And Now I’m Planning A Catio
As I was reading through the comments on yesterday’s post, I noticed that several people recommended a catio. A catio is an enclosed outdoor structure for cats so that they can be outside and stay safe. I think this would be a great compromise for Tiger! And I actually think that Felicity would enjoy one as well. She’s pretty content being an indoor cat, but on several occasions, she’s darted outside when I opened the door, and I let her explore outside a little bit before bringing her back inside.
I wasn’t feeling great yesterday (just a slight cold), so I sat at my computer for a while and started looking at all of the various options for catios that I could find online. And now, I really want a catio! I’m not sure if I’d want to build one from scratch or purchase a ready-made catio that has to be assembled. To be honest, I didn’t realize there were so many pre-made catios available! And some of them are really cute, too.
Of the ready-made options, this one from Wayfair is probably my favorite (affiliate link).
It’s just over $300. With the cost of lumber and materials today, I don’t think I could build it from scratch for less than that. The structure measures 71” H X 35” W X 65” L. I do wish it was bigger. That would be plenty of room for Felicity to lounge around, but Tiger is much more energetic, and I’d like for him to have more room to play.
Another pre-made catio that I liked is this one from Wayfair.
It’s quite a bit bigger, but our back yard is huge, so we have plenty of space for it. This one measures 74” H X 74” W X 110” L. But of course, a larger catio comes with a larger price tag. This is about $250 more than the smaller one.
Even with a pre-built catio, I would still have to build some things from scratch because they would need a way to get from inside the house to the catio. So I would need to build a walkway from one the windows in the house to the catio. I was trying to think of which window I could use for the access to the walkway, and I think our bathroom window is the best option.
For some strange reason, both cats love to be in this bathroom. They play in here all the time, and because Tiger loves to play in here so often, I’ve had to remove the rug. Every time I walk into this bathroom lately, the rug is crumpled up on one side of the room because he runs in here onto the carpet and skids across the floor, leaving the rug in a pile on the other side of the room. I was fighting a losing battle with him and this rug.
But since both of them love being in here already, I think using this window for their “doorway” to the outdoors that leads to an enclosed walkway to a catio would work out perfectly. And I really like the idea of the catio being on that side of the back yard as well. I was initially trying to think of where I could put a catio on the other side of the yard — the side with the carport, driveway, and my workshop. But I couldn’t envision it. I think adding one more thing to that side of the back yard would start to look a bit junky and cramped.
Clearly, I need to take some updated pictures. This picture was taken just after we had our driveway poured, so it doesn’t show how cute my workshop exterior is now. But you can see how this side of our back yard already has a whole lot going on.
But the other side of the back yard only has Cooper’s fenced in yard, and that’s it. There’s plenty of space for a catio of any size over there, and that happens to be the side of the house where our bathroom is.
I’m going to continue to think through this. It sure would be easier and faster to purchase a ready-made catio that I just have to assemble. But of course, I also came across all kinds of built-from-scratch options as well. I spent quite a bit of time watching videos on this Cat Topia YouTube channel, and there are so many creative ideas that they use to customize catios for the available space.
So at this point, I’m 100% sure that a catio is in our future. I would feel so much better about Tiger being outside in a catio. While he does mostly stay on our property while he’s outside, I’ve seen him mosey across the street a few too many times for my liking. We don’t live on a really busy street, but people do speed down our street way too often for me to feel comfortable with Tiger crossing the street. A catio sure would give me peace of mind, and I love that Felicity could enjoy it as well.
Now I just need to figure out all of the details. How, exactly, would I create a “doorway” through our bathroom window? How long would the walkway to the catio need to be, and where would the catio be placed? How much would all of that add to the cost? These are the details I need to think through and plan. But I’m determined to have a catio now.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Hi, whatever happened to the outdoor fireplace that you halfway knocked down? did you ever haul all of that junk away?
After I saw some catio comments, I immediately knew what your next project would be!
My cat has a catio and really enjoys it. Here’s what I used so she could go in and out whenever https://www.chewy.com/ideal-pet-products-sash-window-flap/dp/841726 It has required extra weather stripping and does let in more cold / hot air than just having the closed window, but it has worked well for about 5 years now.
