Cat Proofing Your Garden

Your new cat is precious, so you will want to make their new environment as safe as possible. So where do you start when creating a cat proof garden?

Creating an ideal outdoor space for a cat will depend on the kind of home you live in and the environment around you. It will also depend on your cat! 
If you live in a quiet rural area, you might want your cat to be free roaming and establish their own territory. If you live in a more urban area but that is free of hazards (such as traffic), you might want to give them more freedom but aim to keep them within your garden. Or you might want to keep your cat totally safe and have them as an indoor cat but with access to a catio – a fully enclosed outdoor area attached to your home that contains enrichment opportunities and activities for them to enjoy out in the fresh air.

As our roads get busier, a free-roaming life is increasingly dangerous for cats, and a recent study showed that that road accidents are the leading cause of death in young cats and are responsible for 45.6% of deaths (rising to 61.2% of deaths in kittens under 12 months of age). As such, owners are looking for ways to give their cats an enriching outdoor life while still keeping them safe.

If you’re not sure how to cat proof your garden or create the perfect outdoor space, follow our checklist to keep your feline friend safe and out of trouble!

Why you Should Cat Proof Your Garden

Cat proofing your garden is important to keep your beloved cat safe.

Cats, by nature love to investigate their environment and create a territory. While you might think that your fences provide a natural boundary, your cat won’t look at it that way. Fences are nothing more than climbing opportunities, and if allowed free access, the neighbourhood will be their playground.

The great outdoors is full of hazards for cats. Traffic, cat thieves, and other felines can cause injury, death or loss, and it is important to be able to protect your cat from these.

Even your own garden can contain hazards – such as toxic plants, common household poisons, water features, gardening tools, and many other things that an inquisitive cat could encounter.

And of course, if you want your cat to have free run of your garden but not go any further, you will need to invest in some cat proof fencing (which is often easier said than done!) – or you can build their very own catio. A catio is a fully contained outdoor space usually accessible from the house where your cat can get some fresh air, climb, hide, scratch, explore and do ‘cat things’ while staying totally enclosed and safe.

Keeping your cat safe if the very best reason to cat proof your garden – however you choose to do it.

Do you need to cat proof the garden for an indoor cat?

Some cats are very happy to stay indoors – especially if they have secure access to the outside (such as a catio). However, there is always the possibility of escape if someone accidently leaves a door or window open, so removing hazards from your garden is a good safety precaution.

How to Cat Proof Your Garden

Catios (The Safest & Most Recommended Choice)

The safest way to keep a cat is by giving them an enriching indoor space, plenty of social contact and play, opportunities to climb, jump and sharpen claws – and then provide a safe outdoor area (a catio) they can access from the house that extends their territory, gives them fresh air and different sights, sounds and smells, and includes opportunities to indulge in hardwired natural behaviours that your cat needs an outlet for.

These usually have a robust wooden structure with walls and roof of thick wire mesh. This should have a warm, weather-proof section and be positioned half in the sun, half in the shade. Add a tree trunk or climbing frame, ropes and perches, some grass, a catnip plant, a litter tray and water bowl plus plenty of places to either observe what is going on, and also to have hidden places for privacy and security.

This gives them an enriching outdoor space while keeping them safe from traffic, other marauding felines and cat thieves. 

Cat-Proof Fencing for Garden Containment

You might however want to give your cat free access to your whole garden but keep them enclosed with cat proof fencing. This can be expensive and the more determined cats will nearly always find a way out unless you are very conscientious about upkeep and maintenance - but it can be done with high fences with rollers on the top or else a thick strip or wire mesh at the top bent in at a 45 degree angle.

If you want your cat to have free access to your garden but not wander any further, you will need to invest in some cat proof fencing.

Cats are climbers, jumpers and athletes – and can be very determined to escape even the very best fencing - some of them more than others.

