ᐅ Cat-Safe Garden

Created on: 6 Apr 2011 11:24
I
ille1975
Hello everyone,

Although our construction doesn’t start until May, we are already thinking about how to make our garden cat-proof. I would appreciate any suggestions, opinions, and cost estimates.

Best regards
ille1975
S
Spinatra
14 Apr 2011 21:02
If you have come up with a solution, I would also like to know how.
I
ille1975
15 Apr 2011 09:12
.......for now, we’ll proceed with the construction and consider our options in parallel. Maybe someone here in the forum has built something similar.

Regards, Andreas
Tolentino27 Apr 2020 13:38
Although quite a lot of time has passed and the original poster first appeared here seven years ago, I was encouraged in other forums to keep threads concise, so I’m recycling this here.

We also have two indoor cats, and we’re worried that they wouldn’t handle full outdoor access very well. One is an older Thai cat and very affectionate. She would either get stolen or try to follow us and our children on the way to work and school, risking being hit on the busy road. The other is so skittish that she would probably run away at the first unfamiliar noise and climb some tree. She’s also so clumsy that she might fall and break something.

Because of this, we’ve been considering for over a year now, well before our move, how to make our garden reasonably cat-proof (allowing outdoor access and entry) in a cost-effective way or how to set up an enclosure that is practical without looking too ugly.

Fencing or covering the terrace has the major drawback of being inconvenient since you want to use the garden regularly. You’d have to install some kind of door there, too. A separate enclosure is inconvenient because you’d have to carry or lead the cats there frequently or build a passage.

How do others in this community handle this? Have you faced a similar problem? Did you just take the risk? Or did you invest a significant amount and secure the entire property?

Best regards

Tolentino
H
haydee
27 Apr 2020 14:12
From what I have seen so far in forums focused on cats, it’s not that simple.
You need at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) in height, and it should be sloped inward at the top. The area also needs to be quite free of climbing aids and extends into the ground.

Your main goal is to provide the two with some fresh air. I would suggest covering part of the terrace with cat netting. Then you can observe how it is used.
Alternatively, you could look into pool and patio screens. These come with doors, and you might find them useful as well.
Tolentino27 Apr 2020 14:19
Very interesting. What is this called in German? Because only English search results come up...
However, it probably isn’t cheap...
H
haydee
27 Apr 2020 14:45
These items are certainly not cheap. Search online for insect screens for pools and gardens.
I know these products from the USA.

Enclosing a garden is rarely attractive and inexpensive.

If you are handy, you might be able to build a nice small structure or enclosure.