5 ways to stop cats escaping from the garden

Cats are natural escape artists and there’s nothing they love more than exploring their surroundings. But with most of us living in urban environments with roads nearby, it’s only natural that cat parents want to keep their moggies safe. Here, we explore 5 ways to cat proofing your garden - and how to keep your feline friends from escaping.

Why do cats try to escape?

'How can I keep my cat in my yard?' - it's a question every indoor cat parent has asked themselves at one point or another. Cute as they are, your cute kitty is deep down a fierce feline with a natural instinct to hunt. They are also semi-nocturnal creatures that take after their wild cousins and still have the genetic call to protect and control what they think it’s their territory. On top of that, your sweet kitty also may have a strong drive to reproduce. 

Deep down, your cat is like a mini-tiger that has some natural instincts that the comforts of a cosy home won’t always meet. That is why when given the opportunity, kitties feel curious enough to go beyond the limits of your home. It’s nature. But you can keep them safe with just a few tricks and tips. Read on and we’ll explain how to stop your cat from leaving your garden. 

How to stop your cat escaping the garden: 5 tried-and-tested ways

One of the best ways to reduce risks to your cat is by stopping them from roaming outside. Indoor cats can lead very happy lives, but you may not want to stop them from enjoying outdoor life completely. Thankfully, there are solutions that will allow your cat to get plenty of fresh air while keeping them safe from the dangers of outdoor life, from balcony covers for cats to a cat garden house. Here are the five customisable options that UK cat owners are frequently choosing in the 21st century.

1. Cat enclosure – You can set the boundaries that work well with the space you have available in your garden or outdoor space, sectioning off areas if necessary. Fully customisable, the enclosure can be designed to work with any outdoor space.
2. Cat runs – A cat run is generally smaller than a full cat enclosure but they can be tailored to suit your needs.
3. Cat fencetop barriers – the barriers are fitted onto your fences with ease. They take advantage of your current boundaries but add extra protection by making it impossible for your cat to escape.
4. Cat balcony – If you have a balcony you can make it perfectly cat safe using the cat balcony option. Usually made from a sturdy mesh material, a balcony barrier for cats can provide fresh air and additional living space without fear of cats escaping.
5. Catios – This form of cat containment system makes use of the patio or decking area of your garden. An enclosure is installed within the boundaries of the patio, allowing your cat to get outside with ease. The benefit of a catio is that you can prevent cats from accessing the lawn or planted areas, protecting them from dangerous plants and flowers.

Cat containment systems 

There are multiple ways for cat owners to give their cat the best of both worlds. In this day and age there’s no reason why a cat should be kept indoors full time. A cat containment system provides your pet with safe access to the outdoors without exposing them to the risks that come with outdoor life. They remain safe from risks such as road accidents, cat fights and disease, theft and getting lost on adventures.

ProtectaPet provide a wide range of customisable and bespoke cat containment systems suitable for all environments and budgets. The experts provide full installation services or the products, information and support you need to install your own containment system at home. Learn more about the different cat enclosures by visiting ProtectaPet online or by following ProtectaPet on Facebook.

Other ways to stop your cat from escaping (and keeping them safe when they’re out and about)

While some moggies may be more than happy staying indoors, others will want to get out of your house, explore and seek out what the great outdoors beyond your garden hold. Here are some extra precautions you can take to make sure your cat doesn’t get hurt or lost when it ventures out. 

• Have them wear a collar and tag with your address and contact number at all times. Make sure it’s a tear-away collar so that they can get away if the collar gets caught on something. 
• Microchip your cat. Not only will it soon be mandatory to microchip your cat in the UK, but it will also be very handy if your cat gets lost and his collar has come off. 
• Let your neighbours know what your cat looks like just in case he ends up in their garden. 
• Make sure their vaccinations are up to date and give them regular heartworm and antiflea medication. 

Hopefully, we've answered all your questions and queries when it comes to 'how to keep your cat in your yard'. If you want to read more, we do recommend you check out our 5 ways to make your cat happy guide, this comprehensive article on cat sunburn (yes, it can happen) or read more about tracking your pet here. 

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