Need a gate to protect baby from stairs, but allow cats to get down -

skittleblu · June 2012

Suggestions? Ideas? Recommendations?

abbyful · June 2012

Unless they are very elderly, cats should easily be able to jump over a baby gate, even with the uneven landing spot on the other side.

Temp123197812503460 · June 2012

abbyful:
Unless they are very elderly, cats should easily be able to jump over a baby gate, even with the uneven landing spot on the other side.

really? even onto a tiny stair lower down on the other side? (we need one at the top of a set of stairs). i didnt think they would be able to (they are not elderly but are kinda fat)... maybe i should just try it.

opaque1997 · June 2012

We put one up - now I will say we have a ledge next to ours - and the cats jump on the ledge and then down to the steps.. but I'm not sure all cats would.. I've seen some gates that have a little door for a pet - but I'm not sure how big and if you could leave it open..

Emilydevanjones88 · June 2012

https://www.amazon.com/Carlson-0930PW-Extra-Wide-Walk-Thru-White/dp/B000JJDI0G

Schnebs · June 2012

There is one at Petsmart that has a little gate for the cats to get through.

https://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10957722

mrsomelette · June 2012

Schnebs:

There is one at Petsmart that has a little gate for the cats to get through.

https://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10957722

We use this exact same gate in our house... We bought ours to keep our dog away from the litter box and cat food. The little door is a decent size and I dont think a baby could easily get through it, BUT I will say our 75 lb lab was able to squeeeeeze through that little opening until he was about 9 or 10 months old.... So be cautious.

Holly_1007 · June 2012

if you make sure the gate is locked in tight (or attached to the wall) the cats should be able to jump onto the top of the gate and then down (or up) the stairs.

AimeeL85 · June 2012

Our cats are too fat to jump a gate, so we had the same problem.

What we did (after suggestions on here) was to mount a gate (not the pressure kind), but mount it about 6-7 inches above floor height so that the cats could slip under it. Fat as they are, cats can slink under small clearances very well. They can get under, but DS can't. It has worked out perfectly!

ETA: It's one of the gates that swings open like a door.

lorist202 · June 2012

Schnebs:
There is one at Petsmart that has a little gate for the cats to get through.

https://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10957722

We have this one too. Now, I think they sell the exact gate on Amazon for about half the price. The wide one that someone else posted would probably work in any doorway also.

cougarlicious · June 2012

AimeeL85:
Our cats are too fat to jump a gate, so we had the same problem.
What we did (after suggestions on here) was to mount a gate (not the pressure kind), but mount it about 6-7 inches above floor height so that the cats could slip under it. Fat as they are, cats can slink under small clearances very well. They can get under, but DS can't. It has worked out perfectly!
ETA: It's one of the gates that swings open like a door.

Ditto...I had purchased a gate with cat opening but it drove me nuts hopping over it. So I got a swing gate, mounted it five inches off the floor, and the cats go under no prob. My son did try to go under it after watching the cats...it was quite amusing to see him try but there was no way he would be able to make it under.

Mom2Mack1 · June 2012

We have a pressure gate and just used two blocks of wood between the wall & gate for the cats to slip through.

opaque1997 · June 2012

Mom2Mack1:
We have a pressure gate and just used two blocks of wood between the wall & gate for the cats to slip through.

In a hallway or at the bottom of stairs I Think this would work - but PLEASE do not do this at the top of the stairs as the OP stated - unless you mount. I would imagine this would be more unstable and could cause a fall.

utgirl2 · June 2012

Our our cat jumps up and hangs on to the top part of the gate around her chest then uses her back legs to scoot to the top, then jumps down to the step. That's only on the top stair gate. The others she hovens problem jumping over. The top stair gate doesn't seem to bother her either.

cassoppea · June 2012

I think I have the world's dumbest cats because they've never figured out the gate. We just have one at the top of the stairs going to the bedrooms. We leave it open at night and while we're out so they can get up and down. During the day they stay downstairs (that's where their food, water and box is anyway). They have enough space to run around and soft surfaces to sleep on so I don't feel too badly for them!

ErinDarryl · June 2012

is this a basement door? we had the same problem and dh came up with a brilliant idea...... he got an extra long hook and eye and put it on the inside of the door. it holds the door wide enough for the cat but dd can't get through.

jasarah · June 2012

Emilydevanjones88:
https://www.amazon.com/Carlson-0930PW-Extra-Wide-Walk-Thru-White/dp/B000JJDI0G

We just ordered this one for our puppy - blocks him from walking around the house, but allows the cats to roam free. It states right on it, that it is not to be used with children. It's very flimsy - I would never trust it with children. We also have a Munchkin brand gate, which is VERY sturdy - just doesn't work for the cats.

Want a personalized experience?

Need a gate to protect baby from stairs, but allow cats to get down -

Re: Need a gate to protect baby from stairs, but allow cats to get down -

Choose Another Board

Search Boards