How to Build a Safe DIY Catio for Your Indoor Cat

Many cats covet the outdoors. Whether they were picked up off the streets and feel cloistered being inside all the time, or they're just curious about all the things they see, hear, and smell out there, you'll often see them perched in a window or staring out longingly.

Fortunately, with the right tools, you can sate that desire, give them a taste, but keep them safe along the way.

Sure, you can get them used to a harness and take them for supervised walks, but what about times when you're otherwise occupied? That's where a catio makes sense.

What is a Catio?

In case you don't know, let's talk about what a catio is.

The word "catio" is a portmanteau of "cat" and "patio", which tells you most of what you need to know. A catio is an enclosure, placed outdoors, but with some kind of access to the inside. Your cat can use the access, usually through a window, to wander to this outdoor enclosure. There, they get their fill of sunlight, fresh air, bugs, smells, and other compelling elements of the outdoors.

Catios come in a variety of different forms, too.

The simplest are boxes placed around the exterior of a window. They're the smallest and usually don't offer much room for exploration; they're just there for a bit more exposure to the outside.

Larger and more elaborate catios can be similar to small dog kennels, and have room for things like a cat tree, a scratching post, and even some toys. They give your cat more room to explore and enjoy their time outside.

There are even bigger catios, the size of a full patio, with space (and access) for you as well. These are often put up around a doorway instead of a window, and give you the opportunity to decorate them for both cat use and human use. I've even seen some that are more distant from the home and connect to a window through an enclosed bridge or tunnel.

Obviously, the larger and more elaborate the catio design, the more time and money it will cost to build. The good news is, they aren't exactly complicated structures, so they're fairly easy to put together DIY if you're willing to obtain the tools, materials, and skills necessary to do it.

Steps to Build a Safe DIY Catio

Now, let's get into a rundown on how to build a catio yourself.

Step 1: Decide on a Design

The first thing you want to do is decide on a basic design. Most people will opt for either a small window box or something slightly larger, enclosing a fairly small area. The smaller the catio, the lower your costs in materials and labor will be.

You may also want to decide how permanent you want to make this. Serious, large-scale catios can be full patios as well, and require landscaping, putting down footers, and building real construction. Smaller window boxes and the like can be made to be much more temporary. It means you need to repair them more often, but if they don't work out, you won't have wasted as much time, effort, and money.

Consider, too, how your cat will access the catio.

• Will it be a window unit that allows you to just open the window to let your cat in?

• Will it be a ground-level space accessible by a cat door?

• Will it be an airlock-style patio you put around a doorway?

• Will it be a raised window planter box serving as a roof over a basement window?

The most common is a box on stilts perched in front of a window, or a larger box built around the window with enclosure space reaching the ground.

Finally, don't forget to consider whether or not you'll need permission to build a catio. If you have an HOA, if your housing is shared, or if you rent, there may be an authority you need to ask to get permission to build your catio.

The way I see it, if you're looking to DIY a catio, you're probably looking at the simpler, smaller options. You're not likely going to be building elaborate tunnel runs and a whole semi-enclosed obstacle course without a lot more serious planning, right? More power to you if you do, of course. Be sure to show me pictures in the comments if you do!

Semi-DIY option: get a dog run! A smaller-scale dog kennel is a great size for a catio, and you won't have to build it from scratch. But, it's not really DIY at that point, is it? It might not perfectly fit your space, either, but it's a good starting point to modify.

Step 2: Consider Materials

A catio is generally made up of two things: a frame and a wall material.

For the frame, the most common option is just wood. You can get pressure-treated lumber at any hardware store, and it doesn't take a lot of material or skill to build a box. However, if you want something even a little easier, I've seen catios made out of PVC pipes, repurposed wood, or, in some cases, even old furniture. Whatever you choose, it needs to be sturdy and resilient against the elements.

Note: Avoid materials with finishes that are potentially toxic for cats, or that can chip, flake, or peel away and deteriorate over time. The last thing you need is a cat hurting themselves on the catio you've made for them!

For the wall material, you need some kind of netting-like barrier. I've seen some catios made using plastic garden mesh, but this is easily damaged, and your cat can probably chew through or tear through it easily enough and escape.

Metal fencing, like chicken wire, is usually the best option. It's strong enough that your cat can't chew through it, and has a narrow enough profile that they can't slip through. Just make sure it's either a galvanized or coated material so it doesn't rust in the weather.

It's also worth deciding if you want your catio to have a solid roof or just more netting. A solid roof can make it usable even on rainy days, but it can cut off some of that brilliant sunlight. The tradeoff is that constructing a roof is harder and will require some kind of roofing material as well.

