Any cat owner can agree that one of their biggest fears is losing their beloved and invisible fence is something you would like to consider. Even if some cat parents keep their felines indoors, it is not guaranteed that it won’t accidentally end up outside. Besides, some cats also need the freedom to wander outdoors to give them environmental enrichment. As a result, we research and try different methods and tools to keep our felines safe all the time. One of the best ways to keep your cat safe is to invest in hidden or “invisible” fences (or GPS cat trackers). In fact, a team of animal behaviourists from the University of Lincoln in the UK discovered that long-term exposure to containment systems do not have a significant negative impact on the behaviour and welfare of cats.
Truth to be told, there are not many solutions for cats because most invisible fences are designed for dogs. In fact, you don’t even need a wireless cat fence system and instead I would recommend a virtual fence solution offered by Tractive cat collar. I’ll cover more below, it worked extremely well for my cat!
- Our Top Pick: Tractive cat collar
- Best Reviewed Invisible Cat Fence: PetSafe Wireless Cat Containment System
- Best Budgeted Invisible Cat Fence: PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence
- Best In-Ground Cat Fence: PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence
- Best Indoor Cat Fence: PetSafe Pawz Away Cat Barrier
The Best Invisible Cat Fences In 2023
There are a lot of invisible fences in the market, especially the ones that are made for dogs. However, cats are different. Most of the wireless & invisible cat fences are manufactured by PetSafe brand. We compared tons of customer reviews based on the following factors:
- Technology used
- Size and layout of your property
- Training requirements (some invisible fence systems require training for your cats to learn how to use them properly)
- Durability and consumer reviews
- Battery life and replacement costs
- Safety features
- Price:
…and picked TOP-7 cat virtual & invisible fences on the market in 2023.
What Is An Invisible Fence For Cats?
There are a lot of invisible fences in the market, especially the kind that is made for dogs. However, cats behave differently from dogs. That is why cat fence containment systems are made. Some invisible fence for cats works the same as the kind that is made for dogs. It transmits to a collar that a cat wears and issuing a simulation when the cat gets close to the boundary.
Another type of invisible fence for cats is the one that creates an unseen boundary but doesn’t keep a cat in. Alternatively, it notifies the owner when the cat passes the boundary so the cat can be easily found. This kind of invisible fence allows felines to safely venture around while keeping it protected at the same time.
Why Use An Invisible Fence For Cats?
Cats always seem to have a mind of their own and never do what we want. To us, it’s clean laundry but to them, it’s a perfect spot to nap. To us, it’s new furniture but to them, it’s a new perfect scratch post. Even if indoors seem like a safe place for your feline, it can be an environment that is full of temptation for them. That’s why indoor invisible fence for cats are made.
However, when you let your furry friend outside for environmental enrichment, you know that it won’t always stay in your yard. Cats are proven to be territorial, and their territory can range from neighbourhood to neighbourhood. That’s why cat containment fences are made.
How To Choose The Best Invisible Fence For Cats?
The first thing that you need to think about when shopping for an invisible fence for your cat is whether you want it indoors or outdoors. An indoor invisible fence for cats is used to keep your cat away from a certain area while an outdoor invisible fence for cats is used to keep your cat contained within a specific area.
Next is that you have to consider if you want either an inground or wireless fence. In-ground fences usually take more time to set-up but a more effective solution if you want to prevent your cat from getting into a specific area. On the other hand, even if wireless fences are more convenient and easier to use, it only covers a few acres.
One more thing to consider when shopping for the best invisible fence for your cat is the type of correction used. It is recommended that cat parents should use a collar that issues a vibration or sound rather than a cat shock collar fence. It still depends on your cat’s behaviour.
Lastly, the invisible fence for cats’ price range should also be considered. The best invisible fences for cats are usually priced at 70 to 300 USD dollars. Remember, a more expensive collar means that it is more durable and long-lasting, and has more features.
Tractive Cat Collar with Virtual Fence Feature
Not many people consider Tractive as an invisible fence solution for cat because many consider this device only as a cat GPS collar. However, they have an awesome feature named “Virtual fence” designed specifically to keep your cats within boundaries:
It allows you to set up a designated safe area for your cat to roam. If the cat leaves this safe area, you get immediately notified via the Tractive app on your smartphone.
The virtual fence feature works by using GPS technology to create a boundary around a designated area. Once the boundary is established, the cat’s Tractive collar sends location updates to the owner’s smartphone through the Tractive app. If the cat crosses the boundary, the app sends an instant alert to the owner, notifying them of the cat’s whereabouts and providing real-time location tracking so that you can quickly locate your cat.
In my opinion, the Tracrive virtual fence feature is particularly useful for cat owners who live in areas with busy streets or other potential dangers for their cats. By setting up a safe area for their pet to roam, owners can have peace of mind knowing that their cat is not venturing into unsafe territory.
I also feel that cats may not listen to vibrations with classic invisible fences and they can easily leave the boundary. With Tractive, you can see the real-time location of your cat which is extremely helpful!
