If you’re wondering what is the best cat gate to get you’ve come to the right place. Though most gates are geared towards dogs or babies they can still be used for cats in some situations.
However, before we go any further, it’s worth bearing in mind that most healthy cats are great jumpers and easily able to launch themselves over a small baby gate.
In fact cats have the ability to jump up to six times their height. Therefore as the average domestic cat is 9-10 inches tall, you’d need a pet gate thats at least 60 inches high!
As most pet gates are under 4ft tall or less, you’re limited in choice. However, don’t let that put you off as there are simple tricks and tips to persuade your kitty to stay on the right side of the gate!
In this post you’ll discover the best type of pet gate for your cat as well as some of the reasons you may need a gate in the first place. Plus, lots more.
When a cat gate can be a good idea
Getting a pet gate for your cat can be a good idea if you want to keep your dog out of an area in your home while allowing your cat free access!
This can work well if you want to stop your dog eating the cat’s food! In addition, it’s nice to give your cat privacy:)
So you see in many cases it’s in the cats best interest to have a gate! While dogs have to jump over obstacles in one leap, cats have the ability to pull themselves up using their claws and can balance on top of very narrow fences.
If you’ve ever seen your cat scale a tree you’ll know what I’m talking about! Dogs can’t do this and is often why a cat will run up a tree to get away from a dog that’s chasing it!
A pet gate can work as a barrier to your cat if she’s very eldery with poor mobility. Also, some cats are just lazy and can’t be bothered to jump!
It’s common for felines to weigh up the situation in their kitty minds and only make the leap if they consider it worthwhile.
So if for example, you want a peaceful nights sleep without closing the bedroom door, you could think about placing a pet gate across the doorway.
I can’t guarantee you won’t be woken up at 3.00 am by your cat lauching herself on your bed though! However, it’s still worth giving it a go:)
What type of cat gate should you get?
There are several different types of pet gate available incluing retractable and foldable gates. Many find retractable gates more practical as they don’t require storage.
However, foldable gates have the advantage of being portable. This means you’re not restricted to one area in your home and can even take them out of your home if needed.
Firstly, lets look at retractable pet gates. The following are based on my own opinions and customer ratings. I may make a small commission on any sales made but this in no way reflects the price you pay.
YOOFOR Retractable Baby Gate, Extra Wide Safety Kids or Pets Gate, 33” Tall, Extends to 55” Wide, Mesh Safety Dog Gate for Stairs, Indoor, Outdoor, Doorways, Hallways
YOOFOR pet gate can be fitted to doors or across stairways up to 55 inches in width. This should be ample room for most homes. In addition, as it can be operated by one hand it’s useful if you’re carrying things.
This retractable gate comes with two sets of attachments giving you the option of two gateways This means you can have two areas in your home you’d like to close off.
YOOFOR mesh gate is strong enough to withstand sharp pet claws, yet soft enough to prevent harm should your dog or cat bump against it.
You’ll be pleased to hear this gate has been tested to meet safety standards, and has met or exceeded EN standards. One thing to bear in mind though is you will need a few tools to install it.
These include an electric drill, philips screwdriver, and pencil to mark holes. All screws are included with the pack, so no need to buy any. In addition, you also get a paper template to make it even easier.
One thing to bear in mind is if you have very small dogs there’s a chance they could push themselves through the gap underneath. As the gate is just 33 inches tall it may not stop a curious kitty jumping over, but as previously mentione, it may make her think first!
Key features
- Retractable
- One handed operation
EN safety standards
- Space saving
- Moveable
- 2 sets of attachments
- Safety double locking
- Easy installation
Average rating 4.3 out of 5
You can buy YOOFOR pet gate here
Retractable Baby Gate, EasySMX Baby Gate Extra Wide Dog Gates for Doorways Safety Dog Gate 34″ Tall, Extends to 59″ Dog Gate forStairs/Hallways/Indoor/Outdoor
Easy SMX baby gate can make an ideal barrier for dogs as well. Just like YOOFOR though, this gate won’t stop your cat jumping over if she wants to.
However, it can provide a safe and private space for her. As a baby gate it’s the perfect solution, and at 59 inches wide it should cover most doorways, stairs, and other spaces in your home.
