Pet fencing can be the most important long-term purchase for pet owners. 

It's estimated that around 36 percent of all households in the United States have a dog. The number of cats is similar, coming in at 30 percent. 

Not all of these households may have a fenced backyard, but its benefits have been proven to be innumerable. 

For many people, their pet is a member of the family. 

As a member of the family, it is imperative that they are happy and comfortable in their home. 

No matter what pet you have, they need room to roam around.

Being confined inside your home is not good for their mental or physical health, even though it may seem easier. 

Putting a fence in your backyard can be the solution. 

With a fence, your pet can live a happy lifestyle, and it doesn't always have to be expensive. 

Adequate pet fencing allows your pet to live the pastoral life, a life full of joy and free of constraints. 

It can also keep your pet away from your neighbours, if necessary. 

Regular, open-air exercise can also be the key to your pet living a long life. And at the end of the day, that's what every owner wants. 

Here is why pet fencing is important:

Your Pet Stays In

Pet fencing can be an amazing way to ensure that your pet gets his time outside in a safe way. 

If you need to let your pet outside to go to the bathroom, you don't necessarily have to keep a trained eye on them.

You can simply just open your back door and let them out, giving them the freedom to do their business and get some fresh air. 

Some owners who have to be gone during the day for work or school leave their pets in the backyard area while they are away. 

This way, the pet is free to use the bathroom and get some exercise so they are not cooped up in the house alone. 

It is also a well-known fact that pets need "off the leash" exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Not every pet is happy with two walks a day. 

With pet fencing, your pet has the room to run around as much as they want, giving them frequent, ample exercise opportunities. 

If your house has children, it is a great chance for them to run around and play with your pet in a safe environment that you have control over. 

Looking at the issue from a different perspective, your pet may have aggressive tendencies with strangers or other pets. 

It may be smart to isolate your pet with a fence when they are outside so they don't potentially harm people or pets passing by.

If your pet is aggressive, and they were to harm another person for whatever reason, you may be mandated to put your pet down.

For that reason, you may want to consider pet fencing to protect strangers from your pet. 

Even cats can reap the benefits of a fenced backyard. Not every cat likes to stay inside, as is commonly assumed. 

Some cats like to have room to roam around outside, even if they would prefer to be left alone. 

But cats are generally smaller creatures and may face adverse circumstances if left alone for too long outside. 

That's why a fence can be a life saver. 

The Bad Things Stay Out

Some owners get pet fencing because it keeps certain things out. 

Your pet may not be prepared for wild creatures that they might come across in an open area that isn't protected. 

In fact, there are countless cases of pets being harmed by coyotes or racoons. 

Although pets are animals, they are domesticated, and they face great danger from other animals that may infiltrate your property.

Other pets from neighbours who may not have fenced backyards could also cause problems for your pet. 

When a pet comes in contact with other animals, whether or not they are domesticated, problems can arise. 

Some pets do not have the social skills to interact with other pets and prefer to socialize with humans, or specifically, their owners. 

A pet that is timid may develop psychological issues as a result of being constantly intimidated by other animals. 

Other animals can also bring harm to your pets if they carry any diseases, such as rabies or other infectious diseases.

Some diseases that your pet contracts can even be passed on to you, potentially putting your entire family in danger.

This is one of the many things a fence can protect against. 

You may also have the option to lock your fence so that unwanted humans can't come in and harm or steal your pet while you are not looking. 

It may sound far-fetched, but this is a very real danger that some pet owners face every day, especially if they live in a rough neighbourhood. 

Pet fencing can be a line of defence for your pet when they are trying to enjoy their leisure time and you are not there to protect them. 

If you decide to install pet fencing, make sure you are aware of your options so you can make an informed decision. 

You want to make sure that your pet will be safe and secure, no matter what the circumstances. 

Types of Pet Fencing

A crucial point for pet owners to consider is the material they want to build their pet fencing out of. 

Your choice of material basically depends on what you are looking for from an aesthetic point of view. 

Even if it is functional, nobody wants an ugly fence in their backyard.

For the most pleasing results, you should choose a material that blends well with the other features of your backyard. 

For example, if you have a wooden deck, you might want to consider getting a wooden fence. 

Some people may be inclined to choose a chain link fence for their backyard. This may not be ideal because it is easily climbable.

