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Old 12-31-2010, 08:39 AM   #1
Outbackmel
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Kitten in Outback 5er

ok....any pet lovers out there? Need some advice. We have acquired a new Maine Coon kitten to our family. We already know that anywhere her head fits, her body will follow...

What we need is advice: are there any openings with the triple slides extended that we need to focus on where she might get out. (or any other spots we have not thought of)...

Any and ALL advice is welcome....

Thanks,
Mel
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Old 12-31-2010, 10:52 AM   #2
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Thumbs up Shouldn't be

When the slides are open or closed they are sealed andcritters or cats can't get in or out. Just make sure that you have no oversized plumbing openings that need to be foamed.
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Old 12-31-2010, 11:04 AM   #3
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Ruffus - reply

Excellent point...I'll due lots of "snooping" around....with the cabinets closed, I believe we are tight based upon what you shared. BUT, I am going to make the rounds.....
Thanks

HAPPY NEW YEAR !
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Old 12-31-2010, 04:16 PM   #4
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Maine Coon - they are awesome!

Congrats on your choice.........

Jo
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Old 12-31-2010, 06:05 PM   #5
Outbackmel
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Maine Coon

Went out full bore for this one. High pedigree and long champion blood line.

Momma cat = 16 lbs
Daddy = a puny 26 lbs

Only 12 weeks old and follows us around like a dog ....
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Old 01-01-2011, 04:22 PM   #6
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Also check . . .

Mel -

Also check for openings that could allow the kitten access to the "underfloor" area. Such as below a sink area where the plumbing might pass through a access hole to the sub-floor area. Admittedly, we have never had an Outback, but RV construction does seem similar. A young lady I work with "lost" her cat in this fashion while camping with her parents. She thinks her cat crawled down the access hole that allowed the kitchen sink plumbing passage to the gray water tank.

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Old 01-02-2011, 01:06 PM   #7
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Geo

Thanks for the heads up...would not want that to happen to us....am going to take expansion foam and find every spot that possibly is open and seal it. Cabinets can be opened by a "crafty", "inquisitive" cat
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Old 01-02-2011, 05:11 PM   #8
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I'm not a cat person, but.... I thought about your question today as I put the slide out after the snow melted enough for it to move. It seems to me that a crafty little critter could push down on the side wiper seal where it meets the floor and be on it's way to freedom. By the way ..... you do not own the kitten ...... it now owns you and will not let you forget it. Good luck, they are beautiful animals, Hank
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Old 01-02-2011, 06:54 PM   #9
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Kitten

Thanks for the advice. Soon we will have a break in the weather in the mountains to go and run the slides and figure the "plan" to modify if needed. I probably can make some hard foam type wedges if there are soft spots to block her interest in pursuing the escape route.

If you ever see an Outback Sydney 5er with duct tape encircling all lower openings and slides, then you will know we have arrived and nothing else worked.....

On a lighter note, she does have us wrapped around her "paw"..
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Old 01-03-2011, 10:24 AM   #10
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Smile Small pets

Congratulations on your new furry family member!! [Our son has a Maine Coone too]

We have "crafty" & "inquisitive" ferrets that camp with us, so we've had to *pet-proof* each of our RV's over the years. In addition to what's been stated so far, some of the following tidbits may also be helpful until your kitty grows a little more.

Check all vents & heat registers -- confirm that they are secured.

A laundry hamper/trap door (which opens to the basement) is a potential escape hatch!!

Recliners, fold-out sofas, and/or sofa storage drawers, etc -- any furniture with moving parts can be a hazard to small pets. Check/confirm that there are no gaps/openings where pets can crawl inside furniture. [Hint: a bed sheet or fabric can be stapled to the under-side of a sofa or hid-a-bed to stop pet access, if needed]

Check the window screens periodically -- sometimes they aren't as secure as they appear.

Screen doors -- add plexi-glass to the bottom portion, as many folks with pets do.

Check the space 'beside' the master bed (slide-out) -- in our previous 5th wheel there was a vertical opening/gap where the wooden bed frame met the exterior wall (head of the bed, at floor level)... although the gap was only a few inches wide, it lead directly to the (boxed in) interior space for the slide-out mechanism. [Hint: over-sized memory foam wedges (covered in fabric) can be placed in some 'forbidden spaces' when you set up camp... as your kitten grows you can eliminate the wedges.]