Don't forget hardware! Things like screws, staples, nails, and brackets should be rated for outdoor use (look in the decking section, not cabinetry hardware), so you don't need to replace them every few years.

Step 3: Acquire Materials and Build the Catio

Yes, this is a bit of a "draw the rest of the owl" situation, but there are so many different possible designs and construction options that I can't really go through them all, right?

The basic catio is a box, and a box is easy enough to build. What's simpler than a box? You need four posts for corners, four posts for floor framing, four posts for roof framing, and fasteners or brackets to hold it all together. Measure twice, cut once, and build your box.

Smaller window box designs will need legs to hold them up. Just long boards with footers to protect them from ground moisture is usually good enough. You don't necessarily need a permanent in-ground concrete option like you would a mailbox or pergola, but you want it to be stable enough that it won't fall over.

Consider, too, how it will be secured to your home. The easiest option is to add some brackets to connect it to the window frame, but you may need something a little less permanent depending on your situation.

As you build and secure your catio, make sure it doesn't leave gaps that your cat might be able to squeeze through. The last thing you need is to give them a taste of the outdoors and find they go seize the whole thing!

Once you have a suitable frame and any kind of roof you want in place, you can attach your netting/mesh/screen/fencing to the walls.

Step 4: Fill the Inside

A catio isn't just an empty box; it's a place your cat can go to spend time and enjoy themselves.

That means you can fill it with all sorts of things, like:

• Climbing toys so they can get a high-up view of the neighborhood.

• Dangling toys to bat around and play.

• Carpeted surfaces so they can lounge in comfort.

• A cat hammock, for a place to nap in the sun.

• A scratching post, so they can mark the space as theirs.

Remember, your catio is generally pretty exposed to the elements, so you'll want the things you put inside it to be weather-safe. Avoid anything that will absorb a lot of moisture and mold, trap dirt, or foster insects. Make sure, too, that you routinely clean and inspect the catio to make sure it, and the things in it, are safe for your cat.

Step 5: Introduce Your Cat to the Catio

A catio isn't necessarily a space you can build and then just hope your cat discovers. You'll want to lure them to it and get them to explore. Fortunately, most cats are curious enough that they'll be all for exploring this new space.

If need be, you can use a puzzle feeder or a familiar toy in the space to help lure them with their own scent and the scent of food. These will make it a more attractive space right away, and they'll quickly find a way to use and enjoy it.

Catio Questions and Answers

As is tradition, I've put a few questions here at the end that didn't fit in the main post.

Are catios safe for my cats?

Mostly! Catios are a safer way for a cat to experience the outdoors, without being able to roam freely. Your cat won't be able to roam into a dangerous situation, like crossing the street or getting trapped in a barn. They also won't be exposed to dangerous predators or strange animals (or people) that could hurt them.

Catios are also beneficial for allowing you to control aspects of their environment. You can ensure there are no toxic plants or harmful items in the catio space, which you can't do with the whole outdoors.

On the other hand, while a catio reduces exposure, it can't completely eliminate some kinds of hazards. Things like fleas and ticks, a wayward rodent carrying worms, or stinging insects can still get inside a catio and bother your cat. There's also the rare chance of a splinter, or a paw caught in a mesh wall, or another minor injury. Still, it's a million times safer than letting your cat roam freely!

Are there downsides to installing a catio?

Maybe. Catios are an investment, and you can run into issues with HOAs and other regulatory groups if you install a big one in a visible place without permission. They can be tricky to build and install in some cases, and they will inevitably need maintenance.

The biggest downside is simply that a catio might not be as attractive as you initially think. It depends a lot on your climate, but sometimes it can be unpleasantly hot or cold outside, and your cat won't want to go out into the catio. You might also not want to leave access hanging open to the elements when you have HVAC running. In some places, catios only get used for a few months out of the year.

Finally, larger and more elaborate catios can cost thousands of dollars to design, build, and install. That's a sizable investment if you aren't sure your cat is going to use it.

Do I need a custom catio designed for me?

Only if you want to! There are a bunch of companies across the country that design and build catios, but the simplest catios are just boxes coated with a strong barrier, and it's easy enough to get the materials from your local hardware store.

That said, if you aren't confident in putting something together yourself, it might be better to pay for a professional. After all, you don't want shoddy construction letting your cat escape, right?

So, there's my rundown on DIY catios. Do you have any more questions, or anything I can help with? If so, let me know!