Easy SMX gate can be opened with one hand which is great if you’re carrying a baby or cat! In addition, a double locking mechanism guarantees a curious toddler won’t get through.
You get sets of installation hardware making it possible to install the gate in two separate areas of your home. All you have to do is simply detach the gate from one mounting and attach it in the other.
The gate fabric is a durable soft mesh that’s tough enough to withstand scratches from your dog or cat, and keep your baby safe. In addition, the gate is waterproof, so could be installed near a pool area.
Installation is easy and you get full instructions. Although screws are included, you will need a power drill and philips screwdriver.
As previously mentioned, retractable gates are perfect for small spaces. Whether you live in a small apartment or just restricted for space, this gate will roll back inside its housing without taking up any room.
Key features
- Retractable
- Space saving
- Moveable
- 2 sets of attachments
- Easy installation
- Made from NON-TOXIC ABS plastic
- Safety double locking
- One handed operation
Average rating 4,5 out of 5
You can buy Easy SMX baby gate here
Foldable pet gate
The other alternative is a foldable pet gate. The main advantage is it’s very portable and can be used anywhere inside or even outside the home. The disadvantage though is you’ll need somewhere to store it.
Magic Pet Gate for Dog Cat, Portable Folding Mesh Safety Dog Gate Install Anywhere.
Magic pet gate is a lightweight foldable gate that’s designed to take up minimum space. Unlike clunky wooden or metal gates this one can fit in the tightest space.
No installation is required, so no holes in your walls! Instead, a mesh gate is held in place by sticky hooks.
As the mesh is almost completely transparent it will blend in with your decor. The only noticeable thimg about the gate is the black border.
Assembly is very simple and can be done in minutes. All you have to do is feed the extendable poles into the sides of the fabric and attach onto the hooks.
The height of Magic pet gate is 30.3 inches, and can be stretched to a width of six ft. As it’s virtually transparent, you could partition an area of your living room when guests arrive. This would stop a small dog jumping on your guests laps as they drink coffee, or deter a lazy cat!
It could also be a good way to keep pets out of the kitchen while you’re cooking. I don’t know about you but my cat is either standing behind me or winding round my legs while I’m preparing food!
Magic pet gate is advertised as withstanding up to 100 ponds. Although this would stop most small dogs pushing through, it won’t stop your cat leaping over.
Key Features
- Transparent See through design
- Attached using sticky hooks
- NO tools required
- Moveable anywhere in the home
- Durable
- Elegant design
- Easy installation
Average rating 4.8 out of 5
You can buy Magic Pet Gate for Dog or Cat here
Free standing pet gates
Free standing pet gates have the advantage of being very portable. As no assembly or installion is required, they can be instantly moved from one area of your home to another.
PAWLAND Wooden Freestanding Foldable Pet Gate for Dogs, 3 Panel, 36 inch Tall Fence, Dog Gate for The House, Doorway, Stairs, Extra Wide and Tall, White
Pawland wooden free standing gate is tall for a pet gate. While most are about 30-33 inches in height, this one is a generous 36 inches.
Alhough this will provide a barrier for most small dogs, a healthy, determined cat could easily lauch herself over the top.
It could prove to be a good solution for keeping other pets away from your cat though. For example, preventing your dog from disturbing the cat while she’s eating.
Pawland wooden gate is made from quality MDF, a stronger and denser alternative particle board This makes it durable and able to withstand rough treatment from your cat or dog.
The free standing gate has a wood finish with attractive arch design and should compliment most decor. You have a choice of either 3 or 4 panels which can be folded out and used in doorways, stairways, or anywhere in the home you want to create a barrier.
Free standing gates are ideal if you have space for storage, and don’t want to be restricted to a fixed gate. It’s also lightweight and quick and easy to move.
Key features
- Very portable
- Easy to fold acordian design
- Choice of 3 or 4 panels
- Stylish
- Durable
- Made from quality MDF
Average rating 4.5 out of 5
You can buy PAWLAND wooden free standing gate here
Other possible uses for a cat gate
Other situations were a free standing pet gate could work well is if you’re introducing a new cat to other members of your fur family.
