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Indoor cats often spend hours gazing out the window, daydreaming about the world beyond the glass. While many pet owners hesitate to let their cats roam free, catios (cat patios) offer a smart solution—giving your feline a taste of the outdoors without the risks. These secure enclosures strike the perfect balance between outdoor adventure and indoor safety.
Whether you’re welcoming a cat into your apartment in Manhattan, NY, moving into a house in Dallas, TX, or renting a cozy home in Minneapolis, MN, catios are the perfect compromise for you and your furry friend—they offer outdoor stimulation without the stress of letting your cat roam free.
Why are catios important for cats?
There’s a reason many homeowners keep their cats indoors—to protect them from cars, wildlife, disease, and parasites. Outdoor cats are nearly three times more likely to have parasites than indoor ones. While indoor cats live longer, they often miss the stimulation of the outdoors. That’s where catios come in—these enclosed outdoor spaces give cats a safe way to enjoy fresh air, make them happier as they explore new scents, and burn off energy.
“Catios provide dynamic environments that encourage exploration, mental stimulation, and cognitive health, while also promoting physical activity to support fitness, energy, and healthy skin and coats,” says Robert Perez, chief executive officer of The Home Pipo in Hollywood, FL. “The calming effects of nature—sunlight, greenery, and fresh air—help reduce stress, anxiety, and behavioral issues.”
Dana Stangel of the Los Angeles Catio Tour in Los Angeles, CA adds, “Catios allow cats to experience the outdoors safely, without the risks of traffic, predators, or getting lost. They help prevent injuries and illnesses that outdoor cats often face. By keeping cats contained, catios also protect local wildlife, especially birds, from being hunted. This reduces environmental impact and helps maintain healthy ecosystems.”
Catios can fit any space or budget, from compact window setups to shared porch or backyard hangouts. Consider these four catio ideas for your home improvement project.
4 catio ideas to enrich your cat’s life
1. Finding the purrfect spot
When planning your catio ideas, where you choose to place it can make all the difference in how much your cat uses and enjoys it. As Max of NM Catio Service in Albuquerque NM simply puts it, “My top tip is to have a Catio entrance your cat can access day or night. Since all the extra stimulation outside can get your cat excited, bedroom windows aren’t recommended.”
Don and Yvette of Hellas Custom Catios in Edmonton, AB build on this advice, emphasizing three main components. “Location, for easy access for your kitties and visibility for you. Independent kitty access: this one is key, as our feline family members want to be able to access the catio and back into their home at their leisure, as this is what they prefer. Catsafe materials: this also helps with making the outdoor enrichment a safe place to do this. Add some hiding spots for them, so they can hide out and watch the birds and possibly the neighbors.”
2. Adaptable catios for changing spaces
If you’re renting or want the flexibility to change or relocate your setup, non-permanent catios ideas offer a smart solution that doesn’t require major construction.
Sarah Wendling of Cleopawtra Cat Services in Toronto, ON offers her best advice as a renter. “I’m renting, so I needed to make a non-permanent structure. With limited carpentry skills, I found it easiest to adapt an Ikea shelving unit that I weatherproofed. I would recommend using hardware cloth as opposed to chicken wire. It’s stronger and thus better both for keeping cats in and keeping other animals out. I also live in an area with a lot of raccoons, so rather than stapling the hardware cloth to the shelving, I used galvanized strapping and screws.”
Naomi Peter-Simons of Nap Cat Art in Vancouver Island, BC shares a similar approach. “As a renter, I constructed my catio to be completely unattached to my house – the back section leans against the wall without actually connecting. In this way, I’m able to easily remove the structure when I move out, and hopefully adapt it to my new living situation.”
3. Invest in long-lasting quality for your catio
A well-built catio should stand up to the elements—and your cat’s curiosity. Choosing high-quality materials ensures your structure is not only safe and durable but also enjoyable for years to come.
“Our philosophy is to always build as if we were building it for ourselves/our own cats,” says Ben Gil of CatManDo Catios in Austin, TX. “This means we use only the highest quality materials: from corrosion resistant fasteners, hand-picking each piece of wood, and using the most durable, cat (and bug) proof screen on the market. We also create custom kitty features to enrich their lives like sisal climbers, shelves, ladders, and sunbathing perches high up in corners.”
4. Design your catio for enrichment and comfort
Beyond safety, the most rewarding catios are thoughtfully designed to keep your cat active, curious, and comfortable year-round.
Daniela of The Catio Company, servicing the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA areas emphasizes designing with your cat’s needs in mind.
“When designing a catio, focus on the essentials like, durable materials such as cedar and heavy-duty mesh, plenty of enrichment elements such as perches and ramps to encourage climbing and exercise, cozy hiding spots, shaded areas for hot days, and a layout that complements your garden. A great catio keeps your cat safe, enriched, and happily connected to the outdoors.”
