Do Cat Fences Really Work?

Cats are known for their territorial characteristics; these creatures not only love to protect their land, but they also have a strong desire to explore their turf. This curiosity, unfortunately, can often get these feline animals to get into major trouble and end up in difficult situations such as being stolen, injured, or even killed.

While keeping cats contained can seem like a difficult task, with a high-quality pet fence, you can easily keep your furry friend safe from harm. If you want to keep your little one from getting into scrapes and are wondering whether a cat fence actually works or not, you have come to the right place! Here we have prepared a detailed guide to cat fences and their effectiveness to help you make informed decisions regarding your precious kitty!

Types of Cat Fences to Choose From

With a wide range of designs available on the market today, choosing a cat fence that would work well for your little companion can become quite overwhelming. Here are a few options explained in detail:

Add-On Cat Fences

An add-on cat enclosure or retrofit is a wide strip or band of mesh that can be installed on top of a pre-existing pet fence. A series of brackets are used to attach these fencing systems to the barrier in order to create an overhang inside the fence. This provides a barrier to the cats, prevents them from jumping the fence, and even if they do climb, this barrier keeps pets inside the yard.

As compared to freestanding fences, the add-on cat enclosure offers greater protection to larger animals due to the strength and structure of the pet fence. When using this option, it is important that you make sure that the pet fence you have already is in good condition and doesn’t contain any unwanted hotels that could cause your cat to slip through and escape.

Freestanding Cat Fences

Freestanding cat fences are constructed using thin mesh netting that is strung between sturdy metal poles. As the name suggests, these barriers can be installed inside a pre-existing pet fence, and they can easily stand on their own. These curved barriers are about 6 ft tall and can conveniently restrict cats from jumping over them. Since these fences don’t necessarily require existing pet fences, they are a quite popular choice among cat owners.

Moreover, the thin mesh netting easily disappears into your surrounding landscape, making it a feasible option for individuals who don’t want to ruin the aesthetic of their backyard or home. Keep in mind that freestanding cat fences are not designed to keep larger animals contained and bigger predators out.

Metal Cat Fences

When it comes to metal cat fences, they are quite different from traditional dog metal fences. Since cats are known for their ability to climb and jump well, standard metal fences might not be enough to contain them. The best way to make your yard or porch a safe area for your cat is by enclosing it as high as possible to stop your pet from jumping over it and being exposed to external dangers.

Wireless Cat Fences

A wireless cat fence is one of the options that many pet owners use to keep their cats inside their backyard. It requires them to make their cat wear an electric collar that receives signals from a wire buried in the lawn as soon as the cat approaches the barrier and tries to cross it. If the pets fail to respect the warning signal, they receive a mild shock.

When using such a method, it is important to train your pet well to help them get used to the fencing system. One major disadvantage of this fence is that it doesn’t keep predators out since they aren’t wearing the special collar and can easily pass through the barrier unaffected at all times.

Spiky Strips

Spiky strips aren’t exactly fences; they are placed around a pre-existing cat fence. As long as your cat fence is at an appropriate height, installing spiky strips will prevent your cat from jumping and climbing over the fence. These strips are also ideal for keeping unwanted guests away!

Do Cat Fences Really Work?

When it comes to determining whether a cat fence works or not, the results usually depend on the temperament of each individual cat. Oftentimes pet fences can efficiently keep domestic animals from crossing certain boundaries. However, this usually occurs at the expense of the emotional wellbeing of the pet animal.

The electric current released in advanced fencing systems can cause the already-heightened senses of cats to trigger and inflict extensive emotional trauma on the innocent creatures. This can result in increased anxiety, stress, and anger. Moreover, the process can also cause some physical harm. If your pet is suffering from any sort of medical condition, any type of cat fence must be completely off-limits.

The vibration and sound warning on the fence can be overwhelming for the healthiest of cats. So, while fences do work for many pets, the real question is: should you use them? Remember, a fence might not be the best idea to keep your pet cat from the outdoor world. 

Bottom Line

Even if electric fences use low voltage, it might be best to avoid them as the shock feature can have a major impact on your little feline pet’s health. Therefore, it may be best to use positive reinforcement training techniques and traditional cat fences that are much more humane options to help your cat learn about respecting boundaries and keep your kitty safe and sound!