pet proofing suggestions anyone?

[kberr]

I have dogs and cats and will be building a tort table soon. Any good suggestions on keeping it "pet proof"? Also,I want to suspend my lights from a light stand, but all I can find are the table top kind. Can anyone recommend a floor lamp stand?

 

[Madkins007]

Some possibilities-

Pet-proofing...
- positioning, like a slightly higher table, or being in a room with a door
- a pet barrier- you can go to a lot of sign shops and get a corrugated plastic they make signs from cheaply in custom sizes. It is light, easy to clean, and often available in colors. You could easily make a wall sturdy enough to keep a cat from jumping up, but so light you can remove it easily.
- A tent or similar covering, which will also let you control temps and humidity better. My plans for a new Red-foot habitat includes a 3' high 'tent'.

Lighting...
- Build a simple 'bridge' from 1x2's or similar, two uprights and a cross bar to hold lighting, cables, heating, etc. It can also help support any other walls, etc. like above.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

It's my experience with my cats and numerous habitats here in the house that cats don't want to mess with chelonia. Once they see that a live animal is in there they mostly stay away. My Lil Roxie is kinda the exception to that...she likes to sleep under the basking lights. But as soon as a tort starts to move around she leaves. Also cats are smart once you tell them "no" several times they get the picture...

 

[Madkins007]

While my cat likes the light AND the giant warm toilet area.

 

[PeanutbuttER]

Some possibilities-

Pet-proofing...
- positioning, like a slightly higher table, or being in a room with a door
- a pet barrier- you can go to a lot of sign shops and get a corrugated plastic they make signs from cheaply in custom sizes. It is light, easy to clean, and often available in colors. You could easily make a wall sturdy enough to keep a cat from jumping up, but so light you can remove it easily.
- A tent or similar covering, which will also let you control temps and humidity better. My plans for a new Red-foot habitat includes a 3' high 'tent'.

Lighting...
- Build a simple 'bridge' from 1x2's or similar, two uprights and a cross bar to hold lighting, cables, heating, etc. It can also help support any other walls, etc. like above.

I'd like to see what you mean by tent. I'm having a hard time visualizing it in my head. How is it different from an jumbo-sized humid hide?

 

[ekm5015]

If you want to keep it simple, You could just add a lid to your tort table with a screen. With a screen you do not need to worry about a light stand either. Just set the light on top of the screen. Take a look at my enclosure to see if you like the idea. http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-16397.html

I used 1/2'' wire mesh which lets plenty of light in and keeps the cat out. The two doors are on hinges so they open and close easily.

Some possibilities-

Pet-proofing...
- positioning, like a slightly higher table, or being in a room with a door
- a pet barrier- you can go to a lot of sign shops and get a corrugated plastic they make signs from cheaply in custom sizes. It is light, easy to clean, and often available in colors. You could easily make a wall sturdy enough to keep a cat from jumping up, but so light you can remove it easily.
- A tent or similar covering, which will also let you control temps and humidity better. My plans for a new Red-foot habitat includes a 3' high 'tent'.

Lighting...
- Build a simple 'bridge' from 1x2's or similar, two uprights and a cross bar to hold lighting, cables, heating, etc. It can also help support any other walls, etc. like above.

I'd like to see what you mean by tent. I'm having a hard time visualizing it in my head. How is it different from an jumbo-sized humid hide?