As a cat owner, I know how important it is to give our feline friends a safe and stimulating environment to thrive in. One of the best ways to achieve this is by building a catio. A catio is an outdoor enclosure that provides a safe and secure space for cats to enjoy the outdoors without the risks associated with free-roaming.

In this article, I will share some of the top catio ideas to keep your cats happy and healthy.

Why Cats Need a Catio

Cats have been domesticated for thousands of years yet still retain much of their natural instinctive behavior. Most cats will take it when allowed to explore the outdoors – sometimes with unfortunate consequences. Without proper protection or supervision, cats can fall victim to cars, wild animals, poisons, and diseases left behind by other pets.

Additionally, cats are notorious hunters of small birds and mammals, which can wreak havoc on populations of native species if not kept in check.

A catio is a great way to give your cat access to the outdoors while keeping them safe from predators, traffic, and other hazards. Catios come in all shapes and sizes, from small window boxes to large outdoor enclosures. The benefits of a catio are many, including:

• Providing mental and physical stimulation for your cat
• Reducing the risk of injury or death from outdoor hazards
• Reducing the risk of your cat contracting diseases from other animals
• Keeping your cat from damaging your property or garden
• Allowing your cat to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and controlled environment

Regardless of what type of structure you choose, there are certain things you’ll need to consider to ensure maximum safety for both your kitty and the local animal population.

When Looking at Catio Ideas, Consider These Factors

Construction Materials

When designing a catio for your outdoor feline friend, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, choose materials that will be durable enough to withstand weather and temperature changes. Make sure that any hardware used is pet-safe, such as screws made specifically for outdoor use or galvanized steel bolts instead of nails.

You also want to make sure the space is enclosed securely so cats can’t escape and wildlife won’t wander in. Consider using galvanized wire mesh and treated lumber that has been designed specifically for outdoor use. Wood and metal tend to last longer and are better at maintaining their structural integrity than plastic over time.

Catio Size

A general rule of thumb is to have at least 18 square feet of space per cat. If your cat is very active or you have multiple cats, more space will be needed.

The catio should be tall enough for your cat to climb and jump without feeling cramped. It should be large enough to house shelves to perch on, a hiding place, water and food bowls, and a kitty litter tray. These are the basic neccesities for cats, so also consider room for a scratching pole, hanging or swatting toys, tunnels, climbing structures and other enrichment items.

It is important to remember that cats need stimulation while they are outside so they don’t get bored or become anxious. Here are three items every catio should include:

• Perches high enough for them to survey their surroundings
• Toys like balls with bells inside of them and scratching posts
• A cozy place such as a hammock bed or blanket where they can curl up and nap comfortably

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What are the Different types of catios?

Homemade Catio Ideas

If you’re handy with tools and like to take on projects, building a catio can be a fun and rewarding experience. Some homemade catio ideas include:

• Using repurposed materials such as old pallets, window frames, and scrap wood to create a unique and eco-friendly catio
• Building a catio around an existing tree or structure, with a tunnel back to the home. This will provide a natural and shaded environment for your cat
• Incorporating shelves, ramps, and other features to create a multi-level catio that will provide your cat with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation

When building catio, it’s important to ensure that it’s secure and that your cat can’t escape. You should also make sure that the materials you use are safe for your cat and won’t cause any harm or injury. My article on DIY catio building covers this in much more detail.

Small Catio Ideas – Great for Apartments or Small Spaces

If you have limited outdoor space or live in an apartment, a small catio can be a great solution. Some small catio ideas include:

• Installing a window box or shelf that allows your cat to sit and watch the world go by
• Creating a vertical catio using shelves or climbing structures that attach to the wall
• Building a small enclosure that can be placed on a balcony or patio
• Enclosing your balcony with cat netting.

When enclosing a balcony, it is important to ensure that it’s secure and that your cat can’t escape. Here is an idea using cat netting:

Here is another small catio idea that is made using Ikea bookshelves. The cats can access the catio via the window. The downside with something like this is it is not suited to the outdoors, so best placed on a balcony or porch. If left out in the weather it is not likely to last long.

