Pros
Cons
You give your cat the opportunity to live longer and healthier by eliminating unnecessary risks associated with outdoor access (see table below).
A cat-proof fence is not free. However, it is always possible to reduce costs by being creative and using secondhand materials.
You secure your garden.
No unwanted visitors can enter your property.
No other cats, dogs, or wild animals can come in and hurt your cat or damage your plants.
Your cat may become bored and frustrated after you restrict his access to the outdoors. You will need to give him extra attention and keep him entertained until he gets used to his new, safer life.
A cat-proof garden offers a vast space where you can give free rein to your imagination, handyman and gardening skills.
Risks and consequences
| Free access to the outdoors | Cat-proof garden | |
| Being overridden by a car | Injury, death | Safe |
| Fights with other cats | Injury, viral disease (FIV, leukemia) | Safe |
| Attack by a dog | Injury, death | Safe |
| Attack by a wild animal (in forest areas) | Injury, viral disease (rabies), death | Safe |
| Attack by a sadist | Injury, death | Safe |
| Ingestion of poison (water, food, plants, rat poison) | Poisoning, death | Safe |
| Accidents (falls, got trapped or stuck) | Injury, death | Safe |
| Theft (expensive breeds, attractive cats) | Consequences unknown | Safe |
