May 15, 2025, 12:40 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Cats love outdoor adventures, but an unsecured garden can hide invisible dangers. With a few targeted measures, the greenery behind the house can be transformed into a small paradise that offers freedom without putting the cat’s health at risk. myHOMEBOOK explains how to do it.
Cats love to roam through grass, bask in the sun, or climb trees—the backyard seems like the perfect place for this. But there are many dangers lurking: busy roads nearby, poisonous plants, open water sources, or sharp garden tools can quickly put house cats in precarious situations. A cat-safe garden can be the solution—it offers exercise and variety without the risk of traffic. By following some important safety rules, you can create a protected space that meets a cat’s natural urge to move. myHOMEBOOK explains how to make your garden cat-proof.
1. Limited Freedom as a Safe Compromise in a Cat-Proof Garden
A securely fenced garden can be a good middle ground between indoor living and uncontrolled outdoor access. Dangers like traffic, parasites, or animal cruelty are kept at bay–provided the garden is carefully secured. A minimum fence height of two meters is necessary, explains Judith Förster, a biologist and pet expert at Vier Pfoten. More athletic animals might even overcome higher barriers, so an overhang at the top is advisable. Additional protection can be achieved with a net stretched overhead, similar to a cat-proof balcony.
2. Structure and Nature as Comfort Factors
A cat-friendly garden offers not only safety but also variety and freedom of movement. Bushes, trees, and shrubs invite climbing and hiding—but shouldn’t be too close to the fence, as they could serve as a springboard. Ample space for running and playing is also important. “The DIY imagination knows no bounds here,” says Förster. This turns the garden into an adventure playground with retreats.
2. Natural and Space to Frolic
Besides safety, design plays a major role in making a cat feel comfortable in the garden. Variety is key. Pet owners can use what nature offers in the garden, such as bushes, trees, and shrubs. However, they should not border the fence, as cats could jump over from there. Some space for running and frolicking is also sensible.
3. Carefully Choose Plants for a Cat-Proof Garden
Caution is advised when planting, as many popular garden plants are toxic to cats. “Ivy, yew, monkshood, angel’s trumpet, broom, and in spring crocuses, snowdrops, and tulips,” Nadia Wattad from the German Animal Welfare Association lists as particularly dangerous. The safe alternative: lavender, valerian, lemon balm, catnip, or cat grass. These plants are not only harmless but often popular with cats.
Signs of poisoning can include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, kidney failure, or neurological symptoms like seizures. “It depends on how much of the plant was ingested and which plant it is,” says Wattad. Planting non-toxic options from the start significantly reduces the risk.
4. Secure Water Sources
Ponds or pools in the garden also pose risks, even if cats instinctively avoid water. “Cats avoid water but can swim in an emergency if they fall in,” says Förster. A shallow shore area or suitable exit aid can save lives in an emergency. Rain barrels should have a sturdy lid, as a loose net can give way under a cat’s weight.
5. Invisible and Underestimated Sources of Danger
Many underestimate the risks posed by everyday items in the garden. Garden tools, strings, nets, and sharp objects can become traps. “Cats could get tangled and, in the worst case, not free themselves and become strangled,” warns Wattad. Barbed wire has no place in a cat-safe garden.
Caution is also advised with chemical garden products: fertilizers, weed killers, or insecticides can seriously harm cats. “Organic fertilizers or bio-fertilizers are better suited for pet owners,” says Wattad. Rat poison is particularly insidious—if a poisoned mouse ends up in a cat’s stomach, it can be fatal.
Watch out! These 5 Early Bloomers Are Poisonous
Fallen fruit in the garden? This is what you should do with it
7 Tips to Keep Rats Out of Your Garden
Don’t Forget Vaccination, Neutering, and Registration
Before a cat is allowed in the garden for the first time, some basic requirements should be met. In addition to vaccinations and neutering, microchip identification is also necessary. Registration in the pet registry increases the chances of finding lost animals.
The good news in conclusion: “The dangers in the garden are manageable,” says Wattad. “For many cats, having outdoor access is a great enrichment. They benefit from plenty of exercise and variety, and they can better express their natural behaviors like hunting and exploring.”
With material from dpa