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On
The Prowl:A Feline Purr...spective
 
The
KittyWalk System
By Stacy Mantle
It's
nearly Christmas time and everyone is in search of some great new
items for their kitties! We have one that is purrfect for your
indoor cats who want out, and will keep your outdoor cats safe while
they get some fresh air. The Kittywalk Enclosure
system allows everyone
to have a great time in a safe environment, without major
modifications to your home or yard.
The
KittyWalk arrives in a rather heavy box that demonstrates its sturdy
structure. We began our journey of exploration with the
Lawn Version of the unit, a long tube-like structure that allows
your cats to explore the world in a safe environment, and protects
them from just about everything wild. Here in the deserts of
Arizona, we are just coming into that time of year when all of the
animals want to be outside, and it becomes a challenge to keep them
indoors. With this handy little unit, we can set up a
temporary structure, and when we are not using it, the entire unit
folds into itself and easily fits into it's carrying case for use
elsewhere. However, we used ours a little differently.
We
set up an escape area through a window that lies rather close to the
ground using the Let Meow't cat door
unit. This allows are escape area to be safely contained and
even remain insulated against the cool winter air. The cats
enter the unit, and are then free to lounge around in comfort in the
warming sun. The unit simply expands out to a full ten feet,
stakes into the ground with specially designed stakes that allow a
sturdy and safe set up.
When
the unit is not in use, it can be folded into its case measuring
only 19” Wide, 31” High, 5” Deep. When in use, the
dimensions are 19” Wide, 24” High, 10 Ft. Long. Additional
units can be easily added using the simple "snap on rail"
technique. As I mentioned, we modified ours in order to create
a more permanent run for the cats by cutting a hole in the side of
the unit to accommodate the cats entry to and from the home. The
netting is very strong, and it completely encloses the unit, even on
the ground. We set it up on the lawn, and the netting was
barely visible, which increased our cats confidence of being in an
enclosed area. We have had several rainstorms and some nasty
winds roll through here in the time we have had it set up, and it
has not been weathered at all. It's weather-resistant and easy
to use - two of our favorite things.
One
thing to remember when using this system is that your pets should
not be unattended when they are out in the unit. We close our
access door when we leave the home or go to bed each
evening. While we have never had a problem with this
unit, there is always the potential of a cat being caught up in the
netting and panicking. Another thing to remember is that your
cat's collars should be removed prior to them entering the unit.
Again, the netting can allow for an injury if they are caught
up. Even with breakaway collars, it's better to be safe than
sorry. Kittywalk mentions this in the instructions for use,
and being responsible retailers of a unique product, have shown ways
in which your cat can safely enjoy the unit.
In
all, we love the KittyWalk Lawn version and will likely be adding
the Kittywalk Town and Country
, the Grand Prix, the Kittywalk Penthouse
and the Kittywalk Kabana
to our Lawn unit soon! The cats love being able to roll in the
grass and soak up the healing rays of Arizona sunshine, and we love
knowing that our cats are in a safe environment outdoors.
From
the cats:
HIsses
& Spits:
We need a few more of these units for our house! Each cat
should have his own!
Purrs:
All paws up – the KittyWalk system is the cat's meow!
From
the humans:
Two opposable thumbs up!
Your
cats will love this innovative way of exploring the outdoor
world! Great for all cats!
Drawback?
Remember to keep the collars off while they are in the run, and be
sure that you can attend to them while they are outdoors.
You'll have as much fun watching as your cats do lounging!
About the Author
Stacy Mantle is a freelance writer who currently
resides in the southwestern deserts of Arizona with a number of
cats, a coyote/wolf hybrid, and a very understanding husband. Her
writing has appeared in publications such as The Arabian Horse
Times, Today’s AZ Woman, and Pets Illustrated. Many of
her stories and articles have been translated into several
languages, and now reach an international audience. Quickly becoming
known as "…the Erma Bombeck of animals", her
writing has skyrocketed to new heights as she records the stories of
those she loves, inspiring the reader to learn why we have all come
to love the animals we share our lives with. She is the author of Conquering
the Food Chain: Living Amongst Animals (Without Becoming One),
which is available in Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide, as
well as online at www.bn.com
or www.amazon.com.
Read
about these other great products: 12
Days of Cat-mas,
Holiday
Gift List for Cats,
DuckyWorld,
Catfisher
Bobber,
CellTei
Backpack,
KittyWalk,
Let
Meow't,
SmartCat
Toys,
The Cat Fisher,
The
Scratch Lounge,
The
Litter Robot, Feline
Furniture,
CitiKitty,
PawSense
Software,
CatXmasList Carriers,
DuckyWorld
Catnip,
Ssscat,
SmartCat
Litter System,
Urine
Off,
Animal
Pathways, Drinkwell
Pet Fountain,
AquaGarden,
Life's
Abundance,
PetTemp,
and Purrfect
Fence
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