It’s such an obvious addition to your home…if you have cats, that is.
What is a Catio?
It is a patio. For cats. Simple as that. A safe, enclosed space where your indoor cats can get the benefit of an outdoor life, without the hassles of keeping them out of the neighbourhood, and away from your local birdlife.
If you are a cat person you know that cats love noting more than a nap in a safe, warm spot with access to snacks and entertainment. (The same is true for the average teenager…)
A Catio will be a space where your cat can relax, and live their best life, away from the rest of the household or guests.
Catios come in many different styles, but there are two main types. Open air and enclosed.
Open-air
An Open-air Catio is easiest to install and takes minimum construction effort but can still add joy to your fur baby’s life.
It usually consists of a wire mesh or, wooden or plastic “cage” that you install outside a window, with grass, paving stones or wooden decking as floor covering.
To enrich your cat’s open air catio experience, ensure that there is sufficient shade, fresh water, cosy places to lie down in or on, and permanent access to proper cover should the weather turn while your cat is in his catio.
Open air catios can be a DIY project as long as you ensure that your cat won’t be able to escape and get into trouble.
Click here for a 10minute DIY Catio build video
Enclosed
These are trickier to build but will add value to your cat’s life as well as your home, because they take the form of conservatories or sunrooms. If you have an open deck/stoep or balcony, you can enclose it with a glass and aluminium or wooden structure that will keep your cat in, but birds, bugs and rain showers out.
Mesh screens and windows that open, means your cat can still benefit from fresh air, without terrorising the neighbourhood.
Enrichment is key
Both enclosed and open air catios should have sufficient climbing space for your cat, to ensure that they get enough exercise. Cat trees, pedestals and other cat toys can really make a difference to your cat’s quality of life.
Keep your cats (and kids) chillin’
Cats have a lot in common with teenagers…
Not very communicative, prone to lash out if they feel crowded, snooty, fussy and best left to their own devices with lots of snacks, so if you make sure that the Catio has good Wi-Fi connection, you might just find that the sullen 14-year-old also ventures out for some fresh air!
