Most cat owners want their pets to enjoy the outdoors, experiencing fresh air, sunshine and natural stimulation. At the same time, it’s natural to worry about them getting lost, injured or disturbing neighbours.

Cat nets provide a simple solution, letting indoor cats safely explore outside while staying contained on your property. Choosing the right setup is important, as lower-quality products can compromise your cat’s safety and well-being. This guide offers a practical breakdown of cat nets to help you make an informed choice and keep your cat happy.

Key Takeaways

Cat netting safely contains your cat while allowing outdoor access and preventing escapes or harm.
Cat netting can be used in backyards, balconies, decks, and windows to suit different home setups.
Cat netting materials vary in strength, visibility, and durability, with reinforced options best for safety.
You should focus on material, mesh size, durability, setup, and UV resistance when choosing cat netting.
Cat netting supports your cat’s wellbeing, keeps them safe, protects wildlife, and helps meet legal requirements.
Freestanding enclosures are easy to install and aren’t permanent, making them a practical option if you are renting.

Table of Contents

Understanding Cat Nets
Where is Cat Netting Used?
Types of Cat Netting
Factors to Consider When Choosing Cat Netting
Benefits of Using Cat Netting
Explore Somerzby’s Range of Premium Cat Enclosures
Toni’s Wrap

Understanding Cat Nets

Cat netting is a strong mesh designed to safely contain our feline friends in a specific area. It allows them to enjoy the outdoors while preventing them from escaping.

Many cat owners want their pets to experience fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and the mental stimulation of watching birds and other wildlife. Without boundaries, however, pet cats can get lost, injured or harm native wildlife.

Cat nets are commonly used in suburban yards to stop cats from climbing trees or jumping fences, and on apartment balconies to prevent dangerous falls.

It’s important to note that cat netting is different from bird netting. Bird netting has smaller holes, is thinner, and isn’t strong enough to resist cat claws.

Where is Cat Netting Used?

Before installing a cat net, it’s important to identify where it will be used. The right setup will keep your cat safe and sound while letting them enjoy the outdoors.

Garden Cat Netting: Ideal for backyards and courtyards, garden cat nets let your cat explore grass, sunshine, and fresh air safely. They can be freestanding cat runs or sheets of netting stretched between fences, walls, or rooflines.
Verandah or Deck Cat Netting: Installed around the edges of verandahs or raised decks, this type provides a safe outdoor space where cats can enjoy fresh air without the risk of wandering.
Balcony Cat Netting: Perfect for apartments or multi-storey homes, balcony nets allow cats to safely enjoy an outdoor balcony area. They also prevent falls and help protect birds that may land nearby.
Window Cat Netting: Fitted over open windows or doorways, window nets keep cats from jumping out while still allowing ventilation.

Types of Cat Netting

Cat netting materials vary in terms of durability, visibility and suitability for different environments. Some common materials used for cat netting include:

Wire Netting: Metal wire netting can be used for cat enclosures or roof netting. It offers excellent durability but may be less transparent.
Mesh Netting: Mesh netting is typically made of nylon or polypropylene and comes in various sizes. It’s suitable for a wide range of cat netting applications, including balconies and enclosures.
Clear Netting: Clear or transparent netting is often marketed as “unobtrusive,” but it can reflect light and ends up being harder to see through than black coloured netting.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel wire is highly durable and resistant to corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor enclosures.
High-Density Polyethylene Material: HDPE secure cat containment solutions feature durable netting squares that withstand UV exposure, moisture, and impact. This low-maintenance material is suitable for the harsh Australian climate making it a great choice for Aussie cat owners.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cat Netting

When choosing cat netting, there are several factors to keep in mind. It’s unlikely you’ll find a product that ticks every box, so it’s best to focus on your top priorities and choose an option that suits your needs.

Key factors to consider include:

Material: Choose high-quality products designed specifically for cats. It should be strong and reinforced to withstand claws and daily wear.
Mesh size: Look for a mesh size of 20mm x 20mm or smaller to prevent paws or heads from getting stuck.
Durability: Opt for netting reinforced with materials like stainless steel for added strength and longevity.
Ease of installation: Think about how the netting will be set up. Will it attach to an existing fence, or do you need a freestanding option? This is especially important for renters.
Legal requirements: Check with your local council or strata before installing, particularly if the netting will attach to shared or boundary fences.
Customisation: Consider whether the netting can be adjusted or tailored to suit your space, and if that flexibility is important to you.
Aesthetics: Choose a style that complements your space. Black netting is often the least noticeable, as it reflects less light.
UV resistance: Ensure the netting is built to handle the harsh Australian sun to prevent early deterioration.
Price: Factor in the total cost, not just the netting itself. Additional materials and installation (including hiring help) can add up.
Maintenance: Look for netting that is easy to clean and maintain over time.

Benefits of Using Cat Netting

Cat netting is a simple, proven way to give your cat safe outdoor access without the risks of roaming. It supports their well-being while also protecting other animals, helping you meet responsible pet ownership requirements.

Cat Health & Safety

Cats that don’t roam freely live longer, avoiding fights, traffic, disease, parasites, and the risk of being lost or stolen, which leads to reduced vet bills.

A secure outdoor enclosure supports your cat’s wellbeing by providing fresh air, sunshine, and mental stimulation. It keeps your happy cat active, helps prevent boredom and unwanted behaviours, and encourages a healthier, longer life.

Wildlife Protection

Cats are natural hunters, and even well-fed roaming cats can threaten birds, reptiles and small mammals. Australia has diverse ecosystems, so this impact can be significant!

Installing cat netting allows cats to enjoy the outdoors safely while protecting local wildlife and supporting biodiversity, making it a responsible choice for pet owners.

Legal & Community Considerations

Many local councils in Australia require pet cats to be contained on your property, either at all times or after dark. Roaming cats can lead to fines and cause tension with neighbours by damaging gardens, leaving messes, or causing their dogs to bark. Using cat netting to securely keep your cat on your property helps you avoid these issues while keeping your community and your cat safe.

Explore Somerzby’s Range of Outdoor Cat Enclosures

At Somerzby, we understand cats and their need for safe outdoor time, which is why we’ve designed high-quality cat net enclosures. They let your cat enjoy lying in the sun while giving you peace of mind.

Both enclosures are freestanding, with sturdy metal frames and durable, reinforced cat netting on all sides. This makes them easy to assemble, move and ideal for rentals, without the need to hire a professional for installation.

They’re versatile enough for balconies, patios, backyards or even indoor use. The netting is UV-treated and stainless-steel reinforced, ensuring long-lasting safety so responsible cat owners don’t need to replace it anytime soon.

Quick View

All Products

Manor Catio

$412.00

Quick View

All Products

Oasis Catio

$376.00

For customers who prefer an alternative to cat netting, we also offer a range of high-quality enclosures with timber frames and galvanised metal wire mesh sides. Many feature solid roofs, making them ideal for cats to enjoy safely for longer periods in any weather.

Toni’s Wrap

Cat netting is the key to granting your furry friends safe access to the great outdoors. It not only safeguards your cats but also protects local wildlife.

From balconies to gardens and custom enclosures, cat netting allows our pets to enjoy the outdoors while giving us peace of mind.

Embrace this innovative approach to feline care and let your cats roam securely!