It also might make your backyard resemble a pet prison. 

But ultimately, you should choose the fence that best suits your budget. 

If you can afford it, iron fences can look very elegant. But they tend to cost much more than other materials. 

You should also consider your pet. Some pets can dig underneath fences and escape your yard.

If your pet exhibits those traits, you should invest in a sturdy fence that can be indented low into the ground. You could also create natural barriers with stones or trees. 

This way, no matter how deep your pet can dig, there is no way they will be able to get loose. 

Larger pets may be able to jump over or break through fences easily if they feel they need to see what is on the other side. 

In this case, you will want to invest in a fence that is tall enough that your pet cannot escape. 

But some people may not be able to purchase a fence because their neighbourhood does not allow it. 

If you are in this boat, consider an invisible fence. 

Invisible fences are much cheaper alternatives to traditional fences. 

They do not require lengthy installation sessions, and they do not obstruct your backyard in any way.

But unfortunately, there are many drawbacks to an invisible fence. 

If your pet leaves the fenced perimeter, a shock is emitted through their collar. This can be harmful if it is turned up too high. 

But the alternative is that if it the shock level is too low, your pet may be able to ignore the pain and move through the barrier with ease, especially if they are excited for some reason.

This means that if they calm down and try to reenter your property through your backyard, they will be met with a shock. 

This will likely deter them from coming back home after getting out, and the pain could keep them away forever. 

Also, those who are not wearing shock collars, like humans or other pets, will not feel the effects of passing through an invisible fence barrier. 

This means that they will be able to enter your backyard easily and potentially harm your pet. 

An invisible fence may be easier on your wallet, but no pet is truly protected behind invisible barriers. If you are fearful of outside predators, a traditional fence may be your only option. 

Whether or not your pet will react positively to the inclusion of pet fencing in your backyard is a matter of psychology. 

If they keep trying to escape your fenced area, you should ask yourself, why? 

You should cater your pet's home life so that it has no incentive to leave if given the opportunity. 

It is also important to make sure that your pet has not endured any psychological trauma before you brought them home. This may be why they feel the need to escape an enclosed space. 

When deciding on what type of fence to purchase, weigh the pros and cons of every option. What may be perfect for some people may not be right for everyone. 

Do your research, and you will be able to make the right decision.  

What to Avoid

As stated before, choose the fence that is right for your pet. 

If you have a small dog or cat, you may not need to purchase a towering iron fence, unless you feel that you like the look. 

If your pet does not play well with other animals or people, make sure that the fence you choose can hold them securely. An invisible fence would not be a good choice for an aggressive dog.

People on the street who might want to enter your property to greet your pet may be in for a rude awakening if your pet is not properly secure.

After all, as much as pet fencing serves to keep people and pets out, they serve the dual purpose of keeping people and pets on the street safe from your pet, if necessary. 

But although aesthetics are important, you should focus on functionality first. 

It just doesn't make sense to spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on a gorgeous fence that your pet can easily escape from. 

Is Pet Fencing Right For Me? 

Some people with large backyards or friendly neighbours may think that pet fencing is unnecessary, especially if they do not believe they can afford it. 

But the reality is, sometimes the benefits outweigh the costs. 

Transforming your backyard into a secure enclosure can do wonders for your pet's life while providing you with peace of mind that your pet is safe and sound. 

If you have just one pet, they will have ample room to run around or relax, if they need to.

If you have multiple pets, then you have an even greater need for a fence. 

Pets need space to be free, especially if they are large and do not feel comfortable staying inside for long periods of time. 

Not everyone can afford to move to a farm, or purchase large areas of land that their pets can roam through. 

Pet fencing can give your pets a private space to be active, keeping them fit and happy. 

That said, it must be stressed that leaving a pet outside for a long period of time, even with pet fencing, can be very distressing for your pet. 

They might wonder where their owner is and develop depression or separation anxiety. 

If you leave them in an area prone to extreme weather, your pet's life may even be at stake if they are left outside during a storm. 

While pet fencing is a great solution for many pet issues related to behaviour, nothing compares to the security that a family's love can offer a pet. 

But if you are considering pet fencing, don't delay!

Give your pet everything they need to be comfortable and you will be able to reap the benefits of having a happy, satisfied companion.