Choose fencing appropriate for your yard, budget and pet.
Pet-compatible fencing has much to do with the type and age of the pets you'd like to safely contain. A fence applicable for an older dog may not be secure for a puppy or larger athletic dog. If you are looking to contain a more unusual pet like a pot bellied pig or rabbits, your options differ vastly from standard yard fencing. Choose fencing based on your pet's habits and creating a safe outdoor space. Does this Spark an idea?
Chain Link Fencing
Chain link fencing in various heights has long been a favorite of pet owners due to the relatively reasonable price and the fact that it does not block any views. Epoxy coated chain link manufactured in black, dark green or brown seamlessly disappears into your landscape. Your pet can't chew through it, however they can dig under or climb over.
Make a chain link pet-safe by adding a footer under the fence line. Footers can be concrete block, brick or poured cement that forms a barrier between the bottom of the fence and the soil beneath. Install footers under all areas of the fence to include any gates.
If you have a dog that tends to climb and chain link is your only option, run an invisible electronic fence 2 to 3 feet inside the fence line, and train your dog to stay away from the fence. The dog will need to wear a compatible battery-operated collar that sends a noise or vibration warning should the dog get too close to the electronic fence line. Electronic containment systems are compatible with dogs only, so they won't work for other types of pets.
Privacy Fencing
Wooden, cement block or vinyl privacy fencing are other options for pet containment. Most offer solid surfaces that prevent climbing, and with a footer in place, most pets can't dig underneath privacy fences. These fences are typically 5 to 8 feet tall offering total privacy for you and your pets. When you build a privacy fence, do so to make the entire fence flush with the ground. You may need to cut some boards longer to keep the top of the fence at an even height. Install privacy fencing securely using 4-by-4 posts set in cement. If you opt for wooden privacy fences, guard against chewing by small companion animals such as rabbits by running a 1 foot section of heavy gauge wire coated fencing along the inside bottom of the fence.
Wrought Iron Fencing
In some communities, such as golf course or waterfront communities, home owner association rules and regulations limit pet fencing. These communities prefer a barrier-free landscape. Some will allow 3- to 4-foot-tall wrought iron fencing. This fencing is safe for mid to large older and well-trained pets that won't jump over, but wrought iron is not applicable to small pets that can easily walk through the standard sized spaces. However, smaller pets can wear commercially available neck bumpers that make the pet's neck too wide to fit through the fence. Install footers underneath to make these fences safe options for diggers.
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