By Eric Hurwit, D.V.M.
Frequently my clients ask me about invisible fence systems. My advice to them is to consider several factors before spending money on this type of fencing (all brands, including Invisible Fence®). The main goal of any fence – physical or invisible – is to keep your four-legged family members safe inside your property. What pet owners often don’t realize is how vulnerable their pets can be in an invisibly fenced space. You should never leave your pets unattended in this type of fencing.
Manufacturers and installers of invisible fence systems warn owners that the fence doesn’t prevent other animals from entering your property and into the fenced area. There are several potential threats that could result in serious injury or fatality. These dangers include:
Beyond the risk of intruders, invisible fencing has other inherent shortcomings that can risk your pet’s safety. Some drawbacks are due to owner carelessness, while others occur even when the system is used properly. Following are some common scenarios that could put your pet – or others – in harms way.
Like many of you, I consider my cats and dogs as part of my family. I have zapped myself with these invisible fencing collars to see what the jolt feels like. I realize most dogs and cats will learn what the warning tone means as they approach the limits of their boundaries once they’ve been shocked a few times and have been properly trained to use the system. However, I’ve concluded that this method is neither a process nor a stimulus that I’m comfortable using with my four-legged family members. I believe there’s a better, safer way to secure your pets outside – a physical fence. Good fences make more than good neighbors. They keep your animal family members safe inside your property and predators and strangers out.
As described, many of the problems with invisible fence systems result from owner error, lack of good judgment, or misuse, but the inherent drawbacks are equally as problematic. I urge you to carefully consider the options before your purchase. If you do elect an invisible fence system, remember to watch your pet while outside. Regularly check the equipment for proper operation and your pet’s neck for signs of skin irritation from the collar.
Best wishes and keep them happy, healthy, and safe!
Frequently my clients ask me about invisible fence systems. My advice to them is to consider several factors before spending money on this type of fencing (all brands, including Invisible Fence®). The main goal of any fence – physical or invisible – is to keep your four-legged family members safe inside your property. What pet owners often don’t realize is how vulnerable their pets can be in an invisibly fenced space. You should never leave your pets unattended in this type of fencing.
Manufacturers and installers of invisible fence systems warn owners that the fence doesn’t prevent other animals from entering your property and into the fenced area. There are several potential threats that could result in serious injury or fatality. These dangers include:
- Roaming dogs are able to make contact with your pet (dog or cat). I have treated several dogs for bite wounds because they were attacked while inside invisibly fenced yards. Remember, too, that people are also at risk of injury if they try to break up a dog fight.
- Predators, such as coyotes, and scavenging raccoons, skunks, and opossums, can enter an invisibly fenced yard. An encounter with a wild animal poses the potential risk for Rabies exposure or attack.
- People have direct access to your pet. This creates a potential bite hazard, particularly for children who come in contact with your dog or cat. A pet can easily be stolen with such a system, especially if left unsupervised.
Beyond the risk of intruders, invisible fencing has other inherent shortcomings that can risk your pet’s safety. Some drawbacks are due to owner carelessness, while others occur even when the system is used properly. Following are some common scenarios that could put your pet – or others – in harms way.
- Backup battery supplies must be monitored. Some electronic fence systems come with a backup battery supply in case of a power failure but these need to be maintained. Battery powered collars may indicate when a battery is low. However, danger arises when the pet owner forgets that the battery is low and results in a pet wandering off the property.
- The invisible system is only effective when the collar is worn; but sometimes it slips off. I’ve been contacted by people who have found dogs without their fence collars, wandering far from home.
- Some dogs get so excited about chasing an object that they run right through the fence system – despite the painful shock. Once their pursuit has ended, your pet will avoid coming back onto your property for fear of being shocked again.
- Drivers may also be at risk when they observe a dog running in your yard toward the street. Thinking that the dog is headed out of the yard and into the roadway, they might react by slamming on the brakes. Although the dog stops right at the edge of the invisible fence, the driver just narrowly avoids an accident (or not) with the car behind them.
- Collars used for invisible fence systems can cause neck wounds from the metal prongs (electrodes) rubbing against your pet’s skin. These electrodes must make contact with the skin to deliver an electric shock when your pet goes beyond the boundaries. The electrodes come in different shapes, with some being pointed rather than rounded, but both shapes can cause irritation. I have seen horrible neck wounds made by rounded prongs, even when the collar was tightened properly.
- Another concern with collars and the metal electrodes in them is the pressure they put on the trachea (“wind pipe”). Smaller dog breeds are especially prone to tracheal collapse, which can be exacerbated by use of the collar, or potentially initiate the problem. For these reasons, I advise you to not leave these collars on your pets continuously, but rather to put them on only when your pet is going into the invisibly fenced area.
Like many of you, I consider my cats and dogs as part of my family. I have zapped myself with these invisible fencing collars to see what the jolt feels like. I realize most dogs and cats will learn what the warning tone means as they approach the limits of their boundaries once they’ve been shocked a few times and have been properly trained to use the system. However, I’ve concluded that this method is neither a process nor a stimulus that I’m comfortable using with my four-legged family members. I believe there’s a better, safer way to secure your pets outside – a physical fence. Good fences make more than good neighbors. They keep your animal family members safe inside your property and predators and strangers out.
As described, many of the problems with invisible fence systems result from owner error, lack of good judgment, or misuse, but the inherent drawbacks are equally as problematic. I urge you to carefully consider the options before your purchase. If you do elect an invisible fence system, remember to watch your pet while outside. Regularly check the equipment for proper operation and your pet’s neck for signs of skin irritation from the collar.
Best wishes and keep them happy, healthy, and safe!