7 Top Balcony Fencing Options for Cats in High-Rise Apartments

Living in a high-rise apartment with cats can be tricky, especially when it comes to keeping them safe on balconies. In Australia, where many people live in cities, finding the right balcony fencing is really important. The weather and building styles in Australian cities make this even more crucial. Let's look at some great options to keep your cats safe outdoors while you relax in your high-rise home.
Key Takeaways for Cat Balcony Safety
- Install secure mesh fencing at least 1.8 metres high
- Use heavy-duty, UV-resistant netting designed for cats
- Remove furniture that could aid climbing
- Provide enrichment like scratching posts and shaded areas
- Always supervise cats on balconies
- Consider creating a fully enclosed 'catio' for maximum safety
- Choose a fencing option that suits your balcony and cat's needs
- Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial
- Consider combining different fencing methods for optimal safety
- Consult with experts for the best solution for your situation
1. Oscillot Cat Proof Fence System
The Oscillot Cat Proof Fence System is really cool for Australian high-rise apartments. It uses spinning paddles that stop cats from climbing over the fence. It's made in Australia, so it's perfect for our weather. The system is smart because it knows how cats climb and deals with things like strong winds and bright sun that you get in high-rise buildings.
Cool things about it:
- Easy to put on fences you already have, without needing many tools
- Works for all sizes of balconies, from small apartment ones to big penthouse terraces
- Made with materials that don't get damaged by the sun, so it lasts a long time
- Comes in different lengths, from 5 meters for small spaces to 20 meters for big areas
- Looks nice and fits in with modern buildings
- Doesn't make noise, so you and your neighbors won't be bothered
Check out the different Oscillot cat-proof fence kits to find one that's right for your balcony. You can make these kits fit your apartment's special layout, keeping your cats safe without making your balcony look bad.
2. DIY Enclosure Kits
If you like doing things yourself, DIY enclosure kits are great. These kits have everything you need to make a safe outdoor space for your cats. They're really popular with people in Australian apartments who enjoy home projects and want to make sure their cats are safe in their specific home.
Good things about DIY kits:
- They're cheaper because you don't have to pay someone to install them
- You can make them fit your balcony exactly, even if it has a weird shape
- You feel good about making something to keep your cat safe
- You can change it if you need to later on
- The whole family can help make a safe space for your pets
The 18 Metre DIY Kit costs $633.00 and is great for bigger balconies or ones with tricky layouts. If you have even more space or lots of outdoor areas, the 70 Metre DIY Kit at $1,969.00 covers a lot, perfect for penthouses or apartments with balconies that go all the way around.
Look at our DIY installation guide to see how easy it is to set up your own cat-safe balcony. The guide tells you exactly what to do, step by step, and helps with any tricky parts of setting it up in a high-rise.
3. Mesh Fencing Solutions
Mesh fencing is popular in many Australian high-rise apartments. It's light, easy to put up, and doesn't block your view of the city. People who live near the beach really like it because they can still see the ocean while keeping their pets safe.
Good things about mesh fencing:
- Lets air through and keeps your view, which is great for enjoying Australia's beautiful scenery
- Can be made to fit your balcony exactly, even if it's not a regular shape
- Tough and can handle different weather, which is important in Australia
- Doesn't change how your high-rise apartment looks much
- Easy to take down and put back up, good if you rent or like to change your balcony setup
The Oscillot 60cm Cat Proof Fence Kit, which costs $199.00, is a great mesh fencing option. It keeps your cats safe but still lets them enjoy being outside. This kit works well for balconies that already have railings, adding extra safety without changing much.
4. Plexiglass Barriers
If you want your balcony to look modern and sleek, plexiglass barriers are a great choice. These clear panels go along your balcony railing. You can see through them, but they keep your cats safe. They're getting more popular in fancy high-rise apartments across Australian cities, where people want their homes to look good and keep their pets safe.
Good things about plexiglass barriers:
- They're see-through, so you can still see the city or the beach
- Easy to clean and look after, and can handle Australia's different weather
- Can be cut to fit your balcony perfectly, even if it has an unusual shape
- Protects from wind, making the balcony nicer to use in high-rise buildings
- Lasts a long time and can handle tough weather
We don't sell plexiglass, but our installation guide can help you understand how to use this kind of barrier on your balcony. The guide tells you how to choose the right thickness and type of plexiglass to handle strong winds that are common in Australian high-rises.
5. Vertical Extension Systems
Vertical extension systems are great for balconies with lower railings, which are common in many Australian apartment buildings. These systems make your railing taller, so cats can't jump over. They're perfect for apartments where you can't make big changes or where it's not practical to do so.
Cool things about vertical extensions:
- You can add them to railings you already have without changing them permanently
- They come in different heights to work for different types of cats and how high they can jump
- They don't change how your balcony looks much
- Easy to put up and take down, which is great if you're renting
- You can use them with other safety things to make your balcony super safe
Our Oscillot 80cm Cat Proof Fence Kit, which costs $199.00, is a good example of a vertical extension system. It's easy to set up and keeps your cats safe, and it works with lots of different balcony designs that are common in Australian high-rises.
6. Balcony Netting
Balcony netting is a flexible and cheap way to make your high-rise apartment safe for cats. It's really popular in Australia because it's easy to put up and works well. This is great for people who rent or live in apartments where they're not allowed to make big changes.
Good things about balcony netting:
- It's light and easy to put up, you don't need many tools or to be an expert
- Can cover big areas easily, good for large balconies or terraces
- Lets air through and you can still see out, which is important in Australia's weather
- Easy to take down when you need to clean or fix up your balcony
- Cheap option that works well for short or long term use
We don't sell netting, but our FAQ page can help you understand how to use netting to keep your cats safe. It tells you how to choose the right kind of netting that can handle Australian weather and work well for a long time.
7. Combination Solutions
Sometimes, using a mix of different fencing options works best. This way, you can make the safety stuff fit your specific balcony and how your cat behaves. Combination solutions work really well in Australian high-rises, where balconies can be very different and might have special challenges.
For example, you might use:
- Oscillot system on top of the railing to keep cats from climbing over
- Mesh fencing lower down to stop small cats from squeezing through
- Plexiglass panels where you want to see the city or beach clearly
- Vertical extensions where the railing is lower
- Netting for temporary protection or during certain seasons
Our 2 metre DIY Oscillot Kit, which costs $299.00, can be a good place to start for making your own custom solution. It gives you the main safety feature, and then you can add other things to make a complete safety system that's just right for your high-rise apartment.
Conclusion: Keeping Cats Safe in Australian High-Rises
Keeping cats safe in high-rise apartments is really important for many Australian pet owners. With these balcony fencing options, you can make a secure outdoor space where your cats can enjoy fresh air and sunshine safely. Living in Australian high-rises has special challenges like strong winds near the coast, bright sunlight, and different building styles. That's why it's important to choose a solution that works well and fits our specific environment.
Remember, no matter which fencing option you choose, always watch your cats when they're on the balcony. Regularly check your safety system to make sure it's still working well, especially because Australia can have tough weather. Also, think about what your specific cat needs based on their breed and personality when you're choosing and setting up a safety solution.
If you want more information about cat safety and containment options that work well for Australian high-rise living, get in touch with our team of experts. We're here to help you find the perfect solution for your high-rise apartment and your cats, so they can safely enjoy the Australian outdoor lifestyle, even from way up high in the city.
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