If you own a cat in Bristol, you likely worry about the traffic. With busy roads like the A38, Whiteladies Road, and the Portway cutting through residential areas, the risk to our feline friends is high.
On the flip side, if you are a keen gardener, there is nothing more frustrating than a neighbor's cat digging up your prize petunias or stalking the fish in your pond.
The question we get asked constantly is: "Can you build a fence that stops cats?"
The honest answer is: Yes, but it takes more than just a tall fence. Cats can jump up to 6 times their height. To stop them, you need physics on your side. Here are the three methods we use.
Goal 1: Keeping Cats IN (The "Catio" Concept)
If you have an expensive breed (like a Bengal or Ragdoll) or live near a main road, you want to turn your garden into a secure zone.
The Roller System (The "Oscillator")
This is the smartest, most aesthetic solution. We install a system of rotating metal or plastic paddles along the top of your fence.
- How it works: The cat jumps, grabs the top of the fence... and the bar spins. They cannot get a grip to haul themselves over, and they safely drop back into the garden.
- The Look: It’s low profile and doesn't look like a prison. It blends in with the fence line.
The Inward Bracket (The Overhang)
This is the "Alcatraz" method, but it is 99% effective. We install angled steel brackets to the top of the fence posts, pointing inward at a 45-degree angle. We then attach a high-strength plastic mesh or netting to these brackets.
Cats are great climbers, but they are terrible at climbing upside down. When they reach the top, the netting forces them to lean backward, and they give up.
Goal 2: Keeping Cats OUT (The Deterrent)
You can't legally block a cat from roaming (they have "Right to Roam" in the UK), but you can make your garden unappealing to enter.
Plastic "Prikka-Strips"
We do not use broken glass or dangerous metal spikes (which are illegal if they cause injury). We use Plastic Security Spikes.
These rigid plastic cones are uncomfortable to walk on. If you screw these to the top rail of your fence, a cat looking for a shortcut will usually look at the spikes, decide it’s too much hassle, and go to the next garden instead.
The "Launchpad" Problem
Before you spend money on rollers or netting, look at your garden layout.
A 6ft fence with rollers is useless if you have a wheelie bin, a shed, or a tree right next to it. Cats don't just jump from the floor; they parkour.
Pro Tip: To effectively cat-proof a boundary, you need to create a "No Jump Zone" of at least 1.5 meters from the fence. Move the bins and trim the tree branches, or the cat will simply use them as a stepping stone to bypass your defenses.
Is your fence suitable?
Cat-proofing systems need a sturdy base. They cannot be installed on a rotting fence that is already swaying in the wind.
If you want to keep your pets safe (or your garden clean), we can assess your perimeter and recommend the best system.
Featured Image Image A wooden fence topped with a "cat roller" system (spinning metal tubes) to prevent cats from gripping the top. Image Alt Text Cat roller system installed on top of a wooden garden fence in Bristol. Tags Select Tags Cat Proof Fencing Garden Security Pet Safety Bristol Gardens Catios SEO Settings Meta Title Cat-Proof Fencing Bristol: Can You Really Stop Them? Meta Description Want to keep your cat safe or stop visitors? We review cat rollers, overhang netting, and plastic spikes for Bristol garden fences.