Best Cat Netting for Balcony: Six Mesh Nets Compared by Size, Material and Install

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Details

The best cat netting for balcony is a mesh net that covers the open sides of the balcony, is strong enough not to tear under a cat’s weight or claws, and can be fixed firmly to the railings and walls. The person typing best cat netting for balcony usually lives on an upper floor with a cat that wants to watch the outdoors. This guide compares six listings from five brands, using only titles, first bullets and detail lists. It cannot say that any net will stop a fall, because the sources we opened describe prevention, not guarantees.

Quick answer

• Cover the whole open side of the balcony, not only the railing. The PDSA guide we opened says that for a balcony you can enclose the space “from floor to ceiling” with netting or wire mesh.
• Choose a steel-reinforced HDPE net if your cat chews or claws the mesh. The HOMYPOWER, BEBONO and PRIMAL PURR listings describe stainless steel wire inside the mesh.
• Choose a no-steel net if you want a lighter product with a smaller hole. The Vocray listing describes “no steel wire” and a half-inch square hole.
• Check the install kit before you buy. The PRIMAL PURR, HOMYPOWER, Vocray and BEBONO listings include rope, hooks or zip ties, and the Qesonoo listing does not state a kit.

What the fall advice says

The Animal Medical Center high-rise syndrome page we opened says that “If a window is open too wide or if they push on a loose screen, they can fall out.” It also says that “Cats who live in apartments with balconies or unscreened windows are most at risk,” and adds that cats “might also fall if they are startled by a vacuum or other loud noise.” Netting does not stop a startle, but it does stop a fall through an open side, which is the risk the page describes.

The Preventive Vet page we opened puts the same point in plain words: “Cats often wind up in this predicament by having access to open windows, ledges, patios, and balconies.” Its advice is to limit access, not to rely on one barrier. The German veterinary clinic page we opened says that “Balconies and terraces should also be secured with suitable netting,” and it adds that window screens protect a cat and “keep unwanted insects out.” Together, these pages describe netting and screens as one part of a fall-prevention plan.

The PDSA guide we opened is clear about the balcony itself. It says “If you only have a balcony, you can transform the space into a safe haven for your kitty by enclosing it from floor to ceiling,” and it adds that “You can use netting or wire mesh to create a barrier that allows your cat to enjoy the fresh air without the risk of falling.” The phrase “without the risk of falling” is the goal, but the sources we opened do not say that any product reaches it on its own.

Mesh type, size and strength in the listings

The six listings split into three mesh types. Four listings describe HDPE mesh, and three describe stainless steel wire inside it. The Vocray listing has no steel wire, and the Qesonoo listing is a nylon mesh. The table gives the mesh, hole size and install kit from the bullets or detail list. Where a value is not stated, the table says so.

Listing	Mesh (per bullets or detail list)	Hole size (per bullets)	Install kit (per bullets or detail list)	Size (per title)
PRIMAL PURR steel-reinforced net	Stainless reinforced mesh (per bullets)	Not stated	100 cable ties, rope edging, 25 hooks	10 by 20 ft
HOMYPOWER 10 by 20 ft net	HDPE with stainless steel wire	Not stated	Rope, plugs, hooks, plastic zip ties	10 by 20 ft
HOMYPOWER 10 by 26 ft net	HDPE with stainless steel wire	Not stated	Rope, plugs, hooks, plastic zip ties	10 by 26 ft
Vocray no-steel net	HDPE, 50 g per square metre, no steel wire	1/2 inch square holes	15 hooks, 50 ft nylon rope, 15 expansion pipes, 30 zip ties	10 by 26 ft
Qesonoo transparent nylon net	Nylon, transparent	2.5 by 2.5 cm	Not stated	10 by 20 ft
BEBONO steel-wire net	HDPE and stainless steel wire	Not stated	Rope, zip ties, hooks, plugs	10 by 13 ft

Three things stand out. First, the steel-wire nets are the strongest on paper, and the bullets say they resist scratching and biting. The BEBONO bullets say the mesh “resists scratching and biting,” and the HOMYPOWER bullets say the mesh is “Bite Tear” resistant in its title. These are listing claims. The sources we opened do not test mesh strength, so treat them as the maker’s view.

