Fencing System

bluebirdy

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Hello Everyone,

I'm moving from a very remote rural area into a large urban environment. I have two kittens aged 9 months. They were inside for the first 8 months of life. In the last month I have allowed them outside because one would not stop bolting and actually left some deep scars on my arms when I tried to pick him up and get him back inside (after chasing through the forest here). I allow them outside for a few hours while I am at home and have time to sit on the porch. I taught them to come immediately when I call their name and whistle. If we were not in such a remote area (the nearest dirt road is 1/4 mile away, and our house is surrounded by a treed area and then farms on all side) I would not allow the outside. They have been harness trained and we go on longer walks with a leash system.

We are moving to a city with only a small floor-level patio for outside space, and far too many outside dangers for me to allow them out. We are planning to continue our leash walks in the area, as well as our interactive daily play sessions. However, our rental comes with a pet door preinstalled (ugh) and I'm not sure how to deal with it. I have one cat that can easily scale a 40 ft tree without flinching, the backyard fencing will be no issue for him. I am planning to find a way to secure the pet door closed, but am considering putting some fencing system on the patio fence if I can, to allow them out when we're at home. The landlady has agreed as long as it can be removed once we leave.

IMG_2475.JPG

Our focus will be on catifying the inside first as it is also a smaller space than our two are used to.

I am wondering whether anyone here has used outdoor cat fencing and what their experience has been with them? Our outdoor climber doesn't like to climb anything that isn't straight up and down (won't explore branches for example) so I'm thinking it might work.
 

basscat

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I'd go with some sort of netting. Something along the lines of fish netting, made out of rope/string, with openings no larger than one inch. Fasten it to brackets that are 4ft tall above the fence, angled inward at 45 degrees.
You can use plastic netting, but, it's uglier IMO than the rope/string type.
This is about the only thing I can think of that's even remotely cost effective for a rental (somewhat inexpensive compared to alternatives)
 
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bluebirdy

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Yes, we have used it for years. This is the one we have. Cat Fence In - Cat Fence Outdoor We had it at our other house for many years. When we moved, we brought it with us.
Thank you blueeyed. I'm assuming that your cats never successfully got overtop it?

I'd go with some sort of netting. Something along the lines of fish netting, made out of rope/string, with openings no larger than one inch. Fasten it to brackets that are 4ft tall above the fence, angled inward at 45 degrees.
You can use plastic netting, but, it's uglier IMO than the rope/string type.
This is about the only thing I can think of that's even remotely cost effective for a rental (somewhat inexpensive compared to alternatives)
Thank you very much bass. I should say that the rental belongs to an extended family member so we are likely to be here for quite a long time and I don't mind investing quite a bit.
 

basscat

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Thank you blueeyed. I'm assuming that your cats never successfully got overtop it?



Thank you very much bass. I should say that the rental belongs to an extended family member so we are likely to be here for quite a long time and I don't mind investing quite a bit.
In that case, I'd use "Horse Panel". Those are heavy gauge, galvanized, wire panels with 4" x 2" openings. Rigid to hold it's shape and will last forever. Set it up the same way, 45 degree inward angle, 3 or 4ft high above fence.
More of a pain to install, more expensive, but...rigid and more-so permanent appearance.

OR, just rebuild the fence and make it 6 feet tall and add a piece of plastic roofing above it. OR, make fence 8ft tall and add plastic roofing TO it.
Basically a 2ft wide band of plastic corrugated sheet around the top edge. Roofing sheets like what's used on greenhouses. Hardware stores carry it.
Cats can't climb it.
 
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JMJimmy

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Yes, we have used it for years. This is the one we have. Cat Fence In - Cat Fence Outdoor We had it at our other house for many years. When we moved, we brought it with us.
We're in the same situation, or at least hope to be, and this looks ideal but the cost is rather exorbitant CDN$325 to do 40 feet... It's 2/3rds the price of putting in a 5 foot cedar fence
 

JMJimmy

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Yup, it's overpriced. Single source quick search:

Bird netting 100'x14' CDN$127
Brackets x16 from CDN$43-79 depending on quality of look/durability
Twist ties: CDN$1/pack of 50
Total price ~CDN$210
 

basscat

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I have a smallish inside enclosure where I work. It's not quite 8ft tall. Open top.
I fastened clear plastic corrugated roofing panels around the top edge of it. Ran them lengthwise.
This does work. If my little terror can't get to the top, I think it a safe assumption, yours can't either.
It comes in different colors (clear probably being the least expensive).
This stuff.
 

