The Best Invisible Fence for Cats

After helping my friend with her tenacious indoor-outdoor cat who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “boundaries,” I learned a lot about the best invisible fence for cats. And to us, that system is the PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence.

Best Overall

8

PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence

• Collar is designed just for cats
• Straightforward set up
• Great for indoor and outdoor use.
• Can be customized for a huge coverage area of up to 25 acres
• Great for multi-pet households

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My friend’s cat, Tiger, has had lots of close calls with zooming right into traffic from the front door. And when he wasn’t conquering the neighborhood, he was climbing on the dining table and countertops, beds and balconies.

We tried everything to keep this kitty safe from himself: training, an experiment with physical fencing, and attempts to keep him in an enclosed outdoor area. None of them worked.

What actually did work? An invisible cat fence. However, the best invisible fence for our Tiger may not be the best for yours! So in this post you’ll find fence systems for different situations, with a full buying guide at the end.

These are the products we review in this article (not all shown):

RUNNER UP (NO DIGGING)

PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 22-105 ft diameter
• Levels of Correction 5, plus tone only

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FOR LARGE CAT

PetSafe Basic In-Ground Fence

• Wired Barrier
• Barrier Range Incl. 500 ft of wire
• Levels of Correction 4, plus tone only

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GREAT FOR OUTDOORS (NO DIGGING)

PetSafe Wireless Fence Pet Containment System

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 10-180 ft diameter
• Levels of Correction 5, plus tone only

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BEST INDOORS

PetSafe Deluxe Indoor Pet Barrier

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 2-10 ft radius
• Levels of Correction 5 plus tone only

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Best Overall Invisible Fence for Cats

7.5

PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence

• Collar is designed just for cats
• Straightforward set up
• Great for indoor and outdoor use.
• Can be customized for a huge coverage area of up to 25 acres
• Great for multi-pet households

Check Price - Amazon

Our best invisible cat fence system comes with a stretch adjustable collar designed specifically for cats and cats bodies. This is an uncommon thing, as most collars in systems like this are made for larger dogs.

The technology impresses. First, there’s a tone-only mode – train the cat to understand that this means stop and you’re golden. I highly recommend this route. For extra stubborn pets, there are 4 levels of correction. However, I do not recommend an electric cat fence if it can be helped.

This system can cover up to one-third acre, and you can purchase extra wire to expand your coverage to up to 25 acres. It is also limitless in terms of how many PetSafe collars can be synced up.

You can also use this cat-specific proximity collar indoors with PetSafe’s Indoor Transmitter!

Set up involves little bit of work to get the collars to just the right tightness level to ensure that they’re staying on without being uncomfortable.

Purchasers have said the PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence gives them real peace of mind because they can let their cats outside, and after a few sessions, the cats learn to avoid the perimeter.

I think there’s a lot to love here, but some reviewers say the cat proximity collar is a little bulky. It might take a slow introduction to get comfortable with the collar.

Rating Breakdown:

What We Liked:

• Collar is designed just for cats
• Straightforward set up
• Great for indoor and outdoor use.
• Can be customized for a huge coverage area of up to 25 acres
• Great for multi-pet households

What We Didn’t Like:

• Seems to soak up battery life quickly
• Collar is a little bulky

Runner Up Wireless Cat Fence

8.25

PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 22-105 ft diameter
• Levels of Correction 5, plus tone only

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No digging!

This model is popular for a good reason: you don’t have to deal with burying wires. It actually uses a virtual wireless boundary instead of a physical wire – just keep up with the battery.

The transmitter is actually stored indoors and the boundary has a circular range of three-fourths acre.

While you can adjust the coverage area for the circle, you cannot change the fact that the transmitter only emits coverage in a circular shape. A minor inconvenience.

You get that all-important additional tone-only mode that’s essential for training your cat, the only one I recommend. But if that’s not working, there are five levels of static correction.

I also like that there’s a built-in static-free reentry!

This is important because it allows your cat to come back into the safety boundary without being corrected. So it actually encourages your cat to come back over time.

This set comes with one waterproof receiver collar for animals 5 pounds and over. While the fit is nice, it’s not exclusively designed for a cat’s neck.

There’s one really neat feature I need to cover. The wire-free nature of this fence system means that it’s technically a portable system.

So you can take it along when you’re staying with family. You can even use it while camping as long as you have an RV with an outlet that can be used for charging, definitely one of the best invisible cat fence systems out there.

Rating Breakdown:

What We Liked:

• Completely invisible, no wires
• Tone only mode
• Portable
• Static-free reentry

What We Didn’t Like:

• Coverage range can be unreliable

Popular Invisible Fence for Large Cats

7.25

PetSafe Basic In-Ground Fence

• Wired Barrier
• Barrier Range Incl. 500 ft of wire
• Levels of Correction 4, plus tone only

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Our runner up invisible cat fence system has a collar made for small dogs and large cats. So if your cat is at least 8 pounds, this perimeter collar will do!

