What is a catio?

Catios (Cat Patio) are enclosed outdoor spaces for "indoor" kitties, designed to keep them safe, secure and enrich their lives. It gives cats the opportunity to have fresh air, sunshine...and possibly a little light staking.

It’s still imperative that all cats accessing the catio are neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped just in case they manage to escape. Ensure all microchip details on the national database are up to date.

Why should I have a catio?

Catios are a great way to provide safe access to an outside space for your cat(s) if:

• your immediate environment would be unsafe for an outside cat, e.g. near a busy road or in an area with a high population of cats, which can lead to fights over territory
• your cat has medical issues or a physical restriction
• you are happiest to have an indoor cat, but you do have an outside space

A catio can massively enrich the enivironment for an indoor cat as long, providing you ensure adequate stimulation inside and in the catio to keep them mentally active.

How big should my catio be?

A catio can be as big or as little as you would like. It depends on how much outdoor garden space you can allocate to kitty. Some people choose to make them large enough to allow the whole family to spend time in their catio with their felines.

A "Catservatory", if you like.

No, we couldn't get that pun to work either!

How does a catio work?

Your cat needs to be able to access the catio directly, usually from a cat flap, open window or door. Kitty must have access to get back into their home from the catio at all times in case they get scared or spooked by something outside.

You can build a cat flap into the wall at the bottom to allow access or even place a cat flap in the kitchen window, and then provide safe passage down into the catio usually by stairs. You could leave a window open so they can come and go. If it’s via a door then either the door is left open or a cat flap is installed. Please see our cat flap guide.

Three options for a catio:

• You can enlist a company to construct one for you. Catitude have partnered with ProtectaPet.com
• Build one yourself, as they are relatively cheap and simple to construct
• Look on sites such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay or social media sites to see if second hand one is available to purchase.

What should I include in the catio?

A catio helps to enrich so accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! The more stimulation the better. Here are a few suggestions…

Cats like to be high up, so they feel safe and have a good watch point. It also gives kitty an excellent view of the garden and the surrounding area.

• ledges, to sit and watch the world go by
• sisal wrapped poles for scratching and climbing
• perches for comfort
• ladders or stairs to help with the jumping, getting in or out of your home

Outdoor shelter

A little weatherproof cathouse would be a good option if kitty wants to nap in there and  the outside environment is especially hot or it’s raining. Comfort is key.

Hiding places

They might also feel the need to hide to start with especially if they are shy, timid or an indoor cat experiencing the outside for the first time. Lots of lovely safe hiding places will make them feel safe and secure whilst they are figuring things out.

Water

Cats should always have access to water both inside your house and out, especially if it’s a warm day and doubly so if they are on a diet of dry food. You could also try a water fountain. In the wild cats tend to drink from moving water like streams so that’s always a good option.

Toys

You can add many outdoor toys to keep them stimulated and to prevent boredom. This will ensure that kitty keeps mentally and physically stimulated promoting good wellbeing all round.

Food and litter tray

By all means feed your cat in the catio, but we highly suggest not leaving food down as this will attract other animals and insects such as flies. No cat wants to eat fly blown food.  Soiled litter also attracts flies so make sure you keep it clean.

How to build a catio

Materials for building

Wood

If you’re using a wooden frame, treat the wood for the outside environment and also consider insects. IMPORTANT check that any treatments to the wood are NON-TOXIC to cats.

Metal & steel frames

Metal or steel frames are a great option, as long as they are sturdy and weatherproof. For these types of frames please look at ProtectaPet.com

Wire or metal mesh

Catios are usually covered with a wire or metal mesh, so many different types are available. You can absolutely use heavy duty chicken wire if you want. This will mean that they have a good deal of air flow and can easily see the outside environment.

IMPORTANT

Please please please make sure the metal wire or mesh is heavy duty and sturdy. You want to ensure your kitty can’t claw their way out and other cats or animals can’t claw their way in.

Roof

Whilst you can have a metal or wire mesh roof, a solid roof will ensure they will be protected from the elements.

Flooring

Ensuring the flooring is escape proof is key – nothing that will allow them to dig out or others to dig in. You want to bear in mind that it’s nice on kitty paws. Decking and paving are good options along with grass, but bear in mind cats don’t like muddy soil or gravel.

Plants

You could always add plants to make it more like the “outside experience” but please ensure that they are all cat friendly.

Introducing your kitty to the catio

It’s important that you never force your kitty into a catio. Cats, like humans, want to feel fully in control so taking it slowly, at their pace and on their terms is vital. If kitty doesn’t  feel in control this could put them of the catio completely.

A good first experience is key

• make sure that the entry way to the catio is fully open, whether that’s the window, door or catflap. Sit in the catio and gently call kitty so they know you are there.
• let them come out on their own time. The first few times might not be fully in the catio which is absolutely fine - they are doing what they feel comfortable with. You could try encouraging them with treats or some food.
• if kitty does come out, let them have an explore for about 10 minutes and use calm and positive reinforcement. “Such a good kitty”. Creating a positive first experience will set the tone moving forward.
• after a short period of time, encourage kitty to go back inside the home. We don’t want to overwhelm them by giving them too much too fast.
• over the next few weeks, repeat the slow exposure but gradually increase the time they have outside. We suggest staying with kitty when they are allowed out to ensure a positive experience.
• over the course of a few weeks, kitty should now have the catio down to a fine art and now slowly take full control of their new domain.
• if you leave the property at any time, please ensure that kitty still has access to get inside. Otherwise bring them in and make sure they are safe inside your home before you leave.
• even with a catio we fully suggest that you keep your kitty in at night. You don’t want them to experience unwanted visitors that come out to play at dusk! As always, air on the side of caution.