# Anybody ever build a "catio"? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254 "2017-05-10T03:57:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EmbarrassingDad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/embarrassingdad/32/5441_2.png) [@EmbarrassingDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmbarrassingDad)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/1 "2017-05-10T03:57:38Z")
It’s basically a cat patio, enclosed and safe, so indoor cats can get a taste of the outside air. Some are very elaborate, some not so much. I live in a rental at the moment, so I don’t want to spend very much, but plan to continue living here for a year or two, so I don’t mind spending up to maybe $200 on a temporary catio. My back patio is covered, and walled in on two sides. It’s approximately 10x12 with an 8 foot ceiling on one side, and 8’ climbing to maybe 13’ in maybe a 30 degree angle on the long side. I’d like to just wall n the whole thing with cheap wire fence, but it can’t harm the brick and it can’t let the cats out. If that’s out of the question, then a box on the window would be nice as well. I’d prefer something with a double door of flaps or whatever like in a walk in freezer so can try to leave it open. Any suggestions? I can try to post sketches or pics if helpful. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/2 "2017-05-10T05:13:41Z")
I don’t have a cat but I used product from Purrfect Fence to help contain my dog. Their main product is for cat containment. They were good folks to work with and so far the fencing i bought has lasted 2 Winters and is still perfect. Er, purr-fect. > **[Outdoor Cat Enclosure - Cat-Proof Fences - Purrfect Fence](https://www.purrfectfence.com/)** > > Buy outdoor cat enclosures, cat barriers, fences from Purrfect Fence! Let your cats safely enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Talk to a pet fencing expert today. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/3 "2017-05-10T05:42:30Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Their main product is for cat containment. Sorry to be pedantic but the technical term is “catainment”. > [@dirty1](#): > > I can try to post sketches or pics if helpful. Yes, pics would help. Perhaps a big dog cage could be used for now and be integrated into a more extensive catio later. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/4 "2017-05-10T06:25:00Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t have a cat but I used product from Purrfect Fence to help contain my dog. Their main product is for cat containment. They were good folks to work with and so far the fencing i bought has lasted 2 Winters and is still perfect. Er, purr-fect. > > [http://www.purrfectfence.com/](http://www.purrfectfence.com/) THANK YOU. I am moving to a small apartment with roommates, and have not been able to foist my cats on anyone. It has a patio or balcony (not sure which). With this tent, I could keep both cats out on the patio/balcony with their cat box most of the time, keeping odor inside down and presumably making them happier. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/5 "2017-05-10T13:33:01Z")
I looked into these as possible products to carry in my shop. They didn’t work for me due to the size (inflating shipping costs) and the fact that most people prefer to build their own cheaply rather than spending alot on a pre-fab product. But have you looked into the companies that make/sell them? Here are a few: [http://catiodesigns.com/sales.php](http://catiodesigns.com/sales.php) [http://purrfectcatio.com/](http://purrfectcatio.com/) > **[Catio Picture Gallery](https://habitathaven.com/pages/photo-gallery)** > > See hundreds of catio pictures for DIY outdoor cat house ideas. Find creative cat patio and outdoor enclosure layouts that are easy to build with Habitat Haven. Oh, and here is a nice website with DIY plans! [https://catiospaces.com/](https://catiospaces.com/) ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/6 "2017-05-11T04:24:59Z")
Here’s a thread on another (horse-related) message board. Maybe you’ll find it interesting.[Catios, anyone?](https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/off-topic/the-menagerie/9734176-catios-anyone) StG ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/7 "2017-05-11T04:38:44Z")
I did. Actually I built my guys a cat paddock, based on the Purrfect fence that I originally bought. I got the same mesh they used, put in 8 ft T-posts, attached the largest shelf brackets I could find for the overhang, and attached it all with snake clamps and zip ties. For the bottom I got some wire mesh fence about 3ft wide and put it in an L shape from ground to mesh, to prevent my dog burrowing in. I added a pre-made chain link fence gate, and wrapped the trunk of the tree that’s in the paddock with old roofing tin. The paddock is about 40 x 120, and the cats adore it. I have a cat door in my office window with a ramp from the window to the ground. There are small dog houses out there, and a chair or two. They use it in all weathers 🙂 I’ll try and put a link to pictures, but I’m on the iPad so it might take me a minute. [https://www.facebook.com/sajetn/media\_set?set=a.10206131668482302.1073741835.1580907534&type=3](https://www.facebook.com/sajetn/media_set?set=a.10206131668482302.1073741835.1580907534&type=3) Does that work? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/8 "2017-05-11T04:45:44Z")
[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206131668482302.1073741835.1580907534&type=1&l=6199c29dac](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206131668482302.1073741835.1580907534&type=1&l=6199c29dac) Pictures, maybe? It’s a public album, so you should be able to see them. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/9 "2017-05-11T06:59:19Z")
