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When my husband Alan asked me what I wanted for my birthday in May, I knew what to tell him. After several escape attempts by our spirited Nixie, I wanted to give her a space to explore the outdoors with her cat brother, Milo, but still be safe. I wanted an outdoor cat enclosure, aka, a catio.
What is a catio?
A catio is simply a outdoor cat enclosure attached to house.
While lots of the catios we saw while searching Pinterest were ground level, we felt that elevating our catio was safer for our cats. We wanted to keep them up off the ground to lessen the chance of off-leash dogs jumping on the enclosure, as well as making it harder for predators to pester the cats. And of course, it being elevated means the neighbor’s cat can’t make his mark on the inside either. Sorry Pewter.
Living in Seattle, an outdoor cat enclosure can be used year round, because we have a pretty temperate climate, so we weren't worried about the cats not enjoying it fully.
We custom built the catio over the course of several weekends, and then have been adding the finishing touches to make it unique. The sacrifices we make for our cats.
We made the frame out of treated lumber and sandwiched hardware cloth in-between the pieces to protect the cats from the edges. The roof is a corrugated panel.
If you have a catio that is lacking some purrsonal touches, you will want to refer to this checklist. Your feline friends will love you for it.
Do you have everything you need for a catio?
Large Perches
We have two perches that run the length of our patio. We used composite decking for our perches, because it’s easy to clean. It’s wide enough for both cats to lay on it and both be there at the same time. Having two perches not only allows them to be active because they have to jump back and forth, but also allows them to have great view of the yard and neighborhood. The highest perch even allows them to peek inside the kitchen window. Which they love.
Catio Lighting
Every patio needs fun decorative lighting and an outdoor cat enclosure is no different. I picked up some fun solar lights at Target in the outdoor section for both the catio and the chicken coop. They look really cute and they really light up our side yard after dusk. I know I know, the lights are really for me, and not them, but it’s all about the ambiance, right?
A place to sleep
Cats have a knack of ignoring the fancy pet beds we buy them, and sleeping on whatever suits them, whenever they want. My cats are no different. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want Nixie and Milo to have cozy accommodations in their catio should they want them. I took advantage of the outdoor section in Target again, and picked out a red indoor/outdoor cushion for them to lounge on. I think it took less than 30 seconds for Milo to claim it as his own. Poor poor Nixie. As the nights grow cooler, I’ll explore other bed options for them.
Toys
We’re still designing a giant sisal scratching post (we need to figure out how to protect it from the elements) but for now, and handful of kitty toys in the catio will keep them entertained.
Water (and food dishes)
We still feed Nixie and Milo their food inside, and their water fountain is also inside. They still need water outside though, so I have a special water dish for them to have fresh water. This “Psycho Kitty” ceramic pet dish is one I bought for my dear Prudence cat (RIP) when I was in college. It’s nearly 20 years old. It’s important to use non-plastic pet dishes. It’s easier to keep them clean. Target has a cute selection of pet dishes, or you can explore housewares too.
The Outdoor Litter Box
I confess, one of my favorite things about our new outdoor cat enclosure is tha the cat box NOT in the house anymore! I’m no longer scooping the cat litter into the toilet every day. (Don’t worry, we use biodegradable litter!)
I needed to find a good solution for keeping the litter box clean when I refresh the cats water. The Litter Genie® Cat Litter Disposal System makes the daily scoop hassle free! Having a litter station set up with Litter Genie® Pail is makes it easy take care of their cat box and reduce odors. I have some steel shelving set up right next to the catio to make box scooping easy. I just open the door, put the catbox on the shelving, scoop it into the Litter Genie® Pail, refresh the litter and I’m done! It’s so simple. Plus, since one Litter Genie® Pail refill contains 7 bags, each bag holding approximately 14 days worth of litter (for one cat) I don’t have the hassle of remembering to take a bag outside to scoop the litter each day.
The end goal before winter comes is to enclose the cat box within the catio. For now though, we replaced the open air box that was in our bathroom with a covered box that would protect their litter from the elements and give them a little privacy. I’m also considering a little overhang to protect the litter box cleaning area during our rainy days. Aka all of winter.
Nixie and Milo were so excited about the catio that the first few days they were always outside. For a brief period of time, we were worried they’d never snuggle with us again at bedtime. Thankfully, we were wrong, and our kitties have the best of both worlds. They have their own private porch where they can enjoy the fresh air and the sights of the neighborhood. Their evening naps however, are still on the couch.
Do you have everything you need for a catio? What would you add to this list?
Do you have everything you need for a catio? What would you add to this list?
WORD OF THE DAY: CATIO
Jenna Wood
I would trade a birthday present for a catio too! Too bad we have a boring HOA that won't let me build one 🙁 If I did have one though it would have LOTS of scratching and climbing spaces! #client
Jen
I wonder if an enclosed (mesh covered) pet playpen would work for you bc then you could bring it in & out each day. Certainly not ideal, but it would give your little some real grass time.
Kerri Jablonski
Shhhh. Don't tell them they could have an additional run out to the grass.
Marsha Turner
Hi Kerrie,
would you be willing to provide specifications for your catio project? I would really like to build this for my two furbabies.
Sincerely,
Marsha Turner
Kerri Jablonski
Hi Marsha,
I'd have to talk to my husband as we built it custom for our home. We used Trex decking for the base and perches, and treated cedar for the rest. The mesh is hardware cloth. The roof is corrugated plastic. It's attached to our house with lag bolts. 🙂 I want to say the whole project cost us between $800-1000. We did not use inexpensive materials however. I don't know how helpful that is.
