces in one month and had been maintaining that weight. He hardly sheds any more and he plays like a kitten. The change in his health has been remarkable. The other two younger cats are doing very well, and we are confident they will be healthier long term since we started them on this diet early.

Dr. Hodgkins points out that cats haven't changed much from the wild, desert creatures they were before they were domesticated and they need a diet close to that of their ancestors. They need more protein than most canned cat foods contain and they need a grain-free diet.

Dr. Hodgkins makes a compelling case and Brodie seems to prove her right. As of 2016, he is 15 years old and STILL runs around the house like a kitten.

A raw food diet for your cat consists of uncooked, minimally processed protein-rich natural meat products specifically formulated for cats. There are many to choose from. I have provided a list below. Of course, you shouldn't simply feed your cat ground-turkey from the corner grocery store. Meat intended for consumption by people is expected to be cooked thoroughly. It probably contains a fair amount of bacteria, and it doesn't contain the dietary supplements your cat needs. Raw pet food is specifically formulated with the intention of being consumed uncooked so there are extra precautions in place to ensure quality and purity.
 

List of raw food product manufacturers

• Aunt Jeni's
• Bravo!
• Feline Instincts
• Feline's Pride 
• Halshan
• Nature's Logic
• Nature's Variety
• Primal
• RAWR
• Stella and Chewy's

Always consult with your veterinarian before attempting any changes to your cat's diet.

The Next installment will provide information on how to convert your cat to a raw food diet.

Here is a link to installment #1.

Rafter-mounted catio and "catzebo" let cats enjoy the outdoors safely.

Cats love high places. This project gave our three cats a lot more protected places to hang out and safely watch their world from several vantage points.

Binky Inspects the new "rafter cage."

This rafter-mounted cat-safe enclosure is constructed with 2 x 2 cedar and pine, and hung from the rafters under the eves of our house. The bottom of the enclosure is about 78 inches off the deck outside the house so we can walk under it and still see out from inside the house.

Rafter cage is hung with 3/8" lag bolts.

In the window behind the enclosure, I have installed a DIY-modified cat-door designed for a sliding glass window. The rafter enclosure is 60 x 23 x 22 inches, is lined with 2-inch by 3-inch black-plastic-coated welded wire, and has a 1/2-inch plywood floor.

Baxter and Brodie enjoy a new view of their world.

There will be additional components added to this project as I expand our cats' domain, which is why there is an arched opening apparently leading to nowhere. See below for image of the completed 12-foot mesh-enclosed cat-walk "bridge" between the rafter enclosure and a 7-foot gazebo which has already been made cat-friendly and cat-safe with welded wire mesh and perching shelves.

Inside the "catzebo."

Completion of the catwalk

After the catwalk was constructed and installed, all our cats now enjoy extra space and things to do.

The completed and installed catwalk.

Everyone enjoys the view!

REVIEW: Four Commercial Cat Barrier and Fence/Enclosure Products

Updated - 4/2017

You want to keep your cat safe when she is outside. There are many risks; other cats, predators, disease, traffic and other dangers. - and if your cat likes to "roam", you know what I mean. Black cats are especially vulnerable around Halloween.

The purpose of a cat barrier/cat fence is to give your cat access to the outdoors while keeping her safe. Most barriers are also designed to keep neighbor cats and other animals out. A cat barrier can significantly reduce many of the greatest risks to your cat; give you peace of mind, and help keep your vet bills down. An effective cat barrier may also prevent the need for a completely enclosed cat run area which can get expensive and can make your house look like a zoo. Your "inside" cat may even be able to safely enjoy the outdoors. This can do wonders for making her happier and healthier.

There are a number of different types of cat barrier and fence products which let you turn your cat's natural environment - your yard, into a cat-safe outdoor play area without cramping your sense of decor. Each product takes slightly different approaches to the protection of your favorite feline. They are all similar in that they use variations of plastic netting and a series of hardware brackets and/or posts. Some of these cat fence products are reasonably unobtrusive and do not adversely affect the look of your home or yard. You can greatly improve your cat's protection, and still not feel like you're living in Fort Knox.