I was about to suggest a similar product! I modified my storm door with one of these, for my toy poodles. And I’m pondering getting a cat, and love the catio idea for him/her.
Rather than use a window you could cut a “pet door” into a wall.
I am soooo invested in this entire subject! I love that you took in Tiger and that he is living his best life. And I am so excited to see their future catio!
I love it! I had forgotten about these, since I no longer have a fur baby in residence. Great idea, and it might be something that I can beg my hubby for…fingers crossed.
Cheers to you, Matt, and the Fur Exploration Team!!!
My husband built us one. It was costly but he added extras. We had a full size screen door as the entrance. We are tall and didn’t want to lean over to empty cat boxes/feed. We cut a cat door through the wall of our house that led directly into the Catio.
Are you familiar with the blogger cuckoo4design.com? She has a few cats and built them a catio.
https://cuckoo4design.com/category/cat-diy/
Why not start on sm sunroom improvements. You can find if a sliding door or window solution is preferable. Take notes and incorporate it in the addition. Theres a hole from a old Ac you could likely adapt with a new portable one that vents out but the rest be cat door.
As a cat lover, I applaud you! And a funny story: after we had lunch together one day, my chiropractor walked us to look at an old house he was considering buying and making into his treatment facility. It had the most amazing catio! There was a three large, glass, three-season room on the back of the house that had all kinds of cat climb-ons, bridges, etc. The elderly cat woman who lived there for many years had a carpenter friend build a covered tunnel/bridge out of the top of the room that crossed the entire back yard on stilts (think skinny covered deck). The windows were covered with chicken wire, and cats could sit all along this walkway and enjoy the view, the breezes, and the sun. At the end was a large wooden room that looked kind of like a treehouse, with all kinds of windows and perches and little doodads like strings to bat hanging down. The funniest part was that our doctor friend is allergic to cats, but he said he was thinking of buying the house and getting the local humane society to lend him some cats. He would feed them, take care of them, and let his patients spend time in the three-season room interacting with them. And maybe there would be some adoptions! So far, I don’t think he has implemented his dream.
The options are endless.
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That’s a great idea and the bathroom window access is such a good option. Does that side of the home have adequate shade? Just a thought. We built a catio on our deck outside a living room window. The catio was positioned not to interfere with our view on mount Rainier and you didn’t stare at it from the living room. You will be happy with your location.
We are actually making plans to build one SOON because our girl is determined to get outside and play in the garden but after losing one cat to an unknown predator, we aren’t taking the chance again!
Can’t wait to see what you decide.🤗😻
Are you concerned about damage to the cabinet under the window due to cats entering/leaving the catio? Such a beautiful cabinet, I’d hate to see it scratched up.
I would also look at using a “doggie door” for access to a catio. It would be on their level and not involve dealing with window acess which can be a big loss of air conditioning in the summer.
My cats have a Purrfect Fence enclosed back yard but my backyard was fully fenced to begin with and smaller than yours. Their access is through a living room window with a pet window insert.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TVSXI6
Get a cat door and put it in your back door. I think your catio would look nice lined up this your driveway next to your house. That is not going to look junky if you paint it to match your house. You can put one in the window like you are thinking about. That might be better since you will have to go in and out your door that goes onto the patio.
Can they come in and out the window anytime they want too? Where will their litter
pan be? They are going to want to scratch in the ground if the catio doesn’t have a bottom? That would be a mess to clean out. Lots to think about. We brought a house once where the people let their cats go in and out the window. Cat hair everywhere, but they had 18 cats! I have a lot of work to do to get the cat smell out of the house.
So the two cats play together now? How wonderful. I like your idea, and would be so happy that both would get some outside time, but still be safe. SO many predators outside, and of course the cars! We lost a little dog to the street – she chased a bunny out walking around the yard with my husband. Instant death that still breaks our hearts. You are their last defense. Love the idea.
Which direction will it face if using the bathroom window?