Also, the collar was specifically designed for cats and it perfectly fits:
It’s available to buy via the official website and Amazon. I’d recommend purchasing via the official website for the extended warranty and taking advantage of their support.
PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence
- Designed for cats of all sizes
- Waterproof
- Length is up to ⅓ acre
- Designed for cats of all sizes
- Waterproof
- Length is up to ⅓ acre
The PetSafe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence deserves the first spot on this list! As an Amazon’s Choice product, this cat containment fence is safe, comfortable, and effective. If you’re new to the cat fences scene, then you might probably start with this outdoor in-ground cat fence!
This premium in-ground cat fence from PetSafe caters cats of all breeds and sizes. The receiver collar is adjustable and can fit cats with neck sizes from 6 to 11 ½ inches. I own a large-sized Siberian cat and it perfectly fits her. My cat doesn’t even mind the receiver on her neck!
Some cats can be choosy with collars and may be uncomfortable with PetSafe’s collar. When I tried switching the collar to my cat’s favourite collar, luckily, it was easy to fix. I punched two holes for the pair of electrodes in our collar then it’s done!
The receiver collar is also waterproof. Even though my cat will try her best to stay away from water, I didn’t have to be conscious about getting the collar wet. For our felines comfort, PetSafe’s collar has a stretch section so you don’t have to worry about changing the collar. However, it is advised that leaving the collar on your cat for more than 12 hours a day should be avoided.
The fence’s length is up to ⅓ acre but can be expanded up to 25 acres with an additional purchase of wire and flags. The tricky part here is the installation. Because the containment system is in-ground, it is difficult to set-up. I had to dig a trench using a rented machine, used a spade shovel, and then pounded it with a sledgehammer to bury the wire.
In terms of correcting your cat, the receiver collar gives a warning beep when it reaches the “Warning Zone.” If your cat continues to move into the “Static Correction Zone,” a static correction will be administered to get its attention until it returns to the safe area.
Overall, the Pet-Safe Premium In-Ground Cat Fence is a great product for those who want to keep their furry friends safely contained. It is the first product that I usually recommend to those who want to shop for a cat fence containment system.
PetSafe Wireless Cat Containment System
- Adjustable & waterproofed collar that fits most of the cat breeds
- 2 months of lasting battery
- No-shock technology
- Adjustable & waterproofed collar that fits most of the cat breeds
- 2 months of lasting battery
- No-shock technology
Since the first one is an in-ground cat fence, the next product is for those who want a wireless cat fence outdoors. The PetSafe Wireless Cat Containment System is another great investment for both of your furry friends.
The adjustable, waterproof receiver collar comfortably fits cats of all breeds and sizes. It can fit cats up to 8 pounds and more, and neck sizes of 6-28 inches. Additionally, the receiver collar is also compatible with all PetSafe Wireless Fence transmitters! This product is a big saving for me, as a cat owner.
It’s also worth noting that the collar’s battery can last up to 2 months of daily use! When you buy the containment set on Amazon, you’ll get an extra battery pack for free. What I loved about the collar more is that it has a low battery indicator that alerts you to replace the battery when needed.
What makes the PetSafe Wireless Cat Containment System unique is that it allows your cat to return home without being shocked whenever it crosses the boundary. This is great for those who want to use sound training in teaching their pets to stay in their yard. It’s just a matter of patience, time, and effort!
The fence has a circular coverage of ½ acre. Unfortunately, since it is a wireless cat fence, the coverage cannot be extended. However, wireless fences are easier to set-up! It can be installed with less time and effort, and even an extra saving without needing to purchase necessary tools.
PetSafe Stay & Play Cat Wireless Fence
- Covers up to ¾
- Portable
- Long battery life
- Covers up to ¾
- Portable
- Long battery life
Our next selection would be another high-quality PetSafe wireless fence for cats. Regardless of being more costly than the other PetSafe electric fence for cats, this product will surprise you with what it can do.
With the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence, you can create an invisible dome-shaped play area that covers up to ¾ for your furry friends! It is perfect for cat owners who own multiple cats! The invisible fence cat collar allows you to add up to an unlimited number of pets to the fence system!
In terms of installation, the PetSafe Stay & Play allows you to create a secure barrier around your yard without the hassle or time of burying wires. I tried both in-ground and wireless cat fences, it’s a matter of finding the more efficient type of fence for you. But if you’re a busy person, a wireless fence system is highly suggested.
Moreover, this wireless cat fence is also portable and can be used for travel! With its very simple set-up, this portable fence system is excellent for camping and vacation homes. The unique feature makes PetSafe Stay & Play a perfect cat GPS fence for those furballs who loves to travel!
Unlike a traditional electric fence kit for cats, this wireless fence does not use static correction if your feline passes the boundary. Instead, you can teach your furry friend to stay in the safe play area with a sound only training mode and five levels of static on its receiver.