Phyllis Meyer of The Feline Purrspective reminds us that enrichment is especially important for cats used to roaming freely. “Cat enclosures may frustrate some cats, particularly those who were previously free-roaming. If your cat seems frustrated, encourage other behaviors to help him cope. Provide posts or logs to scratch on, puzzle feeders with snacks, places to hide and play in, and cat grass to nibble on. Supervise your cat as needed. Don’t place bird feeders close to enclosures or window boxes, as this could increase frustration when your cat can’t capture the birds.”
Finally, Maria Schneider of Kitty Sensations in Chapel Hill, NC shares how to keep your catio enjoyable even during the hottest days. “To make a Catio enjoyable for cats during heatwaves and high UV days, use light-colored or reflective materials, ensure good ventilation, build near or under safe, shady trees or bushes, and add full/partial roofing or shade cloths. Include cooling mats and offer fresh, cool water in shaded ceramic or similar containers or pet fountains. Add cat-safe herbs like catnip, wheatgrass, rosemary, thyme, basil, dill, parsley, sage, cilantro, and lemon balm for cooling, sensory enrichment, and nibbling. Keep indoor access open and monitor for heat stress to ensure safety.”
How to decide on the right design for your home
Once you’ve explored the catio ideas above, choose what works best for you and your cat based on your outdoor space and how many cats will use it. After deciding on the size and location, you can preorder a custom design or go the DIY route. Premade options can be pricey, so if you’re on a budget, making it your next DIY project is a smart and rewarding alternative.
If these various catio ideas don’t seem like the best fit for your adventurous feline, consider a more expansive solution. While a catio offers the most secure way for your cat to enjoy the outdoors, it limits roaming beyond the enclosure. Oscillot Cat Fence Rollers secure your entire garden with a discreet, non-obtrusive fence topper that prevents escapes using spinning paddles compatible with most fences. Made from durable materials, this system ensures effective containment and protection, offering peace of mind and greater outdoor freedom.
Taking care of your cat and catio
A catio is a great way to enrich your cat’s life but it still needs regular care. Here are simple ways to keep the space safe, clean, and enjoyable all year.
Prioritize safety
Safety should always come first when designing a catio, Michael Jaeger of Catio Craftsman in Vancouver, WA emphasizes, “My number one priority is always the safety of the cats. Catios, like real estate, are all about location. Many homes have a no-brainer spot, while others require more thought. Key considerations include sunlight and shade, visibility, proximity to activity, and access.”
He goes on to pose the question, “Does the location support a window-insert or thru-wall pet door for direct access? Both let cats come and go while minimizing heating and cooling impact. Another option is to build a tunnel or run from a nearby window or pet door. Above all, Catios must be escape- and predator-proof—no gaps or holes, human doors must close securely, and fencing or screening must withstand local predators.”
Safe picks for your cat and the environment
When choosing materials for your catio ideas, it’s important to think beyond durability and consider how they affect your cat’s health and the planet.
Jennifer Roberge, co-founder of The Kind Pet, a marketplace for sustainable pet products in Cornwall, ON advises, “To prioritize your cat’s health and protect the environment, avoid treated wood, which often contains harmful toxins. Choose natural, untreated wood like cedar or spruce, which are naturally resistant to mold, rot, and insects. These materials help your catio last for years without chemical treatments, unless you choose to apply oil for aesthetic purposes. Oiling can maintain a newer appearance, but it’s not necessary. Untreated cedar and spruce naturally weather to a soft gray, which many find beautiful. If you treat the wood, always choose natural, non-toxic oils like linseed oil, derived from flax.”
Design for easy cleaning
Keeping your catio clean isn’t just about looks—it’s essential for your cat’s health and comfort.
Alex of Adventure Cats in Atlanta, GA notes, “One overlooked aspect of catio life is hygiene – especially with multiple cats. Regular cleaning is easier with slatted flooring that allows for drainage, and choosing elevated feeding zones prevents ants and odor buildups. Avoid absorbent materials like untreated fabric or carpets, which trap moisture and smells over time. A clean catio isn’t just pleasant for people – it helps prevent stress and illness in cats, too.”
Let the catio fun begin
Once you bring a kitty home, they quickly become an essential part of your life. One of the most thoughtful ways to show you care is by creating a catio—offering your cat the joy of the outdoors while keeping them safe. By now, you know that catios provide the perfect blend of enrichment and security. The toughest part is simply choosing a design that suits both your space and your cat’s personality. But once you land on the right setup, your feline friend will thank you with endless contentment (and maybe a few extra purrs).
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