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Cat Runs & Cat Proofed Gardens

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#922 ·
Sorry - a paragraph is missing from my post. I think it disappeared when I added the photo. The photo isn't of my grade, but an example of how it can work in a garden with existing hedging

I have the Securacat fencing, which is added to the top of an existing fence. I did it DIY and it 'only' cost a few hundred. I think the ones that are free standing are a good option in front of hedges - put right up to them, then the leaves grow through.
 
#924 ·
So I haven't read through every post on here but I am looking to get some kind of cat fencing once I have had my garden landscaped. So I have looked at the netting ontop of fencing and the rolling wooden bars on fencing options. A collegue from work has mentioned this Freedom Fencing from Petsafe:

http://www.freedom-fence.co.uk/

It looks intriguing and hopefully a cheaper option to the netting and wooden pole options. But i am wondering if any of you have got this freedom fencing and does it really work with cats? I am a little dubious of this system as well because it needs the pet to wear collars and my boys have never worn collars so can see this might be a problem! I look forward to your comments on this fencing system.
 
#925 ·
Not for me - indoor version

"Although you may be very happy for your pets to share your home, that doesn't necessarily mean that you want them in every room of your house such as a baby's bedroom, the room with the best furniture, or maybe upstairs."
 
#926 ·
Cookieandme said:
Not for me - indoor version

"Although you may be very happy for your pets to share your home, that doesn't necessarily mean that you want them in every room of your house such as a baby's bedroom, the room with the best furniture, or maybe upstairs."
Click to expand...
Sorry Cookie I must be getting stupid in my old age lol. Not sure what you exactly mean by your comment. What is it that you don't like about the system? I think it might work with my 2 as I have a can of compressed air that I have used to keep them off things or stop them doing something they shouldn't and I now don't even have to use the can, just pick it up and they stop doing whatever they were doing. And it sounds like this system gives off a noise or something similar to the compressed air can.
 
#928 ·
Oh ok, i want to use this outside though as i would love to be able to let my boys outside without the harness and lead. Think they'll love it but the net and rolling logs options are very expensive so was hoping this was cheaper.
 
#929 ·
I do not like systems that involve collars, as the cats can get trapped on a branch and strangle themselves.
My cats used to wear collars, and I always had the break-away ones and tried to make them so that they would not be unsafe. But Toscca still managed to get herself badly injured by a collar and from that moment onward, none of my cats have ever been given a collar again.
 
#930 ·
I was put off them by reading this scenario:

The cat is so very prey driven that they could see a bird or something beyond the perimeter of the fence. In that moment of stalk- attack- chase, they can ignore the electric shock as the prey drive takes over. Once outside the perimeter, they are then stuck on the outside as they will not cross over that pain barrier with no prey to chase and make them forget everything.

I also didn't want to use anything that inflicts pain.

I personally like the netting solution.- not maybe as invisible, but works.
 
#931 ·
Hi again all, long time no posts on here, but have a few months ago lost one of my gorgeous cats to an accident on the road outside and am starting to think about adopting again. This time however, I'm going to be looking to cat proof the garden and have looked through lots of this thread for some great pictures and tips. However I havent been able to find answers to 3 key questions/theories I've got, so if anyone has any thoughts on these I'd be so so grateful.

Firstly, the prickle strips which I had read somewhere were not harmful to cats, only a deterrent - is this actually proven anywhere? I've trawled the internet as well as the forum for this to be stated as fact (other than by the vendors), and having seen one in the flesh I am dubious to say the least! Although I can see that these would certainly do the job I would never install anything that would harm them.

Secondly - and totally coincedentally - my neighbour at the back has put willow screening against our 6ft fence which extends probably a foot above that. Looking at this arrangement, I feel if I replicated to the other sides, then this would actually be effective - it seems as though a cat could not get a firm anchor against this - or am i underestimating them?! The foot above the fence would be insecure for them , and then even if scaled, there'd be nowhere to balance on top to leap to and from?

My final idea is that by fixing hanging brackets to the fence posts at high level and then fitting mesh across the top - back to the fence and then a slight overhang at the inside edge - this would also work? My theory on this one being, if the cat scales the fence it would not be able to negotiate the barrier over its head. Can a cat leap directly over such an obstacle from the ground? It would be a 6ft leap in height plus at the top of the leap as approximate 8 inch leap horizontally to the stablility of the top of the fence...?

I would be grateful for any thoughts on the above as the commercially sold options are way out of my financial reach unfortunately.
 
#932 ·
1 I think most cats will find a way - I've seen them treading carefully through worse

2 it might work for a while, but eventually or after a storm, a weak point will arrise and you have an escape route.

