Many cat owners are concerned about how to stop their cat climbing over a fence.
Your cat can climb over your fence and cause nuisance to neighbours, be injured by pesticides or vehicles, or eat things they shouldn’t.
You can use a variety of methods to prevent your cat from climbing over a fence, including cat proof fencing, cat repellents and restricting your cat’s access to an outside run.
Each method has its pros and cons.
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Table of Contents
What Causes Cats to Climb Fences?
Cats are curious and curious animals. It makes sense that cats would want to explore the world beyond your yard.
To do this they will need to climb over the fence. Many fences are too high for them to jump. This leads to climbing!
- Your cat might explore for fun, but also to climb your fence to exercise, hunt birds, and mate if they aren’t desexed.
- They might also climb your fence in search of other food sources.
- Many people believe that cats living indoors can be stressful and harmful to their health.
- It’s harder to keep your cat safe when they jump on the fence all the time.
What are the benefits of letting your cat out in the yard?
Most people can reap the benefits of limiting your cat’s outdoor time to the yard.
- It protects your cat from traffic and other cats. You are in complete control of their environment.
- This also means that they are less likely to eat foods they shouldn’t, although they may still hunt animals and birds that visit your yard.
- Your yard is a great place to exercise. Your cat may not get enough exercise in their own home, so indoor cats are often left to watch the world pass by from the window.
- Giving your children some time outdoors can be very rewarding for you both.
Stop a Cat from Climbing a Fence
There are many ways to stop your cat from climbing over the fence and running into the wider world.
- Each method has its pros and cons. Each method may be better suited to your particular situation than the others. It is important to evaluate them all.
- Let’s take a closer look at each one to help you and your cat decide which one is best for you.
Barrier or Overhead Netting
When people refer to Climbing Animal Barrier or “cat proof fence”, they are most often referring to overhead netting or mesh barriers.
- This involves either a strip or a mesh border running along the top edge of your fence. The netting will be placed horizontally or at a 45-degree angle to the top of the fence.
- While the netting or barrier won’t stop your cat climbing the fence, it will keep them from jumping or climbing over it when they reach it.
- Although this method is generally affordable, it can be very ugly for some.
- This is the best way to keep your cat out of your yard. In rare cases, however, some cats might be able to get around the barrier.
- There’s a possibility that they will have trouble getting back in your yard if they manage to escape. It is not without its risks and disadvantages.
- It requires some level of setup, sometimes involving drilling, which can prove difficult for some and problematic for others.
Like any cat-proof fence, ensure there aren’t trees near the fence that your cat could climb to get over it.
Roller Bars
- The method used here is very similar to the one described above. A roller bar is used instead of netting or a barrier to attach to the fence’s top.
- The roller bar sounds exactly like it is. It is a rail that rolls and turns as soon as any animal or cat puts pressure on it.
- It becomes difficult for cats to balance on top of the fence or climb over it.
- Cats can still climb up the fence like the previous method. However, it will be more difficult for them to do so.
- Your cat can jump straight over the fence if your fence is very short.
- Some cats can even learn to balance on the rollers. It’s not foolproof.
This method can have the same drawbacks that netting. This method will require some assembly and may not be possible for renters.
Anti-Cat Spikes
- Anti-cat spikes can be blunted spikes that are placed along the fence’s top.
- These are designed to make it difficult for your cat or dog to climb over the fence’s top, but they won’t prevent your cat from climbing down the fence’s bottom.
- This method may not be as effective as owners think. You’ll actually find many images online of cats snoozing on the cat spikes if you do a search for this product.
- This proves that the product is not as dangerous as its name implies.
It also suggests that the fence might not be very useful in stopping your cat getting past it!
Use Metal Fencing
- Metal fencing can be more costly than those we have already recommended, because it may require replacing all your existing fencing.
- Cats climb fences with their claws and must be able grab the ropes well.
- Your cat will be able to climb over wooden fencing if you replace it with a steel alternative.
- Many homeowners aren’t so fond of metal fencing because it isn’t necessarily as appealing. There are still many options available.
- Your cat might be able climb over certain types of metal fencing, such as wire mesh fencing.
- However, they are too slippery for cats to grip, especially if they are paired with a cat proof topper. You should make sure your cat cannot jump on the fence.
Your cat might be able to jump over the fence if it isn’t high enough.
Make Higher Fences
- Your cat will jump over any fence, no matter how long or short it may be.
- They won’t have to climb the fence in this instance to get over the top.
- To stop your cat jumping over fences, you can build taller fences.
- This won’t stop your cat jumping up on them or climbing to the top after they have climbed it.
This method could be costly and not yield any benefits.
Create an Outdoor Run
- All of the options we have looked at so far involve making modifications to your fence to discourage your cat jumping up on it. There are other options.
- You may not be allowed to modify your fence or you don’t wish to.
- Outdoor runs will allow your cat to spend time outside without fear of them running away.
- The outdoor runs can be very small and enclosed. To ensure your cat gets the most enjoyment from their time in the garden, make sure you have the largest run possible.
One can be bought or made by you. If you make your own, ensure that there is adequate ventilation.