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Old 12-15-2015, 01:35 PM   #1
StarlightSerenity
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Default Detolf and Cats

Considering making a Detolf cage but my concern is that it will break if one or both of my cats jump on top of it - anyone here have a Detolf that has had a nosy cat jump onto it? If so, did it survive...? Cats are 2.6kg and 4kg.
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Old 12-15-2015, 02:48 PM   #2
ReaJayne
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

I have this same concern about getting a Detolf cage and owning 2 cats. I do not have any experience personally, but I know the purpose of wire mesh for animal cages is to keep animals in and predators out. My cousins and used it for outdoor rabbit enclosures and there were plenty of neighbourhood cats, but none managed to get at the rabbits. And having the Detolf cage indoors means there is less chance of the wire rusting. As for the structural integrity of the wood and wire being attached, I would visit the hardware store and hopefully they can give you advice and let you rent the necessary equipment. Or if you have a carpenter friend, ask him or her!
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Old 12-16-2015, 05:43 AM   #3
flowerfairy
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

Erins animals on youtube does a video about making a lid for a detolf. She has two cats so there may be info. in one of her vids that could help you. They are really well made and informative.
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Old 12-16-2015, 07:04 AM   #4
StarlightSerenity
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

Thanks!

My concern is more about the weight of the cats being too much for the glass and it cracking or worse.

I'll have a look at Erins video, ta.
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Old 12-16-2015, 07:27 AM   #5
Wanna Hamster
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

Is there a way you could place the cage in a room where you can simply close the door and keep the cats out?
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Old 12-16-2015, 08:14 AM   #6
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

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Originally Posted by Wanna Hamster View Post
Is there a way you could place the cage in a room where you can simply close the door and keep the cats out?
Ever tried keeping cats out of a specific room? :P It's just not practical to keep them out of a room completely. They will occasionally get in there even if I did try to keep them out. They aren't allowed in the room without someone being in there with them as it's my bunnies room too but I spend a lot of my evenings in there with the buns, hams and/or using my desk. I don't want to be locked away each evening.
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Old 12-16-2015, 09:45 AM   #7
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

If the cat lands on the lid (assuming you make the same kind of lid Erin's Animals does) there is no weight actually on any of the glass on the bottom or sides. All that weight is transferred on to the metal bars the lid sits on and from there into the wooden end panels. The only weight supported by any of the glass is the weight on the bottom of the cage from what you have in it (substrate, wheels etc) and ideally you have as much direct support under that bottom panel as possible so it doesn't bend.
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Old 12-16-2015, 06:32 PM   #8
Wanna Hamster
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

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Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity View Post
Ever tried keeping cats out of a specific room? :P It's just not practical to keep them out of a room completely. They will occasionally get in there even if I did try to keep them out. They aren't allowed in the room without someone being in there with them as it's my bunnies room too but I spend a lot of my evenings in there with the buns, hams and/or using my desk. I don't want to be locked away each evening.
Sorry, I've never had cats, I was just wondering if it was an option for you.
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Old 12-17-2015, 04:08 AM   #9
StarlightSerenity
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

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Originally Posted by Shannonmcn View Post
If the cat lands on the lid (assuming you make the same kind of lid Erin's Animals does) there is no weight actually on any of the glass on the bottom or sides. All that weight is transferred on to the metal bars the lid sits on and from there into the wooden end panels. The only weight supported by any of the glass is the weight on the bottom of the cage from what you have in it (substrate, wheels etc) and ideally you have as much direct support under that bottom panel as possible so it doesn't bend.
Ooo ok, that's better than I thought. How good are the bars though? Are they strong?
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Old 12-17-2015, 04:24 AM   #10
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Default Re: Detolf and Cats

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Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity View Post
Ooo ok, that's better than I thought. How good are the bars though? Are they strong?
Yeah they're steel and about 5-6mm in diameter so they're not flimsy even though they're not completely stiff when you're putting the cabinet up. The product information for the detolf gives a shelf load of 6kg per shelf and that's when it's vertical and the load is on those smaller bars that span between the long ones. The max load for the longer bars like would be imposed from a lid is going to be at least that but probably much more. I wouldn't stand on it myself or anything but I think you'd be hard pressed to bend those bars once they're locked in to the end caps.
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