Kerri
Sheree Slayton
I purchased one from Home Depot and it’s great. Comes in panels that you screw together, it was not very difficult to put together just a couple hours on the patio. Sadly my husband ‘s kidneys failed, so it has not been stacked to the house yet for them to use. I’m pretty sure they would love it though. If I remember correctly it cost led than $500.
Kerri Jablonski
That is a great price! I wonder if you could find a neighbor to help.
Brett G
Hi Kerri,
I'm building a catio this Spring for my 2 cats. I live in Central NY and we have 6 months of cold, winter months. I want the catio to go out through the office wall but my husband thinks it's better to have it go out a window instead. My concern is that during the colder months I'd have to leave a window open or I'd have to close the window on them. The point of the catio is for them to come and go as they please. How is your catio "attached" to your home? Thank you!
Kerri Jablonski
Hi Brett! We have a cat door cut through our house. Our catio is secured to house with lag bolts. For security reasons, I'd probably stick to a cat door and not the window. I can try and remember to take some more photos if you'd like to show the cat door and how it's attached. Attachment obviously will depend on your house. Your kitties will LOVE IT. Mine were using it even during our twenty degree weather earlier this month.
Brett G
I'd love some pictures! I think the only way to go is through the outside wall. I think it'd be nice to show my husband how yours is and maybe he'd be more comfortable with it. Thanks again!
Kerri Jablonski
Sure! I'll get some. Is it okay if I email them to you? I can show you where it goes from our kitchen too.
Sheree Slayton
There are cat doors made for windows. You just take the screen off, open window, cat door fits in open window and there are expandable sides to close any gaps. Fits like a window air conditioner. Just make sure to measure your window opening and get one that fits the best.
I purchased a catio kit from Home Depot for my birthday, don’t have it up yet, but it had good reviews and should not take but a couple hours to set up..
Kerri Jablonski
I've seen those! With our situation, the custom build worked better since our kitchen window would need to be completely replaced otherwise. We're actually talking about making our catio bigger along the house. Eeek!
Brenda
We built a catio for our boys and it's the best thing we ever did. They love it. They love the tall walk-ways and the cat scratcher ( we are having probs finding just the right indoor/outdoor carpet for it). They have a semi open litter box. We built a large box around/over it that we call the "poop" deck. We have a chair so I can sit with them and read. They get to watch the neighborhood safely. The deer come right up to the catio at night.
I know one person asked about having a door or window entry. I always look at the big future pic. Cats will get old and it will be difficult and painful for them to jump down from a window. Pet door is the best and easiest way to go
Kerri Jablonski
The scariest thing about the pet door was cutting a hole in the side of the house!
We're so glad we built the catio! They love it!
Dave Millet
Fake grass makes an excellent "carpet" it's come on significantly in the past few years it's hard to tell the difference our cats treat it as real! Rolling around in it.
Jodi
That is so cool, but I think my 19-year-old cat would freak! lol However, I've been using the Litter Genie for years and LOVE it!
Kim
I would love some more pics if you have them. Especially if the door. We want to build a catio as well.
Thanks
Kim
Kerri Jablonski
I've been meaning to take more photos. There always seems to be something to distract me. 🙂
kimberly leasure
Really cool Catio. I've never seen one before this!
Sarah L
I have a friend who has something like this for her 3 cats. They come and go through a cat door.
Debbie
My cats LOVE their catio! I purchased a standard 10 X 10 chain link dog kennel for mine--not as pretty as some, but extremely safe. (We have coyotes in the area.) I put the 4th side of the kennel over the top (as a roof) to help hold it sturdy, and where the 4th side would be is the side of the house, and a kitty door through a modified bedroom window for access 24/7. Where the "roof" is still open (4 feet) I have heavy duty shade cloth. It was easy to put up, and if I move, it will be easy to take down. Inside I have 2 plastic shelving units (one on each side) with a "cat walk" board between them. I have two flat-topped dog houses that contain a litter box each. A few extra tables, some cat-safe plants, and some soft warm fleece and cat beds and the cats love it. Like you, I don't put food out there, and I put the water dish just inside of the door. We've had it for about 10 years now and--being chain link--it looks like new and is very easy to clean. Investment was probably $400-500, but you can usually find used dog kennels and dog houses second hand if you look.
Mercy
I got desperate so I bought a Cozywow catio on line. Wasn’t my worse idea but a couple of hiccups with that small project. Tthe platforms are a bit flimsy and the roof needs some help. I’m hoping customer service can help. All in all that expensive was okay and the enclosure, we’ll see, if it will satisfy my kitties outdoor curiosity.
Luckily, my Catio is under our patio so it’s protected from the elements.
The nightmare of trying to get that itty bitty patio space covered for a catio which most of the “handymen” businesses or people I called didn’t know what that meant?.???? It’s only two sides that needed to be closed up. They said it was the expensive because it was a small project.
My question is; The catio sits on the paved patio. I want a base and put locked wheels to be be able to move it around . I’ve already put it together and weighs 85 pounds. Any suggestion how I can accomplish the base?
Thank you
Mercy
Kerri Jablonski
Mercy, Our catio is custom built structure permanently attached to our home, it's raised on a concrete pad that was already in place. Since every catio is different and can involved the structural integrity of your home, I really can't give adivce on the base.
Milan Elek
Great post !!!
Nadya
Great tips, Kerri!
My kids are building a Granny Flat, and my kitty Percy is going to want a Catio of his own! He's 3, and is being patient about inside life, but ....
My son-in law found a window insert on line that will fit the wide window, and I'm thinking of keeping the area by the window short, opening into a taller area beside! (And perhaps a catwalk above the frame)
Percy loved climbing the fig tree at our old house, so I plan to seek out a tall sturdy branch. His favorite scratch tool is a cardboard pad - about 7$ from BiMart! And I love the idea of keeping the litter box outside!