Outdoor Enrichment for Cats: The Catio!

Do you have a cat who likes to be outside? Does said cat bring home lots of presents (i.e., birds or rodents) or come home frequently injured after fighting?

Introducing the Catio! This is a great way to have your cat get the benefits of our outdoor living, without the risks.

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Catios can be big and extravagant, or small and simple. It all depends on the cat or cats you’re building for.

A kitty who had a front leg removed wanted to go outside, so his owners felt it was best for him to be able to get a taste, but still get his exercise inside. As you can see, his Catio is quite simple. It is up against a basement window, with a ramp inside for him to get to and from the window. This way, he can enjoy some outside time, but his owners never have to worry about him getting into a situation he cannot get out of, or bringing home nasty presents for them.

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If you have a house full of cats, a larger enclosure would be best. You can see with this example; there is a long tunnel from the house to the enclosure and then a large cage to keep the kitties in with scratching posts and toys.

 

I have also seen one that is an entire backyard with a fence that curves in at the top, so even if the cats climb the walls, they can’t get out!

All in all, this is the safest way to have your cat enjoy the outdoors while keeping them and wildlife safe!

Written by Gill Peters, Client Care Specialist