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Has anyone cat-proofed a small garden?

10 replies

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/05/2016 10:52

Because the M25 cat killer has killed at least two cats near me we have started looking at cat proofing the garden. The problem is our garden is very narrow, half the width of a 'normal' garden (we're in a downstairs maisonette and the other half belongs to upstairs., and I really don't want to put up a 6' fence as it will close it in too much - at the moment there is no fence between the gardens.

We're thinking of putting up a 3' fence between the gardens with netting coming off of that and a gate leading onto the shared path. The other side is a 6' fence so we can attached the netting as normal (the fence belongs to the neighbours but they don't care about the fence or garden and I've never seen the landlord so I'm not worried about attaching something to it).

Do you think this will work? Harry isn't a climber so I'm not worried about him trying to scale the netting on the 3' side.

My next question (sorry!) - is it worth putting a microchip cat flap in the gate? I'm worried he will get out by sneaking out the front door or the gate and not be able to get back in again which rather defeats the object of cat proofing! Obviously I can't use a normal cat flap as I might come home to a garden full of cats but DM has a microchip one she's never used (or rather the cat hasn't used) so I can have that.

Sorry this is such a long post but I'm trying to put my case to DH who agrees that we need to do something but isn't as keen as I am! (Probably as he'll be doing the work!)

Thanks in advance.

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ElegantDream · 17/05/2016 19:39

The fences ought to be 5-6 foot high and the cat proofing goes on top. Otherwise the cat could jump over.

You could have a fence with gaps in (narrow) or a chain/ mesh type fence with the cat proofing on top (although I don't know how that would look.

I used Securacat.

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ElegantDream · 17/05/2016 19:40

Sorry, I didn't finish the last sentence. I used Securacat and the netting is so fine that it's rather hard to see (especially if the neighbours have something on their side of the fence).

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/05/2016 20:11

DH was planning on attaching poles to the 3' fencing and attaching the mesh to them so it's the height it would be if it was attached to a 5' or 6' fence. I really don't want to have a 6' fence either side garden as it's only 7' wide so it'll be like a tunnel! Some people have done it here and it looks bloody awful!

I've been looking at Securacat. DH is planning on making the cat proofing himself but I'm thinking it might be quicker and easier for me to buy from Securacat and him fit it. To be fair to him he is a handy man and likes to have a break at the weekend!

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ElegantDream · 17/05/2016 22:15

Yes, that would work. As long as you have a good overhang and the netting has no gaps and is strong it's all fine!

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ElegantDream · 17/05/2016 22:17

It's a difficult one - we looked into doing our own, but decided against as the quality of the 'real' one was so much better than we could source (not saying you couldn't find something). We just bought the bits from them and fitted ourselves.

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/05/2016 22:41

I might end up doing that as I could have a long wait for DH! I know he can do it but obviously his customers come first as they pay the bills (I don't let him forget he started our bathroom in 2013 and it's still not finished!).

What happens if the cat gets out? I'm not sure my cat flap idea would work as it could pack up if the rain got in it. I presume he'd have to sulk sit in the front garden until one of us came home, which defeats the object really.

If we had a normal width garden I'd be happy to have the 6' fence all the way round but our garden is so narrow and doesn't get the sun so I can't see any of us wanting to go out, even the cat! I keep thinking am I cruel trying to keep him in such a small garden but he's not a wanderer and I just don't want him sitting in the front garden or crossing the road.

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ElegantDream · 17/05/2016 23:07

Many cats are house cats - you are giving him more space than that.

If I have a concern about restricting my cat, I only have to think about all the threads about cats being lost to the road to make me feel sure I'm doing the right thing.

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iloveeverykindofcat · 18/05/2016 08:16

I'm having mine done as we speak (neighbour is a handyman) and I'll post some pics when it's done, by the end of the month.

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MsMims · 18/05/2016 10:21

On the side where the fence is lower, you could use stock fencing as it is higher and doesn't feel imposing. You'd just need to attach the netting onto it as there are holes in it.

I wouldn't feel bad about restricting his outdoor space, if anything I think it's cruel that people are continuing to let their cats out with this maniac on the loose. Likewise with roads, so many avoidable deaths.

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/05/2016 16:33

Thanks for all your advice and making me feel better about restricting Harry to the garden.

DH (who thought I was overreacting) has been researching cat proofing and has found the brackets for around £30-£60 depending on how many we need and is now on the case for the netting. It's not going to be a quick job because he's working but at least he's onside now. DH also took down my plaque saying 'the best thing about the day is coming home to my cat' this morning as he's (rightly) worried about advertising we've got a cat.

My one worry is still what happens if Harry sneaks out. I suppose we'll get used to being more careful! We managed to keep him in when he was under house arrest when he broke his jaw so I suppose it'll be OK. The main problem will be when DH needs to get stuff for work from the shed as he'll have to go out the gate. Hopefully he'll following him back in!

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