How to kitten-proof a pond?

[wiltonian]

We have two kittens, who will be neutered and going out soon. And we have a pond in our garden, which is kind of like tank - so raised above ground and quite deep. Both our older cats have fallen in it (once) and got out but not so sure the kittens will be OK.

To complicate things, both the kittens are obsessed with water and spend half their day sitting in various sinks, and one of them is a fearless, daredevil lunatic.

Taking all of that into account, what's the best thing to do with the pond? I'm thinking metal grid, but any other ideas?

How old are they, OP? It is best to keep kittens inside for about the first year of their lives. Kittens are bonkers and have no sense of danger.

We've always let ours out at 6 months. I'd put netting over the top of the pond and also install escape ramps. The ramps are good for wildlife too.

You can get grills to put on top but I would also have a sloping side so if anything does fall in - for example if you forget to put the grill on after cleaning then, there is a way out. We built one side of ours up with stones.

There was a post a while back about someone who's cat drowned in a neighbour's pond, which sounds very similar to yours, so it would be worth scrolling back and having a look?

Is it so raised that frogs can't get in -- that's why it doesn't matter that they couldn't escape?

My kittens each fell in the pond once -- hasn't happened again.

It's not hard to build a metal mesh cover if you think that's essential -- wood frame.