All of these companies sell their own complete cat barrier products, solutions and accessories. Several companies sell components separately, so you don't have to purchase complete products to get the components you need for an effective protection solution. All of these products can be assembled and set up with basic tools and none use electricity or electronic deterrent methods.

The products and components covered in this article are as follows:

• Affordable Cat Fence
• Cat-Fence-In
• Purr...fect Fence
• Portable dog kennels from various manufacturers.

Affordable Cat Fence

This is a "fence-topper" product which uses 36" wide plastic mesh which can be attached to an existing chain-link, masonry, or wooden fence with large washers every 4-6 feet. The mesh is hung from one-piece metal stanchions attached to the fence at regular intervals.

What I like about the Affordable Cat Fence product

1. Metal brackets or "stanchions" are only one piece, easy to install and they position the top of the plastic netting higher up.
2. Plastic mesh netting is not very visible

What could be improved-upon with the Affordable Cat Fence product

1. Plastic netting itself is thin and tears easily.
2. Plastic netting is attached with large washers at regular intervals. In order to keep a determined and strong cat from getting under the edge of the netting, the netting has to be stretched tight and washers have to be spaced only inches apart which greatly increases the installation time and makes it more time-consuming and harder to make necessary repairs.
3. Appearance of the completed installation is not as visually attractive as components from other companies.
4. After several years in the sun, the netting expands, droops, and becomes brittle and weak.

Cat Fence-In

Cat Fence-In "fence topper" installed

This product is also a "fence-topper". It uses 36" wide thin plastic netting with a strong plastic band woven into one edge. The band is secured along an existing masonry or wooden fence, and the non-banded side of the netting is hung from articulated rod-brackets attached to the fence at regular intervals. Cat-Fence-In also offers tree guards, special hardware for using their product with gates and other products for different situations.

What I like about the Cat Fence-In product

1. Plastic netting attaches to the fence with a thick plastic band which is very effective at keeping cats and other critters from getting under it.
2. Plastic netting is not very visible
3. Metal brackes are adjustable and attractive

What could be improved-upon with the Cat-Fence-In product

1. Netting itself is thin and tears easily.
2. Plastic band can actually cut the netting if it is "worked" by a determined cat long enough.
3. After several years in the sun, the netting expands, droops, and becomes brittle and weak.
4. The two-piece brackets can loosen up over time and cause the vertical part to drop, lowering the edge of the netting and opening a possible escape route. Occasional inspection is important.

Purr...fect Fence
This product is available in two configurations; a free-standing post-based system, and a "fence-topper" for existing wooden or chain-link fences. Posts are driven into the ground and topped with spring-loaded articulated "arches". A tough plastic mesh is attached with zip-ties. In the free-standing product, the mesh hangs down to the ground and a strong metal wire mesh "chew guard" is installed along the bottom to prevent cats and critters from getting under it.

What I like about the Purr...fect Fence product

1. Very secure
2. Can be adapted to just about any yard or outdoor space
3. The company provides an instructional video to help you set up and install the product

What could be improved-upon with the Purr...fect Fence product

1. Expensive (as compared to other solutions)
2. Time consuming and tedious to set up.
3. Requires ground soft enough to drive in 18" x 1-1/2" pole stakes and 12" wire stakes.
4. Not very attractive and is very visible

Portable dog kennels

10' x 15' Options Plus dog kennel installed

There is a great variety of products like these which can be purchased from several retailers, including Home Depot, and online through Amazon.com and others.

Modular metal kennel components are a great option when space or permanence is at a premium. Pieces can be fitted together in a wide variety configurations. You might not think of using dog kennel components for a cat enclosure, but I've noticed many kennel products specifically marketed as "cat enclosures" are too small and not modular enough for different sizes and configurations. Products like these offer several kennel sizes, styles and finishes, roofs, panels and accessories. The kennels are constructed from 5' x 6' panels connected with simple metal brackets.

