The catio is by far the best investment I have made that has worked for both me and my cats. It has given them a safe and enclosed space to explore and play whenever they want, without me having to worry about them getting lost or injured. It has also helped to reduce the amount of cat hair in my house, and has given me peace of mind knowing that they are safe and secure when I am not home.

I would highly recommend a catio to anyone who has cats. It is a great way to give them the outdoor experience they crave without putting them in danger.

I purchased a black dog kennel and set it up on a newly laid 6’x12′ concrete patio with access to the back door. The kennel was 48″L x 48″W x 72″H and cost about $150. It included a gate that opened to the outside, so you entered the kennel through the sliding back door. The kennel also had a tarp roof that covered part of the top. It was a temporary “lean-to” that was worth the price as a placeholder before building a real catio. I put an outdoor chair and a small table in the kennel and used it for about fifteen months. It took me a long time to decide how I wanted to build the catio permanently because I love being outside and wanted to be able to enjoy the outdoors with my cat. I wanted to make sure that the catio was safe and comfortable for both of us.

The kennel is currently being used as a driveway gate because of its convenient location at the entrance of the driveway. It is the perfect size to block off the driveway when it is not in use, which helps to keep people and animals from entering the property without permission. This is a practical and effective way to secure the property, and it is also a relatively inexpensive solution.

It took me and two other friends nearly two weeks to build the catio. We dug holes for concrete foundations to support 4×4 posts, added polycarbonate corrugated roofing, and half-inch galvanized steel wire mesh screening. This was done to create a sturdy and secure structure. The shelvings were added later. The catio is 8’x12’ and the ceiling is too high for anyone to reach. The catio is made of a combination of larch, redwood, and some cedar.

I made sure there would be enough room for me to lie down and watch the full moon pass through. I have not found the right piece of furniture to place for me to sit or lay down. In the meantime, I am using a camping sleep cot. I added a piece of plywood, a wool blanket, a waterproof blanket and pillows. On cooler days, I add an electric blanket and electric heating pads for the cats. On many relaxing evenings, I lie on the camping cot with my cats, watching the moon and enjoying the cool breeze. In the mornings, I often go out there with my mug of coffee to watch the sun rise. It’s a lovely place to be, breathing in the fresh air or listening to the sound of the raindrops. I feel at peace and content whenever I’m there.

It is important to note that a catio should have at least two entryways. This is because if one entryway becomes blocked, your cat will still have another way to get in and out of the catio. Additionally, having two entryways can help to prevent cats from crossing paths, which can be especially important if you have multiple cats. One of the cat doors should have two flaps, as some cats are not used to double-flap doors. This will allow your cat to enter and exit the catio more easily, as they will not have to push through a single flap. The other cat door should go through a window, which can be closed during frigid weather to keep the house warm. This will allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors even when it is cold outside.

The concrete patio is 6 feet wide and 12 feet long. The padding and waterproof carpeting make it comfortable to walk on and protect the concrete from the elements. The patio is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, or to entertain guests. The catio extends 2 feet beyond the patio on one side. The catio has a stone/white rock area that was added later. A PVC pipe was buried under the dirt to provide drainage for the hose and irrigation hose. Unfortunately, the stone/rock area was viewed as a litter box by the cats. I have tried a couple of experiments by adding a grass box and a water fountain. I am still experimenting with different combinations of materials and features to create the perfect environment.

Someday the catio will have add ons. For example, the catio is located next to an egress window. I may cut a square of the wire mesh out and add an entryway and maybe add an outdoor tunnel. 

My neighbor Ardith was a very kind and thoughtful person. She knew that I don’t sew, so she made me a dozen pillows out of cloth material leftovers. I appreciated her efforts to make the cats happy. The pillows are machine-washable, so they’ll be easy to keep clean. And because they’re not made of traditional pillow stuffing, they won’t need to be folded. I’m so grateful to Ardith for this thoughtful gift.

I wrapped and stapled the pieces of plywood with plastic sheeting and waterproof carpeting to protect them from the elements. The plastic sheeting would help to keep the wood dry, while the waterproof carpeting would provide a barrier against moisture and dirt. This would help to extend the life of the plywood and make it more durable.