# Anyone use an invisible fence for their cat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209 "2016-04-04T23:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/1 "2016-04-04T23:47:00Z")
This weekend I set up an invisible fence (PetSafe). It took two days of mind-numbing work putting the wire into the ground, but the reviews had prepared me for that. (I’m so glad that it’s the spring rather than the summer.) I was happy when that bad boy powered up and the “loop” light turned on. I’m not the most mechanical person in the world, and I just knew I was going to screw something up. (Actually I did kinda screw up. I accidentally cut through the wire while chopping through some roots. But I fixed it like a pro!:)) If you have one of these things, how long did it take for your cat to learn? I can’t tell if my cat Amigo is being…um…punished…whenever he breaches the boundary. Which he does a lot. I can hear the collar beeping when he crosses into the Forbidden Zone, and his behavior does appear to change a little bit. But I’m feeling kinda skeptical that this little rascal will stay where I want him to. He is so sweet and intelligent, but I’m concerned that his playfulness makes him immune to fear. If you have a success story, I’d love to hear it. As well as any training tips. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/2 "2016-04-05T07:27:11Z")
I want an invisible fence or _something_ to keep all the damn feral cats out! ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/3 "2016-04-05T13:57:43Z")
Seems cruel to keep him penned in with a shock collar. I would think that if he has been historically allowed to roam, this may result in some sort of depression. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/4 "2016-04-05T14:31:15Z")
I’ve used an invisible fence with 3 small dogs over the years and they work great. You do have to do some basic training with them first though; have them on a long leash, walking the perimeter, having them retreat towards you when they hear the warning beep, etc. I’m not sure if you can use similar methods with cats though? Good on you for installing it yourself. I bought my system with one collar for ~$100, rented a cable trencher for $50 and had it done in an afternoon. I’ve seen companies like Invisible Fence charge a thousand to install one. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/5 "2016-04-06T00:51:37Z")
I know the things work well with dogs but a cat is just so different in personality and all that I must admit to being skeptical. I’ll be curious to stop back and see what kind of reports you get. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/6 "2016-04-06T01:27:27Z")
Any animal which would be cowered by such a device has to tun in its “Cat” certificate. Which is then torn in half in front of all REAL cats in the area. On the plus side, it was good exercise for you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/7 "2016-04-06T03:51:02Z")
There is usually a training period, like **Hampshire** mentioned, especially if there’s no other visual indicator. Did you do the whole “flags in the ground” thing? I would recommend going out with your cat. Turn the collar up so you can hear the beep, and when you hear it, call your cat (wth treats and praise). Help him learn the perimeter. Read the manual about the sound settings and the shock settings. You may need to adjust the shock setting higher at first. I honestly haven’t heard about these being used for cats. Curious to know if you bought a system made for cats or for a small dog? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/8 "2016-04-06T04:14:28Z")
Neighbour’s young bouncy dog was too bouncy for my cat. Dog had an invisible fence collar, but did not yet know the boundaries. Cat crossed the boundary, turned and swatted at dog, just as dog bounced across the boundary. Problem solved – cat rules. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/9 "2016-04-06T05:00:39Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > I want an invisible fence or _something_ to keep all the damn feral cats out! Me three - and raccoons. If anyone comes up with something effective they will make a fortune. I have fences all around, at which of course the cats laugh behind their paws as they leap ever so gracefully up and over. My neighbor, who is feeding three or four of the ferals, was so kind as to build a (completely unnecessary) cat ramp up to the top of their fence and right onto my back fence. Since I can often see them trespassing during the day from the kitchen or the back deck, I have been wondering about some kind of aim-able sonic weapon that would make them uncomfortable without causing any physical damage and perhaps train them that way. Then I can spend my retirement “shooting” cats. > [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Seems cruel to keep him penned in with a shock collar. I would think that if he has been historically allowed to roam, this may result in some sort of depression. It’s for their own good. Generally cats who don’t roam are safer from predators and being run over. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/10 "2016-04-06T11:26:41Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > There is usually a training period, like **Hampshire** mentioned, especially if there’s no other visual indicator. Did you do the whole “flags in the ground” thing? > > I would recommend going out with your cat. Turn the collar up so you can hear the beep, and when you hear it, call your cat (wth treats and praise). Help him learn the perimeter. Read the manual about the sound settings and the shock settings. You may need to adjust the shock setting higher at first. > > I honestly haven’t heard about these being used for cats. Curious to know if you bought a system made for cats or for a small dog? It is one for cats (it’s got a cat on the box and everything). I’ll try out your advice. > [@usedtobe](#): > > Any animal which would be cowered by such a device has to tun in its “Cat” certificate. > Which is then torn in half in front of all REAL cats in the area. I haven’t seen any “real” cats in the area. If there are any, at least they didn’t mess with the recently departed Bebe, who I let roam free. And she was the most “unreal” cat in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Carryon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/11 "2016-04-06T21:46:32Z")
I knew someone who did this and she said it worked, but it took them over a year of cat training and the cat still would figure out the gaps which took a long time to close. Evidently with nothing but time on their hands, cats enjoy figuring out how to beat the fence. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/12 "2016-04-06T22:40:43Z")
How long before the cat(s) figure out to jump over the wire? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-use-an-invisible-fence-for-their-cat/751209/13 "2016-04-06T22:52:34Z")
Cats need the ability to run and hide from predators, it is a strong drive to power through such things, also for their own safety and survival they need to be free roaming. What I have heard is that cats that get outside the invisible fence sometime are very hesitant to re-enter it. Better trading your cat in for a dog if you want to use a invisible fence.