JMJimmy

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I fastened clear plastic corrugated roofing panels around the top edge of it.
Thank you for this idea! For the cat fencing I'm still going to use bird netting so I don't have to worry about cleaning it but this is ideal to fix the "privacy" screens my landlord put in, if I can find a way to fasten it without damaging the metal/concrete/brick.

Any idea of how they hold up to heat? ie: BBQ below
 

basscat

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These are roofing panels and on a roof, they get HOT. A grill under them shouldn't be a problem since there is no need to install them at an angle. Plus a grill is about waist high. The bottom edge of the roofing panel should be at least 5ft.
I say 5ft because most determined cats can jump around 6ft. A refrigerator is about 6ft tall and only a few cats will "floor to fridge". They can, but, seldom if ever.
So, if the lower edge is 5', that makes the top edge 7'. Cat can't get to the top edge.
Even better if the top edge was 8'.
Here's a picture of my smallish inside enclosure. In this picture, the panels go from 4ft to 6ft. (for when he was a kitten, didn't want climbing the side and falling to the floor from the top). Now that he's older, he has enough coordination to get his feet under him when falling, so, the panels have been moved to the top.
 

basscat

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AND, should be mentioned. Once a cat figures out they can't do something, they generally stop trying. He gave it his best for a couple days to scale that plastic. Now he doesn't even try.
 

maureen brad

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We use the Purrfect fence system www.purrfectfence.com . It is attached to our existing fence. I love it, the cats have never breached it and, the other neighborhood cats, possums and raccoons have never made their way into our yard either.I got this one because I know some people in cat rescue who have sworn by it. Jackson Galaxy does too. I thought it would be ugly but it is not .It is expensive but, would be far less expensive for your area just because you would need less.It has made it thru some bad storms this year just fine
 
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bluebirdy

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In that case, I'd use "Horse Panel". Those are heavy gauge, galvanized, wire panels with 4" x 2" openings. Rigid to hold it's shape and will last forever. Set it up the same way, 45 degree inward angle, 3 or 4ft high above fence.
More of a pain to install, more expensive, but...rigid and more-so permanent appearance.

OR, just rebuild the fence and make it 6 feet tall and add a piece of plastic roofing above it. OR, make fence 8ft tall and add plastic roofing TO it.
Basically a 2ft wide band of plastic corrugated sheet around the top edge. Roofing sheets like what's used on greenhouses. Hardware stores carry it.
Cats can't climb it.
Thank you bass. Those are some great ideas.

We're in the same situation, or at least hope to be, and this looks ideal but the cost is rather exorbitant CDN$325 to do 40 feet... It's 2/3rds the price of putting in a 5 foot cedar fence
All the options seem to be pretty expensive for what they are, but if it lasts for years than I suppose its an investment.

Yup, it's overpriced. Single source quick search:

Bird netting 100'x14' CDN$127
Brackets x16 from CDN$43-79 depending on quality of look/durability
Twist ties: CDN$1/pack of 50
Total price ~CDN$210
I have a smallish inside enclosure where I work. It's not quite 8ft tall. Open top.
I fastened clear plastic corrugated roofing panels around the top edge of it. Ran them lengthwise.
This does work. If my little terror can't get to the top, I think it a safe assumption, yours can't either.
It comes in different colors (clear probably being the least expensive).
This stuff.
I might give this a try first and see if it's enough. I'm going to try to built all the catification low on the outside and high on the inside so they will be less tempted.

Thank you for this idea! For the cat fencing I'm still going to use bird netting so I don't have to worry about cleaning it but this is ideal to fix the "privacy" screens my landlord put in, if I can find a way to fasten it without damaging the metal/concrete/brick.

Any idea of how they hold up to heat? ie: BBQ below
These are roofing panels and on a roof, they get HOT. A grill under them shouldn't be a problem since there is no need to install them at an angle. Plus a grill is about waist high. The bottom edge of the roofing panel should be at least 5ft.
I say 5ft because most determined cats can jump around 6ft. A refrigerator is about 6ft tall and only a few cats will "floor to fridge". They can, but, seldom if ever.
So, if the lower edge is 5', that makes the top edge 7'. Cat can't get to the top edge.
Even better if the top edge was 8'.
Here's a picture of my smallish inside enclosure. In this picture, the panels go from 4ft to 6ft. (for when he was a kitten, didn't want climbing the side and falling to the floor from the top). Now that he's older, he has enough coordination to get his feet under him when falling, so, the panels have been moved to the top.
AND, should be mentioned. Once a cat figures out they can't do something, they generally stop trying. He gave it his best for a couple days to scale that plastic. Now he doesn't even try.
I too have used cat fence in, very effective but if i was starting over i think i would go with this cool product for fences just under 6 feet in height, 1.8 meters, a thin spinning bar that cats cant get a purchase on. See Oscillot® Cat Containment System - Cat Fence System
This is the system I find the most attractive but I think I'll wait until I'm in my last place before just because of the cost. It doesn't seem as moveable and transportable as the others because it likely has to be cut for the exact dimensions.

