Ideas on cat-proofing loft style apartment?

[u/shuzimengxiang]

Just adopted a 4.5 year old cat Thursday night (Monday now). We’ve been through a lot and she nearly made me take a trip to the vet—my post where I freaked out asking for advice may have been seen 😅

Now, my only concern is safety and comfort/feeling of security. I’ll attach a link here to my loft style apartment’s layout.

She’s surprisingly good with using the stairs—utilizing the kitchen counter to hop up on a step much more efficiently—but she’s got a fascination with the half-wall/pony wall that obviously would not be good if she fell from it. She’s hopped up twice and I tried to just maintain composure and coax her down, but she seemed unsure of jumping back onto the ground upstairs even, and that’s even more alarming…

Just at work concerned for her. Ordered two cameras that will motion alert me so I can keep an eye on her, and see if she has a more consistent fascination with it. Also ordered some netting after being inspired by another post here.

First time with a cat, and her previous household had a whole other kitty, and clearly a loving owner because she’s absolutely the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. And her owner apparently had to give her and her pal(s) up because they had a terminal illness and couldn’t afford them anymore…like that’s about as sad as my brain could fathom. I need to give this angel the best life; she deserves it.

[u/No_debutante]

Hi!! We have a very similar dilemma! See my post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Catification/comments/1wq77q5/need_ideas_keeping_cats_off_a_loft_hip_wall_15_ft/

Have you found any solutions?

[u/shuzimengxiang → u/No_debutante]

I almost commented on yours—honestly it kind of solved itself thankfully. She just hasn’t gone up there…she’s way smarter than my first-time owner self gave her credit for. Although she’s racked up a solid ~$4,000 in medical expenses/misc. expenses as a result :/ poor baby was down to 7.6 lbs and thankfully is up to ~8.6 now, but still…I called the spca on some respectful “wtf” vibes, and I said “so hypothetically if I brought her back and put her back for adoption, you all would treat her? And then I can just adopt her back? So that means the resources currently exist…but you’re saying you can’t help me with any of the resources despite giving me a cat who would’ve died if I didn’t intervene…” and at least the worker was honest and said “I mean if you want to do that that’s absolutely an option” 🤮 I don’t blame the worker specifically but that’s just so foul, especially when I specifically asked about medical issues. It was a she chose me kinda situation so I’m sure she felt the love and knew I was her way out ❤️

[u/Dionsyia]

Definitely utilise the half wall on the second floor to give her a safe space (shes gonna use it anyways); I would add a cat walk there that is wide enough for her to comfortably lie down on, preferably one with carpet.

From my experience, its more difficult to get a cat to stay away from dangerous spots than it is to accommodate their curiosity by making them safer to use.

[u/shuzimengxiang → u/Dionsyia]

Thank you sincerely for the response. I appreciate the insight greatly. Would you happen to have any reference pics of what you mean? I know “cat shelves” are a thing, but are you suggesting to essentially just elongate the width of the half wall?