Cats and Electric Fences??

coubee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
8
Purraise
10
I live on a large acreage farm with pastures for horses, sheep, goats and chickens.  Our entire property is enclosed in electric fence to keep our animals in and coyotes and bears out.  There is a hot wire on the bottom half of the fence (about 6 inches from ground) and a hot wire about 4 feet up.

We've only had feral cats here in the barns so I don't know if they've learned to avoid it, but now I'm worried about my pet kitty being around them.  I've heard that cats can 'sense' the electricity and naturally don't touch it...?  Could this be true?  It is a very high voltage (not sure what setting, I'm not in that department) so I'm a little concerned.  (She's inside now, although eventually after she's grown she will be indoor/outdoor, hence my questions.)

Does anyone have experience with this?
 

catapault

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 5, 2010
Messages
3,630
Purraise
9,412
Many years ago when we lived in Connecticut I had an electric deer fence around the garden. Since deer have hollow hair (unlike horses and cows) they are better insulated from the charge on an electric fence. Mine used a Gallagher charger, from New Zealand, intended for sheep.

My cat would walk up to the fence, lower her tail, stroll through. Then pick her tail up again. I think they can hear the high pitched "zap" as the electricity rapidly cycles on and off and on again.

And yes, I accidentally bumped into the wires once or twice. The charge was unpleasant but not lethal.

If livestock learn, so will your cat.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3

coubee

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
8
Purraise
10
Thank you!  That has eased my worrying for now.  :)  I'm a bit of a worry wart in case it wasn't obvious.
 
Top