Invisible fence
Invisible fence
I adopted a deaf kitten a couple of months ago. I was thinking of getting an invisible fence so he could go outside, but not leave the yard. My other cats go out and he really wants to join them. Has anyone ever tried one of these fences? Do they work? Are they too hard on the cat? these are the fences that emit a mild shock.
Re: Invisible fence
IMO, there are several things wrong with invisible fences. First of all, they don't prevent someone from coming into your yard and taking your cat, or another animal from running into your yard and attacking your cat. Also, what if your cat ran through the fence, felt the shock, and then was afraid to come back into the yard?
Re: Invisible fence
The replies on this board seem to assume that I am both stupid and don't care about my cats. let me explain,
My back yard is totally fenced with a 6 ft wooden fence. No dog could get in. the gates are locked so no human can get in and leave the door open. Right now I have been letting my 5 month old deaf kitten out there with my other two cats (indoor outdoor cats) when I am home. But I have been thinking about trying an invisible fence for when he figures out how to use the cat door.
At first I was going to make him a totally indoor cat, but I have been unable to find a way to let my other two cats use their cat door and keep him from using it. I have tried magnetic doors, electronic doors and automatic doors and they have all had problems.
I hate to shut the door on my two cats when they have used it all their lives. I do not like the idea of the invisible fence, but I am scared to death Brave will figure out the cat door and go out. And then someday he would figure out how to get over the fence. I posted here asking if someone could give me an idea of if they had used a fence or if it worked.
I take very good care of my cats. I pay for my vet to make house calls. All three are healthy, happy and very much loved. The last two I lost lived to be 18. I am simply trying to do the best for all 3 of them.
My back yard is totally fenced with a 6 ft wooden fence. No dog could get in. the gates are locked so no human can get in and leave the door open. Right now I have been letting my 5 month old deaf kitten out there with my other two cats (indoor outdoor cats) when I am home. But I have been thinking about trying an invisible fence for when he figures out how to use the cat door.
At first I was going to make him a totally indoor cat, but I have been unable to find a way to let my other two cats use their cat door and keep him from using it. I have tried magnetic doors, electronic doors and automatic doors and they have all had problems.
I hate to shut the door on my two cats when they have used it all their lives. I do not like the idea of the invisible fence, but I am scared to death Brave will figure out the cat door and go out. And then someday he would figure out how to get over the fence. I posted here asking if someone could give me an idea of if they had used a fence or if it worked.
I take very good care of my cats. I pay for my vet to make house calls. All three are healthy, happy and very much loved. The last two I lost lived to be 18. I am simply trying to do the best for all 3 of them.
Re: Invisible fence
First of all, your first comments weren't necessary. We ARE trying to help here, that's what this forum is all about......helping.
You cannot train a cat as you would a dog, regarding fences, no matter what the type, nor can you expect one or more not to get loose, not to escape through your cat door, etc etc. You are having problems because you are expecting them to act and react as you want them to, it doesn't work that way with cats.
At least two of us have warned against using an electronic fence, for various reasons. Other strays from the outside (cats) can indeed jump your fence and get in...you can't predict what may or may not happen, the cats' security should be first and foremost because of those unpredictable situations.
There is no harm in acclimating all your cats strictly indoors, this can be done no matter what age they are, it is much safer, providing you're not using harnesses and leads, etc. If you are dead-set on letting them outside, then look into full outdoor cat enclosures, you can find these listed on the net, but they may be expensive, and they need to be safe.
You cannot train a cat as you would a dog, regarding fences, no matter what the type, nor can you expect one or more not to get loose, not to escape through your cat door, etc etc. You are having problems because you are expecting them to act and react as you want them to, it doesn't work that way with cats.
At least two of us have warned against using an electronic fence, for various reasons. Other strays from the outside (cats) can indeed jump your fence and get in...you can't predict what may or may not happen, the cats' security should be first and foremost because of those unpredictable situations.
There is no harm in acclimating all your cats strictly indoors, this can be done no matter what age they are, it is much safer, providing you're not using harnesses and leads, etc. If you are dead-set on letting them outside, then look into full outdoor cat enclosures, you can find these listed on the net, but they may be expensive, and they need to be safe.
..........Traci
Re: Invisible fence
The invisible fence I have looked at is intended for cats. The people who sell it say that cats actually learn much quicker than dogs. The person I spoke with said that she would not hesitate to use if if she had a deaf kitten.
I have tried to teach my cats to be indoor cats. One of them cries the entire time and destroys things and then gets depressed and hides, this went on for months. The other one sprays all over the house continually. If he goes outside he only sprays oncein a while. When kept in he spray everywhere, all the time (and yes, he is neutered) I have tried feliway and other things and they have not helped. It is really not an alternative unless I want two very unhappy and neurotic cats living in a house that reeks of urine.
As the teaching the kitten--he wears a harness and is used to a leash, while I recognize that most cats cannot be trained--he seems more adaptable than most.
Finally, I recognize that cats can get in my yard. Some do, but this is not a problem. There is one that stays out because my cats do not welcome it and a couple that come in and hang out with my cats.
I keep asking one question and not getting an answer. Has anyone tried an invisible fence and if so what has happened, has it worked?
I have tried to teach my cats to be indoor cats. One of them cries the entire time and destroys things and then gets depressed and hides, this went on for months. The other one sprays all over the house continually. If he goes outside he only sprays oncein a while. When kept in he spray everywhere, all the time (and yes, he is neutered) I have tried feliway and other things and they have not helped. It is really not an alternative unless I want two very unhappy and neurotic cats living in a house that reeks of urine.
As the teaching the kitten--he wears a harness and is used to a leash, while I recognize that most cats cannot be trained--he seems more adaptable than most.
Finally, I recognize that cats can get in my yard. Some do, but this is not a problem. There is one that stays out because my cats do not welcome it and a couple that come in and hang out with my cats.
I keep asking one question and not getting an answer. Has anyone tried an invisible fence and if so what has happened, has it worked?
Re: Invisible fence
if no one answers then maybe no one has used it. youve got a few opinions on this matter from here, is there some other obligation you feel we should be upholding?Iggycat wrote:I keep asking one question and not getting an answer. Has anyone tried an invisible fence and if so what has happened, has it worked?