Whether you want to keep the neighbourhood cats out of your garden or keep your indoor cat inside your garden to keep them safe, a cat proof fence is the solution for both. A cat proof fence is designed specifically with felines in mind and designed to make it difficult for them to climb over or get through.
Here we’ll look at the different types of cat fence, the commercial options available on the market and also some DIY methods if you’re feeling crafty. So if you’re looking for a permanent solution to keeping cats out of your yard, read on – because understanding how to create an effective cat proof fence is key.
Cat Proof Fences: What You Need to Know
A cat proof fence is an effective way to keep the local kitties out of your garden and away from your home. Here’s the 3 main reasons for cat fencing your yard.
Installing a cat proof fence can be advantageous, as it prevents garden destruction caused by free roaming cats and provides reassurance that they won’t be able to enter your yard.
A cat proof fence can also be a safeguard against other critters, such as bunnies and coyotes, who may attempt to penetrate your garden in search of sustenance or refuge.
If you have indoor cats and you would like them to be able to explore outside, having a secure perimeter will give your feline family member access to your garden without any risk from getting lost or predators.
DIY Solutions for Creating a Cat Proof Fence
The easiest way of cat-proofing a fence is to fix plastic mesh or galvanized wire mesh to your existing fence. As long as your current fence has enough height to prevent a cat from climbing or jumping over it this works perfectly fine.
It stops any cat from squeezing through the pickets yet still permits air flow so your fence won’t blow down in a strong gale.
Plastic and wire mesh solutions are becoming an increasingly popular option for cat owners because they provide excellent visibility while still keeping their indoor cats in the garden and feral or neighborhood felines out. It’s also economical and an easy DIY installation.
These rolls of netting and mesh options come in a range of dimensions, colors, and designs so that you can pick the one that best meets your needs.
Installing Plastic Mesh or Galvanized Wire
The mesh should be strong enough that a cat can’t tear through it. It should also be tall enough (at least 4 feet) so a cat can’t jump over it easily. To ensure maximum effectiveness, attach the mesh securely to the fence and at all points where it meets the ground with tent pegs so nothing can get underneath.
Galvanized wire is going to be a more permanent job but will cost more. Once done though, it should last you many years as it’s not going to tear, deteriorate in the sun or rot in the rain.
You will need some work gloves, galvanized staples and a decent pair of wire cutters for fixing to your fence.
6 feet high and 50 foot long, this galvanised steel mesh will make any picket style fence cat proof.
Made with galvanized zinc coating to prevent rusting. You will need some work gloves and a decent pair of wire cutters for fixing to your fence.
Commercial Products Available for Cat Proofing Fencing
Commercial products are available to help cat owners create a cat-proof fence around their yard. Prefabricated kits can be purchased online, which come with all the necessary components and fittings for an easy installation.
These kits include fence posts and 6 inch wide by 6 foot long composite boards with 12 boards being fixed between the posts for a 6ft high inpeneratable barrier that a cat or other animal cannot climb.
Also, being made from composite the panels never require painting, won’t fade in the sun and are light enough to be installed easily yet look and feel like natural timber.
Each panel is 6ft high and 6ft wide. This is the 5 panel kit which will be 36 feet long.
Made from composite impregnated with a woodgrain effect this fence is light, durable and will never weather.
Also available in single, 10 and 25 panel kits.
Fence Topper
Fence extenders are also available for those who need to add more height for protection against a cat entering their garden. These come with fence toppers angled at 45 degrees covered in plastic mesh or net to make it impenetrable for any small animal.
These can be easily installed on top of existing fences or walls with nothing more than an impact driver and an afternoon of decent weather.
Prevent your cats from climbing over your fence with this corral cat fence system.
Converts any 5ft fence into an impregnable 6ft high barrier with extenders that arch inward and then have netting stretched across.
Turn the arch outward to ensure no cats can get into your garden.
Can be easily fixed to wood fencing or brick wall. Each kit is enough to cat proof 100ft. of fencing
Coyote Rollers
Another commercial option are coyote rollers, also known as fence rollers. These fix on top of a suitable fence and when a cat, coyote, dog or any other animal attempts to jump up onto the top of the fence to scramble over it, the coyote rollers stop them from getting a grip and down they go the way they came.
These are particularly popular with indoor cat owners who want to give their cat time outdoors in the garden.
These can work out expensive if you have a lot of fence to protect but one of our regular readers made her own and sent me her instructions so if you fancy having a go yourself, you can read the details in the article about keeping cats out of your garden.
Designed to deny an animals paws the traction needed to pull themselves up and over a fence by spinning freely when attempting to enter or exit a yard. Effective against coyotes, dogs and cats.
Easy to install to the top of a fence or wall.
Chain Link Fencing
This is probably the easiest fence for cat proofing. If the chain link is too big and cats can squeeze through just cable tie poultry wire to it. If the fence is too short you can purchase extenders that bolt onto the top rail.
Ideally you would fix these at an angle either 45 degrees outward for keeping cats out or inward for cat containment before fixing poultry wire or mesh to the extenders.
Fixes to the top rail of a chain link fence and extends the height by over 2 ft.
Tilt in or out by 45 degrees and cover with mesh to prevent any animal from climbing in or out.
Price includes 9 extender bars.
Recap: Creating a cat-proof fence requires careful consideration of factors such as cost, durability and ease of installation; pre-fabricated are available to help owners achieve this goal.
FAQ
How do you cat proof a fence?
Construct a fence that is sufficiently tall to prevent cats from leaping over, then secure an outward-facing lip on the top and add mesh or netting along the lower part of it. Then add an outward facing overhang at the top of the fence to prevent cats from climbing up and over.
Finally, attach some type of mesh or netting along the bottom portion of the fence to make it difficult for cats to squeeze through any gaps or holes in the fencing material. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to protect your garden from unwanted feline visitors.
Do cat proof fences work?
They are designed to create an obstacle that cats cannot climb over or squeeze through. The height and construction of the fence should be tailored to the size and agility of the local cat population.
It is essential to make sure that the barrier of your garden remains uncompromised, with no breaches at ground level where cats could potentially gain access. With proper installation and maintenance, a cat-proof fence can provide an effective barrier against unwanted feline visitors.
What kind of fence can a cat not climb?
A fence that a cat cannot climb is one with a smooth surface and no footholds. A solid wooden or metal fence with very small gaps between the slats, or composite fencing are all good options. Moreover, to ward off a cat from scaling the fence, a fence topper may be affixed atop it.
Finally, motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic sound emitters may also be used to deter a cat from entering your garden.
What is the best fencing to keep cats in?
Many cat owners who protect their pet by not letting them roam freely have been successful in cat proofing their yard.
The best fencing to keep cats in is a tall, solid fence made of wood or composite panels. It should be at least 6 feet high and have no gaps or openings that a cat could squeeze through. For extra deterrence, craft an incline on the upper part of your fence to obstruct your cats from scaling it.
Additionally, fixing chicken wire around the bottom of an existing fence will help prevent cats from trying to climb it. Cats hate chicken wire and they will not try to climb it or walk on it.
Conclusion
It can be pricey, but there are commercial solutions and also DIY arrangements you can utilize to make a fence that a cat won’t have the option to scale or burrow under. Whether you are trying to keep the local cat population out of your garden or your indoor cat in your garden, you can make sure your cat proof fence does its job and keeps both free roaming cats away from your garden and your indoor cat safe at home.
A cat proof fence isn’t practical for everyone but don’t despair, there are other ways of putting them off entering your garden. Check out my cat deterrent reviews here.
If you’re trying to keep your indoor cat safe but a cat proof fence is out of the question consider an outside cat enclosure.