The PetSafe Basic In-Ground Cat Fence system features the essential tone-only mode that’s useful for training your cat.

The overall impression from buyers was that it works, but there is installation time on your part, plus training to make sure your cat feels comfortable.

This flexible fence comes with 500 feet of wire capable of securing one-third acre, and expandable to 5 acres with purchase of extra wire. Extra collars are also available if you have more than one pet that needs to be corralled safely.

Rating Breakdown:

What We Liked:

• Tone only mode
• Affordable
• Can be customized to cover up to 5 acres
• Extra collars available

What We Didn’t Like:

• Some complaints of collar size and looseness

Great Outdoor Wireless Fence for Cats

8.5

PetSafe Wireless Fence Pet Containment System

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 10-180 ft diameter
• Levels of Correction 5, plus tone only

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This system provides one-half acre of circular coverage. There’s no need to deal with creating boundaries using wires because this is a fully “virtual” fence. The transmitter is placed indoors.

This system sets up easily. In fact, it’s technically a portable system that can be taken along when your staying with family or friends.

As far as the collar, you’re getting a waterproof design that works on animals that are 8 pounds or more. Keep in mind that this is a universal collar for cats and dogs.

The collar is actually compatible with all PetSafe wireless fence transmitters. You can also purchase extra collars for an unlimited number of connected pets.

I like seeing the static-free reentry feature on this cat perimeter collar system. It means that your cat won’t be corrected when entering back into the safe space after passing the boundary for some reason.

In addition to five levels of static, you’re also getting that important sound-only training mode.

Rating Breakdown:

What We Liked:

• Price
• Static-free reentry
• Wireless
• Portable

What We Didn’t Like:

• Collar is not rechargeable

Best Invisible Indoor Cat Fence

7.25

PetSafe Deluxe Indoor Pet Barrier

• Wireless Barrier
• Barrier Range 2-10 ft radius
• Levels of Correction 5 plus tone only

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Another PetSafe System gets my pick for being the best indoor cat barrier because it provides a hassle-free, wire-free way to keep your cat safely out of a specific zone in your home.

I recommend you keep this indoor cat fence on the tone-only mode all the time. A mode for mild correction is also programmed in for you, if there are no other options.

The range on the PetSafe Deluxe Indoor Pet Barrier Containment System is 2 feet to 10 feet, and it is specifically designed for indoor use only.

For multi-pet households, you can purchase more collars to add additional cats to the system. The collars work with cats that are 5 pounds and up.

If the included collar in this set are too big or bulk for your cat, try PetSafe’s Cat Receiver Collar instead – it’s lighter and has a nice stretch, designed specifically for cats.

This indoor cat fence is a little cheaper than most outdoor invisible fences for cats due to the lower coverage zone.

Rating Breakdown:

What We Liked:

• Designed specifically for the indoors
• Portable
• You can add as many collars as you need
• Tone-only mode

What We Didn’t Like:

• Cannot be used interchangeably between the indoors and outdoors
• Coverage range

Cats and the Outdoors: A Complicated Relationship

As a cat owner, I personally struggle with the question of how cats should relate to the outdoors. We all know that cats come from a long lineage of wild, free predators who called the vast prairies their home.

We all also know the reality is that our neighborhoods are full of predators that can harm our cats. In fact, the scariest predators today are those mechanical predators called cars.

It’s also easy for curious cats to get trapped in basements and garages.

However, some fresh air is so good for cats! Be sure to adding supervised playtime outside with a portable outdoor enclosures

While you can check out the big rundown on that post, I’ll briefly list why outside time is good for cats:

Vitamin D

“Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for cats,” according to the National Animal Supplement Council. It actually supports your cat’s health by helping with bone development, calcium absorption, muscle formation, nerve function and heart function.

It can even help to prevent some cancers. Sun exposure is one of the best ways to get vitamin D. It’s almost like all that window sitting comes from your cat’s natural instinct to seek the sun!

Fitness

Cats can get some great exercise outside running, climbing, and jumping. All cat owners know that a bored and restless cat will quickly destroy carpets, furniture, or curtains.

And too many indoor cats develop a sedentary lifestyle with abundant dry food always available.

Mental Health

Outdoor exposure gives your cat a chance to experience new sensations that stimulate the senses. This fights boredom, aggression and agitation.

This is why some cat parents will take their cats outside in a controlled environment, like on a leash and harness, in a portable catio, or carry multiple cats in their vehicle and just go exploring.

Cons

I can’t talk about the benefits of the outdoors without giving it to you straight about the dangers. Here’s a rundown of why outdoor time may not be right for some cats:

• Predators like coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, fisher cats and raccoons
• Neighborhood dogs
• Other cats that might be aggressive
• Fleas and ticks
• Poisonous plants

Don’t take it personally if your cat is eager to get outside. There are many reasons why cats feel compelled to escape.

