Is there a trick to getting the top on securely? The rim is so skinny. My big cat knocked thetop off, scared him, and now he won't go near it! help!
886272
I've read that others have had trouble with the top, but I have not. It's always very easy for me to put on securely and it stays in place. Perhaps you have one that has been manufactured improperly? You might want to return it and ask for a replacement.
886273
I had trouble at first. The groove has stops at the ends, so if you get one end lined up at one side of the door it isn't difficult to line up the other end at the other side of the door. Then it just drops into place. I usually give it a little test twist. If it is in the slot, it won't move. both I and my cats are very happy with this box.
886274
It's difficult at first, I guess because it's been boxed up. It took a while, but now the rim fits perfectly and stays put. I have three really large cats and they haven't had any problems with it since we finally got the rim to stay on securely. I think you have to kind of twist it and wiggle it a bit until the front lines up and then it seems to seat fine and stays secure. One of my cats kept trying to get the tree, so I went to Michael's and got a better plant that stays better, too.
590388
I have sort of lined it up near where it will sit,but 'twist' it to be sure the top & bottom rims are seated together. Maybe forgo the palm tree topper for awhile just to make it less top heavy (and more to startle your kitty if there is a problem). Scared cats take time and patience to have trust again, as I am sure you know. Maybe leave the top off for a week (I know,... what's the point of a camouflage cat pan if the lid is off? ) so that way he gets used to the pan and considers it ok before you try the top again. Good luck!
2254661
I've had this feeder for 2 days and my cat has also knocked the hopper off the base - twice! It doesn't "twist & lock" into place, it just sits on top sort of "tongue & groove" like... I have the model with the barrel shaped hopper. Maybe the one with the saucer shaped hopper is a newer one that allows the hopper to lock onto the base? If someone could verify that would be great! Soo tired of picking up kibble...
95993
The top comes off but it is really on there tightly. Keep turning it until it loosens enough to be removed.
1717501
It is rather heavy but the top is separate and just sitting on the base. I have never done this but in the past my parents always secured the top of their clay birdbaths with a thick roll of putty. The top could then be pried off for winter storage. I filled the base of mine about halfway with gravel for additional sturdiness but didn't do anything to secure the top. So far the deer haven't broken it. Knock on wood! I may have just jinxed myself! I think I'll go get some putty now!
1629733
The top is slippery and cats slide off. You can glue astroturf to the top, but the cats still get knocked off when the unit goes under a couch. Because of the curvature of the top, if you want more than one riding cat, you have to put velcro strips on the unit and give the cats velcro socks. They will try to take them off. Estimate 15% reduction of runtime for every 5 pounds of riding cat.
2126361
Our cats found a way to dislodge the upper ball by removing the "cap". It just snaps in. The lower ball is more challenging so it may take them a little more time to mess that one up. We'll let you know.
16734
From my experience so far this thing is not easy to tip over - it's very wide on the bottom and narrows at the top (like a tent). Also, I had no trouble removing my cat. I would just open it and reach in and grab him. But it's big enough that you could get inside there with him to grab him if you really needed to.
1374512
Try pushing down on the top then opening at the same time. I think that it is a safety feature. Hope that helps.
1321403
I would take the top off, place him inside, and replace the top. He might run out the opening, but you need to show him that he is protected inside and there is nothing to be afraid of. Putting catnip or a LITTLE food in there might help, but don't let any residual food stay inside because it might draw predators (racoons, etc.). If he gets cold enough, he will go in or stay in because he has no other choice.
1176167
if you're concerned about escape just place a board or anything to hold down the top screen. To be honest, most pet store tanks have a flimsy top.
864989
I had the same thing happen. My two cats just batted it over and one rolled it while the other ate. I asked the same question. How can I keep this thing from getting knocked over? I got no answer.
1879675
My two cats have never been able to break in. (And one has thumbs!) The most I've seen is one stick his hand up the chute and shake out a couple pieces.They've also never been able to topple the thing. The base is pretty wide, and I had mine against a wall, so it would've taken a lot of effort to get it all the way over.
172746
The lid on mine comes off extremely easily because there are no locks/latches to attach the bottom to the top. A good, strong wind could possibly blow it off. I would look for a covered litter box that looks more like this and has the locks on the side to secure it:http://www.catsofaustralia.com/images/litterpan12.jpg
1298411
The top platforms are small. I have 2 male cats that are about 18 lbs and neither one would get up there. Also, the upper box is too small for an 18 lb cat to fit into. They can barely fit into the lower box. Lastly, the third layer was too crowded with the 3 upper platforms and the little box. I removed the top 3 platforms, their supporting columns, and the little top box and now my cats can at least get up on the 3rd layer. I also removed the two ramps, as the cats weren't using them and they got in the way of the 2nd layer. Sorry that I don't have explicit sizes for you, but I removed the items you asked about. Hope this helps.
1538749
So glad you asked that question. I just got my unit and have been trying to take the top off for the past 15 minutes. Finally looked here and was relieved that it's not just me. Finally I got it off - no secret - just brute strength. :-)
481465
Same think happened to me. The problem is the top is not affixed and for some reason the stuff you need is missing. Contact customer service and they will send you a new . It seems this a ongoing problem.
1815992
Beverly, It's not difficult to remove the top.....it's attached by two clips on each side. So you just flip them up and lift off the top. My only complaint is that the top really should have a handle of TOP so it would be easy to move the unit around and to just lift it off from the base instead of having to lift from where the two pieces meet. Also this is an odd shape and very large, so there are no liners that fit it. Even so we really like it....it holds a lot of litter and the shape fits perfectly in a corner. I scoop out once/twice a day and I can do this w/o having to take the top off. Then once a week I use a large kitchen trash bag, dump out all the litter and replace it. Hope this helps! Kim