2x4x10, 2 cheap hinges (nice touch), cheap "hardware cloth (the galv screening), a pound of 8p nails, brads to secure cloth to frame. Saw, hammer quick, inexpensive, and kitty will love you. Good for you! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/10 "2017-05-11T17:08:04Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > 2x4x10, 2 cheap hinges (nice touch), cheap "hardware cloth (the galv screening), a pound of 8p nails, brads to secure cloth to frame. > Saw, hammer > > quick, inexpensive, and kitty will love you. > > Good for you! Chicken wire or poultry netting would be cheaper than hardware cloth, which can get pricey. You can get both at all the big box hardware stores. ---
**Author:** ![SamuelA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/11 "2017-05-11T17:17:55Z")
I think the neatest part of some of these catio designs is how they have a cat door. That would be ideal - you have a place on the catio for the cats to do their business. They can then lurk out there all they like, enjoying themselves, but can come inside to socialize with your or be fed whenever they want. And since the cat droppings are outside, if the catio is big enough, it’s maintenance and odor free. If it’s small, you would have to scoop them, but at least the smell isn’t in your living environment. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/12 "2017-05-12T01:35:03Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > Chicken wire or poultry netting would be cheaper than hardware cloth, which can get pricey. You can get both at all the big box hardware stores. I know - but - the thin gauge of chicken wire, with the open space, will irritate a cats skin (I built a cage for cats - the hardware guy pointed out the problem). ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/13 "2017-05-12T01:40:25Z")
Decide if cat is indoor or not (I will not allow a cat outdoors unless it really enjoys a harness). If it is to touch dirt, you may as well open the door - all you avoid is direct contact - any “open air” will attract other cats - parasites become an issue. A box and scoop is not so big a problem as to risk disease and injury (yes, remote). Why do you want to do with this? if a litter box (use clumping - great stuff!) is huge problem, why do you have a cat? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/14 "2017-05-12T14:13:56Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Sorry to be pedantic but the technical term is “catainment”. And if you build one large enough, it’s a catatownia. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/15 "2017-05-12T15:29:53Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Sorry to be pedantic but the technical term is “catainment”. > > Yes, pics would help. > > Perhaps a big dog cage could be used for now and be integrated into a more extensive catio later. Stands to reason that a mouse would be big on proper catainment. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/16 "2017-05-12T15:54:27Z")
One time, when we were looking at houses, we saw a house from photos that appeared to have a trellis in the backyard. We assumed it was a patio. When we got there, we saw it was only about 4’ tall, such that a person could not stand under it. Further, it was covered by chickenwire. There was also a chickenwire tunnel - maybe 12" tall, leading from the trellis/cage to a basement window. One of the panes of the window was removable. Bottom line, the cats could go in and out of the house as they wanted. Once we noticed that, we noticed there were climbing devices in every room, such that the cats could get up and on any bookcase or piece of furniture in the house. Then we noticed the multiple litter boxes on each floor of the house. Absolutely NO odor. Really impressive. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/17 "2017-05-12T17:57:03Z")
Houses and cats - a basic post-war tract house - picture window, with one pane removed. Plastic kitchen trash cans were telescoped from the window to a sawhorse - the RE agent had no idea. Cat chute - a cat can easily jump into the tunnel - from both LR and yard. Raccoons, rodents, other pest could not get to the top of the sawhorse. I did not charge the agent for my analysis ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/18 "2017-05-13T10:42:37Z")
[A local cat shelter had a contractor build this catio.](https://www.facebook.com/Petconnectioninc/photos/a.157173254326790.29334.152242474819868/1393945743982862/?type=3&theater) The house it extends from was purpose built to house cats. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/19 "2017-05-13T14:27:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > [A local cat shelter had a contractor build this catio.](https://www.facebook.com/Petconnectioninc/photos/a.157173254326790.29334.152242474819868/1393945743982862/?type=3&theater) > > The house it extends from was purpose built to house cats. that is really nice 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254/20 "2017-05-13T14:34:05Z")
I have a third floor, south facing deck. 12’x6’, covered with plants when the weather permits. Lined inside the rails with a coil of rabbit fence to prevent kitties from falling. I have the deck open pretty much every minute the weather and my presence allows. Theo is out there right now. Part of the trick is that I don’t shove my potted plants right up against the rails. I leave 5-6" between them because that’s where the cats want to be to watch the world and they like being able to walk between and around them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-ever-build-a-catio/786254.md?page=2)