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7 Best Invisible Fences for Cats in 2024 – Reviews & Guide

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

cat with PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence tracker The world outside your house can be a dangerous place for a cat, but you can make it safe for your kitty to enjoy your yard with the help of an invisible fence. What are the best invisible fence systems that are designed with cats in mind? While it’s true that invisible fences are most frequently used with dogs, we’ve worked to find the best invisible fences that are suitable for a cat’s unique requirements. These reviews will help you find the most cat-friendly invisible fence so your little backyard lion will stay safe, secure, and close to home. hepper single cat paw divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence
  • Wireless circular boundary
  • Portable system with no buried wires
  • Collar fits cats 5 pounds and up
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Petector GPS Wireless Fence System Petector GPS Wireless Fence System
  • Wireless GPS technology with no transmitter box
  • Adjusts to fit 5-pound pet with a 6-inch neck
  • Uses warning tone and multiple levels of stimulus
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Extreme Pet Fence Extreme Pet Fence
  • Good for large yards
  • Eliminates interference from nearby signals
  • Best for Kittens
    PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence
  • Small, lightweight collar
  • Adjustable boundary width
  • Can be used on top of (non-metal) fences
  • PetSafe Rechargeable In-Ground Fence PetSafe Rechargeable In-Ground Fence
  • Expandable to 25 acres
  • Small collar fits cats 5 pounds and up
  • Tone-only or static correction options
  • The 7 Best Invisible Fences for Cats

    1. PetSafe Compact Wireless Cat Fence – Best Overall

    PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Dog & Cat Fence

    Area coverage: ¾ circular acre
    Power: Battery, plug-in
    Collar: Waterproof, adjustable, rechargeable
    This is our pick for the best overall invisible fence for cats. It is a wireless invisible fence system so there are no boundary wires to bury. Place the transmitter indoors and get wireless coverage around the perimeter of your property. The collar adjusts to a size small enough for cats (5 pounds, 6-inch neck). You can choose 5 static levels or a tone-only mode for correction. You can expand the coverage area and number of cats with the purchase of additional base units and collars.

    Pros
    • Wireless circular boundary
    • Collar fits cats 5 pounds and up
    • Portable system with no buried wires

    Cons
    • Less effective in hilly areas
    • Will not keep other cats out of the yard


    2. Petector Wireless Dog Fence  – Best Value

    Petector GPS Wireless Dog Fence System

    Area coverage: 2,625 feet
    Power: Battery
    Collar: Waterproof, adjustable, rechargeable
    This well-priced system may be the best invisible fence for cats for the money. There are no boundary wires or even a transmitter box to set up. This simple and unique wireless system uses GPS positioning technology in the collar. The collar is small enough to fit cats 5 pounds and up and is powered by rechargeable batteries. It includes small boundary flags with a mint scent that pets find unappealing.

    Pros
    • Wireless GPS technology with no transmitter box
    • Uses warning tone and multiple levels of stimulus
    • Adjusts to fit 5-pound pet with a 6-inch neck

    Cons
    • Collar with GPS unit may be too bulky for cats
    • Will not keep other cats out of the yard


    3. Extreme Dog Fence – Premium Choice

    Extreme Dog Fence

    Area coverage: Up to 6 acres
    Power: Battery, plug-in
    This is a traditional wired invisible fence system that is primarily designed for dogs and larger properties. It is known for its quality and durability. The included collar might be a little large for cats, but you can adjust the collar size or switch the band out for a new one. The system is American made and the manufacturer offers 7 days a week customer support.

    Pros
    • Good for large yards
    • Eliminates interference from nearby signals

    Cons
    • Collar is large
    • The collar battery is not rechargeable


    4. PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence – Best for Kittens

    PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence

    Area coverage: ⅓ acre, expandable to 25 acres
    Power: Battery, plug-in
    Collar: Waterproof, with safety stretch section
    This invisible fence system is one of the very few that’s designed specifically for cats. It includes a lightweight collar that is small enough for older kittens and smaller-sized adult cats. It is not meant for very young kittens. It also has elastic in the collar that will stretch and allow your cat to escape if it gets caught on something. Cats that stray close to the barrier will receive a warning tone.