Something like the Ikea bookshelf idea above is only suited to one smaller sized cat. You should also make sure that the catio provides your cat with enough space to move around and exercise.

Your cat will also need a way to get out of the catio and back into your home, which is why this catio has been placed outside a window. Cat’s should not be left locked in a small catio.

Here is another idea using heavy duty shelving to make an L-shaped catio and placed on a balcony:

Outdoor Catio Ideas

If you have a larger outdoor space, an outdoor catio can provide your cat with a safe and stimulating environment to enjoy the outdoors. Some outdoor catio ideas include:

• Building a large enclosure that provides your cat with plenty of space to play and explore
• Creating a natural and shaded environment by incorporating plants, trees, and other greenery
• Incorporating features such as tunnels, hammocks, and scratching posts to provide your cat with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation

When browsing Pinterest for more catio ideas, I came across this stylish design below. This is the first time I’ve ever seen lighting built in to a catio! This is definately a permanent structure, but what a gorgeous addition to anotherwise bare corner of the backyard. It just goes to show you can be as creative with your catio ideas as your imagination (and budget) allows!

When building an outdoor catio, it’s important to ensure that it’s secure and that your cat can’t escape. You should also consider the weather conditions in your area and ensure that the catio provides your cat with adequate protection from the elements. The catio pictured below has a perspex roof on top to protect it from the rain.

The cat can also go back inside the home through the attached tunnel to the window. As you can see, there is a door to access the catio, several shelves for climbing and perching, with plenty of room for a free standing cat tree, litter box and wooden shelter in the corner.

Catio Ideas for Windows

If you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space, a window catio can be a great solution. Window catios are easy to install and can provide your cat with a safe and stimulating environment to enjoy the outdoors. Some catio ideas for windows include:

• Installing a window box or shelf that allows your cat to sit and watch the world go by
• Creating a vertical catio using shelves or climbing structures that attach to the window frame
• Building a window enclosure that provides your cat with a larger space to play and explore

When building a window catio, it’s important to ensure that it’s securely attached to the window frame and that your cat can’t escape. This slimline window box idea below uses the vertical space and ramps. The opening section at the bottom is for easy access to the kitty litter tray for cleaning.

Window and balcony catios are smaller than porch ones, quite obviously, but they’re still a great option. Rather than having a structure built onto the front of your house (which may put some owners off), you can have one attached to a window or as part of your balcony. They’re also a great solution to city living and for those who don’t have a porch or a lot of outdoor space.

As with porch catios, you can buy pre-made ones or design them, depending on your budget and the style you’re after.

Cat Runs and Tunnel Ideas

A cat tunnel is a perfect way to let your cat roam around the garden in a safe and non-predatory way. They’re usually attached to a window or cat flap and can be used as either transportation to a catio or as a way of getting them walking around in the fresh air.

Painted in various colors to match the home, boundary fence and surrounding garden, the cats can run freely up and down, climb up to different levels, watch from up high and observe the entire garden. Something like this is a great idea that can be built onto over time.

This cat run idea is on the ground instead of built up on the fence or side of the house. This is a suitable idea for those who rent, or can’t fix a structure to walls or fences. It’s also a great alternative to individual cat tunnels. Check it out below:

Portable Catio Ideas

Portable catios are a great option if you want your indoor cat to get some fresh air, have a small garden, or don’t want anything that takes up a huge amount of space. If you are renting, they can provide a safe space for your cats without permanently fixing to walls. Here are a couple of portable catio ideas, both freestanding and an innovative window design:

It should be noted that with freestanding structures like those above, the higher you go, the less stable it will be. The freestanding catio idea above is 5 cubes high, stopping at 4 cubes would give it more stability and it will be less likely to wobble. Your cat’s won’t likely use the higher section if it feels insecure to them.

You may want to consider building out rather than up when using these cube design ideas.