They used to make a cat door that could be installed in a window screen. I had one in my laundry room when I lived in the country and adopted a dropped off “barn” cat. It worked really well and during the night, I just closed the window so the cat couldn’t get outside. I have attached a link for one at Home Depot.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-Pet-Products-Screen-Fit-8-875-in-x-10-5-in-Screen-Install-Pet-Door-SFPD/202585691?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&srsltid=AfmBOordf90tTxrJbE1z5WkMOJnghw5kv_0Vji4h5Vaut6hqI0WoJ30EpjA It just snaps together.
How about modifying a greenhouse instead of getting a ready-made catio? You can get a nice-looking 6’x10′ greenhouse on Amazon for about the same price as that tiny catio you found on Wayfair. I’m sure you could replace some or all of the panels with chicken wire or screen material so they can feel the breeze, and I know you could make it look pretty too. You could even plant some catnip or other cat-friendly plants and grasses in there. Tiger and Felicity would love having some room to play “outdoors” (especially if they have an enclosed tunnel from the window to the catio to run through).
I was thinking about the problem you mentioned with him hunting wildlife. Unfortunately, it’s in their nature. But you might be able to mitigate it by having him “hunt” for his food around the house, instead of just putting a bowl in front of him. It’s much healthier for cats to eat wet food (prey is where they get most of their hydration in the wild), and have to work a little bit for it. And they are much happier when their instincts aren’t suppressed. I learned a ton from watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDc7cvP6BM0&pp=ygUMY2F0IHdldCBmb29k
Our son has one and the access for the cats is through a box which goes into a window. The access box was already attached to the catico and just slid into the window.
Glad you’re thinking of a catio. Cats are predators and it is estimated that they kill 1.3 to 4 billion songbirds annually. Lovely pets but in doing what they naturally do they have decimated, and continue to decimate, our songbird population which is already under enough pressure – glass walled buildings, loss of habitat, and so on.
Good for you.
I purchased plans from https://catiospaces.com/ which are excellent and detailed, well worth the cost. They have varioius models, but all are based on the same basic design and are easily adopted to any size. The pre-made ones are the same basic design, but many reviews report the quality of the wood is not great and while I have considered those options, it was always understanding that I would have to treat the wood for it to last more than a few years. Building from scratch may not be cheaper, but the quality and longevity should be significantly more. I’ve considered/priced all cedar, and cedar/composite before, and while the cost is higher, I still think it will be the way I go.
Kristi! Oh how I luv your blog. Thank you! I am so inspired by you. Every day I express my gratitude for being able to still work hard physically with projects.
With each project I start, a friend will say “wow! You are no ordinary dummy”….as they settle back into a sedentary position. Works for me!
Thanks for rescuing Tiger. So glad u’r kitties r getting along. It will be such a rewarding journey. I’d also like a catio but have my eyes on a screened in porch
My present project is to complete suggestions my realtor gave me in prep for selling some day. I still make improvements with my tastes in mind.
The pictures of your home r stunning. So encouraging. Thank you!
I’ll stay in touch. I so appreciate partnering with you as my Mentor.
My best to you.
N
When thinking of catio placement, think about sun and shade on the structure too. With your summers you don’t want a southern exposure with no shade. And if Tiger won’t be getting to hunt outdoors anymore you might need to think about other mental stimulation activities for him (games/puzzles/etc) it’s probably not just “being outdoors” he likes, but all the fun he gets to have while out there.
Just want to suggest that you check the solar orientation of that side of your house. I do not think you want it on the south or west sides, as the sun will beat down relentlessly, both making it impossible for your cats to find shade , plus heating everything up.
The north side of the house is the best protection from this, but you might want to do some research to find out the best place for you catio, based on better advise than mine.
I totally understand wanting to keep her safe. I grew up with farm cats, so I’ve seen firsthand how strong their drive is to roam, hunt, and explore. Since she has lived so much of her life as an outdoor cat, a catio might not fully meet those instincts. Being essentially confined to an outdoor enclosure could end up feeling more frustrating than enriching, especially if she can see and smell everything she’s used to but can’t actually engage with it. Safety matters, but so does her quality of life and the routines she’s already adapted to.