The idea of keeping a cat contained to a backyard or enclosed run may seem far-fetched, given cat's skills at jumping and climbing.
Most normal fences just give the cats something else to climb on, but there are now several types of cat barrier systems that work to keep cats safe and contained.
Most fences use a flexible mesh, which cats have trouble climbing or balancing on, and curved lean-ins along the top, to keep cats from jumping over the fence.
In addition to keeping the cat safe inside the yard, this type of fencing also helps keep out strays and wildlife that may harm the cat.
Since there are a few different types of cat fences, it only makes sense to do some research on the different types and compare cat fence reviews to help find the best type of cat fence to meet your needs.
Free Standing Fences Free standing barriers are made from thin mesh netting strung between metal poles.
They can stand on their own or be installed inside an existing fence and are usually about 6 foot tall, with curved posts along the top to keep the cat from jumping over.
If the cat manages to climb the fence, it cannot get over and just falls back down under its own weight.
The bottom of the fence is attached to the ground every few feet, to keep the cat from going under and to keep other animals from slipping in.
This type of cat fence is very popular because it doesn't require an existing fence and because the thin mesh is not visible from a distance.
It disappears into the surrounding landscape, without taking way from the look of your home and yard.
On the other hand, the thin mesh is not as strong as a traditional fence, so it is not intended to keep large dogs contained and may not keep larger predators out.
Add-On Cat Fencing Systems An add-on cat enclosure, or cat fence retrofit, is wide strip or band of mesh that is installed on top of an existing fence.
It is attached to the fence by a series of brackets and creates an overhang on the inside of the fence.
This keeps cats from jumping the fence and provides a barrier if they climb, forcing them to turn back and stay inside the yard.
This type of cat fencing system provides more protection against large animals, because of the strength and structure of the existing fence.
It can also be installed along a wood privacy fence in a way that it is hidden from neighbors and passers-by, with the top of the cat fence being below the top of the outside fence.
With this type of cat fence, you will need to be sure that the existing fence is in good repair and free of holes or damaged areas that the cat could slip through.
Some fence reviews have noted that the mesh or brackets on these can be damaged by heavy snow, so it is important to clean off the cat fence as soon as possible during snow or ice storms.
Some fence companies provide snow clips to strengthen the fence and help prevent damage from heavy, wet snow.
Wireless Cat Fences A wireless electronic cat barrier is another option to keep your cat from leaving the yard.
This type of fence is made up of a wire that is buried in the lawn and an electronic collar worn by your cat.
The wire creates a barrier by sending a signal to the collar if the cat approaches.
If the cat does not heed the warning signal, then it receives a mild shock.
This trains the cat to avoid the fence.
The advantage to this sort of fence is that there is no visible structure above ground.
This makes it possible to fence of forbidden areas, like a garden, pool, or sandbox, without placing a physical barrier around them.
The main disadvantage is that that electronic enclosure systems do not keep any other animals out.
Since they are not wearing the special collars, dogs, wildlife, and other cats are not kept out of the yard.
Others may see the collar itself as a disadvantage and choose to avoid wireless cat fences because they do not want their cat to be shocked if it gets too close to the fence.
Most normal fences just give the cats something else to climb on, but there are now several types of cat barrier systems that work to keep cats safe and contained.
Most fences use a flexible mesh, which cats have trouble climbing or balancing on, and curved lean-ins along the top, to keep cats from jumping over the fence.
In addition to keeping the cat safe inside the yard, this type of fencing also helps keep out strays and wildlife that may harm the cat.
Since there are a few different types of cat fences, it only makes sense to do some research on the different types and compare cat fence reviews to help find the best type of cat fence to meet your needs.
Free Standing Fences Free standing barriers are made from thin mesh netting strung between metal poles.
They can stand on their own or be installed inside an existing fence and are usually about 6 foot tall, with curved posts along the top to keep the cat from jumping over.
If the cat manages to climb the fence, it cannot get over and just falls back down under its own weight.
The bottom of the fence is attached to the ground every few feet, to keep the cat from going under and to keep other animals from slipping in.
This type of cat fence is very popular because it doesn't require an existing fence and because the thin mesh is not visible from a distance.
It disappears into the surrounding landscape, without taking way from the look of your home and yard.
On the other hand, the thin mesh is not as strong as a traditional fence, so it is not intended to keep large dogs contained and may not keep larger predators out.
Add-On Cat Fencing Systems An add-on cat enclosure, or cat fence retrofit, is wide strip or band of mesh that is installed on top of an existing fence.
It is attached to the fence by a series of brackets and creates an overhang on the inside of the fence.
This keeps cats from jumping the fence and provides a barrier if they climb, forcing them to turn back and stay inside the yard.
This type of cat fencing system provides more protection against large animals, because of the strength and structure of the existing fence.
It can also be installed along a wood privacy fence in a way that it is hidden from neighbors and passers-by, with the top of the cat fence being below the top of the outside fence.
With this type of cat fence, you will need to be sure that the existing fence is in good repair and free of holes or damaged areas that the cat could slip through.
Some fence reviews have noted that the mesh or brackets on these can be damaged by heavy snow, so it is important to clean off the cat fence as soon as possible during snow or ice storms.
Some fence companies provide snow clips to strengthen the fence and help prevent damage from heavy, wet snow.
Wireless Cat Fences A wireless electronic cat barrier is another option to keep your cat from leaving the yard.
This type of fence is made up of a wire that is buried in the lawn and an electronic collar worn by your cat.
The wire creates a barrier by sending a signal to the collar if the cat approaches.
If the cat does not heed the warning signal, then it receives a mild shock.
This trains the cat to avoid the fence.
The advantage to this sort of fence is that there is no visible structure above ground.
This makes it possible to fence of forbidden areas, like a garden, pool, or sandbox, without placing a physical barrier around them.
The main disadvantage is that that electronic enclosure systems do not keep any other animals out.
Since they are not wearing the special collars, dogs, wildlife, and other cats are not kept out of the yard.
Others may see the collar itself as a disadvantage and choose to avoid wireless cat fences because they do not want their cat to be shocked if it gets too close to the fence.