Cat Fence Rollers and Containment Kits (for Free Range Cats)

Looking for new ways to keep your cat in the yard? We’ve looked high and low to bring you some of the best cat fence rollers and cat containment kits. In this article, we’ll cover both DIY setups using PVC pipe as well as systems you can buy and get delivered fast.

DIY will be covered first. If you want to jump straight to products you can buy and install immediately simple scroll below or use the table of contents to jump to fast install products and other sections quickly.

Rollers sit on top of a fence and roll or slide deterring your cat from walking along the top of the fence or trying to get over. They also go by the name “coyote roller”“. Coyote rollers were devised to prevent coyotes from coming inside your fence and grabbing your small dog or cat.

They also do a great job of the reverse – preventing your cat from escaping.

Containment kits used curved fences and other means to keep your cat on your side of the fence.

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In a Rush? Here Are Our Top Cat Fence Products

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DIY Cat Fence Rollers and Coyote Rollers

First, let’s cover how to do it yourself. This system uses PVC pipes. The pipe fits over a fixed tube that is bolted with angle iron or L-brackets to the top of your fence.

When a cat tries to grab the top of the roller and jump over the roller well rolls. This prevents them from getting the footing they need to jump over the fence.

Overview DIY Roller Video

If possible try and build these in four feet sections. You want them light enough that they roll easily due to the weight of a cat.

If you build them too long with 10′ sections of PVC they might be too heavy allowing your cat to hop the fence.

Still, slick PVC is a great deterrent to prevent your cat from jumping the fence (or to prevent coyotes from getting in).

Materials Needed

1″ PVC Pipe (Inner Pipe)

3″ PVC Pipe (Outer Roller)

Pair of 4″ L-brackets for every 2 to 4 feet section of rollers

50 feet of Vinyl Coated Cable

Cable Clips

Socket Wrench to Tighten Cable Clamps

Wood Screws – #10 x 1 Inch to screw down L Brackets

Drill

Saw

Wire Cutters

Pliers – to pull the cable taught while clamping down

Measuring Tape

Safety Glasses and Gloves – Safety First!

Spike Deterrents – To prevent jumpers from going between roller junctions.

Construction Steps

1. Gather the materials shown above and listed below
   1. 1″ diameter PVC pipe (inner pipe)
   2. 3″ diameter PVC pipe (outer pipe)
   3. 50 feet of 3/32″ vinyl coated cable
   4. 4″ L brackets
   5. Cable clamps
   6. 1″ Wood Screws
   7. Cable Cutters
   8. Safety glasses and gloves
   9. a Drill, saw, and/or screwdriver
   10. Measuring tape
2. Measure up to 4-foot lengths along the top of your fence starting at one end.
3. Drill pilot holes then screw in the L-brackets facing inward
4. Add vinyl-coated cable through the two brackets.
5. Use the cable clamps to attach the cable firmly to one end.
6. Cut a length of 1″ PVC and 3″ PVC to match this section. Remember not to go past 4 feet long. The cable may droop or the weight of it makes it less effective the longer it is.
7. Slide the 1″ PVC over the cable.
8. Slide the 3″ PVC over the 1″ PVC. The 3″ PVC will spin over the 1″ stopping a cat from escaping or a coyote from coming in.
9. Attach the other end of the cable to the other L-Bracket using a cable clamp. Use a wrench to pull it as taught as possible while doing this.
10. Cut loose ends of the cable with the cable cutters.
11. Rinse and repeat these sections side by side along the top of the fence until the entire fence is topped with rollers.
12. Make sure to put them snug against each other as you go along the top of the fence. Each space between rollers is a weak point for cats or coyotes to take advantage of. You can also use other features like the spikes shown above around these junctions to protect them further.

 

The Best Cat Fence and Coyote Rollers Plus Other Deterrents You Can Buy Right Now

Easiest to Install – BSN SafTop Fence Guard

This first product is really just a round plastic sheath that goes over the top of your fence. You can use zip ties to hold it on or wood screws.

It’s fast and easy to install.

Technically it isn’t a roller. It works on the same principle though. It prevents a cat or coyote from getting the footing it needs on the top of a fence to jump over.

It can also be used to prevent your cat from using your patio railing or stair rails to jump onto your roof.

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What We Like

• Super fast to install
• Comes in multiple colors
• Prevents cats and coyotes from jumping the fence
• Protects deer (or kids or pickleball players) from getting hurt or impaled on the top of a fence
• Pickleball court safety – place it along the tops of pickleball fences to protect players from falling and getting hurt

What We Don’t Like

• The plastic look isn’t the prettiest thing out there

Coyote Roller Kits – Best Packaged Roller Solution – Just Screw-In Then Done

Next up we have official 4′ sections of coyote roller kits. These things are made of metal and spin like a charm. If you’re not into the DIY path this may be a better option.

Plus they really aren’t that much more expensive than all the parts you have to buy for DIY.

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What We Like

• Made of metal
• Looks better than PVC
• Not much more expensive than PVC
• Keeps dogs in the yard as well

What We Don’t Like

• Only galvanized steel as one color option. Would prefer other colors and materials – possibly marbled wood, to match the existing fence setup

Defender Spikes – Best For Budget Option and Easy Install

We move on to cat and bird spikes. With these, you simply install them along the top and possibly along the top sides of your fence.

They go in easy and fast and you can buy multipacks. Costs range from $1.8 to $3 per foot installed.

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What We Like

• Fast install
• Brown color blends with most wooden fences
• Deters birds, cats, raccoons, dogs, and coyotes though not 100% effective for all individuals
• Easy to cut to fit corners and awkward fence shapes
• Can be used on the top of a fence or along the sides to prevent climbing up

What We Don’t Like

• The plastic color is still a bit ugly. Metal options in other colors for upscale fences might be nice.
• Only brown is available.
• Not good for squirrels. They learn to grab the spikes as handholds.

Cat Containment Kit – Best for Super Smart Cats That Get Past Rollers and Spikes

Lastly, we’ll include containment kits. The name sounds intimidating but fears not. It’s just a fence extension that curves inward preventing your cat from climbing over.

They are great last-ditch deterrents for larger, smarter animals – dogs, coyotes, and cats. Turn to these when your animal has outwitted all the other cheaper options above.

Note that these won’t work for monkey-like animals that can use their front legs like hands (e.g. squirrels, raccoons).

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What We Like

• Finally, let the cats play in the yard without worry of them escaping

What We Don’t Like

• Most expensive option
• Does not prevent coyotes or other animals from getting in. May need to install rollers separately on the top outside side of the fence if you have a coyote problem.