Most pet owners have heard of an invisible fence for dogs before. Maybe you've even noticed your neighbors training their canine with their new barrier with those little white flags lining their property.
But here's something you may not realize as a feline parent:
Your home can be outfitted with an invisible fence for cats, too!
In this comprehensive review, we're going to talk about why this type of pet barrier can be so beneficial, both inside and outside your home. We'll also explain how they work and give you tips on how to decide if one is A-OK for your sweet companion.
Plus, we'll talk about our top picks based on price, quality, and customer reviews so you can have more confidence when it comes time to buy. So, spend some time thinking about your fur baby.
Does it sound like an invisible fence is really what your home needs to keep her safe or out of certain areas of your home? If so, keep reading—we've got some great reviews coming up.
But before we get into more details, we thought we'd save you some scrolling and introduce our top pick for a pet safety fence right from the get go. So without further ado…
at a glance: our top 5 picks for invisible cat fence
Reviewed Invisible Fences for Cats
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PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence
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PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence
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SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems
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PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barriers
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PetSafe Wireless Dog and Cat Containment System
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PetSafe YardMax In-Ground Fence
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The 6 Best Invisible Fences for Cats
- PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence
- PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence
- SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems
- PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barriers
- PetSafe Wireless Dog and Cat Containment System
- PetSafe YardMax In-Ground Fence
1. PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence
Like your cat, we're curious—so we've done our research to determine the best invisible fence for kitties out there. Based on what we've found, we're proud to introduce our top pick:
We love this product for a few reasons, not the least of which is that your invisible barrier can be configured to cover up to a third of an acre. By purchasing a few additional transmitter wires and flags, you can actually adjust this fence up to 25 acres. Wow!
Unlike some other products we reviewed, this in-ground kitty fence also comes with an easily adjustable collar to maximize the safety and comfort for your little lady.
Freedom, safety, and comfort—what else could we want for our kitties?
2. PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence
Here's another great option for a quality kitty fence from the reputable company PetSafe. This also has an adjustable collar for better comfort—but you still shouldn't leave it on for more than 8 to 12 hours at a time. Plus, it's more affordable than our first pick.
Pros
- Adjustable and waterproof collar
- Includes stretch section for cat's safety
- Low battery indicator
Cons
- Disposable Proprietary
- Batteries can run out quickly
3. SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems
If you want a durable in-ground pet fence to protect your kitty, you may like this product from SportDOG. It can cover up to an impressive 100 acres and can be used to contain multiple animals at one time (all with their own collar).
Pros
- Waterproof collar
- Features auditory and vibration warnings with adjustable settings
- Large coverage area
- Low Battery Indicator
- Lightning protector
Cons
- Battery may not last as long as promised
- Inconsistently operates
- A lot of work and time to install it
- May not be suitable for small cats
4. PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barriers with Adjustable Range
When deciding which type of pet fence to get for your animal, of course you want one that's going to be durable, high quality, and comfortable. Having a cute product name like this fence does is just a bonus!
This barrier is designed to look like a rock. Simply place it near an object you don't want your kitty wandering over to, and the static signal and high-frequency warning signal only pets can hear will repel her away with up to an 8-foot radius.
Pros
- Rationally cost
- Super easy to install
Cons
- Not designed for containment but rather to keep an animal away from certain areas in the yard (e.g., pool, landscaping, child's play area, etc.)
- Correction may not be strong enough for some animals
- Batteries not included
5. PetSafe Wireless Containment System Stay & Play Wireless Fence
Here's yet another wireless fencing system from PetSafe that can help protect your kitty from potential dangers outside.
A unique thing about this design is that it features static-free re-entry. This means your kitty can return back to “home base” without being corrected as she passes through the boundary again.
Pros
- Wireless—so no wires to bury and easy and fast to install
- Long battery life—up to 3 weeks according to the manufacturer
- Easy to install
- Adjustable for a large area of up to 105 feet in every direction
- Low Battery Indicator
- Won't re-correct an animal when it walks back over the barrier into the containment area
- Many pet parents say it works well with their stubborn felines and can work with multiple cats
Cons
- Correction zones near the transmitters may be inconsistent
- Collar settings can be abrupt more severely graded than other products
- Containment area can't be modified to a square or rectangle shape
- Not suitable for cats under 5 pounds
6. PetSafe YardMax In-Ground Fence
Next on our list is this underground fence from PetSafe. Cats tend to have more freedom outside with this one because the correction occurs at the boundary instead of a few feet before. But fair warned—it will keep correcting your animal even after she passes the boundary (unlike most fences which stop the signal after she's passed over the transmitter).
Pros
- Features inside and outside correction zones
- Surge Protector
- Collar is lightweight, adjustable, and waterproof
- Battery is rechargeable
- Low battery indicator light
Cons
- Correction occurs whether the cat is going past or coming back over the boundary
- The wiring system is complicated for a lot of users
Understanding Invisible Pet Fence
What it is and How it Works?
Here's a basic rundown on how an invisible barrier works for cats (and for dogs, for that matter):
Any invisible fencing system has both transmitters and receivers. The transmitters—typically wires or other small devices—can be placed beneath the ground or throughout your home in a certain configuration.
This configuration creates the invisible threshold, which often runs around the perimeter of your yard, for instance. But you can also arrange the transmitters to block off a room, stairs, doorway, etc.
If your kitty crosses or gets close to this threshold while wearing the receiver (which is attached to a comfortable collar), then the transmitter will send a signal to the receiver. This is the alert signal, and depending on the setting you've selected on your fence system, it will trigger a specific “warning” to your kitty. These warnings include:
- Auditory warning (e.g., beeping or buzzing noise)
- Vibrational warning
- Electric current (a shock)
“But my cat's indoors-only,” you might be wondering. “Why would I bother will an invisible fence?”
It turns out that there are fence systems that can be used indoors as well as outdoors. This allows you to place invisible barriers around certain floors, rooms, or even specific parts of a room—e.g., the side with the couch you don't want covered in cat hair.
Will an Invisible Pet Fence Work for My Cat?
Nobody knows your kitty better than you do, and we know that keeping her safe and healthy is one of your top priorities. For this reason, it's helpful to keep a few things in mind when deciding if and what type of invisible fencing device is best for her.
- Invisible fences may work effectively for some animals. But some pets aren't effectively deterred by invisible fencing systems, especially if they're highly motivated to hunt (e.g., they love to chase after squirrels).
- If your kitty scares easily or has a health problem, and especially if she has a known heart condition, don't use an invisible fence. At the very least, you should chat with your vet before trying one out!
- Even if your kitty is perfectly healthy, the unexpected stimulus could easily overwhelm her senses. And as a feline, she's already highly sensitive to her surroundings anyway. Your cat could also experience emotional distress, anxiety, and other issues from experiencing the device at work. Go ahead, put yourself in her paws: it's not hard to imagine how stressful that could be!
- In general, electrical shocks can be physically harmful and are considered borderline humane at best. Avoid using the electric current mode at all costs—and keep in mind that even the vibration or auditory warnings can still be overwhelming to some animals.
Conclusion
Any healthy relationship requires clear boundaries—including the one you have with your sweet feline!
With so many on the market to choose from, this review should help you narrow down your choices and find the one that will work for your kitty the best.
What has your experience been with pet fences? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share this article with any other cat parents who are looking to establish some clearer boundaries in and around their home!