    Pros
    • Small, lightweight collar
    • Can be used on top of (non-metal) fences
    • Adjustable boundary width

    Cons
    • Extra collars sold separately
    • Will not keep other cats out of the yard


    5. PetSafe Rechargeable In-Ground Fence for Cats

    PetSafe Rechargeable In-Ground Fence for Dogs and Cats

    Area coverage: ⅓ acre
    Power: Battery, plug-in
    Collar: Waterproof, adjustable, rechargeable
    A traditional invisible fence system that is suitable for cats over 5 pounds. Contains a transmitter, collar with a rechargeable battery, and the fence wire. The system can be expanded up to 25 acres with additional wire, and more pets can be added with the purchase of extra collars.

    Pros
    • Expandable to 25 acres
    • Tone-only or static correction options
    • Small collar fits cats 5 pounds and up

    Cons
    • Requires installation of fence wire
    • Will not keep other cats out of the yard


    6. PetSafe Elite Little Dog In-Ground Fence

    PetSafe Elite Little Dog In-Ground Fence Receiver Dog Collar

    Area coverage: ⅓ acre
    Power: Battery, plug-in
    Collar: Waterproof, adjustable
    The PetSafe Elite Little Dog In-Ground Fence can be a good choice for cats because of the collar. It is slim and light, designed for dogs that are as small as, or even smaller, than cats. This is not a wireless system so you will need to install the in-ground wire. Also keep in mind that the collar battery is not rechargeable on this model, so battery replacement is needed.

    Pros
    • Small, lightweight collar
    • Expandable up to 25 acres
    • Reflective collar strap for better night visibility

    Cons
    • The collar battery is not rechargeable
    • In-ground wire installation required


    7. PetSafe Pawz Away Indoor Pet Barrier

    PetSafe Pawz Away Indoor Pet Barrier

    Area coverage: 6-foot radius or 12-foot diameter
    Power: Battery
    Collar: Waterproof, adjustable
    The Pawz Away system is specifically designed for indoor use and is not a traditional outdoor invisible fence. It is more of a pet barrier that works almost like an invisible fence for small spaces around your house. You can set one or more up in places that are off-limits for your cat. It also works to keep dogs away from your cat’s food and litter box areas.

    Pros
    • Small collar size fits cats 5 pounds and up
    • Good for indoor-only cats
    • Adjustable barrier range

    Cons
    • Batteries are not rechargeable
    • Not suitable for outdoor use

    hepper cat paw dividerBuyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Invisible Fence For Your Cat

    Before you decide on any invisible cat fence, there are a few important considerations to remember. Most invisible fence systems were created with dogs in mind, often large dogs. Product descriptions and customer reviews are largely dog-focused, so finding information on their effectiveness with cats can be challenging. Cats can also be more difficult to train than dogs, and this can apply to invisible fence training as well. You may find that a physical enclosure (often called a “catio”) may be a better choice than an invisible fence to keep your cat contained outside. Many veterinarians and animal welfare experts suggest that cats should be indoor-only pets. Many dangers face outdoor cats that even invisible fences cannot eliminate. Parasites, other animals, cars, and other hazards can harm outdoor cats. If you do choose to let your cat spend time outside, be sure that it is spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccines and parasite protection.  

    hepper cat paw divider

    Final Thoughts

    You’re ready to give it a go and try an invisible fence for your cat. Let’s recap our top reviews for invisible fences for cats. As you’ve probably noticed, PetSafe makes a large variety of popular invisible fence systems. Several are designated for both dogs and cats, mostly because of collar size. The PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Dog & Cat Fence is a top pick because it has a collar that is small enough for cats and because it is wireless. This means that you won’t have to spend time setting boundary wires into the ground. The PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence is a good choice if you are looking for an invisible fence specifically designed for cats. It has a small, elastic collar that stretches for safety. Whatever fence you decide to try, remember that training is a big component of invisible fence success, so be sure to review all training materials and always be patient with your cat.

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