We use the Purrfect fence system www.purrfectfence.com . It is attached to our existing fence. I love it, the cats have never breached it and, the other neighborhood cats, possums and raccoons have never made their way into our yard either.I got this one because I know some people in cat rescue who have sworn by it. Jackson Galaxy does too. I thought it would be ugly but it is not .It is expensive but, would be far less expensive for your area just because you would need less.It has made it thru some bad storms this year just fine
Does it make you feel claustrophobic at all? I seems that it's similar to the one that blueeyed posted. Thanks for the link.
 

Norachan

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That is a nice little patio space.

I have a big enclosure with homemade fencing. It's gone through several modifications because my cats are real escape artists. The fence is made from wooden posts and deer netting. I had to change the netting on the top overhanging part of the fence. We get so much snow here and it would collapse every winter. Now I have wire mesh with larger holes to let the snow through.

One of my cats (I suspect he's really a spider monkey in a cat suit) learnt how to hang upside down and haul himself over the inward overhang part of the fence. If your cats are really determined to get out it would be better to have a net roof as well.

How about some light weight aluminium scaffolding type poles, attached to the existing wooden fence at each corner? You could attach the poles with brackets and screws and then use wood filler to cover the holes when you leave. Deer or pigeon netting is light weight, you would only need some wire suspended from the pole tops to keep it up.

You need to make sure the cats can't get underneath the fence. Any chance they can get through the gap at the bottom? Could they jump off the roof? A few of my cats have tried that.
 

maureen brad

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Does it make you feel claustrophobic at all? I seems that it's similar to the one that blueeyed posted. Thanks for the link.


No, it is not at all claustrophobic, I barely notice it.I actually think it is very minimal. I love my garden and didn't want anything that would be ' in my face'Of Course I can see it and I do know it is there but it has been there over a year and I am used it , it doesn't take my ability to feel serene in the garden away. I always tell my husband this is the best gift he ever gave me.
 

tarasgirl06

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Hello Everyone,

I'm moving from a very remote rural area into a large urban environment. I have two kittens aged 9 months. They were inside for the first 8 months of life. In the last month I have allowed them outside because one would not stop bolting and actually left some deep scars on my arms when I tried to pick him up and get him back inside (after chasing through the forest here). I allow them outside for a few hours while I am at home and have time to sit on the porch. I taught them to come immediately when I call their name and whistle. If we were not in such a remote area (the nearest dirt road is 1/4 mile away, and our house is surrounded by a treed area and then farms on all side) I would not allow the outside. They have been harness trained and we go on longer walks with a leash system.

We are moving to a city with only a small floor-level patio for outside space, and far too many outside dangers for me to allow them out. We are planning to continue our leash walks in the area, as well as our interactive daily play sessions. However, our rental comes with a pet door preinstalled (ugh) and I'm not sure how to deal with it. I have one cat that can easily scale a 40 ft tree without flinching, the backyard fencing will be no issue for him. I am planning to find a way to secure the pet door closed, but am considering putting some fencing system on the patio fence if I can, to allow them out when we're at home. The landlady has agreed as long as it can be removed once we leave.

View attachment 185265

Our focus will be on catifying the inside first as it is also a smaller space than our two are used to.

I am wondering whether anyone here has used outdoor cat fencing and what their experience has been with them? Our outdoor climber doesn't like to climb anything that isn't straight up and down (won't explore branches for example) so I'm thinking it might work.
Here are our catio and barn cat compound from the last home we lived in:

Catio Showcase » Blog Archive » Jamaka’s Mojave Desert Cat Compound

The barn compound had cat fencing on top. I do not know the cost of either of these builds, since my then-husband bought all of the materials. The barn was a 4-stall barn (4 12x12 stalls) and as you can see, the fencing ran the length of 3 stalls.

You might also check out the other builds on the site and one, of not more than one, might inspire you. Good luck, and I hope you find the perfect materials to make your beloved cats happy AND safe.
 
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