How to contain your cat to your property

What is cat containment?

Cats may seem independent and responsible, but they need the same level of care and attentiveness as any pet. This includes knowing how to best contain your cat to your property.  

Cat containment means keeping your cat on your property at all times, preventing them from roaming during the night and day. This does not mean that a cat has to live totally indoors. It is recommended that you provide your cat or kitten with an outdoor enclosure as this assists in feline enrichment and allows them to maximise their physical and mental wellbeing. 

Why should we keep a cat contained? 

As anyone who owns a cat knows, cats think that they are invincible to everyone and everything, but that is not true. Illness and injury commonly occur to cats when they are allowed to roam outside of their property. 

By keeping your cat safely contained to your home, you will be: 

  • reducing the risk of them getting sick or injured.

  • reducing the risk that they will stray and be impounded by the council. 

  • minimising the risk that they will harm wildlife. 

  • preventing them from fighting, breeding or interacting with unsterilised roaming cats. 

  • avoiding any cat-related problems with your neighbours. 

  • giving them a better chance to enjoy a safer, longer life. 

Overall, your cat will be safer when they are contained. 

What are the risks faced by roaming cats? 

Cats who are allowed to roam are more susceptible to the following risks: 

  • Being hit by a car 

  • Being attacked by a dog or other wildlife or pets 

  • Acquiring a serious infection 

  • Eating toxic plants or poisonous substances 

  • Being stolen or abused 

  • Picking up ticks or fleas 

  • Being bitten by a snake 

These events can cause illness, injury or even death! It is always safer for your feline friend to be home with you than out roaming the streets. 

How do I contain my cat? 

There are lots of techniques to ensure that your cat is not roaming without supervision that still allow your feline friend to experience the great outdoors.  

  1. Keep your cat indoors at all times with access to an outdoor enclosure. The area should be completely barricaded by a net, wire or solid material that is secured at all potential exit points. The areas should be attached directly to your cat's indoor space via a window, door or cat flap so that your cat has constant access to it. This gives your cat freedom to choose where to spend their time.

  1. Give your cat an accessible, outdoor area surrounded by an escape-proof barrier. The barrier must be escape-proof to ensure your cat's containment and animal proof to ensure they are protected from wildlife. 

  1. Keep your cat totally indoors. This means you need to provide enough space, lots of mental and physical enrichment for your cat. To allow your cat the benefits of outdoor sights and smells, you can give them access to cat-proof screens so that windows and doors can be opened safely. 

Will my cats be happy? 

It's hard to limit the freedom of your animals if you think you could be making them sadder. Rest assured; cats can be very happy staying at home as long as their environment meets their needs. If you don’t know what your cat needs in their environment, we can help with that! 

To keep a healthy, happy cat, you need to provide: 

  • a safe place, 

  • multiple litter trays, feed stations, water bowls, scratching surfaces, resting and playing spaces in separate locations, 

  • opportunity for play and predatory behaviour using toys including wand toys, small balls etc., 

  • positive, consistent and predictable human-cat social interaction and 

  • an environment that respects the importance of a cat's senses.  

Newly adopted cats and kittens will benefit from being contained from the very beginning of their life with you. They will get used to this easier if it is implemented early.  

If you have an existing cat who roams, it may be possible to transition them to the contained cat lifestyle. Don’t rush them, but keep them contained for longer periods of time. You must also ensure that there are areas inside the house that meet their needs and where they enjoy spending time. Having an enclosed outdoor area would probably be more suitable for these cats than staying inside at all times. 

For more information and tips on cat containment, visit Home - Safe and Happy Cats. 

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