The #PatioLife for Cats
If you haven’t already heard, the catio is the latest outdoor trend to follow in the steps of she sheds and vertical gardens. Is it any surprise? Everyone loves patios. Everybody loves cats. It was only a matter of time before the two came together. Now owners can enjoy their outdoor space alongside their furry friends!
Frequently Asked Questions About Catios (Outdoor Cat Patios)
A safe outdoor enclosure for cats on your patio. Built with wood supports and wire fencing, a catio gives felines fresh air, sunshine, and vertical perches while staying protected. Many connect to the home via a tunnel or cat door so cats can come and go between indoors and outdoors with ease.
Happier, healthier outdoor time—safely. A catio lets indoor cats enjoy the outdoors without risks from predators or territorial strays. It helps reduce restlessness and weight gain, can cut vet bills from bites/scratches, and even moves litter odors outside when you add an outdoor litter box.
Wood beams, wire fencing, screws, washers. DIYers can design and build a catio with basic tools and a hardware-store run. Many free plans exist online. Keep walls high with a roof and include vertical perches—cats love climbing and lounging up high.
From compact window boxes to walk-in rooms. Size is flexible. Small spaces still deliver fresh air and sun. If you have room, scale up to a walk-in enclosure so people can join the fun. The key is safe enclosure plus vertical space for perching.
Perches, tunnels, and outdoor comforts. Include high shelves, a tunnel or cat door to the house, and, if desired, an outdoor litter box. Larger builds can add ponds, fountains, and a lounge area with chairs and ottomans so humans relax alongside their cats.
Not necessarily—start simple and follow plans. If you’re handy with a hammer and screwdriver, you can build a basic catio using common materials and online guides. Begin with a modest design, then expand as you gain confidence and your cat’s needs grow.
Peace of mind and a happier cat. A catio blends patio living with feline safety—letting your cat explore, sunbathe, and perch while protected. Owners love seeing the mood and health boost. Do a little research, pick a plan, and enjoy the #PatioLife together.
What is a Catio?
A catio is essentially an outdoor enclosure for cats on your patio. Common materials include wood beams for support and wire fencing to create the enclosure. High walls and ceiling allow the space to feel spacious and give cats plenty of vertical space for perching up high, how they like it. Typically, they connect to the indoors somehow via a tunnel or cat door. This allows cats to travel back and forth between indoors and outdoors.
Catio Benefits
A catio is a simple solution to a problem faced by many indoor cat owners: giving indoor cat access to the outdoors without putting them in danger. Depending on where you live, domesticated cats face many types of dangers when stepping outside.
Predators and diseases from other animals are major concerns, as well as your cat's general health and well-being. Cats who get to spend time outdoors tend to be happier and healthier, and cats who spend too much time indoors tend to get restless and overweight. Other benefits include protection from territorial strays and reducing vet bills associated with random bites and scratches. Some catios include an outdoor litter box. This is great for people who want to avoid the smell of cat litter inside their homes. For cat owners, the biggest benefit of a catio is the peace of mind that comes from knowing their feline friend is happy and well-protected.
How to make a Catio
There are many options available to cat owners. Whether you’re a DIY’er or not, you can give your feline friend a taste of the #PatioLife. If you are good with a hammer and screwdriver, it’s possible to design and build one yourself. Just a quick trip to the Home Depot will get you all the necessary materials, such as wood beams, wire fencing, screws, and washers. If you need a little more guidance, plenty of plans are available online.
What’s the Size of a Catio?
Whether you want something small and simple or large and luxurious, the choice is yours. Depending on where you live, a small catio might be more practical than a large one. The catio serves its purpose as long as your cat can get some fresh air and sunshine. If you have plenty of outdoor space, you can create an enclosure large enough for people to walk around in. These luxurious catios incorporate other types of outdoor features to make the experience even more enjoyable. Features such as ponds, outdoor water fountains, and a lounge area with chairs and ottomans are good ideas.
Now that you’ve learned about catios, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work! The best part of a catio is seeing how much happier and healthier your cat becomes. As a cat owner, there’s a lot of value in knowing your indoor cat has the best quality of life possible. Be sure to dig around online and do plenty of research before starting your first catio. There are plenty of resources with helpful tutorials available.
About The Author
Cheryl Khan is a fellow cat lover and a regular contributor to the Patio Productions Blog. Follow our blog for her latest posts.
