What is a catio and what are the benefits of having a catio?
Cat + Patio = Catio!
I define a catio as an outdoor structure for indoor cats. I’m accustomed to building catios for clients (and their cats!) in urban areas where most cat owners don’t allow their cats outdoors. Catios for domestic cats who have never been allowed out of the house. That being said I’ve heard of catios being built for cat owners who would let their cats outdoors, and the catio was provided as a way to give the cat(s) outdoor time without allowing the cat(s) to continue to roam freely. A way to convert them into full time indoor cats but still give them a space where they can experience the outdoors. Free roaming cats are subject to many dangers from unfriendly encounters with other cats or wild animals to streets and vehicle traffic to getting into poisons (antifreeze leaking from vehicles, for example) and food sources that can make them very sick or be fatal. Even predation by large raptor type birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles is a risk for outdoor cats. It is a known fact that cats who are allowed to roam freely outdoors live shorter lives.
Cats and humans have existed side-by-side for thousands of years. But it has only been in recent times that cats have been brought into our homes as “domesticated” cats. This means that cats still have a strong, instinctual desire to be outside. Besides breathing fresh air, cats also want to experience the sights, sounds and smells that the outdoors provide, while also being able to explore and get exercise, and fulfill their natural curiosity. Catios satisfy a cat’s need for mental stimulation by allowing them to experience the outdoors safely. For indoor, domestic cats, catios can provide enrichment and stimulation that they wouldn’t otherwise experience by being inside your house 24 hours every day of their lives.
A catio can provide many of the benefits that the outdoors provides to your cats, while keeping them safe. Catios can also help to keep other creatures in the environment safe, specifically birds. Studies suggest that free-ranging domestic cats kill between 1.3 and 4.0 billion birds each year in the contiguous United States, which has contributed to the extinction of several bird species. Simply put, catios help to preserve our environment.
Catio Varieties:
Catios can come in many sizes and styles. From small window boxes large enough for 1 or 2 cats, to large enclosures that allow for humans to occupy the space with their cat(s). Many catios are built from wood with either pet safe screening or welded wire. Some catios are built out of metal such as a lanai type structure. Catios will sometimes involve multiple “rooms” connected by enclosed catwalks. Some homeowners prefer to actually incorporate their (typically large) catio structures into their garden spaces to maximize the experience for both their cats and themselves. Because I’m a carpenter and not a welder, I’m most familiar with building catios as wood structures.
Cats typically enter a catio via a cat door mounted in a window, door or wall. I am most familiar with the window insert type cat doors sold by Cat Flap Fever. But there are other cat door options available for doors, walls and even for sliding patio doors. Catios will typically have a roof structure that utilizes the same screening or welded wire used on the catio walls or, instead, have a roof built with corrugated metal or polycarbonate to keep rain, leaves and other debris from falling into the catio. A catio floor is often dictated by the location of the catio, whether it be constructed on a deck, a patio, or on grass (although mowing grass inside a catio can be tricky).
Even moderate sized catios can allow for enough space to include additional shelves, hammocks, and other spaces for the cat(s) to occupy, and can also include potted plants and other ornamental items often found in residential outdoor spaces. Some catios involve elaborate carpentry with peaks and gables and adorned with artwork. Ultimately, you are only limited by your imagination when considering the type of catio that you want for your home and your cat(s).
