cat fences?

topic posted Fri, February 22, 2008 - 3:28 AM by  offlineHeather
I've always dreamed of finding a way to allow my cats to get outside in the grass and sunshine without being in danger. I'm always looking for fences and ideas. At one point, I thought maybe I could put up a traditional wooden fence and then take some plastic piping and cut it in half and attach so the cat can't climb above it. During my last visit to the vet, I found an ad for "purrfectfence.com," but that's like $900 for the smallest area. Plus, you have to install it yourself, it just comes as a kit.

Does anyone else know of any safe and cost-effective ways to do this? So far, I just put them out on a leash and watch them the whole time, but my youngest boy is afraid of the harness, so he never gets out. It's so sad because he'll sit at the window watching jealously as the other two laze in the sun.
posted by:
Heather
Allentown
  • Re: cat fences?

    Sat, February 23, 2008 - 6:31 AM
    chicken wire maybe, or hardware mesh or the plastic variety... there are even ultra-transparent types available. Get a thick gauge, I did a quick google and a company recommends "galvanized welded 2 mesh .063 inch wire diameter, which is extremely sturdy" for keeping raccoons out of property- something similar might be suitable.
    You'll also need poles (thick wood could double as scratching posts), and a roof- plus maybe some "benches" or other "activity areas"- basically an outdoor cat enclosure, similar to a dog's kennel/kennel run.
    The kit will probably contain similar stuff.
    • Re: cat fences?

      Sat, February 23, 2008 - 6:34 AM
      addendum: a a large, sturdy commercial dog kennel could also be suitable. You may need to make a few modifications though, depending on your needs.
      • Re: cat fences?

        Sat, February 23, 2008 - 9:21 AM
        If you'll scroll down on this link, you'll see many pictures of a beautifully designed and appointed cat enclosure near Prague. It's so inspiring--I'd want to use it as my model if I were building one of these!

        www.continentalbengals.com/index.htm
        • Re: cat fences?

          Sat, February 23, 2008 - 10:20 AM
          Oh, wow, that's just gorgeous! And so are the cats! I saw an ad for those bengal-type breeds. I just can't bring myself to pay money for a living creature. My cats have all just sort of come to me along the way. I never bought a pet. It's oddly disturbing in my mind.
    • Re: cat fences?

      Sat, February 23, 2008 - 9:20 AM
      Ahhh, but see a roof would prevent them from enjoying the sun. And a large kennel box would prevent them from eating grass. I want it to be as much like freedom as possible. Oh, and using wood for poles would allow them a scratching post, but would also allow them to climb up and over. See my dilemma?

      Of course, right now, I'm a poor, starving college student so I can't afford any of it. I have to wait until I graduate and get some money before I can consider it seriously.
      • Re: cat fences?

        Sat, February 23, 2008 - 12:03 PM
        Actually, a roof would only prevent them from enjoying sun when the sun is directly overhead. The rest of the time, it would help keep them from climbing out. Cats don't want to lie in the sun continually. A roof gives them the option of shade or sun. Building an enclosure isn't hard. But I will say that even 2 x 4's and chicken wire is expensive when you're a student. As for grass, you can always grow grass in a window box.

        Just design what you want yourself. Remember that you are going to need a certain amount of bracing for stability, and a certain amount of attachment points for the chicken wire or netting. You'll also want to give them perches at various heights. And I recommend that the base have 2 x 4s so that the cats can't bend the screen up in order to get out. They don't normally dig like dogs, but they will push on things till they give. So a nice, strong, bottom brace will certainly be a good idea.

        It won't be really cheap, but it can be a long lasting thing.

        Domina
        • Re: cat fences?

          Sat, February 23, 2008 - 5:49 PM
          That purrfect fence website shows that it's high enough to prevent them from climbing or jumping. Of course, you do want areas for them to get shade and climb and whatever. And, I tried growing cat grass in a box and only one of my three cats will eat it, but outside they do, go figure.

          And here's an interesting story... When I was a kid, a neighbor left their poor dog out in a very nasty winter without adequate shelter. The judge actually sentenced the owner to spend a night outside in the pen. It made all the news. My mother was the one who reported it. Of course, I doubt they could do that these days. I still wish we could pull out the fingernails of people who chose to de-claw their cats, but then again, I think circumcision of babies is cruel and unnecessary. I guess I'm just a happy nature girl.

          But I do wish the penalties for animal abuse would be higher. All you ever hear is that they are just misdemeanor crimes, even with the tragedy of all the cats that died from food poisoning. I heard they could only sue for the amount they paid for the cat, assuming they had a receipt, can you imagine? Sorry, I'm getting off subject. Bad habit that I have.


          • Re: cat fences?

            Tue, February 26, 2008 - 8:59 AM
            "The judge actually sentenced the owner to spend a night outside in the pen."

            I LOVE that.

            If we had appropriate justice like that today, imagine where Michael Vick would be.
  • Re: cat fences?

    Tue, February 26, 2008 - 2:23 PM
    The purrfect fence looks nice if you have domestic cats (which I assume you do since you said you adopted them, or they adopted you! The Savannah I live with, though, could jump right on top of that arch thats supposed to keep em in!

    If you want a sorta inexpensive shelter though, you might just construct a frame out of 2x4s and cover its sides AND roof with strong chicken wire - that would make it pretty cat proof and give them room to sun and play without you worrying about too much shade or them climbing out the top.
    • Re: cat fences?

      Tue, February 26, 2008 - 11:28 PM
      www.just4cats.com/

      I actually thought about doing this for awhile after getting my cat. My roommates are not crazy cat fanatics like myself, however, and I was soon talked out of the idea and laughed at. Let me know if you do it- I'd love to find out how it works.
      • Re: cat fences?

        Wed, February 27, 2008 - 4:26 AM
        Thank you so much, Shanna. I had found that website, or one similar, a few years ago, then I couldn't find the link again. I've bookmarked it this time to investigate again, once I graduate and have a little money!

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