Cat proofing - sheds. Pole sytem?

[IntoTheFloodAgain]

We have 2 sheds, 1 with a pitched roof which our outdoor cats can jump straight on to. If we put up the netting on the fence, the cats would likely be able to jump over them from the roof.

There is also a brick shed which connects to an alleyway between us and NDN. The cats can jump from one shed to this one, and then get over into the alleyway this way.

Anyone had this issue in their garden? How did you manage to get around it? I’m thinkin if we were to go for the pole system, we could put a couple of the poles on the shed roof so they can’t get on. But I’ve read the system isn’t always best and can cause injuries too?

I’d love for our cats to be indoor but the male one gets very stressed if he can’t go out. When we moved we kept him in for 2-3 weeks and he got so stressed and it got worse, not better, with time.

I’m starting to get very tempted to just put a mesh lid over the entire garden (keep the cats in and the wasps out!) but I don’t know if this would even work, if a panel that big even exists.

One of the cats rarely leaves the garden, but the boy does wander a bit. He’s quick to come back when I shout him, and he’s in before dark. But over the past few months there have been too many horrible attacks on cats reported (both in the area and further away), and I’m getting more anxious with the longer days. (we’re not in the cat killers area btw, I think we’d have moved by now if we were!)

Would love to see your cat proofing, and any other ideas/experience you have?

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

We’ve got netting attached to the fences and DH put brackets on the shed and attached netting to that as well. How hadn’t finished in this picture but you get the idea.

I don’t like the pole system to be honest. I don’t like the idea of something that makes a cat fall backwards. It looks better, but I’d rather not risk it.

[viccat]

If you get the netting type (Sanctuary SOS/Proctapet the two most popular I think) that can be fitted onto the edges of sheds, extension etc. the same as fences. So far it's been good for us, any neighbouring cats just perch on the fence and leave, they don't even try to jump in and my cats don't try to jump out.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

DH got the ideas from Protectapet and made the brackets himself for a fraction of the cost.

[IntoTheFloodAgain]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it’ll definitely be netting then, due to concerns about the pole system. My boy is very agile and can jump straight to the top of the fencing without having to climb up so I don’t think the poles would be 100% safe for him.

Can I ask if you know how visible the netting is from the neighbours side? One of ours is very garden proud.

I know it’s our fence but we don’t want to piss her off (she’s been quite understanding about the cats going over sometimes). She can have a moan about other neighbours who have taller trees etc at times.

I also worry that if boy does try to jump over he might get his claws stuck in the netting (he’s very determined, he’s managed to break out of cat carriers before!)

[gussyfinknottle]

In catkiller area - we keep her indoors with loads of vertical spaces etc. Not helpful to you, op. My concern is aesthetic, I admit. They look a bit too much like a prison to me. However, if our cat went out, I'd probably go for nets.

[viccat]

I haven't been on my neighbours' sides to see how it looks but as I have 6ft fences, I imagine they can only really see it from upstairs windows.

The netting itself is pretty much invisible from any distance (I'm looking at it through the window as I'm typing), the brackets are visible of course. I don't think claws would get caught into it, it's made of such strong material and the holes are big enough for that to not happen.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I don't know how it looks from the neighbours side and I don't really care to be honest. Harry's welfare is more important!

Apparently DH is planning on changing our netting (this was his first attempt at cat proofing and I think it's pretty good) but he wants to put up something stronger and with bigger holes so the bees can get out more easily.