Adding a new kitten or cat to your home can be a nervous time as there are plenty of potential hazards in the average home that a new cat that is unfamiliar with its new environment may end up harming itself on.
One thing that we do commonly see people asking about when it comes to having a new pet cat in their home is cat proofing their stair banister to make sure that their pet cat is not able to fall when exploring the house.
Even if you have an existing cat in your home and have some home improvements done involving a new staircase, you may still want to try and cat proof the banister on your new stairs until the cat is used to the new setup.
Due to seeing so many people asking about cat proofing their stair banister each month, we have decided to publish this article going over the more common methods that we have seen people use to protect their pet cat over the years.
How Do You Cat Proof A Banister?
There are a number of ways that you are able to cat proof a banister but a rail guard or stairway net are generally the two best options. They tend to be easier to install whiles also offering your pet cat the best levels of protection possible.
As with all things though, there are a number of different ways that you are able to cat proof a stair banister that we will take a look at below.
A Rail Guard!
The most common way that we see people cat proof their stair banister is by installing a decent rail guard on the inside of the banister.
This involves you measuring out the length of your railings so that you can then purchase the correct rail guard that is long enough to cover the entirety of your railings.
Once you have your rail guard, you will then need to install it on the inside of your stair banister. This usually involves some form of adhesive being used to attach the rail guard to the railing or in some cases, you may be able to screw it into place.
Thankfully, once the rail guard is in place, it is essentially impossible for your cat or kitten to be able to get through it and risk falling. Just keep in mind that some rail guards do present an easy way for your cat to climb up on top of it if it wants to keep that in mind when choosing the specific rail guard you want.
A Stairway Net!
If you are not a fan of the look of a rail guard or if your cat seems to be able to climb on top of it too easily, then another cat proofing method that we would recommend looking into is installing a stairway net.
A stairway net is usually placed on the outside of your banister and as such offers your cat or kitten protection and prevents them from being able to get through the bars in your banister.
One thing that people tend not to like about a stairway net is that some cats will claw at it and can end up getting their claws stuck in the net.
A Pet Gate!
If you have a small cat or kitten, then another cat proofing method that you may want to look into using is installing a pet gate at the top and bottom of your stairs.
Pet gates are designed to be placed across doorways and as such can easily be installed at the top and bottom of your stairway so that your cat or kitten cannot get past them.
Not only will this cat proof your stair banister but it will also cat proof your entire staircase so is definitely something to look into if you have a small cat or kitten.
Just like the rail guard that we covered first on our list, you have to make sure that your pet gate is suitable for cats. The ones designed specifically for dogs will often have bars wide enough to just let your cat squeeze through and get onto your stairs.
Blankets!
One cat proofing method that a lot of people overlook is using blankets.
If you have a cat or kitten that likes to sleep on your stair banister, then simply draping a blanket over the top of the banister will usually be enough to stop them from being able to get onto it.
The only downside to this cat proofing method is that it will not stop your cat from being able to see through the banister and as such, they may still be tempted to try and jump over it. Your cat may also try to claw the blanket and end up with its claw stuck in it or may tip your blankets into small pieces.
Blankets do tend to be the most cost-efficient and easy method for many people though and it really can be a great cat proofing method to take advantage of.
Towels!
If you do not want to use blankets or if your cat seems to be able to get through them too easily, then another cat proofing method that you may want to look into using is towels.
Towels are much thicker than blankets and as such offer a higher level of protection for your cat or kitten. They also tend to be more durable so your cat is less likely to be able to rip them or claw through them.
The only downside to towels is that they can often be more expensive than blankets and they can also be more difficult to keep in place.
You will often need to use some form of adhesive to attach the towel to your stair banister and as such it is important to make sure that the adhesive you use is cat safe.
Cardboard!
If you are looking for a cat proofing method that is both cheap and easy to implement, then cardboard is definitely something that you should look into.
Cardboard is not as durable as some of the other cat proofing methods on our list but it will usually be enough to deter your cat or kitten from trying to get onto your stair banister.
The only downside to cardboard is that it will not last as long as some of the other cat proofing methods and your cat may be able to claw or rip through it relatively easily.
You can usually find cardboard for free or very cheap online or at your local grocery store though so it is definitely worth considering if you are on a budget.
One advantage over cardboard compared to blankets and a towel is that it is far less likely that your pet cat will get a claw stuck in it.
Bubble Wrap!
Another cat proofing method that is both cheap and easy to implement is bubble wrap.
Bubble wrap is not as durable as some of the other cat proofing methods on our list but it will usually be enough to deter your cat or kitten from trying to get onto your stair banister.
The only downside to bubble wrap is that it will not last as long as some of the other cat proofing methods and your cat may be able to claw or rip through it relatively easily.
You can usually find bubble wrap for free or very cheap online and it is actually surprisingly easy to install in most cases.
Although most cats will usually just ignore the bubble wrap, some do really seem to enjoy clawing at it so the personality of your pet cat will come into play for this one.
Radiator Insulator Foil!
If you are looking for a cat proofing method that is both cheap and easy to implement, then radiator insulator foil is definitely something that you should consider.
Radiator insulator foil can be a pain if you care about the look of your stairs as the bright metallic foil easily catches your eye.
You will usually find that radiator insulator foil is also surprisingly expensive too making the methods covered earlier in the article a much better option.
Call A Carpenter!
If you want a cat proofing solution that is going to be both long lasting and effective, then your best bet is to call a local carpenter and have them custom make a cat proofing barrier for your stair banister.
This will usually be the most expensive option on our list but it will also be the most effective in most cases.
A carpenter will usually be able to make a cat proofing barrier that is both durable and stylish meaning it will not only deter your cat from getting onto the stair banister but it will also look good doing so!
Summary Of Cat Proofing A Stair Banister!
Here is a quick summary of our methods for cat proofing a stair banister:-
- A Rail Guard!
- A Stairway Net!
- Blankets!
- Towels!
- A Pet Gate!
- Cardboard!
- Bubble Wrap!
- Radiator Insulator Foil!
- Call A Carpenter!
