But for some cats, free range of the great outdoors isn’t always possible. You may have to keep them indoors for health reasons, or you may live where there is limited access to the outside. If this is the case, it’s still really important that your cat gets the exercise they need as well as opportunities to express their natural cat behaviours.
You may want to consider installing a ‘catio’ where you can bring the outside in! You can adapt outdoor spaces such as a patio, balcony or a secure garden.
While they will never be as good as full access to the outdoors for our pets, if your feline friend needs to be kept indoors for whatever reason, catios offer a secure outdoor enclosure that lets them explore the sights, sounds, and smells of nature safely.
In this blog, we'll explore the catio to help you decide if it's the purrfect solution for your kitty.
What is a catio?
A catio - a term short for ‘cat patio’ - is a secure outdoor space, which is fully screened off. It allows your cat to get exercise and fresh air without letting them roam freely.
They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from window boxes to large structures. It all depends on the outside space you have available, but in general, the more space you can give your kitty, the happier they will be.
Benefits of a catio
The proportion of cats living solely inside has been steadily increasing over the years. For those cats that need to live indoors adding a catio can provide some benefits such as:
- Safety for your cat: Cars, predators, cat fights and diseases are potential dangers our feline friends could face when they go outside. There is also the risk of going missing if they go outdoors. Having your cat neutered, vaccinated and microchipped plus keeping them in at night, can reduce these risks, however, catios offer some of the benefits of the outdoors, without these dangers.
- Keeps wildlife safe: Cats can be a threat to birds and other small animals outside. A catio allows your furry friend to enjoy the outdoors without harming wildlife. However, there are plenty of other ways to keep wildlife safe that don’t restrict your cat such as regular play sessions.
- Mental and physical stimulation: Catios can provide cats with fresh air, sunshine, and interesting sights, sounds, and smells to explore. This can help keep them mentally stimulated and allow them to exercise their natural climbing and hunting instincts. But remember, most cats would prefer to choose exactly where they explore without restriction.
Limitations of a catio
Before getting a catio, it’s worth looking at the potential negatives to see if it’s right for your cat. These include:
- Not a replacement for the outdoors: Whilst they can add enrichment to an indoor cat’s life, the limited space a catio offers can never be as good as allowing your cat free access to explore the outside world.
- Behaviour Problems: Restricting your cat’s ability to free roam outside can cause frustration and behavioural problems, which can even lead to health concerns.
- Can be expensive: Catios can be quite costly, especially custom-built ones to suit your cat’s needs. There are pre-made kits available for catios which are cheaper but can still cost hundreds of pounds. You’ll also need to maintain the catio to make sure it’s safe for your kitty.
- Not suitable for every location: Not all homes have the space for a sizeable catio. They can come in various sizes but usually require a decent amount of space in the garden. If you live somewhere with limited outdoor space, a catio might not be right. Especially as small catios might not offer enough enrichment for your furry friend.
- No guarantee that your cat will use it: As a cat owner, you’ll know that sometimes your cat prefers to play with the cardboard box a new toy came in rather than the actual toy. Sadly, it may be the same with a catio. All the new sights and sounds outside might overwhelm your cat. That’s why it’s best to speak with your vet beforehand to see what’s best for your cat.
What should be in a catio?
Of course, you can decorate your catio to your heart’s content. But you must make sure that your feline friend has all the essentials in their new outside space. Check that the catio has:
- Water bowls to keep your cat hydrated.
- Places for your cat to scratch such as scratch posts, tree trunks or a scratch mat.
- Climbing structures such as a cat tree and ledges.
- Lounging areas such as a cat bed, a hammock or a shelf.
- Hiding areas so they can feel safe and secure.
- High perches
- Easy access back into the house so they can go inside whenever they want.
- Safe plants to smell and explore
Avoid placing anything that could break or become a choking hazard in the catio. String lights may look adorable, but your kitty could chew on them. It may also be tempting to put cat food in there, but this could attract other wildlife and insects. We recommend just keeping water bowls in your catio.
Preparing your cat for a catio
Even with your cat being safely secured in your catio, we still recommend being extra cautious. To prepare your cat for a catio, you should ensure your cat's vaccinations and microchip information are up-to-date before letting them enjoy the catio. We also recommend getting your cat neutered as it reduces the chances of them catching diseases such as FIV or trying to escape to find a mate!
Introducing a catio to your feline friend
New environments can be intriguing but overwhelming for cats. Give your cat time to adjust to their catio. Start with short, supervised visits and gradually increase the duration as they get comfortable.
Let your cat do the exploring and never force them into the catio. Forcing them in can backfire and put them off the catio entirely. You should make sure that they have easy access to go back into the house if they are feeling scared or uncomfortable.
If you find that your kitty doesn’t want to use the catio, then go inside it yourself and try to lure them in with their favourite toy or a tasty treat.
Alternatives to catios
Catios aren’t for everyone. And there are many alternatives out there, such as:
- Adapting your balcony: If you only have a balcony, you can transform the space into a safe haven for your kitty by enclosing it from floor to ceiling. You can use netting or wire mesh to create a barrier that allows your cat to enjoy the fresh air without the risk of falling.
- Securing your garden: This can be a pricey option, but if your garden is suitable, you could install cat fencing. These tend to have angled tops or horizontal poles at the top to prevent your cat from jumping over, but be sure to check they are also set up to stop neighbouring cats from jumping in. It’ll discourage your cat from climbing over and keep them safely within your property.