They may be deterred by installing 2m high fences with overhanging inward facing wire mesh whereas other will need more robust measures and fencing can be purchased that has rollers on the top that will prevent them being able to get enough purchase to climb over. These are available to buy on the internet.

Make sure any fencing is dug into the ground – as a determined feline will go under as well as over.

Check fencing regularly – and watch for places where an exploring feline can find other ways out (boundary gaps, over shed or garage roofs etc).

Make sure your garden is as enriching and interesting as possible for your cat to reduce the desire to go off looking for adventure.

Or you might be lucky enough to live in a rural environment that is largely hazard free – in which case, your cat can be more free-roaming.

Whatever you choose, ensuring your cat’s space is hazard free is important.

Remove potential garden hazards

If your cat has free range of the garden, check for any potential hazards like common poisonous plants (see below), garden chemicals, potentially dangerous tools, and uncovered ponds.

Keeping any shed doors or garage closed means that a curious feline won’t go inside and then get accidentally shut in. It’s a good idea to walk round the garden with the mind of a mischievous cat. You will soon spot things that you can fix to cat proof your garden!

Use chemical herbicides carefully

Try to only use safe chemicals, and restrict access to your garden after applying them, and keep your cat away from your lawn or garden if treating it with fertilisers, herbicides or insecticides, until the area dries completely.

Avoid using poison to kill rodents

Never use poison to kill mice or rats. It can be fatal if your cat (or any other cat) eats the poison directly or via a poisoned rodent.

Install an electronic cat flap

By using a cat flap that is activated by your cat’s microchip will mean that your own cat can come and go as they choose but neighbourhood cats can’t get access to your house.

Cat ID: While your cat will be microchipped, it can be a good idea to have a physical ID tag on them in case they wander and are found. This can be attached to a collar that your cat can wear all the time however all collars on cats who have outdoor access should be safe and fastened by light Velcro so they will come off if they get tangled in bushes or hedges while exploring, climbing or jumping.

When should you let a new cat outside?

Even when you’ve completely cat proofed your garden, we recommend keeping your cat indoors until they’ve been microchipped, have completed their vaccination courses and have been neutered.

Vaccinations, flea and worming treatments will need to be kept up to date, so talk to your vet about scheduling them appropriately to keep them protected.

If you’ve just moved house, ensure they stay indoors until they’re fully settled and are used to their new surroundings. This should normally take around two-four weeks. Remember, if you’ve moved house, you’ll need to update your microchip records – both to comply with the law and to ensure your cat can be returned to you if they get lost.

Dangerous plants to remove for a cat proof garden

Although cats are obligate carnivores, don’t be surprised if you spot your cat chewing vegetables or other plants. Some cats like to munch on grass outdoors, chew herbs, or nibble at the leaves of potted houseplants indoors. Keep an eye on exactly what your cat is grazing on, as some plants have parts that are toxic to them. Make sure your project to cat proof your garden includes getting rid of these toxic plants for cats:

• Lilies;
• Azalea;
• Daffodil;
• Tomato;
• Foxglove;
• Yew;
• Hydrangea;
• Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane);
• Philodendron;
• Mistletoe;
• Poinsettia.

Your vet can give you a complete list of plants that could be harmful to your cat or click here for a list of dangerous plants for cats.

Tips for cat proofing your garden

Hopefully your cat will be happy to stay close to home but be aware that they may find unusual places to rest or hide. Always make sure you check for any cats lying under your car or on your drive before you drive your car.

Even if you have a free-roaming cat, try keeping them in at night. Most road traffic accidents and fights with other cats occur after dark.

Make sure your cat wears a 'quick release' or 'break-away' collar (in case they get it caught), with an identification tag with your contact details. A reflector strip on the collar may help motorists spot your cat at night.

Having the perfect outdoor space for your cat will keep them safe and give them the stimulation and enrichment they need to stay happy and healthy – as well as provide exercise to help keep them in shape.

Discover even more tips for giving your new cat a proper welcome.

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