Recently we saw a spat on Social Media that became a full on war of words between cat owners in a suburban street and bird owners taht suffered losses due to the cats doing what is absolutely natural to them, with cat owners having a challenge to keep their cat contained, and having to try and cat-proof their garden.
During this discussion a number of points came up, one of these being to build your cat a Catio.
What is a Catio?
Have you ever heard of patios for cats, well that is Catios. Keep your indoor or outdoor cats save, in an enclosed outdoor patio. Your cats can have their outdoor play time, without you searching for them afterwards. Catios is good for cats with behavioural problems. If you spend time with your cats in the catio it can deepen your relationship with your cats. Catios also protect any birdlife in your garden from your cats. Cats’ natural instincts is to be outside, and therefor more and more cat owners love the idea of a save outdoor space for their cats.
Catios came in all shapes and sizes. Catios can be built at windows, balconies, porches, patios, decks and in gardens. Things to consider when you are building a Catio:
Space:
The size of your Catio will depends on where you want to build it. Catios can be built as an attachment to your house or further away in your garden. A window Catio will be much smaller than a garden Catio.
Location:
Choose an area with elements that your cats will love. Cats love to bask in the sun, so pick an area that gets enough sun throughout the day. Cats are curious by nature, so a location with a view will work great. Avoid location with high noise levels.
Access to the Catio:
How your cats will enter their Catio will all depends on where you are building the Catio.
Access points can be:
A window,
A sliding door,
Exterior door,
Cat door.
Budget:
You can build a small Catio and add to the structure as time goes on. Material for the Catio can be bought at your local home improvement store.
Kitten or senior cat
Kittens have more energy so you may need to add structures (shelves) where they can play and burn off their energy. Stimulate kittens by adding toys, balls, and chasers. Senior cats just need a space to lay around and will need less shelves that are staged lower.
Will your Catio complement your home?
You can build and decorate your Catio to fit the style of your home. You can decorate your Catio with plants, toys, and scratchers to stimulate your cats.
Each cat has their own unique personality, but sometimes their behaviour can be challenging.
Hints that may suggest that it is time to get a Catio.
Your cats’ indoor activities have become destructive – A cat’s favoUrite place is a windowsill, due to their natural curiosity. They may damage your curtains and blinds to get a peek out of the window.
Your cat may need to lose a few kilograms – Cats that spend all their time indoor can get obesity. Motivate your cat to lose a few kilograms by running around in his Catio.
Your cat needs more space – If cats don’t have enough space, they may start having behavioural problems like urine marking, hissing, and attacking other cats.
Your garden is not cat friendly – Cats like to hunt birds and can leave you a few unwanted gifts.
Your cat start nibbling on your indoor plants – Due to cats’ curiosity they may start nibbling on your toxic houseplants. You can place cat friendly plants inside the Catio.
Cat stuck in a tree- Cast’s love climbing trees, a Catio will save you energy trying to get your cat out of a tree.
Helpful tips when building your Catio:
Level your foundation – If you build your Catio on grass, make sure that the surface is flat and level. Ensure that you remove all tree roots and stones, as it can damage your foundation later.
Escape proof your Catio – Bury the wire of your Catio underneath the ground, round off by placing decorative concrete paving around the perimeter of the Catio.
Fake grass – Fake grass is a big no!
Wire – Choose wire that is safe, strong, and long lasting to ensure the safety of your cats.
Don’t block the sun – Choose a light blocking opaque roof and create shady spots with awning or a sheltering bench.
Show your love for your feline family by building time a save and joyful Catio, here are some creative examples that may inspire you, just click on the button below:
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