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Original poster

Best fence for keeping cat in garden

22 replies

msssm · 15/07/2022 13:34

I am shortly moving in to a house with a a garden, and would like to be able to allow my cat to have full run of it, without being able to escape. She is 6 and until now has been a house cat - but one that tries to escape to explore the outside regularly.

I am on a budget so can't afford the ProtectAPet fence toppers.

Does anyone have anything similar that they can recommend that won't cost the earth?

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
marlowe5 · 15/07/2022 13:37

I don't think you can really. We have built a fenced area with a fenced roof for mine. If your cats are agile, which most are, I can't see any fence keeping them in. And if they have been inside they won't have developed road sense.

JudithHarper · 15/07/2022 13:41

For our cats, it would have to be 300 foot high and be as smooth as glass from top to bottom.

I don't think a cat-proof fence has been invented yet.

What we do when we get new cats is to let them out just before feeding time. They soon learn when its food time and will soon come back when they are hungry.

SallyWD · 15/07/2022 13:46

Why don't you want your cat roaming further than your garden? Our cat goes out but never goes very far. Maybe within 2 or 3 houses. He always come back. He knows where his home is.

Original poster
msssm · 15/07/2022 16:11

I have a few reasons for not wanting my cat to be able to roam outdoors, but that's not what I am asking.

I would really love to hear from anyone that has this sort or fencing and would recommend it.

This is the type of thing I mean...

Best fence for keeping cat in garden
OP posts:
SuspiciousDuck · 15/07/2022 16:58

My friend has fence-top rollers to keep his cat in. Made from sort of brush material. The cat was quite expensive and I suspect the rollers were too, but they are effective.

Original poster
msssm · 15/07/2022 17:57

SuspiciousDuck · 15/07/2022 16:58

My friend has fence-top rollers to keep his cat in. Made from sort of brush material. The cat was quite expensive and I suspect the rollers were too, but they are effective.

I have had a look at them thanks for the info. They do seem an expensive method though.

OP posts:
titchy · 15/07/2022 17:58

Catio?

Original poster
msssm · 15/07/2022 18:16

titchy · 15/07/2022 17:58

Catio?

I'd rather let her have the freedom of the garden @titchy
Thanks though.

OP posts:
SageMist · 16/07/2022 08:36

Yes we have that kind of fence topper. It keeps our cats in most of the time. However one of our cats can get through the smallest holes, and does. Luckily she doesn't go far. You will also need to be vigilant about making sure open windows and doors aren't potential escape routes.

DinkyDaisy · 16/07/2022 12:45

We have blocked off end of our patio, between 2 walls, by the back door.
Does look enviously through gate to rest of garden and will go through if we open it. We just put him back. Busy road at front. We used Purrfect fencing uk. Adapted stand alone fence so went into patio tiles and had their heavy duty gate. It was expensive but less than Protect a pet. Our alternative would have been a Catio. As not good at DIY had a handyman install. If a catio, we were looking at Omlett Catios which we would have adapted so attached to back of house.

Original poster
msssm · 16/07/2022 23:13

DinkyDaisy · 16/07/2022 12:45

We have blocked off end of our patio, between 2 walls, by the back door.
Does look enviously through gate to rest of garden and will go through if we open it. We just put him back. Busy road at front. We used Purrfect fencing uk. Adapted stand alone fence so went into patio tiles and had their heavy duty gate. It was expensive but less than Protect a pet. Our alternative would have been a Catio. As not good at DIY had a handyman install. If a catio, we were looking at Omlett Catios which we would have adapted so attached to back of house.

Thanks @DinkyDaisy that's god info. I'll look into them.

OP posts:
Original poster
msssm · 16/07/2022 23:14

SageMist · 16/07/2022 08:36

Yes we have that kind of fence topper. It keeps our cats in most of the time. However one of our cats can get through the smallest holes, and does. Luckily she doesn't go far. You will also need to be vigilant about making sure open windows and doors aren't potential escape routes.

Could you tell me where you got your fence topper pls @SageMist

We are always careful with the windows, and have luckily caught her the couple of times she's managed to get out of the front door!

OP posts:
Dewsberry · 16/07/2022 23:20

I've been reading around and some people DIY protect a pet with netting and big right angled brackets.

My worry is whether it would keep other cats out well enough, and we have trees and a shed on boundaries so I don't think it would work for us.

SageMist · 16/07/2022 23:32

Sorry @msssm, I can't remember where we got it from. It was over 7 years ago now. I'm pretty sure we just googled cat proofing and picked an affordable option. I do remember it took a few days to do our whole back garden. We had to patch any holes and gaps in the fence, and cut back or get rid of any plants that the cats could climb and bypass the cat-proofing netting.

PrincessConsuela12 · 16/07/2022 23:55

@msssm we have the one you've pictured. So far it's been great but we've only had it for about 6 months so time will tell. My PiL have had theirs for a few years & so far (as far as they know) neither one of their cats has escaped.

fernz · 16/07/2022 23:59

Sanctuary SOS is cheaper and exactly the same design as ProtectaPet.

Original poster
msssm · 17/07/2022 12:28

Dewsberry · 16/07/2022 23:20

I've been reading around and some people DIY protect a pet with netting and big right angled brackets.

My worry is whether it would keep other cats out well enough, and we have trees and a shed on boundaries so I don't think it would work for us.

I've seen bits that are built to go round trees, sheds etc so you still have all round barriers. I will just have a gate, so need to ensure no gaps from there to fence. I might get a joiner in to see if he could design and fit me one affordably.

OP posts:
Original poster
msssm · 17/07/2022 12:30

SageMist · 16/07/2022 23:32

Sorry @msssm, I can't remember where we got it from. It was over 7 years ago now. I'm pretty sure we just googled cat proofing and picked an affordable option. I do remember it took a few days to do our whole back garden. We had to patch any holes and gaps in the fence, and cut back or get rid of any plants that the cats could climb and bypass the cat-proofing netting.

Thanks anyway. Making sure there is nothing else they can climb on to get high enough to jump over is something to think about too. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
msssm · 17/07/2022 12:32

PrincessConsuela12 · 16/07/2022 23:55

@msssm we have the one you've pictured. So far it's been great but we've only had it for about 6 months so time will tell. My PiL have had theirs for a few years & so far (as far as they know) neither one of their cats has escaped.

Good to know it works. I might end up having to go for the expensive option and see if I can pay it up, to ensure the safety of our much loved furball.

OP posts:
Original poster
msssm · 17/07/2022 12:33

fernz · 16/07/2022 23:59

Sanctuary SOS is cheaper and exactly the same design as ProtectaPet.

Had a look @fernz thank you. Only thing is I'm in the far north of Scotland so most likely too far away for this company. Looks like they only supply and fit not supply only. Thank you though.

OP posts:
waitingpatientlyforspring · 17/07/2022 12:55

msssm · 15/07/2022 16:11

I have a few reasons for not wanting my cat to be able to roam outdoors, but that's not what I am asking.

I would really love to hear from anyone that has this sort or fencing and would recommend it.

This is the type of thing I mean...

My neighbours have this for their cats and it keeps them in. It doesn't keep our cats out or keep our cats from getting out so I am not sure if their cats are just not trying hard enough

Original poster
msssm · 17/07/2022 14:43

That's quite funny @waitingpatientlyforspring 😂

My cat is quite lazy and not a jumper or climber indoors so my hope is she won't try too hard to outsmart whatever barrier we use.

OP posts:
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