Many are just curious about all of the sounds, sights and scents stimulating them from the other side of the glass door.

Cats can also be more likely to bolt during heat cycles. Fear, stress and anxiety can also make your cat more likely to want to get outside. (Same thing applies to nervous cats thrashing about in carriers.)

Be on the lookout for an aspiring escape artist if any big changes like a new baby, new dog or a new piece of furniture could be stressing your cat.

What Are Invisible Cat Fences?

Invisible cat fences use transmitters and receiver collars to create a “force field” that deters your cat from leaving a specific boundary. They have tons of different names, like cat perimeter collars, cat boundary collars, proximity collars, or electric “shock” collar. But they mostly mean the same thing.

The different types of invisible cat fences are:

In-Ground Wireless Cat Fence

Rely on wires to build a perimeter that syncs up with collars. These wireless cat fences require a more intense installation process than other options.

You will probably need to dig some trenches for burying your wires to ensure that they don’t shift due to wind, rain or animal interactions.

The wires allow you to shape your coverage zone any way you choose. Consider this the top choice if you want maximum control and customization. People also credit this with being the option to provide the most reliable and consistent coverage.

Wireless Invisible Fences

Use an invisible boundary based on the circular range of the transmitter. One perk is that wireless cat fences can be portable. Some people do complain that wireless invisible fencing can cause dead spots.

If you’re concerned about predators, cars and other dangers lurking beyond your yard, it’s not smart to take a chance with a wireless fence for cats that could have a disrupted connection that will allow your cat to slip right out of your yard.

Indoor Invisible Fences

These tend to be wireless fences that cover smaller ranges.

They are used to keep cats out of a baby’s room, prevent cats from jumping up on tables and countertops or keep cats out of a space that might be unsafe due to climbable heights.

Types of Deterrents

How does an invisible fence keep a cat in if there’s no visible barrier stopping the cat from darting away? The truth is that there’s never a complete guarantee that a cat won’t find an opportunity to breach your barrier.

However, invisible fences generally have good track records for getting cats to stay put using effective deterrents. Invisible cat fences rely on three types of deterrents:

Electric Current

I do not recommend an electric fence for cats. An invisible fence for a cat does not need to be a shock collar to be effective. In the reviews above, I note which models use tones or another method of deterrent.

Sound

Static is a humane way to deter cats from boundaries. Most fence systems have a tone-only mode that creates an unpleasant sound to deter cats from crossing a fence boundary.

You’ll use this mode during training. However, this could be all that’s necessary for an indoor wireless fence.

Vibration

An unpleasant vibration emitting from the collar creates a warning when a cat gets close to an invisible fence’s boundary.

Are Wireless Fences for Cats Safe?

My recommendations for invisible cat fences are for people with cats that zip out the door and who simply won’t be housed indoors.

A wireless fence for cats can provide you with a safer way to manage the situation than simply letting your cat take off from the yard.

Keep in mind that in invisible fence won’t necessarily protect your cat from things like predators and ticks. Only the animal wearing the collar “feels” the boundary.

However, it will keep your cat out of the path of cars.

An invisible fence for cats can also be used indoors. Again, this is not something that I use with my cat simply because she doesn’t generally have an issue with getting into trouble in forbidden areas of the house.

My Experience and Thoughts on Alternatives

I want to address the controversy right away because I know this is going to be a hot topic with some of my followers. I want to say that I personally don’t use an invisible fence with my cat.

I’ve found that a pop-up outdoor enclosure that she enjoys under my supervision is perfect for us because it helps her get fresh air and sunshine daily.

My first tip if you want a way to give your cat some outside time is to get an enclosure like I did. I think a portable enclosure is going to be the solution for 99 percent of people.

You can also consider a comfortable carrier, leash and harness training instead.

Once your cat is aware of the boundaries, you can add an outdoor cat house or a more permanent enclosure to encourage them to stay on your property!

Frequently Asked Questions About Wireless Cat Fences

Can you train a cat to stay in your yard?

Yes, cats can be trained to stay in your yard. However, it’s not a guarantee that the training will be effective with every cat. Most invisible cat fences come with a tone-only mode that gives your cats an audile warning for training purposes.

Owners should spend up to two weeks training their cats on tone-only mode until they switch to correction mode. Of course, there is no guarantee that an invisible fence will be effective at stopping a cat from leaving the boundary.

Do electric fences for cats work?

Yes, an electric fence for cats can work. Most cats can be trained to stay within the boundaries of an invisible outdoor fence when they are wearing receiver collars.

What kind of fence will keep a cat in?

While it’s possible that a physical barrier like a fence will keep a cat contained, the truth is that cats can often jump over fences relatively easily. Outdoor cat enclosures called “catios” can offer safety and protection for a cat that enjoys outside time.

An invisible fence for cats can also be used to create a boundary zone for a cat that can’t be “jumped over” the way a traditional fence can be. Invisible fences can also be customized to create boundary zones of different sizes.

Gary H.

I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.