Used to facilitate the re-introduction of adult cats, February 23, 2010

Goal: Behavior Modification
With the goal of happy cats in a harmonious environment, we purchased the Cat Playpen to facilitate the re-introduction of two adult cats that had a falling out. The theory is that if cats can see each other from a secure crate the aggressor forgets to be aggressive and the victim forgets to act like a victim thus breaking the cycle of aggression. Eventually, Aggressor and Victim take turns in the crate so everyone gets used to seeing each other just hanging “about.” The behavior expert that I got this idea from said this process may take several months.

Background
A few years ago our home was the last stop before the Pound for a kitten who had been abused by some idiot who, no doubt, thought it was cool to have such a alternately sweet loving kitten and rough and tumble vicious little bully. It took months of work to teach the kitten bite inhibition and respectful manners. Nineteen months after he arrived, we were begged to take his ailing and fearful littermate who had been “put outside due to allergies.” Eventually, Sis regained her health and integrated with the all of our feline/canine crew except for her rough and tumble brother and a young female who our now usually-self-controlled bully was mentoring. We tried our usual techniques to achieve and maintain harmony, but nothing brought about permanent harmony/integration.

Playpen setup
All of our cats are used to self-scooping litter boxes so i put a small LitterMaid (LM500) in the Playpen. Over that I put a table constructed to fit precisely over the box and then draped a large bath towel over the table (for their privacy and my view). On top of the table/towel I added a large cat bed. For the food and water bowls i attached stainless steel coop (parrot) cups with bolt clamps to the front panel of the crate. (Many cats will refuse to use a litter box that is too near their food or water and this keeps it at a respectable distance and off the bottom of the crate.) Two of the shelves were added to opposite ends of the crate above the table/bed, and the third shelf ended up on top of the Playpen after cats kept jumping up there.

Playpen PROS
Folds down to a small easy to store size.
Easy to assemble for someone who has experience with folding crates (see note about cable ties).
The double latch of the doors is very secure and seems cat proof.
Multi level shelves and crate is of a good size for a couple of adult cats.
Narrow bars, it will be handy for kittens to keep them safe when they cannot be watched.
LitterMaid (small LM500) fits well.
Casters, excellent idea, see note about casters below.

Playpen ASSEMBLY and Misc NOTES
After reading the assy instructions, I found it easier to do it this way…
(1) Unfold the crate (I left it on the cardboard to protect the hardwood).
(2) Tip the base onto its side toward the front panel, then put the casters on.
(3) Return it to right-side-up onto the casters.
(4) Put in the tray.
(5) Lift the front panel and one end panel and secure them with a couple of cable ties.
(6) Lift the other end panel and secure it to the front panel with cable ties.
(7) Place the litter box, litter, and cover (table, in this case) if using one, on the tray.
(8) Lift the back panel, secure it to each end panel with cable ties.
(9) Flip the top into place and secure it with cable ties.
(10) Add shelves, beds, toys, food (with a couple of treats on top) and water bowls.
You will need a Phillips head screwdriver, small pliers or adjustable wrench (or very strong fingers), and diagonal cutters if you use cable ties.

Playpen CONS
The shelf supports are off center so the crate the doors can still be opened once the shelves are installed, being cantalevered like this allows the shelf to flex when a 14 pound cat jumps onto it. After adding a cable tie to the free corner at the back of the crate the shelves are more stable.
The top does not fit the four sides well, but after securing it with additional cable ties, it feels secure. (Putting the third shelf up there and securing its corners with cable ties probably didn’t hurt either.)
*** Cable ties, buy a large package of the long ones, black will match the crate’s paint best. ***
***** I would not trust the Playpen we received to be safe (for cats or fingers) or secure without the cable ties! *****
*** Casters, these are of very poor quality and not up to the 40-50 pounds of two cats and accessories that i have in the Playpen. (The manufacturer did think about the weight of the cat and its accessories?) If the Playpen isn’t rolling in the direction the wheels are pointed they scoot rather than turn – and this is on hardwood floors! It is going to cost me about for better quality casters, and an hour or so to un-assemble and re-assemble the entire Playpen to replace them but it…

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