Catio Cat Enclosures

The one thing I sorely miss from the old 1st floor apartment is the screened-in side porch. Sadie would amuse herself for hours watching the world go by. I could leave the kitchen door open to the porch and she'd come and go as her mood suited. The birds and squirrels would chatter at her, the dogs would watch her from her lofty perch near the ceiling (top of upright freezer) and the neighborhood kids would talk to her through the screen. It was Sadie's nirvana.

Alas! The present dwelling has a 2nd floor open back porch that I cannot enclose due to it being a right-of-way exit shared with the adjacent unit. That's why I take her out there with me in a full body harness and leash. I haven't figured out how to install a catio yet, not from a lack of trying. The porch is not very big - long and narrow; my end happens to be a landing shared with next door. Since it's also a fire exit, erecting an enclosure is out of the question. Any suggestions?

We have started letting Lia and Rory out onto the patio with us only when we are there with them. Lia is content for a while. Since he is the inspector cat eventually he becomes bored and jumps over the railing to try to inspect the neighbors houses. He runs right over to the neighbors screen patio doors to stare inside his house. It's not a problem with the neighbor or his cat. We run to retreive him because Rory wont be on there by herself and she freaks out. Also we have been battleling fleas. They all have flea spot on and have been given baths. The fleas just wont give up. Rory becomes bored after a short time and wants back inside. After a few escape jumps Lia then becomes content to just sit with us and enjoy the outside. We go out in the evening when its not too hot for them. The catio is a great idea.

Hi Gail,

thank you for that article. It has given me an idea on how i can protect my cats.Someone is giving me another cat and i am stil thinking about how i can keep them safe without looking for them all the time.

Teddy.