Overall, the PetSafe Stay & Play Cat Wireless Fence is a great investment for pet owners! I can certify that it is one of the best invisible fences for cats that I have tried!
PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence For Cats
- Adjustable range
- Expandable
- Best for indoor use
- Budgeted price
- Adjustable range
- Expandable
- Best for indoor use
- Budgeted price
Next up on our best invisible fence for cats list is the very first indoor invisible fence for cats review. Available at a very cheap and affordable price, the PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence For Cats is for those who want to set an off-limits area for their feline indoors.
There are a lot of instances where we get home to a disaster whenever we leave our felines at home. Just because we love our pets doesn’t mean we have to let them free reign in our homes! With the PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence, create a safer environment for your cats and have a peace of mind without having to stress about what your pet might be up to when you’re not around.
The PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence works by simply placing the transmitter in the off-limits area inside your house. If your furball approaches the warning area, then it will receive a warning tone. If he continues to the area, then a safe static correction will be administered.
Set a barrier at home with up to 10 ft. radius with the PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence. The good thing is that you could increase your electric fence system with additional Indoor Radio Fence transmitters! However, the operating range may be affected by a variety of factors such as metal objects. So, make sure that you should place your fence system in a place that it won’t be interfered by other objects at home.
The transmitter is compatible with any PetSafe In-Ground receiver collar and can be used by multiple pets at home! In summary, the PetSafe Indoor Radio Fence For Cats is perfect to supervise indoor cats at home.
PetSafe Basic In-Ground Cat Fence
- Adjustable & waterproof collar
- Personalized settings
- Affordable
- Adjustable & waterproof collar
- Personalized settings
- Affordable
To offer you a versatile list of the best invisible fences by PetSafe, here’s another in-ground cat fence in the list! If you were amazed by our first fence containment system choice in this list, then get ready to be surprised with what the PetSafe Basic In-Ground Cat Fence can do! It has fewer features than the premium version, but it’s still really good and more affordable.
Even though this product may cost less than the premium fences in the market, the features that it has to offer makes it worth the buy! The in-ground fence is paired with an adjustable, waterproof, and durable collar that can stand all bumps and wobbles of your feline!
Unlike other cheap invisible fence cat collars, the PetSafe’s receiver collars cater all breeds and sizes of cats. The collar comfortably fits cats with neck sizes of 6 to 11 ½ inches. If your cat is growing bigger, don’t worry as I can assure you that PetSafe’s collars will fit him! My cat has been using PetSafe collars for years already, and she did not complain even once!
The receiver collar has different types of simulation. The collar correction can be adjusted to your cat’s temperament. It has four levels and a tone-only mode for training. However, it is suggested that you should never leave the collar on you feline for more than 12 hours per day.
It’s also worth noting that the collar uses batteries and has a low battery indicator. The complete system covers up to ⅓ acre but can be expanded up to 25 acres! All in all, the PetSafe In-Ground Cat Fence is another in-ground and outdoor cat fence that you should consider buying!
PetSafe Pawz Away Cat Barrier
- Can be used indoor, outdoor, mini, and threshold
- Adjustable collar
- Affordable
- Can be used indoor, outdoor, mini, and threshold
- Adjustable collar
- Affordable
Last but certainly not least, the PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier was an easy choice when it comes to choosing the best wireless cat fence for cats! Because we know that there are a lot of indoor cats that are often left at home, we added another indoor invisible fence for cats in this list.
The Pawz Away line of Petsafe is available in four versions: indoor, outdoor, mini, and threshold. But for this review, the Pawz Away indoor version is what we have tried. It is used to teach your cats to avoid certain areas inside your home. Unlike in-ground fences, simply set-up the barrier near the area that you want to protect then you’re good to go.
One of the highlights of this product is the extremely lightweight and comfortable receiver collar of PetSafe. The adjustable collar fits pet weighing 2.3 kg or more, with neck sizes of 15 to 71 cm. The receiver collar uses progressive static correction to find the right level for your furry friend!
In terms of safety, the correction stops after 15 seconds even if your pet continues to enter the prohibited area. This feature avoids instilling fear in your pet. Just like the rest of Petsafe invisible cat fences, the receiver collar requires batteries to work. For me, it’s more favourable because I don’t have to worry about charging the collar and barrier at night for longer usage.
Conclusion: Do Underground Fences Work For Cats?
At the end of this review, there are still a few questions that might be probably in your mind. Do underground fences work for cats? Will a cat containment fence system correct my cat’s behaviour? Don’t worry, it’s just a matter of patience and giving time for training your beloved feline. Remember, it’s not a matter of “cat vs electric fence,” and choosing the most expensive one. It still depends on how you will train your cat and use the fence! I still think, Tractive is the best hassle-free solutions in this case:
- You don’t need to invest a lot of money and time (e.g. bury wires underground)
- You can see real-time location of your cat
- Easier training
Personally, Tractive worked extremely well for me and it’s cheap (check the current price here).
Why is your first reco the lowest rated product, by far in fact?