# Can a six foot high plywood "fence" prevent cats from jumping over? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2021, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382 "2021-02-21T07:45:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/1 "2021-02-21T07:45:15Z")
Long story short I have some cats I need to take care of, about 4 of them. They can’t be indoors since I already have an in-door cat and he doesn’t like strangers, but I also don’t want them outside and possibly getting hurt. I have an backyard covered patio with wooden frame and plastic windows on all four sides except for a 10 foot wide section that is completely open to the elements that you use to access the rest of the backyard. I was considering for the time being going to a home improvement store, getting a six foot tall by 12 foot wide piece of plywood, and tying it to the opening with ropes to create a stable but still temporary (though temporary for a few months) open area for the cats to play in and get fresh air but also so they can’t escape. I don’t want to go higher than six feet since I still want to be able to look over it into the backyard, but also be able to slide it across if I have to access the backyard at any point. I read online most cats can’t jump higher than five feet so six feet seems high enough. Is this high enough? Would the single plywood piece of wood be too heavy? Any other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/2 "2021-02-21T07:49:21Z")
An active cat could easily scramble up 6 feet of plywood. They don’t have to jump that high from a standstill as they can get some purchase from their claws. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/3 "2021-02-21T07:49:26Z")
Cats can climb. Plywood comes in 4x8 foot sheets, occasionally 4x10 or 4x12. There are no 6x12 sheets of plywood. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/4 "2021-02-21T08:39:21Z")
Some cats can jump higher than 6’. I had one cat that could jump from the floor to the top edge of a door. And with plywood a lesser jumper could scrabble up as long as their front paws made it to the edge, which I think most cats could do easily. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/5 "2021-02-21T08:55:28Z")
Wouldn’t blocking the opening with some kind of mesh be a better idea? That way you could still see out. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/6 "2021-02-21T09:38:08Z")
I know there was quite a bitter debate about how high animals can jump right here on the board, many years ago (and before video platforms really took off properly, so it wasn’t easy to find examples). A fit, adult cat can easily jump high enough that it can hook its forepaws onto the top of a 6 foot barrier, directly with no scrambling. In practice, a cat will generally also get a boost by hooking into (or just good frictional contact upon) the vertical surface of a post or board and doing a sort of ‘scramble assist’. An _exceptionally fit_ adult cat can jump the whole distance (that is, jump and alight at a height of 6 feet, rather than just jumping high enough to grab and pull up) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/7 "2021-02-21T10:01:52Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Wouldn’t blocking the opening with some kind of mesh be a better idea? This is probably a better idea. You’ll need to fasten the netting at the bottom (2x6 along the bottom, perhaps) and at the sides. If possible, you should fasten it at the top as well, as they will probably try to climb it. My neighbor has netting on both balconies to keep the cats from falling out, similar to [this](https://oxleynets.com.au/nets/cat). ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/8 "2021-02-21T11:24:10Z")
Great idea, but what would be an easy way to get it firmly attached, that was my original plan until I thought about the cat’s scratching at the bottom or sides and getting through. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/9 "2021-02-21T11:26:22Z")
one of my cats loved climbing telephone/power poles…shed sleep up there and then flippin walk down the slide very slowly …the FD and animal control was very accustomed to getting panicked calls about a cat asleep on a pole … sce guys got a kick outta it tho becuase shed inspect her perch every time they went up it … ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/10 "2021-02-21T12:05:05Z")
There seem to be plenty available online, and some say they come with fastenings. Eg: > **[Trixie Protective Net, 6 x 3 m, Transparent : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-44333-Protective-Net-Transparent/dp/B0009587YC)** > > Product Description With hooks, anchors and fastening rope tied, weatherproof and durable for interior and exterior use. Networks with these relatively small mesh size are also suitable for cats breeds with a small head or even larger pups. ... ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/11 "2021-02-21T12:28:17Z")
Just make sure you won’t make it worse for them trying to help them. Cats need the ability to escape predators, and some of them can fly. But as for your question, they can most likely jump it, but won’t as they can climb it. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2021, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/12 "2021-02-21T15:19:52Z")
With any luck, they’ll teach your cat to become a shoulder cat. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/13 "2021-02-21T15:23:34Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Cats need the ability to escape predators, and some of them can fly. Really? Maybe it’s the flying cats that led to such heated debate about how high they can jump. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/14 "2021-02-21T15:24:07Z")
I had a cat who liked to sleep in our screened in porch. One fine evening a Tom cat came around and he head butted open a screen panel, it just ripped open and in sauntered Tom. Scared me to death, freaked out my cat If cats had thumbs we’d be screwed over. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/15 "2021-02-21T15:50:56Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@kanicbird](#): > > > > Cats need the ability to escape predators, and some of them can fly. > > Really? Maybe it’s the flying cats that led to such heated debate about how high they can jump. I presume what’s meant is that some of the creatures which eat cats can fly. Cats hunt little birds, big birds hunt cats. In some areas there aren’t any birds big enough to take most adult cats; but kittens, or unusually small adults, may be at risk even there. > [@chela](#): > > I had a cat who liked to sleep in our screened in porch. One fine evening a Tom cat came around and he head butted open a screen panel, it just ripped open and in sauntered Tom. Not all modern screen materials will stand up to a cat who wants to get through them. You need old-fashioned metal screening; or something made for the purpose. And joining in the chorus: it depends on the cat, but lots of cats can get over a 6’ fence. You need to cover the top of that outdoor space as well as the sides; and to cover both with something sturdy enough that the cats can’t rip it. My parents, years ago, had an enclosure made that used, IIRC, chicken wire over the top and small-opening chainlink fence for the sides. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/16 "2021-02-21T15:59:31Z")
As the factual question has been answered, and this thread is turning into advice, i am moving it to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/17 "2021-02-21T16:00:04Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I presume what’s meant is that some of the creatures which eat cats can fly. Ah, no flying cats. That’s disappointing. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > …kittens, or unusually small adults, may be at risk even there. But I don’t believe a bird could fly off with a small adult, maybe an unattended baby or a toddler. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/18 "2021-02-21T16:03:32Z")
Great horned owls routinely prey on skunks. They are happy to take housecats, including fit, adult, cats, when they have the opportunity. Fishers (sometimes called fisher cats, but really a large weasel) also like to eat cats, and they climb very well. They are one of the few mammals that comfortably climbs down trees, headfirst. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/19 "2021-02-21T16:07:37Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Ah, no flying cats. That’s disappointing. I have taken a cat on an airplane. The cat found it much more disappointing to be a flying cat than to be a staying-at-home cat. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382/20 "2021-02-21T16:07:46Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Ah, no flying cats. That’s disappointing. I had a cat that could fly. Flying bugs didn’t survive long in our house. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-six-foot-high-plywood-fence-prevent-cats-from-jumping-over/933382.md?page=2)