When contemplating cat and dog fence ideas, pet owners often find themselves choosing between a physical or invisible one. While both aim to contain pets within a designated area, their level of effectiveness, costs, and installation significantly varies.
Traditional and invisible dog fences or DIY cat fence rollers have individual pros and cons that may or may not suit your situation. To help you determine which option to take, here is a comprehensive review of their benefits and pitfalls.
Traditional Fences
Traditional fences are the most common types of barriers you’ll find in almost any home. These fences are typically made of wood, iron, chain link, or roller wires that surround a specific perimeter. Traditional fences also feature a gate or two for entry and exit.
The height and length of traditional fences are determined by the type of pet you have and their size. Big dogs might need fences around 2.5 metres tall to keep them from jumping. Meanwhile, your fences might need additional netting on the top to contain cats.
The Pros of Traditional Fences
- Privacy – Traditional fences not only keep your pets within your property, but they also provide privacy. Tall and close-knit fences made of wooden planks block street views, ensuring outsiders do not peek into your home.
- Keep Your Pets and Other Things In and Out – Unlike invisible fences, traditional fences can keep both animals and people out of your property.
- Reduced Stress – Traditional fences do not stimulate your pets, making them the ideal option for anxious cats and dogs.
The Cons of Traditional Fences
- Expensive Installation – Traditional fences have higher installation and building costs due to professional service fees and material purchases.
- Errors and Reduced Effectiveness – Often, people might leave the gates open, giving pets a chance to escape. Additionally, pets can dig under, climb over, or squeeze through the gaps.
- Local Restrictions – Certain communities impose restrictions against traditional fences, making pet containment difficult.
Invisible Fences
An invisible fence uses radio signals and collar transmitters to keep pets confined within a predetermined boundary. This type of fencing has little to no visible components, making them suitable for a range of locations.
When your pet attempts to go over the established area limit, the fence will send a radio signal to the receiver, prompting the collar to emit an audible warning tone. If your pet does not listen to the warning, the collar will startle your pet with vibration or harmless e-stimulation.
The Pros of Invisible Fences
- Adaptability and Flexibility – Invisible fences can be placed in any terrain, whether rough, smooth, or hilly. Plus, the perimeter size and range of the invisible fence can be adjusted according to your desired area.
- Long-Term Affordability – Although invisible fences have a higher initial cost than traditional fences, invisible pet barriers save costs in the long run by requiring less maintenance.
- Increased Efficiency – Since the invisible fences rely on radio signals and transmitter collars, your pets will have a harder time escaping.
- Better Views – Invisible fences are hidden, ensuring they won’t affect the appearance of your home.
The Cons of Invisible Fences
- Requires Training – To ensure maximum performance, you need to train your pet to recognise and understand how the invisible fence works.
- Potential Stress – Due to stimulations, invisible fences might not be suitable for anxious pets.
- Limited Protection – Invisible fences can keep your cat or dog confined, but they cannot deter wildlife and other intruders.
The Final Verdict
In general, invisible fences are much more effective in containing your cats and dogs within your property. Unless your pets are anxious by nature, leveraging invisible fences gives better results and easier training.
For more information about the wonders of invisible pet fencing, visit Hidden Fence – Australia’s sole importer of cleverly engineered DogWatch® products.