Second, the Vocray net is the only one that describes its hole size, at half an inch. A small hole stops a paw from pushing through, but it also needs more care to install because it is lighter. The Qesonoo nylon hole is 2.5 centimetres, which is about one inch, and the Qesonoo bullets describe the net as transparent.

Third, the size column is the one to check against your balcony. The most common size is 10 by 20 feet, and the HOMYPOWER and Vocray listings go to 10 by 26 feet. The BEBONO net is the smallest, at 10 by 13 feet. The PRIMAL PURR bullets say the net can be “easily cut to size,” which is useful if your balcony is not a neat rectangle.

Installing netting without a mess

Install is where most nets fail. The PRIMAL PURR bullets say the net is “Easily cut to size,” and the HOMYPOWER bullets say “By cutting the Balcony Cat Net can be optimally adapted to your circumstances.” Measure every side of the balcony first, including the gaps under the railing and between the railing and the wall. A net that does not reach the wall leaves a gap, and the Preventive Vet page says to limit access to open ledges and balconies, so any gap is a problem.

The install kits differ in how they fix the net. The HOMYPOWER bullets begin an instruction with “Drill holes in” (the bullet is cut off in the listing we opened), which points to drilling into a wall or frame. Check your lease before you drill. The Vocray kit includes plastic expansion pipes, which need a hole in a wall. The PRIMAL PURR kit includes hooks and cable ties, which can be used on a railing without drilling in some setups. The Qesonoo listing does not state a kit, so you will need to buy fixings separately.

Keep the net taut. A loose net sags, and a cat can push into a sag and find the gap at its edge. Fix the net at close intervals, and check the fixings each week. The PDSA guide we opened describes a balcony enclosure from floor to ceiling, so the goal is a net that closes every side, not a net that covers only the top rail.

Check the windows and the door. The Preventive Vet page says to “only open the top portion of your windows rather than the bottom,” and it advises limiting access to open windows and balconies. Netting does not replace a safe window. If your door is easy for a cat to push open, add a latch or a lock.

Use the picks below to match a net to your balcony size and mesh needs.

Mesh size and what a cat can reach

A hole size matters for what can pass through. A cat cannot pass through the mesh of most nets in this set, but a paw can. The Vocray half-inch hole is the smallest in the set, and it stops a paw from reaching through easily. The Qesonoo hole is about one inch, which is larger. A small kitten can put a paw through a larger hole, so choose the smaller hole for a young cat.

Mesh that is too fine for the wind can billow and loosen its fixings. The sources we opened do not cover wind loads. Our advice is to fix the net at the top and bottom edges and at the corners first, then add fixings at a closer spacing along the sides.

The mesh must also be safe for the cat’s claws. The Vocray listing describes “no scratches or cuts,” and the BEBONO bullets say the mesh “resists scratching and biting.” Check the mesh for snags after the first week, and replace any section that has a torn or loose edge.

Other ways to give outdoor time

A net is one way to give a cat access to fresh air, and it is not the only one. The Best Friends guide we opened describes a simpler option: “You can install perches on windowsills around the house so that your cat can sit at the window, watch the outdoors, and enjoy the sunlight.” A perch at a closed window gives the cat a view and sun without a balcony at all, and it costs less than a full netting kit.

A harness and a leash are another route, for a cat that is used to them. Our harness escape guide covers the escape question for harnesses, and our leash guide covers the leash side. Walking a cat on a leash is a different activity from a balcony, and it needs its own safety check, including the harness fit and a secure leash clip.

Ask your veterinarian before you give any outdoor access to a cat with a health problem, and check the local rules for balconies in rented flats. The sources we opened do not cover local rules or building rules, so this is our advice for a shared building.

Who should skip netting

Skip netting if your balcony has a gap that the net cannot cover. The PDSA guide says the goal is a full enclosure, and a net that leaves a gap is a partial solution. If you cannot close the gap, keep the cat off the balcony entirely, as the Preventive Vet page says to limit access to open balconies.

Skip a net that cannot be fixed to the building. A net that pulls away from the wall or the railing will not hold a cat. If you rent, check whether drilling is allowed, and choose a no-drill kit if it is not.

Skip any net if you have a cat that climbs railings or jumps to reach the top. The sources we opened do not say how high a cat can jump onto a railing, so a balcony with a high rail and a low net needs extra work or a different plan.

