kittens & garden pond - dangerous?

[golden eagle]

come to think of it the pond is layered - ie. there are "shelves" by the edges on which plants that don't require to be too deep rest in pots. It's only a very small pond - roughly 1.5m x 1.5m so it might be sufficient if I pile up some large ornamental stones in the middle so they can climb up them in case of emergency.

[Christine (Blip)]

Right. Had an idea - I'll put 1 or 2 planks inside the pond resting on one side of the pond so they can scramble out if needed. How's that?

The only thing is that wood will quickly rot in a pond.  Could you achieve a similar result with ornamental stones or paving into the pond?

[golden eagle]

Right. Had an idea - I'll put 1 or 2 planks inside the pond resting on one side of the pond so they can scramble out if needed. How's that?

[MrsR]

We lost one of our family Yorkies to our pond - he couldnt get back out and drowned  please please please at least make the pond so any animal can get back out again at a minimum as I wouldn't want anyone to go through what my family did with our poor Sam.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

If it's only a small pond then I don't think much harm will come to them even if they do fall in- apart from to their pride of course! Maine Coon's are quite fascinated by water so they would probably like having a couple of planks to cross but personally think the netting is more dangerous than the water as if they do fall in, survival instrinc will kick in and they will get out! May be a bit grumpy after though! hehe

[golden eagle]

Oh now I am confused - to net or not to net... Well, maybe I just put a few planks over it? It's only a small pond.I thought there might be something like a fire guard available for ponds. guess I was wrong?

[Tan]

I thought about having a net over the pond but also was worried that as they are let out at night in their cat proofed garden they would get caught in it so haven't got a net over. It is only a smallish pond ie 3ft x 3ft and there is easy exit points and low edges with a cat walking plank across the middle.
Garf has fallen in once and Marl has actually jumped in by accident while playing with a toy (ooops) They both got backsides wet but got out easily.

They both drink from it as they like the water with no chorine in it and Garf always watches the fishies for ages. Never caught one thank god.

When they were littleuns, i was always with them outside in the garden.

My boys at the bridge Rio and Gizzy also were here since we have had the pond and Gizzy too no interest at all in it and never accidently went in. Rio on the other hand loved fishy watching and did catch one fish but i saved it and he (the fish) (preseume it was a he lol ) is fine and as big as the others Rio never accidently went in at all.

[Yvonne]

Mine have been in the pond many times and apart from getting wet they have never come to any harm

If you net it they may be able to fall in and not get out - I would think long and hard about that one

[golden eagle]

I'm almost tempted to say let them fall in once when you are around - cats hate getting wet so they would learn from the experience

I'll def show them the pond and put their paws in it so they know there is water there. My previous cat did fall in once I think (he was catching frogs - we don't have fish  ) coz came in one day soaking wet and there were tell tale signs by the pond but he was a big cat so strong enough to get out. I'll still look into a cover though - Gandalf is just such a dope and a scardy cat  .

[Kay and Penny]

I'm almost tempted to say let them fall in once when you are around - cats hate getting wet so they would learn from the experience

my Siamese used to drink from the pond, and the koi carp would be attracted to the movement and almost throw themselves into her mouth, but she never tried to catch them

dragonflies were another matter entirely though

[golden eagle]

  for all your replies. I'll need to find a suitable netting. As my OH pointed out, can't just put any netting over it as it would just colapse under their weight and would be even more dangerous for them as they could become tangled up. Any ideas where to get some sturdy cover? There most be something like that on the market to prevent children from falling into ponds?

Really don't think I can keep them in longer than Jan. Gandalf is just so quick and he is desperate to go out. He has run out a couple of times before we could shut the door and when he is in he keeps miowing at the door looking at me with those big eyes of his like I am the meanist person ever for keeping him in. Don't think they will get too cold outside either - they are Maine Coones so have a lovely thick coat to keep them warm.  Will see how we go I guess.

[Debsymiller (Rufus' mum)]

Don't mean to mix it up but I have spoken to people who have had horrible experiences with netted ponds where the cat has found a way to get under the netting to get the fish but then hasn't been able to get out again cause of the netting. Ponds can be dangerous but mosts cats have the sense to avoid water. Perhaps having some bigs rocks or something around teh edge would stop them from just tumbling in if they are playing on the grass... not sure what the answer but just a suggestion. We have some nice boulders in our garden which could look great around a pond.

[Janeyk]

Our neighbour sadly once found one in her pond, don't know the details but I would be careful 

[Kay and Penny]

a cat of mine once got spooked and fell into a 2ft deep pond she was well used to walking around

she managed to swim to the edge and climb out, but was very traumatised by the experience - and of course I was around and could have helped her out if necessary

so I would certainly keep the pond netted until they are older, and after that make sure there is an easy way out just in case

[Millys Mum]

If you keep them in til spring its a) better weather so if they got themselves lost they wont be freezing and b) they will be much more mature, have more experience and hopefully less freaky.
Keep them as babies safe indoors and dont let them grow up too quick, its a dangerous world

[Tiggy's Mum]

I worry about lots of things to do with safety for my two cats but I think as long as they're big enough to go out then they'll be fine, the fish are a different matter though... 

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

I would also try keeping them in longer than January....
I won't be letting Dooey out till net Summer, that way he will be a year old

[Bazsmum]

That's your best bet, kitten's/young adults can be rather clumsy when they play....I know mine are forever bumping into things etc.....

[golden eagle]

No fish to tempt them just plants. I think I am more or less decided to cover it up at least for the first couple of months until they are used to the outdoors and dont get spooked too easily.

[Bazsmum]

Do you have any fish in the pond? I'd be tempted to cover it as your better safe than sorry! 

[golden eagle]

This is no doubt a stupid question but here goes. Our 4 months old kittens are not allowed outside yet but will be in Jan after they have been done. Every now and then though we take them out in our arms so they start getting used to the sounds and smells (plus it's fun watching them getting all excited  ). Well, last week OH put Gandalf on the grass. He was very slowly familiarising himself with our lawn but than he got spooked by a sudden noise and ran straight into our pond. My husband managed to catch him just in time so that Gandalf only fell in half way with his front paws but had my husband not been there he would have ended up in the pond. That really got me worried because once they are allowed out we won't always be there to protect them. Should we cover the pond for the time being or are cats unlikely to drown once they are big enough?