What I like about the dog kennel products.

1. Very secure and sturdy
2. Sets up fairly easily

What could be improved-upon with the dog kennel products

1. Components are large and cumbersome
2. Panels shorter than 5' wide would be nice for more flexible configurations

Recommendations
All these companies have great customer service. They are also good at helping you determine what you need for your particular situation. If I had to pick one, the most practical seems to be the Cat-Fence-In product, however, my experience has shown the best solution seems to be combining components of several products for a customized solution that fits your needs.

There are many other enclosure products available in many shapes, sizes and configurations for both indoor and outdoor applications. This review only covers the four products I have actually used in the process of providing safe, outdoor space for our 3 cats.

Update...

I am adding the following website resource as a very promising option for cat containment. Although I have no personal experience with their products, the modular "Cat's Den" system looks very durable and practical.

http://habitathaven.com/

Local "Catio" Tour Demonstrates Creative and Effective Protection for Cats

Street sign

Our local SPCA and Native Animal Rescue organizations along with volunteers and 11 area cat enclosure "catio" owners - including our location - band together to have Santa Cruz County's first annual Catio Tour.

We opened our catio creations to the public in hopes of inspiring other cat owners to consider building protective enclosures for their cats.
Catios protect cats from predators, fights, disease and many other dangers, not to mention potentially lowering one's veterinary bills. Catios also protect local birds and small native critters from predation from house cats which can seriously impact native animal populations.

Curious cat owners check out our "catzebo" and "catwalk"

Curious cat owners tour our "catzebo" and "catwalk"Our visitors had many questions about costs, construction, acclimating cats with catios. As I point out here at CatCluez, you can spend as little or as much as you want. The primary goal of a catio is to provide a safe, enriching environment that gives your cat a taste of the outdoors. This works especially well with "indoor" cats. Even previously free roaming cats can adjust to the catio lifestyle.

Thanks to these local agencies, local businesses and all the volunteers, the first annual Santa Cruz County Catio Tour was a great success, despite the weather.

REVIEW: "Ideal Hefty Pet Side Sliding Window Insert"

For a long time I was looking for a good-looking locking pet door that would work with a horizontal sliding window. I had seen the kind that installs in full-sized sliding doors, but hadn't ever seen one designed specifically for horizontally-sliding windows, which are similar to sliding glass doors, but smaller.

I discovered this adjustable insert which lets you easily install the pet door (included) in a horizontal sliding window. I already had built a plywood structure for a smaller cat door, but it was ugly and drafty. This seemed like a much better solution. The cat door was larger than the one I was using, so our older cat would be able to use it more easily, it provided a two-way locking mechanism so the cats could be locked in or out. It was well-made, functional and attractive. Available in two colors, I chose white and placed my order.

It arrived in perfect condition. The built-in window pane is glass and the construction is aluminum, and includes some weather stripping, a security lock and good instructions.

I removed the old home-made plywood insert and installed the new insert in the window frame. I had to use weather stripping on both sides of the insert, so the weather stripping that came with the product was about 1/2 of what I needed. Fortunately I had some lying around the house.

To secure the sliding window up against the insert and to prevent being able to open the window from the outside, a block-type lock is provided which requires that you drill a hole in your window frame. I opted to cut a piece of wood to drop-in between the left side of the window frame and the right side of the window slider so I wouldn't need to drill into my window frame.

We've been using this product for about two weeks now and it is working perfectly. It looks good, is secure, and weather-tight, and lets more light in because of the glass pane above the pet door section. I highly recommend this product to anyone wanting to control their cats in and out access through a horizontal sliding-window and maintain an attractive look.

I purchased this item from the following website:
http://www.moorepet-petdoors.com/