3 the brackets ought to be at a 45* angle. Place the bracket on the post at a high point (we made sure the posts were strong enough). The overhang needs to be 1-2 feet. If the overhang is too small, you cat might not be able to get out, but others will be able to get it. It's the netting and distance on the netting that prevents incomers. It's the overhang that prevents escapees.

I wouldn't have anything drop down from the end of the bracket - it allows something to jump up and get hold of.

I think deer netting or the like is best as it's light and hard for animals to walk on. I wouldn't have anything heavy.

I would be tempted to speak to Securacat about buying some brackets. See what the minimum is you can beget away with source some netting. They won't guarantee it if you don't follow their instructions, but at least y know the brackets are up to the job.
 
#933 ·
Thanks for your thoughts SpringDance, really helpful to get the feedback. I've looked at Securacat and it does look good ... I might have another think about contacting them as they are made-for-purpose, and dont actually look too expensive. Thanks again
 
#935 · (Edited)
Its square so I'm confident in the diy side of things, I do have a few trees though close to the fence which are going to need some thought!

Just revisiting their website, how do the brackets fix to the fence posts? They look quite slim and I can only see one photo where they are fixed to concrete posts (which mine are - the old reinforced pebble rock hard ones) I couldnt drill into the posts, but they look too slim for any "no-nails" to get any grip/purchase..
 
#937 ·
Paddypaws said:

My garden already had pretty good fencing round so I opted for a home made version of cat proofing.
We used Heavy Duty Restraint Straps 1200 x 150mm Pack of 10 | Screwfix.com these for brackets, pretty sturdy but also easily bent into shape without needing any special equipment.
Netting was something like this
Plastic Deer Fencing Net | Deer Fence | Deer Control Barrier | 1.8m and was secured to the brackets with cable ties ( 100 ). A staple gun was used liberally to further secure the net to the wooden fence.
I have gravel boards or mini walls all round the bottom of the fencing, but that might need extra securing if cats are diggers.
For around 35 linear metres it cost me around £450 including labour ( 2 days )
Click to expand...
I really like your idea of using the original fencing the way you did. It looks good and doesn't give the impression of being a "cage". I'm no fan of cage-like constructions that remind me of zoos, but your idea is really nice. I think you'll be an inspiration for others.
 
#940 ·
Hi all, im new to the site so be gentle!
I live in southampton, so inner city terraced houses and busy streets.
I rescued a tiny ball of fluff that was due to be put down as he was having seizures.
I still have him, and he is a complete character 2 years on.
He was diagnosed with epillespy and i was advised by the vet to keep him strictly inside. His seizures have all but stopped since i put him on a raw diet a year ago, which is a massive blessing although he still gets the occasional one.

Keeping him strictly house bound didnt go to plan as he can open doors and my flatmate has a habit of not locking them behind him. Im also a bit softie and like the idea of him being outside, albeit safe outside.
So i looked into installing a cat fence. I saw the wooden rollers and loved the "non alcatraz" look, but instead i trialled a low tech low cost version with some restraint straps attached to the fence, and made my own style for a fraction of the cost with some 5mm wire that was threaded through sections of garden hose and then through sections of gutter downpipe, passed through the restraint strap holes at each interval. I had 2 rows and they were angled at 45 degrees.
This worked quite well until he got bigger, and then he could leap over the whole thing easily if standing on our garden chairs etc. I could of added extra rows, but as there are high and low spots in the garden, and the added "furniture ladders" i scrapped the system and this week finished the installation of a simple 15mm chicken wire mesh, stapled to the top of the fence and draped over the remaining restraint straps before fastening with cable ties. So far so good and its been working very well as he has been out there non stop testing for an escape route.

I feel safer knowing if this works i will eventually install a flap for him to go in and out of the house, but now i have this massive pang of guilt about if im doing the right thing.
In the time its taken for me to get around to removing the old system and installing the new (i work full time and have a chronic illness so its been almost a year), he has found his street legs and also gotten himself a best friend, ie the girl cat from 3 doors up. He dotes on her and follows her everywhere, and its thoroughly lovely to see them playing together and to see him enjoying his life. By creating kitty jail i have stopped him seeing and playing with his best friend.

But i have also stopped the local bully cats (a gang of 6 ive seen take it in turns to pick on him) coming in the garden and upsetting him at night when he isnt allowed out.
I know she is chipped, so am i crazy as to now be thinking of getting a chip flap to allow her access in and out of the garden for play dateswhilst keeping him safe and secure?
I dont like the idea of breaking up what is a lovely friendship.
Should i scrap the whole lot knowing his seizures are better?!

Thanks
 
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