Following a few simple guidelines can ensure your pets get along or at least tolerate each others company. As your other pets gradually get used to the new addition, you may want to provide a quiet, private space where your cat won’t be disturbed.
Unless you’re buying a free standing gate, always measure the area you want the gate to fit first! All pet gates I’ve shared with you here have exact measurements listed.
In conclusion
Now you know a bit more about pet gates I hope it’s helped you decide which is the best gate for your furry friends. As you now realise, it’s impossible to stop a healthy cat jumping over a pet gate, as cats make their own rules!
However, a gate can serve to give your kitty a bit of space from other pets while she’s eating or even using the litter box. Small dogs wouldn’t be able to jump a pet gate, though larger dogs could push against the barrier.
If you have an older cat with mobility issues, a pet gate could be useful in blocking off an area that could be dangerous. For example, stairways, balconies, or kitchens.
As a cat with poor mobility is unlikely to jump over a gate you should be fine. In addition, a pet gate could be a good idea if you have a very young kitten and want to keep her safe from other pets.
Also, you can block of an area to stop your dog getting through, yet giving your cat free access. This could be useful in many situations where you want a dog free zone!
If you’ve enjoyed this post about choosing the best cat gate please share. Feel free to share this pin on your “pets” board.
Also, if you have any questions or want to share experiences, please leave a comment below.
Wishing you a purrfect day:)
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I have a cat called Coco, and two dogs, a Golden and a ShihTzu. They all live together happily.
In fact, I will need to get a dog gate, because the cat is forever irritating the dogs to no end. Both Zara and Chanel, are running helter skelter trying to save themselves from the antics of Coco.
I got my cat after being inspired by your writing, and he is such a delight to have. Great pet. Our first cat. Thank u.
Regards,
Aps
Hi Aparna, thank you for your comment and so happy to hear you got your cat Coco after being inspired by my blog posts:) It’s good to know your dogs and cat get on well together, and yes, a pet gate will help calm things down if your dogs get irritated by Coco. Sometimes a short breathing space is all that’s needed.
Great article, Kathy.
We had baby gates up to keep the grandkids safely away from the stairs.
That is when we discovered the gates also worked to keep our visiting grand puppies away from our cat.
Dogs were restricted to one area of the house, yet the kitty had free rein. If she chose to jump the gate it was her choice.
This usually only lasted a few hours then dogs and kitty were cautiously friends.
Oh and the dogs were large breeds, one was a golden retriever and the other a husky/lab cross.
It was rather amusing to watch the dogs be afraid of the cat. lol
Now we no longer have baby gates in the home.
Hi Deborah, thanks for sharing your story:) It’s good to hear the baby gate had multiple uses and served to keep the puppies away from the cat:) Ha ha! Yes, it’s often the case that dogs are more afraid of cats, even large breeds! Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed this post:)
At first, the idea of cat gates sounded a bit strange. I mean, a cat can climb over and jump over anything! So I had a tough time imagining how this could work. And then I thought of my dog and how he likes to intrude on our cat’s space and food bowls while they are eating. Maybe this could be a good idea to keep him away while they’re eating. Thanks for sharing this post, Kathy! As always, I found a lot of great info!
Hi Ivan, thanks for your comment:) Yes, a pet gate would certainly keep your dog away from the cat’s food bowl while they’re eating. In many cases a gate is more useful in keeping dogs confined to an area while allowing cats free access. I’m glad you enjoyed this post and found it useful:)
Hi Kathy,
Cat gate sounds interesting since it’s a new idea for me. I used to see dog owners have gates at home, especially the kitchen, to prevent dogs from eating the food all the time. Now, I need to update my mind that if we have a new pet to the family and make sure everything goes smoothly, we can consider a cat gate.
From your recommendations, I like the Pawland wooden gate the most. It looks pretty to fit the interior design of my place. It’s also easy to move and can withstand the rough treatments from our pets. So, this is the one for me.
Thanks for sharing this information. I did find value today. 🙂
Matt
Hi Matt, thank you for your comment:) Yes, I can imagine how useful gates can be to stop dogs stealing food:) I also like the Pawland gate as it looks pretty as well as being practical. Thanks for stopping by and glad you enjoyed this post:)