Keeping the cats in the garden

[frippet]

We have just gotten 2 lovely cats and would like to let them out once they are settled.

We've got a fair sized garden, but we need to fence it properly. Do you know of any type of fence that would also keep the cats in as well as offering non-obtrusive privacy? Would prefer it if we could keep them on our little patch, so if you have any experience or advice I'd be most grateful.

Thanks

 

[big-all]

thats going to be very very difficult they can jump up several feet and can climb so not very likley without a roof or a large overhang

 

[2scoops0406]

Absolutely no chance, cats can easily climb 6 ft fence panels. We've also just got two lovely new cats, I've got no idea where they are at the 'mo, probably eating the fish from next doors pond.

 

[countygardens]

If you let them out they will leave the garden, whatever you do to try to stop them. As far as i am aware 8' is the max height of fence you would be allowed to erect and my cats can get up that height without so much as breaking stride. Sorry I cant be more help. Cats are never ours, if they like you enough and you feed them enough of the right stuff they might 'choose' to live with you, however they can be buggers and decide to naff off for a while if it takes their fancy. Its in the lap of the gods.

 

[Thermo]

you can get a cat proof top that goes onto a fence panel, it faces inwards at an angle and supposedly they cant get over it. Mind you if you want to make your garden look like stalag luft 13 then thats the stuff to use. Cats are natural explorers and unless youve got a massive garden its unfair to pen them in. Speak to your vet about letting them out. We were told the following with ours when we moved

1: keep them in for a fortnight to aclimatise to the house
2: take them for walks around the garden on a lead (get a cat harness for a few quid from a pet shop, dont just put string through their collar or theyll be off. When you take them for a walk go around the boundarys of the garden so they get to know it. Do it a few times.
3:dont feed them for a while before they first go out and then let them out and watch them for about 10-15 mins. Then open the cat food and bang the dish and theyll be back,
4: they know where home is and where theyre happy so dont worry!

 

[frippet]

Good ideas... thank you. I don't think we'd be able to keep them in no matter what we did - they are little rascals (but very cute at it).

The harness trick seems like a good idea, but we'll give them another couple of weeks to completely feel at home.

 

[JohnD]

if they are young cats try to get them used to collars/harnesses early. Once they get settled in their ways they will consider it an affront.

If they are socialised and you sit in the garden with them they will learn where home is (but they are wild animals and will go where they want). Best they explore safely early so they can find their way home later.

 

[billandhiscat]

You must realise that cats are natural hunters, and will explore in order to do so. Yes, I know its a constant worry at to just where the devil they are. I suggest that you be with then on their initial explorations of your garden, and in the meantime purchase a silent dog whistle. By blowing this in their presence (not constantly of course) they will associate you with the sound, and a ready handful of cat biscuits will initially emphasis the point. It dawn very quickly that the whistle means `get your backside home`. I trained my first cat to this system 50 years ago, and its worked with all my cats ever since. May you have many wonderful years of friendship together. Billandhiscat.

 

[pitbull]

I've got our cat Barney trained to come home when my security light comes on,he's usually back in under 3 minute's the longest is 10 minute's,if he's not in by then he's .I have'nt had him done yet,Iknow it's very irresponsable of me,I will get it done.........promise!

 

[Softus]

frippet, you don't know much about cats yet.

Depending on their character and gender they may or may not wander much, but wander they will.

Un-neutered Toms will go furthest; then neutered Toms, then females. As has been said, if you treat them right then they'll regard your home as their home, so give then lots of attention when they want it, and enjoy their company when they're not ignoring you.

 

[billandhiscat]

Softus states the ultimate consideration when he says `Treat them right and the`ll regard your home, (and you), as belonging to them`, but being cats they will always remain individuals. Try hard to live up to their point of view of affection without slavery.

 

[agnit]

If you google cat proof fences you'll get some ideas, my wall is only 5 ft in places and i was able to cat proof it without going any higher. It wasn't 100% successful, one cat found a way around it but the other 7 were safely contained. A lot comes down to the determination of the individual cat. Failing that you could build a run for them or keep them as house cats.

 

[andyboyo]

ever thought of an electric fence?

sorry i couldnt resist

on a more serious note my cat loving better half kept our moggy in for 2 weeks and walked her frequently with a cat harness very early hours of the morning and very late at night (for obvious reasons).

I wouldnt worry about your cats too much as they are very intilligent animals.

 

[Beans-on-Toast]

Why contain them, treat them like the birds in the old wise saying;

Let them go and if they love you they will surely return....!

ps. I looked out of the window one night and saw my 2 cats with 6 or 7 others all running down the street together in a cat gang....!

pps.. I hadn't touched a drop of grog or ingested any illegal substances

 

[Beans-on-Toast]

I've had cats all my life and not one has run away, thats a truly ridiculous notion. Although, I have known many cats to disappear when you keep them couped up, just like women eh... One of them never disappeared on me either...

As for cats doing their business in other peoples gardens, I have never ever known a cat not to wander, when nature calls.

If it didn't I'd call the CatPsychiatrist.........