Installation Guide: Cat-Safe Terrace

Safety nets are a compromise solution for indoor cats that crave the outdoors. No bird needs to flee for its life on one side, and no cat needs to fear cars and poison baits on the other.

For many cat lovers, a secured terrace is the ideal middle ground: no uncontrolled roaming, yet fresh air, sunshine, and a prime observation post for curious four-legged friends.

The solution is an almost invisible cat net that can be installed between the posts of a pergola. What matters here is not only securing the sides, but also the top – to prevent the cat from jumping onto cross beams or other structural elements.

Rust-proof or plastic-coated hooks are screwed into the upper and lower ends of the pergola posts. They will later serve as holders for the bamboo poles.

It is important to match the diameter of the hooks to the thickness of the poles. The thickest end of the bamboo pole is always the determining measurement.

The bamboo poles or round wooden rods are cut to the required length. Poles up to 180 cm in length are often available at garden centres; longer versions can frequently be found at horticultural suppliers.

The poles are then slid through the hooks. As an alternative to hooks, bent metal strips can also be used as loops.

The net is initially hung onto the hooks on a provisional basis only.

Important: do not cut anything at this stage. Only once everything is in position and tensioned neatly should any excess be removed.

The bamboo poles are threaded through the net – first at the top, then at the bottom – and then pushed through the hooks.

Tension the net as taut as possible. According to the instructions, the material will give a little over time, so it is worth working with good tension from the outset.

Once the net is fully secured and neatly aligned, any excess material can be cut away.

This step should really only be done at the very end, so that there is still enough material available for re-tensioning and adjusting during installation.

Any gaps between paving slabs and bamboo poles can be securely closed by sliding the net underneath the slabs.

Especially in the lower area, there must be no escape routes left, as even small openings can quickly attract a cat's attention.

To secure the net along the posts in the lengthwise direction, eyelet screws are inserted at intervals of approximately 15 to 20 cm.

This allows the net to be fixed evenly and stably across the full height of the posts.

Using net ties or plastic-coated wire, the net is secured to the eyelets. To do this, the material is threaded through the net, pulled tight, and looped around the eyelets.

Make sure everything sits cleanly and firmly so that wind loads do not loosen or distort the net over time.