The 4-1-1 on Keeping Cats Contained

What does that mean? Keeping your cats “contained” doesn’t necessarily mean keeping them in one room for the duration of their lives or that they should never taste the freshness of the early morning dew on the grass. It’s about ensuring they stay within the parameters of your property.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already just as much of a cat-lover as us! And as cat-lovers, we surely want to do everything in our power to keep them safe, happy, and healthy at all times. That mindset, however, does come with its limitations - after all, no one wants to keep their beloved furball locked away in a tower, or cage, forever.

Though keeping them indoors is an option to keep them safe, there are various other ways to ensure your cat is living its best life. So, this Blog is for all the cat-lovers who would move mountains, couches, and entire beds for their cats. Here’s how you can keep your cats happy and healthy and contained!

Your next question might be, "How am I going to keep my cats from roaming outside our property?” Well, we’ll get to that in just a moment!

First, let’s touch on why it’s important to keep your cats contained:

1. Vehicle Accidents
The number one reason why cats shouldn’t be roaming the streets, is because accidents do happen. Whether you live in a busy neighbourhood or not, you’re always going to run the risk of losing your beloved fur baby on the roads.

2. Not Everyone, or Everything, Loves Cats
Cats are curious by nature, which is why they always go searching for new adventures, regardless of whether the destination welcomes them with open arms. Whether you live in a non-cat-loving neighbourhood, or there’s a really hungry and aggressive dog living next door, the last thing you want is for your cat to end up in unchartered, and unwanted, territory.

3. Local Council Trapping
According to the Dog and Cat Board of Australia, there are various regulations involved in owning a cat which include microchipping, desexing, and limiting their roaming parameter. It’s also worth noting that council officers are legally allowed to seize and detain unidentified cats. Live in a region where Cat Curfew By-Laws are in place? Expect a fine if your feline is caught roaming beyond the boundaries of your property.

4. Disease and Impregnation
It's harsh but true, cats (especially strays) are often carriers of disease. This doesn’t necessarily mean your cat is the carrier, but if your cat roams around the neighbourhood, it runs the risk of catching something from roaming cats and even rodents. Furthermore, if you haven’t spayed your cat yet, it’ll probably impregnate other neighbourhood cats, or you’ll get an expensive surprise in a few weeks. Either way, you don’t want your cats coming home with anything harmful or unwanted.

5. Getting Stolen
As absolutely unethical as it sounds, there is nothing stopping a child or even an adult from taking your beloved fur baby home if found roaming the streets. Oftentimes, our cats visit other homes and nap there for a while. This poses a lot of risk, as people might assume your cat is a stray and welcome him/her to their family for good.

6. A Sense of Security
You want to know that your floof is safe, happy, and healthy. Keeping your cat contained in your yard not only protects him/her from outside dangers, but also gives you peace of mind knowing your cat is safe at all times.

 

a roaming cat is a cat facing many dangers

How to Keep Your Feline Family Member Safely Contained WITHOUT turning your yard into a mess

It’s 6am and you’re making your way to the kitchen for your much-needed morning brew. Once the smooth aroma of coffee hits the calm morning air, you take your cup outside where you intend to spend at least 15-minutes embracing your surroundings, listening to the birds chirping, and enjoying the miracle of coffee…Only to be rudely awakened to the reminder that you recently had a cat net installed in the yard. Ugh…

Keeping our cats contained is undoubtedly a new trend. In the 80s and 90s, no one felt the need to keep their beloved cats inside at all! Today, however, there are many very important reasons why keeping your cat contained is the best option. But should it be at the cost of your home aesthetics? It shouldn’t be…

Oscillot was invented by South Australian by filmmaker, Paul Bok, in 2006. Paul noticed an obvious lack of options for cat owners to keep their beloved feline friends safe at home. The only options on the market at the time appeared to be either cages or netting... & let's face it, who wants to turn their yard into a prison! After extensive research & development, Oscillot was born, right here in Australia!

Oscillot has no cages, no nets, no wires, & no electric current, it is completely safe & will not cause harm to your cat, wildlife, or little curious hands that may reach up and touch the system. Containing your cat is not only the best way to keep your cat safe, but it also protects native wildlife living in neighbouring parks & reserves. The Companion Animal Network - Australia (formerly Animal Welfare League of Australia) & the Animal Welfare League of Queensland have endorsed Oscillot as a safe and responsible method of containing pet cats to their own property.

We might be bias, but Oscillot really is the best option if you want a clean, effective, and aesthetically-pleasing fence to keep your fur-baby safe. We guarantee that you’ll be able to enjoy your cuppa, your garden, and your beloved floof for many years to come! 

 

Right, so They're Contained.. Now How To Ensure Their Days are Happy & Enriched

Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t need to roam to be happy. There are numerous ways to keep your kitties happy within the bounds of your house and garden, including:

1. It’s All About Personal Space
It’s well known that cats are both territorial and independent. If your cat is particularly finicky about their space bubble, it’s important to give him/her that personal space they desire. Whether you have one cat or more, cats are very territorial and prefer their own feeding bowl, litter box, and sleeping station (even if it means giving up yours). 

2. Scratching, Scratching, and More Scratching
Most cat owners, if they aren’t master Yoda pet trainers, have the signature nail scratches engraved into their couches. Cats pride themselves on the sharpness of their claws, so if you want to spare your furniture, be sure to invest in some PAWsome scratch posts, tree trunks, or anything your furry friend can use for heavy-duty scratching.

3. Quality Time is the Best Time
Whether you’re forcing kisses after work or taking out the laser for a good laugh, cats love spending time with, playing with, and receiving love from their parents (or loyal servants if you will). Be sure to spend loads of time with them when you can to stimulate their physical and mental health.

4. Desexing Does the Trick
It’s well-known that cats are very territorial, especially if they aren’t spayed. But when they aren’t spayed, they also roam a lot more to either find a mate or to expand their territory. When cats are desexed, they don’t have the hormones motivating them to fight or roam anywhere as much as an in-tact feline.

5. Create More Vertical Spaces
Cats love vertical spaces. They seem to have that instinctual need to be in high places to observe their environment from on high. Perhaps so they can look down on us mere mortals? Creating more vertical spaces allows them to have a stronger sense of security, and of course, more space to play and explore. Adding wall-mounted shelves or getting a cat condo can give your feline friend a safe sanctuary to retreat to whenever they feel stressed. (Just make sure you keep the vertical platforms away from the fence if you're installing Oscillot).

6. Avoid Poisonous Plants
Cats love to chew on everything, and that includes plants. Common house and garden plants such as Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), Philodendron, Poinsettia, Mistletoe, and Lilies are deadly to cats. As a safety precaution, you must keep these dangerous plants well out of reach, or better yet, completely avoid putting these plants in your house or garden.

 

The benefits of keeping your cats safely contained at home far outweigh the negatives. There is no greater step you can take to preserving your cats health and lifespan than by adopting and actioning the mindset that cats should stay at home with their owners, not be allowed to roam the neighbourhood and fend for themselves. At Oscillot we have developed the product that can help you achieve cat containment relatively quickly and easily and without ruining the aesthetics of your home and garden. The last little bit of the solution is up to you!

You can check out our Cat-Proof Fence Kits here.