Question:
Poor Trace seems to have a great deal of trouble with cat trees. He hasn't gotten the hang of climbing with one back leg. It's plenty strong enough, it's just that the poor fellow hasn't figured out how to support himself while raising his rear leg up another step. Sooo, he simply would sit places that he can reach, like the back of the couch, on beds, and on the lower shelf of a shelf unit in the utility room. Well, I was watching him and that little shelf and got an idea. I bought 3 medium sized cheap plastic shelf units, and assembled them in a "stair step" pattern, to make an easily climbable "cat tree" (sort of). Trace has been up and down it several times, and I think may have slept on it.....the only thing is, I can't get a picture of him on the top shelf, he's too busy wandering around my feet trying to figure out what I'm doing with the camera.......
8:00am, already a modification Skimbleshanks, the 14 pound rambuncious kitten, demonstrated that if you jump off the second shelf set with enough force to vault yourself into the next room, it WILL fall over. So now, the sections are taped together with plastic tape, and the tallest unit is discretely secured to the wall with a long screw.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Answer:
Your ideas are great! You have a tribe of very spoiled and lucky felines.
Might I suggest a simple modification to your cat tree ... Add No slip strips to the edges. The kind you can get for human stairs or maybe even bathtub no slip decals. Or carpet squares.
Those hard plastic shelves are slippery for beings with fur and pads on their feet. Trace would probably feel more comfortable if he had a little more traction for his climbing adventures.
Answer:
gsc4 wrote: Your ideas are great! You have a tribe of very spoiled and lucky felines.
Might I suggest a simple modification to your cat tree ... Add No slip strips to the edges. The kind you can get for human stairs or maybe even bathtub no slip decals. Or carpet squares.
Those hard plastic shelves are slippery for beings with fur and pads on their feet. Trace would probably feel more comfortable if he had a little more traction for his climbing adventures.
That's an EXCELLENT idea....I've got several miles of carpet scraps. (So ok, maybe miles is exaggerated a little.....how about 'lots"
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Answer:
Aww, what a great idea!
Luckily Trixie has been 3 legged all of her life and it doesn't affect her too much...she follows the older girls around and wants to do everything they do. Sometimes she needs help or needs to find her own way to do things, but she does very well (with a little bit of help at times).
How long has Trace been without his leg? Do you know his story?
-Crystal-
Wife to Erik; Mommy to Tink, Minnie, Jazmine, Trixie, Figaro, and Nala
2 down, 1 to go...

Answer:
I would just LOVE to know Trace's story, but alas, no, I don't. The leg was removed surgically, and a very very good job. Someone obviously spent a fair amount of money to have it done. But, he was found as a stray on Cumberland Trace road (yep, hence the name )....and no one ever came looking or even calling about him. My vet seems to think that he may have belonged to a senior that may have passed away and whoever was handling the estate just turned him out...but thats just a guess.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Answer:
Mike, I am curious..are your cats all indoor cats..or indoor/outdoor..I was just wondering how you handle so many of them!!! (and bless you for providing all of them with such a wonderful home!!)
Also, can you tell me how it was for you as you introduced each new cat, as I'm sure you didn't get all these cats at the same time!! I am struggling to introduce a third cat, you probably saw my thread..any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
TIA!!!!!!
Answer:
Interesting info, Mike..thank you for sharing!!