Catio Ideas for Multi-Cat Households

If you have multiple cats, a catio can provide them with a safe and stimulating environment to play and interact. Some catio ideas for multi-cat households include:

• Creating separate areas within the catio where each cat can have their own space
• Incorporating features such as tunnels and climbing structures that allow cats to play together
• Providing multiple feeding stations and litter boxes to avoid conflicts

When building a catio for multiple cats, it’s important to ensure that there’s enough space for each cat to move around and play. You should also consider your cats’ individual personalities and ensure that the catio provides enough space for them to interact without conflicts. If you have the space and budget you can really get creative with ideas! Take a look at this outdoor cat playground which houses multiple cats:

While we can all dream of creating an elaborate playground for multiple cats, here are some other ideas

Cat Fencing

If you’re happy for your cat to have the run of your backyard, consider installing cat fencing around the boundary. This is also a good idea to install on decks and balconies, as cat’s can’t climb over the top. Here are some different cat fencing ideas to consider:

Porch Catio Ideas

A porch catio is perfect for those with space in front of their house. Using porch space is a great way to create a cat patio that your cat can easily access through the front door or a cat flap. 

It’s normally attached to the house, so it requires a little more commitment, but it’s a great catio idea if you want your cat to wander in and out as freely as they like. You can also consider enclosing the entire front porch as a catio. This design is sweet and simple without impacting on the design of the home too much:

This porch catio was built by Elwing Works, a custom catio builder in Oregon, USA. Here is another built by the same company which is a back porch patio idea with an extension along the back of the house. This is a wonderful design for multiple pets.

Freestanding Catios

Getting an already-made porch catio is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your cat some outdoor space that’s a bit more durable. You can order them online, and they come in flatpack boxes that you can put together with just a couple of common tools.

Of course, this sounds pretty easy, but the catio is unlikely to be exactly the size you want. It won’t be bespoke to your home, but most come with shelves, scratching posts, and ramps. If you’re happy to pay a little more, a few companies let you customize your cat enclosure to get the design and size you want.

These catios can cost anywhere between $200 and $4000 (depending on size and how fancy you want it). Chewy offer inexpensive enclosed catios.

Catio Roof Ideas

To make sure your cat is protected from the weather, you need to have a sturdy and reliable roof over their catio.

One of the best catio roof ideas is to use polycarbonate sheets. These sheets are durable, lightweight, and can withstand extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and wind. They also allow sunlight to pass through while blocking harmful UV rays, keeping your cat warm and comfortable in all seasons.

You can choose from clear or tinted polycarbonate sheets depending on your preference.

If you want to give your catio a natural look, you can opt for a thatched roof. A thatched roof is made of natural materials such as palm leaves or straw and provides excellent insulation against heat and cold. It also adds a rustic charm to your catio and blends well with the surrounding landscape.

However, it requires regular maintenance and may not be suitable for areas with heavy rainfall or snowfall.

Hiring a handyperson (or putting your skills to the test)!

Getting someone to make you a made-to-measure DIY catio is a great idea. You can control the materials, size, and interior construction (for example, where the climbing posts are put) and make it unique to your cat and house. My post on DIY catios gives you further information.

This catio idea is good if you have an unusually shaped porch or a specific image of what you’d like your cat run to look like. Of course, just like most bespoke things, this will cost you a little more in materials and labor. It’s also not a great option if you’re renting.

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

I hope this post has given you some good catio ideas to enrich your cat’s life. Here are some safety tips to consider with any catio:

• Ensuring that the catio is securely attached to the building or structure
• Using safe and non-toxic materials
• Ensuring that the catio is escape-proof and that your cat can’t get out
• Providing adequate protection from the elements, including sun, wind, and rain
• Ensuring that any decorations or features are safe and won’t cause harm or injury to your cat

Conclusion

A catio is a great way to provide your cat with a safe and stimulating environment to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you choose to build a small window box or a large outdoor enclosure, there are many different catio ideas to suit your needs and preferences. By keeping safety in mind and considering your cat’s individual needs, you can create a catio that will provide your feline friend with years of happiness and enjoyment.