Homeowner installs ‘inescapable fence rolls’, cats have other plans

One homeowner thought installing cat-proof fencing would keep his pets safe in the yard, but the determined felines had other plans.

A May 2 Reddit post shared on the r/cats subreddit channel by user eveilebl showed Bengal cats in the backyard surrounded by a fence. The fences seem high enough, but considering cats can jump anywhere from 5 to 7 feet, the owners needed extra reinforcement to keep them from escaping.

They thought they installed “inescapable fence rollers.” This cat-proof system sits on top of the fence and when a cat grabs it, it spins, forcing the cat to jump back to the ground. It seemed like the fence rollers were working as the cats failed attempt after attempt.

However, the cats were focused on mastering the challenge and after studying the new system, they found the loophole they needed.

One of the Bengal cats realized that if she stopped her climb before the roller, they could catch up and grab the fence post. Fortunately, the owner caught the moment and was able to run after her before she climbed up.

Newsweek has I reached out to u/eveilebl via Reddit for additional information.

The Reddit post had more than 26,000 upvotes and 1,100 comments as of Monday.

“It seems like the rollers work, but so does your cat’s persistence,” said one Reddit user.

A second user commented: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way haha.”

Another pointed out: “Lmao the slow motion at the end as the camera shakes with the person running to grab the cat.”

What are Cat fence rollers?

Many cat parents want their pets to enjoy the outdoors, but safety is paramount as cats are small creatures and can become targets for predators. Some owners may decide to leash train their cats, allowing them to always keep an eye on their pets. Others build big, beautiful “catios” to give cats a taste of the outdoors without being exposed to danger.

Cat fence rolls are another option that owners can use. Originally used to keep predators like coyotes out, these fence rolls can also keep cats from escaping your yard. These rollers are typically made with long tubes and internal support that pop out whenever a cat tries to grab them. They are installed on top of a fence. A cat that reaches the top will not be able to securely hang on, forcing it to fall back to the ground.

Cat fencing company Purrfect Fence shared in an article that commercial roller systems have an effectiveness rate of about 80 to 90 percent for most cats. However, there are potential downsides. This cat-proof system is not recommended for fences shorter than 6 feet and the rollers may not fit into all nooks and crannies, leaving small gaps where determined cats can escape.

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