How to Keep Your Cat in the Yard
Cats are stubborn, and they want their way. As independent thinkers, it is difficult to train cats the same way one would train a dog. No matter how hard you try to keep them from roaming free, you always seem to find them prowling through uncharted territory, like the neighbor’s yard or the endless field behind your house. By nature, cats love to jump, climb, and explore, especially when given free range. They can jump about six times their length—usually around eight feet! But sometimes you find them in the street, and that’s when the situation gets a bit hairy. As much as we want to give our cats the independence they insist on obtaining, we know all too well that there are too many potential threats outside of your yard.
Here at PetDoors.com it’s not all about dogs. We have a love for cats too. Here are our top-recommended ways to keep your cat in the yard.
Add An Overhead Netting
If you already have a fence installed, overhead netting is an easy way to prevent your cat from escaping the yard by jumping or climbing. Indoor and outdoor cats alike will climb just about anything that looks sturdy, so netting is a great choice for preventing this. The overhead netting installs on the top of your existing fence, resting at a 45° inward angle, and makes for a great DIY cat proof-fence solution. Cats don’t want to climb upside down, especially on a material that is not solid.
Make Sure Your Fence Is Fully Enclosed
Fully netted or mesh enclosures are great options for homes that don’t yet have a cat fence installed. The material used in the free standing fences prevents cats from being able to climb them, which will effectively keep your cat fence-in.
Use An Oscillot
The Oscillot is a rotating paddle that installs on the top of your existing fence. When your cat tries to climb over the fence, the paddle rotates toward your cat, causing them to fall back into the yard. This cat containment system creates the illusion that they can still climb out, but once they reach it, there is no way to successfully get over the top of the fence. This is also helpful for keeping neighboring and stray cats out of your yard.
Invest In A Catio
Another option is installing a Catio off of a porch or window. A catio is completely enclosed, so your cat would not physically be in the yard, preventing any chance of escaping. If installed outside a window, you would need a cat door for windows. You can even install a cat door in a wall that leads to your yard. See our full selection of cat doors for walls. For even more control over your cat’s access to and from the catio, a microchip cat door For even more control over your cat’s access to and from the catio, a microchip cat door for windows is a viable option. A lot of catios are made big enough that people can comfortably use them as well, so you can spend quality time with your kitty.
The PetDoors.com Team is dedicated to providing the highest quality pet doors. As dog and cat lovers ourselves, we aim to write about the topics that matter the most to you and your furry friend. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team. 🐶🐱
What I did was install a cat window (it’s a piece of plexiglass that fits into your existing window and only the cats can get through with their microchip reader, so nothing else can come in or out). I installed cat proof fencing in a large area of the yard on the other side of that window. So the cats (but nothing else) can get in and out of what I call their “catio.” (You can also buy a catio that’s enclosed). I also installed artificial turf thinking it would keep them from getting fleas, but it didn’t work so I still have to give them flea prevention every month. I went through all of this because my kid talked me into fostering these 2 cats (I was a dog person) but we live in the city and I know she would lose her mind if one of her cats got run over by a car… if I lived out in the country I would just let them roam but these (were) indoor cats. I am so happy I did it, they spend a very large part of their day just chilling outside.
Hi Angie and Neil,
We do not carry the non-pet door items recommended, but we do have a wide selection of pet doors to let your cat into the yard once it is escape-proofed: https://www.petdoors.com/collections/cat-flaps.
We are not affiliated with any pet door installers but we have some recommendations here: https://www.petdoors.com/pages/pet-door-installation.
Please feel free to contact us at customerservice@petdoors.com or 1-800-826-2871 if you have any questions!
Happy holidays!
These are some good ideas. We need to find a way! Is there a commercially available netting that would go on top of a masonry wall?
How much does this item’s cost. Do u have anyone that install this.
I live in a tropical forest with many cats. My neighbor is complaining about cats coming to his home and being naughty. We are over 200 feet from each other. Lots are 160 feet wide and 1 acre. I want to fence just my dwelling and a little of the yard. How to do this? I am a senior on a limited budget. Any clues.