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How to cat-proof entry to stairs?

I’m looking for a temporary and inexpensive way to stop my cat from going upstairs for the next two weeks (possibly longer, as I’m trialling him staying at my new place).

For the bannister, I was thinking of just attaching some cardboard. But does anyone have any clever ideas for blocking off the entry to the stairs?

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JacobZ

Hi @carpedion,

Thank you for your question.

You could use a Perma Child Safety 73 - 82cm White Extra Tall Easy Fit Baby Gate then attach some cardboard to it using zip ties.

This would be a great option that would make your own movement up and down the stairs fairly simple.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @Jewelleryrescue and @DIYGnome to see if they have any bright ideas.

Jacob

DIYGnome

Hello @carpedion welcome aboard, cats are intelligent agile creatures and we have found ours on top of everything from large book shelves to refrigerators, this will be a case of trial and error (suggestions provided already) but you might need to also move that small hallway table as that would provide an excellent launching place to jump to the top of the bannister/railing.

Your only ally is age of the cat (limiting agility) and their BMI (gravity limits jumping range).

External cat enclosures are the solution adopted by many when free run of the home in unwanted.

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @carpedion

Would it be ok to not block all the stairs but block from the top of the banister across the stairs?

Usinging a wide piece of cardboard slide it through that top most banister section so it goes accross the step up to the wall.

You could even glue an extra piece along the top of the cardboard timber and the bottom to give it strength for two weeks.

I would also cable tie or string tie something that crackles to the top of the banister so the at cant "jump" up on the banister and casually stroll and jump 🙂

Just had a workmate (A cat owner) tell me "Dont you know cats jump" and yes she said it with "are you silly tone" lol "and they can jump high!" lol So lets modify the idea for now 🙂

Same panel across the steps but with a high flap on it (300mm) This can be fixed ridgidly after you have installed it through the banister rail. With the part that hangs out after it goes through the rail. You score it down the side facing the front of the steps. This way you can "open" the cardboard door instead of sliding it across. You could even wedge a pillow in there to stop it flopping about.

Dave

carpedion

Hey team, took your advice and it's working nicely (almost). He just scaled the cardboard and can climb over. Any tips for what I can put up the top?

IMAGE 2025-04-12 10_31_11.jpg

JacobZ

Hi @carpedion,

Cats are certainly nimble, so I can't say I'm surprised.

Is there anything above that you could maybe hang a curtain from?

There are Spring Fit Curtain Rods that you might be able to use.

You could then tie the curtain to the banister so that your cat can't get over the top.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1 and @DIYGnome to see if they have any other ideas.

Jacob

Noyade

What's the width of the stairway?

Dumb as it sounds - a cheap hollow door hinged from a stub a few steps up.

A couple of hinge screws that can eventually be removed and the holes gap-filled/painted.

Just a Saturday afternoon thought @carpedion.

Dave-1

Evening @carpedion

There is one thing I have always wanted to try with cats and that is to use a sheet of aluminium foil, just something that is loose and flat and they are suppose dto "jump" like crazy. Id try loops around the banister but not stuck to the banister, then id try a crumple zone but not tight crumples.

Last one would be to join another sheet of cardboard the same size at the 2/3rd mark so the cardboard wall totally covers the height of the banister.

That said, maybe the cat is just having fun "playing" the escape game 🙂

Dave

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