Our new Cat Enclosure or Catio

...to Merrily and Ruth (Monty's Mom). Sorry for forgetting to thank you for your kind comments, but they vere indeed both noted and appreciated. 😉

Spring will soon hit the Northern Hemisphere, so what better than start thinking about a cat enclosure or catio now?

I have collected some links to pages that may serve as an inspiration. Most are in Danish only, but hopefully the pictures alone will demonstrate some of the many different constructions. You'll see that building one doesn't have to be that complicated at all... 😉

You can find my links at http://www.raarup.eu/indhegn-links-en.html

If you know of any other pages (preferably in English) with interesting cat enclosures, please reply here and I'll add them. TIA.

Your cats look so happy and healthy. I love the enclosure you built for them. We've been thinking about something like that for Monty, but he's kind of used to the whole back yard and I think the enclosure would frustrate him. It would have to be in addition to his time outside with me, not to replace it. He had a great time out there this evening even though it was raining a little. I let him be off leash and he was chasing these little moths or butterflies that have been around the yard lately. It was really something to see his antics. My husband just commented on how Monty never is destructive in the house at all, and I think it's because he has that outlet and stimulation of being able to go outside.
Years ago my family had a cat get hit by a car, and I wish we had handled the indoor/outdoor situation the same as I do with Monty. He gets to go out, but only with me there. That cat, Tippy, always would hang around right by us when we were outside. When we did yard work she would hop in the wheelbarrow for a ride, when my Mom would dig a hole to bury compost in the garden Tippy would jump in the hole. We used to go swimming by this mostly unused boat landing on the Wisconsin River and we'd bring Tippy along. It wasn't a proper beach really, so no one would care if she played in the sand or in the woods while we swam. When it was time to go we'd call her and she would come and jump in the car. Would it have been so bad to allow her outside time only to be those times with us? When she was with us she never went near the road, but on her own she would try to cross to the vacant lot across the street to hunt. Would we have taken so much away by not letting her out alone at night? She only lived to be seven years old-- I think she lost much more than she gained by roaming. She was killed between four and six a.m. one August morning in 1987. Maybe I lie to Monty, because actually Tippy was the best cat in the world and she deserved better.

Finn, I can imagine you looking for a new home, and when you saw this one you knew it was the perfect place for your beautiful girls.

Your catio is beautifully done, simple clean lines...just purrfect. If it was the same color as the house it would look as though it was part of the original structure, good job!

How happy your girls must be in their wonderful new home.

Hi Helmi. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the idea was to avoid an obtrusive structure that would dominate the garden. I know we were gonna hate that after a while.
Now that it's up, I see that I could probably have used a lighter quality of wood like 2½ x 2½ cm for the entire structure. That would have been strong enough and even less visible, but after all I'm quite pleased with the solution as it is.

Hi Michael. Funny thing is that I've never seen Snow White climb anything before, except a tree once we were going for a walk. And then suddenly she is up there under the roof...
And you are right that the cats had something to do with us buying the house, at least they were another good reason for taking this big step. I'm glad we did.

Hi Barbara. Thank you for commenting on the joinery. Coming from you, who know a bit about carpentry, it's a compliment. 😉
As you say it's safe and out in fresh air, but still it is of course a compromise. But then, a few minutes ago Snow White came in with her fur slightly wet. She had been sitting outside enjoying the light summer rain - and I mean enjoying. Those little things are really worth a lot.

That is just brilliant, it looks ideal for your cats to be safe and have the fresh air and interest they need too. Well done on the joinery too, what a good job!

Finn, I love that picture of Snow White testing security! Your workmanship passed the test, I see.

It's wonderful, Finn! And it's obvious that you put a lot of thought into it. It is great for the cats and yet still allows you to view your garden while being with them. I love these things!

I think what you have done is fantastic, just right for your cats. It seems you moved for them! Or at least it seems that you chose the house partly because the patio could be converted into a catio.

I think that the kind of arrangement you have set up is the best compromise for human and cat in the modern world - safe but also providing stimulation for the cat.

As you know I firmly believe cats should be able to sense and feel the outdoors as it is natural for them. Doing what is natural de-stresses them and makes them more content.

I also think that all cat caretakers should have such a set up - a dream unfortunately.

Nice job Finn.