Do you have pets at home that you want to keep safely inside the yard without fear of them running away or bothering neighbors? If the answer is yes, then you need a pet fence! However, before you start building, we recommend considering the following factors before choosing a design.
Before Building an Outdoor Pet Fence
Before choosing a fence, consider various factors concerning your pets to ensure that they are safe inside your backyard.
#1: Fence Height
The height of the fence should prevent your pet from jumping over it. While you can go taller, you certainly don’t want it to be too short. You want to ensure that your fence will be able to withstand your pet’s highest jump, at full speed, with a running start and practice. Plus, make sure to consider how tall your pet will get in your math!
#2: Fence Material
Are your pets chewers? If the answer is yes, you want your fence to be able to endure a pet willing to gnaw its way to the outside world. We recommend using a material, such as metal or plastic, that won’t get damaged if your dog tries to chew, claw, or push their way through.
#3: Fence Depth
In addition to chewers, some pets love to dig! If you have a digger in your household, you will need to install a fence that goes deep enough into the ground where the pet can’t dig a hole under it. Plus, you want to make sure that when the pet digs deep, the fence doesn’t hurt them in the process. For example, chain link fences are known to injure pets that try to squeeze under them.
#4: Local Wildlife
There are two situations when it comes to factoring in local wildlife. For one, you want to ensure that large animals that could injure your pet can’t get it. This could include bears, elk, or other local pets wandering the streets.
The second situation is that you don’t want to trap smaller wildlife inside the fence with your pets, such as squirrels. If you have trees in your backyard, or even overhanging limps, small creatures may pop in to see what’s up and then can’t get out. By having a method for them to climb or go through the fence, you can lower the chance that you will end up with a dead critter.
#5: Your Preferences
Lastly, while your pets are of the highest importance, you also want to consider your preferences. If you have beautiful views, you want to see be able to see them! However, if you have nosey neighbors or tight spaces, you may want to block it all out with a high fence.
Fence Design Ideas to Keep Pets In:
#1: Chain Link Fences
Chain link fences are a cheap and easy fence option to keep your pets in. While chain link fences get a bad wrap for being unappealing, they have come a long way in recent years. Now, you can insert slats or utilize other add-ons to give your chain link fence a bit more class than the traditional look.
#2: Welded Wire Fences
Welded wire fences are a step up from chain link fences. They have more design options for homeowners to add their own unique flair. Additionally, by combining a welded wire fence with thick wooden posts, you can have a multi-material design that adds a fun but functional look.
#3: Wood Pallet Fences
Wood pallet fences are an excellent way to save on the cost of wood while still getting a solid wooden fence. If you have access to wooden palettes (especially if they are free), you can repurpose them to create a robust and eco-friendly fence.
#4: Lattice Fences
Lattice fences are excellent for homeowners with smaller pets that want more visibility and airflow through their fence. Generally, lattice fences include vertical posts with top and bottom horizontal beams along with premade lattice panels. There are a variety of design ideas! We particularly love when homeowners wind natural elements, like vine plants, into the fence.
#5: Privacy Fences
If you want to keep your backyard private or have a pet that gets excited (and loud) every time something goes by, a privacy fence is the way to go; it is quite common to see them in downtown Santa Monica! Privacy fences generally are tall with tightly placed panels or boards. There should be minimal spacing between the boards to keep visibility in and out low.
#6: Metal Fences
Metal fences have a vast array of design options, from horizontal corrugated metal to thin metal posts. Whether you want something elaborate, minimalist, or simply pretty, you are sure to find it! Just make sure that your pet won’t be able to slip through!
#7: Picket Fences
Do you have a small pet? Picket fences are an excellent way to keep small pets in while still being open to the neighborhood and with minimal view blocking. Who doesn’t love the true American white picket fence look?
What is the best fence for aggressive dogs?
If you have a large, powerful doggo, you need a fence tall enough and stronger enough to keep them. As we mentioned before, you will need to consider their height and running jump capacity. However, another important aspect to consider is their strength. Some fences, especially wooden ones, can be pushed down by overzealous large dogs. Therefore, we recommend going with a tall, strong fence made of durable materials like aluminum or steel.
Design Scapes Hardscape Design & Install – LA
Do you need help designing and installing your preferred pet fence design? If so, please reach out to Design Scapes today for a consultation. Our expert team will ensure you get a top-quality fence from design to completion!