I like the duct tape idea <LOL>, but once the slide-out's are open (fully extended) they should rest tightly against the trailer walls with no large gaps... although... with a kitten who may climb, I'd also check above eye-level for potential escape routes & hazards. And, last but not least... always close the toilet lid... wet kitty's are not happy kitty's

Hope this helps!

Terri, the co-pilot [& DH Kevin]
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Old 01-03-2011, 12:58 PM   #11
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Just make sure your cat is not around the bed when you extend. We almost did one in that way. Seems there are spaces that can be gotten into when the slide is in that close up tight when you extend.

The biggest trouble we are having is keep them (yes, we have 4) out of the opening that is 'begging' for their attention when the TV is in the raised position (ours retracts down into a cabinet.) We had to remove a panel to get them out.

Dave
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Old 01-03-2011, 04:57 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DocData757 View Post
Just make sure your cat is not around the bed when you extend. We almost did one in that way. Seems there are spaces that can be gotten into when the slide is in that close up tight when you extend.

The biggest trouble we are having is keep them (yes, we have 4) out of the opening that is 'begging' for their attention when the TV is in the raised position (ours retracts down into a cabinet.) We had to remove a panel to get them out.

Dave
Do you by any chance have a 3500RE? And, if so, how do you like it? I Just purchased one in Dec. myself, but am waiting for it to get above 0 degrees celcius to get anything some on/with it.
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Old 01-03-2011, 05:15 PM   #13
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Good grief! So many "cat" escape routes and so many things to do to keep these feline critters inside. And sooooo much work! The solution? Should I dare say this? Why not! Get a dog. A real dog. One that weighs over 25 lbs.
Golden Retriever owner - with apologies to those among us who own what is obviously a gorgeous animal ------ the Maine Coon.
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Old 01-03-2011, 06:35 PM   #14
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Awwww Festus <LOL> You made me laugh!!

It won't be long before Outbackmel's purring baby fur-ball will be nearly the size of a small "real dog" [your words, not mine ] & won't need the special precautions!!

All this talk about the new kitten (who already follows them around like a dog), and we don't even know her name....... Yooohooo Mel, can we have a name please & maybe a photo??

Terri, the co-pilot [& DH Kevin]
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Old 01-04-2011, 01:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X-Treme View Post
Do you by any chance have a 3500RE? And, if so, how do you like it? I Just purchased one in Dec. myself, but am waiting for it to get above 0 degrees celcius to get anything some on/with it.
Sent you a private message.
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Old 01-04-2011, 02:32 PM   #16
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Smile Lady Sophie White Sox

Here is a photo of Lady Sophie White Sox. We "love" big dogs, however, they do need to go out frequently, rain, cold, morning or night. Had a pure bred German Shepard, highly trained, for 13 years. Loved her unconditionally.
Getting too old to handle the "big dogs".....
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Old 01-04-2011, 03:10 PM   #17
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Smile

She's adorable! And I think I already see a hint of that, "Wasn't me! I didn't do it!", look in her eye.

Terri, the co-pilot
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Old 01-21-2011, 03:07 PM   #18
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Mel, you might need to add some pieces of panelling in the lower cupboards to block access to areas such as behind the stove. If your guy is anything like our Americans, he'll be in the cupboard before you can close the door. We travel with Registered American Shorthairs, show cats. And they will explore every nook and cranny to see what they can get into. Don't know your exact floor plan, but in a previous TT it had a counter next to the screen door and we forgot to close the sliding panel and one of our guys jumped right out thru the open slider.
Also, very importand make sure your guy is either in the TV or Carrier before operating the slides, either in or out. Ours ride in an Ultra Lite cage in the cab as I removed the rear seat to put the cage in. So they stay there until the rig is set-up and go back there before breaking camp.
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Old 02-12-2011, 05:38 AM   #19
mickeynbranson
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Keep cats busy

We have a Big Sky 2010, that has nice interior doors and beautiful leather furniture.
We found this device online at citykittyclimber.com
Don't order if your cat has been de-clawed, it won't help.
It does not take up floor space and cats love it.
It's purr-fect.
Sorry 'bout the pun. LOL (Lots of Luck)
Mickey
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Old 02-14-2011, 06:59 PM   #20
Outbackmel
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Kitten

Getting close to our first "kitten" 5er experience. Lady Sophie Whitesox is now 5 months old and I swear she can clear 6 ft (horizontal from a 4 paw position) without thinking...

We would not de claw....

Our RV is a 2011 36' Outback Sydney....we couldn't afford a high dollar unit
Bought the "time to trade again" type.....only kidding.....

Thanks for your input....glad to see so many pet friendly people....
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