cats

[Teacake]

hello, how do i keep cats out of a hutch? it’s very secure but i worry they’ll terrorize them from outside

 

[Siikibam]

If it’s secure they shouldn’t be able to get in. I don’t know if there’s a way for you to keep them from going up to the door though. Are the hutches inside a shed or just outside?

 

[Two_Wheeks]

We have a C&C cage inside, and a 7month old kitten obsessed with our new boy (the older one doesn't interest him as he comes to the bars to say hello to the cat..!). Anyway, I purchased some insect netting and attached it to the grids. That way, Alan can see, hear and smell the pigs but cannot get his paws through. Also, we have put a seat in front on the C&C for Alan to sit on. He now watches both piggies but gets bored pretty quickly, as neither are bothered by his presence anymore.
It's not a failsafe, but it might help! also, if you can sit with the cats and watch the pigs together, it may normalise them a little more. Always with the doors securely fastened though!

 

[Teacake]

If it’s secure they shouldn’t be able to get in. I don’t know if there’s a way for you to keep them from going up to the door though. Are the hutches inside a shed or just outside?

it’s an outdoor hutch, not in a shed

 

[Mctwen]

hi we have an outdoor hutch too. a lcoal cat has been showing increased interest in the hutch and we are concerned for our ladies. The hutch is brand new and secure enough its just like the OP said though we don't want them to feel terrorized from the outside. ANy advice would be appreciated.

 

[Swissgreys]

We have a similar issue with our rabbits who are outside.
They have a hutch and various tunnels leading to multiple outdoors runs and they have access to the whole area 24/7.

To keep them safe in the runs I use a flimsy garden mesh (google bird protection netting). It is pretty cheap and I buy it in huge 20m rolls at the garden centre so I can replace it as needed (our female rabbit sees it as a personal challenge to hook it through the bars and chew it).

View attachment 171225

For the hutch area I have a more heavy duty piece of garden netting.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balcony-Pr...pe+Garden+Mesh+netting&qid=1616588935&sr=8-26
I hang it in front of the hutch and secure it on top with bricks and then have some grids several feel away from the hutch that I drape it over.
To access the hutch I need to lift the net and step over the grids but it keeps the cats away and gives the rabbits more outdoor space.



I hope all of this makes sense.
It is difficult to describe and a bit of a 'messy' solution, but it works well for us and keeps our buns safe.

 

[Sophtheguineapigowner]

We have a similar issue with our rabbits who are outside.
They have a hutch and various tunnels leading to multiple outdoors runs and they have access to the whole area 24/7.

To keep them safe in the runs I use a flimsy garden mesh (google bird protection netting). It is pretty cheap and I buy it in huge 20m rolls at the garden centre so I can replace it as needed (our female rabbit sees it as a personal challenge to hook it through the bars and chew it).

View attachment 171225View attachment 171226

For the hutch area I have a more heavy duty piece of garden netting.
Something like this:
Hemp Rope Net Balcony Railing Protection Fence Net Child Protection Safety Net Treehouse Climbing Netting Children'S Safety Net Garden Plant Twisted Manila Natural Cotton Jute Uniform Mesh 4mm: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home
I hang it in front of the hutch and secure it on top with bricks and then have some grids several feel away from the hutch that I drape it over.
To access the hutch I need to lift the net and step over the grids but it keeps the cats away and gives the rabbits more outdoor space.

View attachment 171227

I hope all of this makes sense.
It is difficult to describe and a bit of a 'messy' solution, but it works well for us and keeps our buns safe.

Awww your bunnies are soooo cute!

 

[Mctwen]

We have a similar issue with our rabbits who are outside.
They have a hutch and various tunnels leading to multiple outdoors runs and they have access to the whole area 24/7.

To keep them safe in the runs I use a flimsy garden mesh (google bird protection netting). It is pretty cheap and I buy it in huge 20m rolls at the garden centre so I can replace it as needed (our female rabbit sees it as a personal challenge to hook it through the bars and chew it).

View attachment 171225View attachment 171226

For the hutch area I have a more heavy duty piece of garden netting.
Something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balcony-Pr...pe+Garden+Mesh+netting&qid=1616588935&sr=8-26
I hang it in front of the hutch and secure it on top with bricks and then have some grids several feel away from the hutch that I drape it over.
To access the hutch I need to lift the net and step over the grids but it keeps the cats away and gives the rabbits more outdoor space.

View attachment 171227

I hope all of this makes sense.
It is difficult to describe and a bit of a 'messy' solution, but it works well for us and keeps our buns safe.

thank you! that setup looks great!

 

[Sue and Smartie]

When I had my first pigs I kept them outside in a hutch/run combo. It was securely fastened up with extra bungee clips to prevent any cats getting in but I still worried about it. I had a tunnel for the pigs to hide in, in the run, so they had somewhere safe to go.
One day I was in my kitchen and I noticed a neighbour's cat attempting to sneak up on the pigs. Pickle Pig was out in the run and he ran into his tunnel. I thought he was a bit frightened so I went outside, just in time to see the cat come round to the front of the run. I needn't have worried about Pickle, because he launched himself towards the wire, squeaking as loud as he could. The cat was so alarmed by this that he ran off with his tail fluffed up like a loo brush. I never saw him near the run again.
These days I keep my pigs indoors, I also have cats. The piggies are used to seeing the cats, and the cats don't seem to worry them, although I do still make sure never to leave the lid off the Piggy Palace if the cats are not safely shut out of the room.

 

[Mctwen]

When I had my first pigs I kept them outside in a hutch/run combo. It was securely fastened up with extra bungee clips to prevent any cats getting in but I still worried about it. I had a tunnel for the pigs to hide in, in the run, so they had somewhere safe to go.
One day I was in my kitchen and I noticed a neighbour's cat attempting to sneak up on the pigs. Pickle Pig was out in the run and he ran into his tunnel. I thought he was a bit frightened so I went outside, just in time to see the cat come round to the front of the run. I needn't have worried about Pickle, because he launched himself towards the wire, squeaking as loud as he could. The cat was so alarmed by this that he ran off with his tail fluffed up like a loo brush. I never saw him near the run again.
These days I keep my pigs indoors, I also have cats. The piggies are used to seeing the cats, and the cats don't seem to worry them, although I do still make sure never to leave the lid off the Piggy Palace if the cats are not safely shut out of the room.

Thanks for the reassurance. Nobody messes with Pickle!