Mistakes to avoid

• Covering only the railing. The PDSA guide describes an enclosure from floor to ceiling, which is a different thing from a top net.
• Treating netting as permission to go outside. The Preventive Vet page says, “We still don’t recommend leaving your cat out on a balcony, even with this level of security, as they can still jump onto and over the railing.”
• Ignoring a loose edge. A net that sags at a corner can create a gap a cat will find.
• Buying the smallest size for a large balcony. The BEBONO 10 by 13 foot net is the smallest in the set, and a larger balcony needs more than one net or a bigger size.
• Assuming the net stops every fall. The sources describe prevention and the risk of falling, not a guarantee. The AMC page notes that many owners believe a cat “will land safely on her feet,” and it treats that belief as a risk.

How we chose

We searched Amazon.com for “best cat netting for balcony” in Chrome on 21 October 2026 and read the first results page. We kept listings whose title or bullets describe a net or mesh for cats on a balcony, window or catio. We dropped dog-only nets, bird netting for coops and gardens, and a koi pond net.

From the qualifying results we kept six listings from five brands. HOMYPOWER has two listings, one 10 by 20 feet and one 10 by 26 feet. We read each title and its first bullets, and we copied the detail list for mesh, size and included components. Where the bullets and the detail list disagreed, the table or the text says so. We did not record prices, star ratings, review counts or sales ranks.

What we could not verify

• Whether any net stops a cat from falling. The sources we opened describe prevention, and none of them tests a specific net.
• The steel-wire strength claims. The BEBONO and HOMYPOWER bullets describe scratch and bite resistance, and we did not check them.
• The Vocray “no scratches or cuts” claim. The bullets say so, and the sources we opened do not cover net injuries.
• The hole size on the PRIMAL PURR, HOMYPOWER and BEBONO nets. Their bullets do not give one.
• The Qesonoo install kit. The detail list does not state a kit, so the fixings are not described.
• The wind resistance and UV life of any net. The bullets describe UV resistance, but no listing gives a service life.

FAQ

Does a cat net stop a cat from falling off a balcony?

The sources we opened describe netting as a barrier against falls. The PDSA guide says netting or wire mesh lets a cat enjoy the air “without the risk of falling,” and the German clinic page says balconies should be secured with suitable netting. A net that closes every side and is fixed firmly is the setup these sources describe. No source says a net is a guarantee.

How much netting do I need?

Measure each open side of the balcony, including the gaps at the corners and along the wall. Choose a net that covers the largest side, and join two nets if needed. The sizes in this set run from 10 by 13 feet to 10 by 26 feet, so measure before you buy.

Steel wire or nylon: which should I choose?

Steel wire inside HDPE is described as stronger against scratching and biting. The Vocray nylon and no-steel HDPE net is lighter and has a smaller hole. If your cat chews or claws mesh, choose a steel-reinforced net. If you want a lighter net with a smaller hole, choose the no-steel option.

Can I install a net without drilling?

Some kits use hooks and cable ties rather than expansion pipes. The PRIMAL PURR kit includes hooks and cable ties, and the Vocray kit includes expansion pipes that need a drilled hole. Check your lease, and choose a kit that matches what you can attach to your railing or wall.

What else should I do besides netting?

Open windows only at the top, as the Preventive Vet page advises, and check the screens for loose or sagging sections. The AMC page describes a wide-open window and a loose screen as routes to a fall. Keep the cat off the balcony itself, even with netting, because the same Preventive Vet page says a cat can still jump onto and over a railing.

Bottom line

Choose a net that covers every open side of the balcony, a mesh that suits your cat’s claws, and a kit you can fix firmly. Choose steel-reinforced HDPE for a cat that claws or chews, and the no-steel net for a smaller hole. Keep the balcony door shut and the net taut, and remember that the sources we opened describe prevention, not a guarantee.

Sources

• Animal Medical Center (New York), “High Rise Syndrome in Cats”: open windows and loose screens are a route to a fall, and apartments with balconies carry the most risk
• PDSA (UK), “Should you build a catio for your cat?”: enclose a balcony from floor to ceiling with netting or wire mesh to prevent falls
• Preventive Vet, “Preventing Your Cat From Falling Out the Window”: limit cats’ access to open windows, ledges, patios and balconies, and open windows only at the top
• Arndt Small Animal Clinic, Karlsruhe, “Cat falls from window”: balconies and terraces should be secured with suitable netting