Hi daffydill
I would be inclined to give it a try. It’s not a bad thing to have more than one feeding station. I have heard of others who have used underbed storage boxes, although I haven’t used them myself. But, it might be a good cat deterrant. I know BHPS suggest an entrance of 13cm. but that is much too big to deter some cats. I had to reduce the size of the entrance on mine to 10cm. (luckily wooden so another strip could be easily added!) and a cat still managed to get in if there weren’t other deterrants as well. The hogs had no problem getting in, but the height inside was higher. But I have a sheet of perspex over the top of 2 litre (13 cm high) and 3 litre pots which the hogs (including some very large males) feed under quite happily. But 13cm. is only about 5″ so not sure whether you meant 5 or 7. 7″ sounds high enough to me.
It is usually a case of trial and error making feeding boxes depending on whether you have persistent cats around, etc. i.e. just high enough for the hogs and just too low for the cats! But it might not be a bad thing if only the smaller hogs can get in – might give them a chance to get a look in! But if you have low rimmed bowls it might be o.k. for larger ones too.
It isn’t essential to have two entrances/exits, but if size allows, not a bad idea. But the size you mention might not be big enough to have two and might give more opportunity for a cat to reach the food more easily. They’re very good at reaching their paws in, if they can’t get the whole of themselves in, and dragging the food to the entrance!
If you do go ahead with the storage box, don’t forget to put tape around the entrances to make sure there aren’t any sharp edges.
Good luck. Hope some hogs will be back soon to try out the finished product.
