An owner thought installing cat-proof fences would keep their pets safely in the yard, but the determined felines had other plans.
A May 2 Reddit post shared on the subreddit channel r/cats by user eveilebl showed Bengal cats in the backyard surrounded by fencing. The fences look tall enough, but considering cats can jump between 5 to almost 7 feet, the owners needed extra reinforcement to keep them from escaping.
They thought they installed "unescapable fence rollers." This cat-proof system sits on top of the fence and when a cat grabs on, it will spin, forcing them to jump back down 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 paused their climb before the roller, they could reach over it and grab onto the steady fence post. Thankfully, the owner captured the moment and was able to run after her before she climbed over.
Newsweek has reached out to u/eveilebl via Reddit for additional information.
The Reddit post had over 26,000 upvotes and 1,100 comments as of Monday.
"It looks like the rollers do 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, lol."
Another pointed out: "Lmao the slow-mo at the end as the camera shakes from the person running to grab the cat."
What Are Cat Fence Rollers?
Plenty of cat parents want their pets to enjoy the outdoors, but safety is critical as cats are small creatures and can become targets for predators. Some owners might decide to leash-train their cats, allowing them to always have 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 rollers are another option owners can use. Originally used to keep predators like coyotes out, these fence rollers can also deter cats from escaping the yard. These rollers are typically made with long tubing and inner support that will spring whenever a cat attempts to grab it. They are installed at the top of a fence. A cat who reaches the top will not be able to securely grab on, forcing them to drop back down to the ground.
Cat fence company Purrfect Fence shared in an article that commercial roller systems have about an 80 to 90 percent rate of effectiveness for most cats. However, there are potential drawbacks. This cat-proof system is not recommended for fences smaller than 6 feet and the rollers might not fit every nook and cranny, leaving tiny gaps where the most determined of cats could slip through.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Liz O'Connell is a Newsweek Reporter based in North Carolina. Her focus is on pet news and videos. Liz joined ... Read more
