What Oscillot™ components do I need?

(available as a downloadable PDF File)

If you need any help in working out what components you will need or how to install just send us an email or call (08) 8572 4471. We are happy to help.

Because of their excellent climbing ability, flexibility and agility cats are considered difficult animals to contain within your own yard, and therefore need special consideration.

The Oscillot™ Cat Containment System has been developed and extensively trialed over a 3 year period to effectively and safely contain your cats inside your yard.

To form an effective barrier to cats it is recommended the system be mounted at a minimum height of 1.8 metres on a sound surface.

Careful planning will allow you to achieve your objective of keeping your cat in and/or keeping other cats out. If the latter is important to you, you must take into account potential entry points beyond your control. Talk to your neighbours in these situations to plan preventative measures together.

They will appreciate that you are making the effort to contain your cats. If they also own cats, they may be interested in sharing the cost with you. In most states of Australia, Council approval is not required to extend a solid fence height up to a maximum of 2 metres from the natural ground. Check with your local authority for rules & regulations governing fences in your area.

The paddles sit only 100mm above fence height with the corner assemblies only another 80mm above that.

Identify your cats’ escape routes

The Oscillot™ System mounted around the perimeter of your yard can only be effective in containing your cats if you have identified, and corrected by other means, any gaps that cats may use to escape your yard.

Your cats may also be using outbuilding or house roofs to exit your yard.

Make sure your cats cannot dig/crawl under fences or barriers.

Block off any spaces between fences and buildings where your cat may squeeze through.

Remove from the vicinity of the property boundary garbage bins, building materials or anything else that may help your cat to scale fences or other barriers.  

Trim or cut back shrubbery, bushes and tree branches that cats could use to help their escape.

Consider installing tree guards around trunks of trees with branches that overhang fences and buildings. Various types of tree guard are commercially available to prevent cats from climbing into trees.

Oscillot™ 600 mm wide Colorbond® tree collars are available in 1.2 metre and 2.4 metre lengths.

Where can I use the Oscillot™ System?

The Oscillot™ Cat Containment System is designed to be versatile.

Fences come in all styles and can be of all types of materials, old or new, straight or crooked and be level or stepped or raked on sloping ground.

The Oscillot™ paddles can be mounted on any type of fence, wall, gate, or building; in fact any solid or sound surface. What’s more, the paddles will operate at any angle from the horizontal to the vertical.

The Oscillot™ Cat Containment System * can be fitted to any of the following fence types**:

Metal panel fences

Metal post & rail fences

Wooden paling panel fences

Wooden paling post & rail fences

Chain-link fences

Wire mesh fences

Lattice fences

Brush fences

Brick fences & walls

Concrete or rendered fences & walls

Solid timber fences

They can also be fitted to house walls, shed walls and posts.

* We recommend that the Oscillot® System be fitted at a minimum height of 1.8 metres from the base of the fence. Fitting the Oscillot® System at lower positions may reduce its effectiveness to contain your cat.

** fence tops made from non solid materials may require the addition of a fixed metal capping or other reinforcing before the Oscillot® System can be fitted. All mounting surfaces must be in good repair and able to support the Oscillot® paddle sections.

Designing & Planning

Decide which parts of your property you want your cats to roam freely. Many properties already have a backyard area fenced off completely from the front of the house to keep kids safe, or contain dogs.

This is often also an ideal space for your cat.

Planning your Oscillot® Cat Containment System is easy. Using the following tips will help you accurately select the parts and accessories you will need to complete your project.

Each NEW Oscillot® ALUMINIUM extruded paddle is 1985 mm in length. Each bearing post adds 35 mm to each end so that the total length of a fully assembled paddle is 2055mm.

Use graph paper to start planning and draw a scale diagram showing the position of all fences, gates, garden walls, outbuildings and house walls included in the perimeter to be fitted with the Oscillot™ System.

The fences can run in straight lines, or incorporate various angles and corners. If the top of your fences slope up or down, you must measure the sloping top edge of the fence run. (See fig. 1)

EXAMPLE: In figure 2: A, B, C, D & E represent the perimeter that you wish to protect with Oscillot™.

In this example you would have measurements for runs A- B, B-C, C-D, and the gate D-E.

By dividing the length of each run by 2055mm you will be able to calculate the number of Oscillot®paddle units required per run.

If a full length paddle cannot be used, calculate the exact length to facilitate cutting. For example your gate will probably measure much less than 2055mm and will need to be cut to length.

If required, the remaining part of the paddle can then be used to complete an end of run on another section of the perimeter.

PLEASE NOTE: Each time cutting a section of paddle is required, you will need to order an additional Oscillot® Components Pack in order to use the offcut paddle section elsewhere.

We recommend that you install the Oscillot® Corner Cone in each corner B, C and D to prevent your cats obtaining a foothold where the two bearing posts meet.

Finally, choose the colour you require by referring to the Oscillot® colour guide on the Oscillot® website. If you are not certain of the colour of your fence, you may need to check it against the steel colour swatches available from your local Oscillot®stockist.

You are now ready to order your Oscillot® Cat Containment System.

Please check that your calculations and estimations are correct prior to ordering the quantities you require.

Make certain that you have ordered the correct colour for your job.

Note that prices may vary from location to location.