It is not just pet owners who are tempted outside on sunny days - the sunshine also entices inquisitive felines out onto balconies and terraces. There are delicious summer scents to be sniffed at and an exciting view of the world outside. Here experts from Fressnapf, the specialist pet retail chain, give tips on how to make balconies a safe and exciting outdoor base for feline fun:

• Safety is the highest priority on the balcony because once your cat’s hunting instincts are awakened, it will leap and try to catch anything that moves. You can prevent your cat falling off a high balcony by fitting a special cat net. If you are in rented accommodation, you should obtain written permission from your landlord or property manager before attaching a net. For small cats and kittens we recommend a net with a fine mesh of 3-4 cm. For older cats a 5 cm mesh will be adequate. Use anchoring lines to fix the bottom of the net to the balcony floor, and the top at a height which your cat cannot jump over. Depending on the construction of your balcony, you may be able simply to attach the lines to the house wall, or you may need to install special supports, e.g. wooden or metal bars, to the corners of the balcony.
• Herbs and flowers are a cat’s favourite perfume. But please make sure you find out which plants are safe for cats. Herbs like sage, thyme, lavender and mint, and flowers like roses, daisies and bellflowers are good for cats. You can turn your balcony into a jungle by training climbing plants up the net. Rules for looking after plants on a cat balcony: Do not treat with toxic insecticides and do not use potting soil containing fertilizer.
• You can install a cat flap to give your cat access to the balcony, especially if you are out a lot. Cats love watching the world go by from above, so an outdoor scratching post or shelf on the wall will be ideal. Beware: tilting windows that open onto the balcony are a hazard. Cats may try to climb or jump through them and can end up trapped in the opening. To prevent this happening, it is vital that you install a window guard - a type of lattice that covers the window opening.

• box tree
• ivy
• broom
• hemp
• oleander
• rhododendron
• tulip
• Virginia creeper

• chrysanthemums
• date palms
• gentians
• busy Lizzie
• fuchsia
• daisies
• magnolia
• sword fern

Cat safety net on balcony A little place for puss: cat owners can turn their balcony into a pleasant, but above all safe place for their pet. (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)