Blog>Planning Guides>Plan the purrfect outdoor enclosure for your cats
Last updated: 17 May 2024
Plan the purrfect outdoor enclosure for your cats
We love our furbabies. We want them to be happy and safe, which is why giving them their very own catio is a win-win. To give your cat the best outdoor experience, keep scrolling for our guide on how to plan and build an outdoor enclosure, how much it will cost, and ways to make the space as enriching as possible.
Why build an outdoor enclosure for cats
An outdoor enclosure for cats works on multiple levels. Firstly, it protects them from external dangers like traffic, strangers, and too-tall trees.
Secondly, it keeps local wildlife safe from them. Cats are a menace to the environment. Despite them being our darling furbabies, they're also killing machines with an ancestral history of violence.
Lastly, although some breeds such as Ragdolls and Siamese are happier indoors, giving your cat space to roam and explore the great outdoors stems their boredom and offers extra enrichment.
Can you build your own catio/cat enclosure?
If you're a confident DIY'er, building a cat enclosure is a matter of woodworking skills and nail gun steadfastness. It often works out cheaper too.
Alternatively, there are several freestanding options on the market, although most people choose enclosures that attach to their homes so their cat can come and go at will.
However, if this isn't suitable, you can connect a freestanding structure to a tunnel that runs from your home to the enclosure.
Is it cheaper to build a catio or buy a pre-made unit?
Whether building your own catio is cheaper than hiring a professional or buying a pre-made unit depends on several factors. High-quality materials, the size of the area, and the design complexity all impact the price.
On the contrary, doing it yourself cuts out the labour costs and the expense of pre-made units. Of course, you do need to be good at DIY to make it worth the cost-saving efforts. Otherwise, it's better to hire an experienced tradesperson to do it for you.
At Checkatrade, we're so confident in the quality of our trades, that if you book through us, we guarantee their work for 12 months up to £1,000. Eligibility and T&Cs apply.
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
How to build an outdoor cat house: Planning advice
It doesn't matter if you have a small balcony or a sprawling garden, all you need is creativity, ingenuity, and a little help from us to create the purrfect catio.
However, before you start, read our top tips on planning a feline funground.
Assess your space
Before you get started, take a good look at your outdoor space and consider some practicalities. For example, ask yourself these questions and jot down the answers:
What is the size and layout of your garden, balcony, or patio?
How much space are you willing to dedicate to the catio?
Would you prefer a freestanding catio or do you want to attach it to your home?
How much room is there for toys or perches?
Top tip: Cats love to climb and explore, so vertical space is just as important as horizontal space.
Design your catio
Once you have a good idea of how much space you want to use, it's time to get creative with your catio design. Think about what features you want to include, for example:
Shelves for climbing
Platforms for lounging
Tunnels for exploring
Scratch posts for clawing
Cat-friendly plants for naturing
Top tip: Sketch your ideas (on paper or a tablet) or use design software such as Canva or Adobe to visualise your catio. Pinterest is also a good place to start for a little extra inspiration!
Consider the finishing touches
When your catio is finished, consider some finishing touches to help your kitty feel at home. For example:
Some comfortable bedding or cushions for lounging
Hanging toys for entertainment
A bird feeder (outside the catio!) for entertainment
Shaded areas for those sunny days and shelter for when it's raining
Now all you need to do is introduce your cat to their new enclosure and hope they love it!
How to build a cat enclosure: DIY advice
It doesn't matter if your cat enclosure is a small window box or an elaborate aviary with perches and tunnels, the principles remain the same. You want to make sure the enclosure complements your outdoor space and you want it to be safe.
So, let's take a look at the steps involved in building your own catio.
Step one: Design your space
By now you've got a good idea of what will and won't work in your outdoor space. The next step is to measure the vertical and horizontal dimensions to make sure everything you want to include will fit.
If you can't build outwards, build up! Cats love heights, so let them leap as much as they want with lots of ledges and things to climb. Alternatively, build a network of tunnels so they can play hide and seek and shelter from the elements.
Top tip: Use chalk to mark out each area. This lets you see how much space you're left with.
Step two: Gather your materials
Most catios follow a similar design, which means the type of materials you need to gather include:
Wood for the frame
Your chosen stain and weatherproof sealant
Hinges and latches for the doors
Wire mesh for the walls
A nail gun
Wood glue
Files for sharp edges
A power drill
Screws
Shelves, mats, ledges, tunnels, and any other features you want to include
Step three: Build your catio
If you're a DIY enthusiast, this part should be fun and relatively straightforward.
Start by constructing your frame, making sure it's as smooth and sturdy as possible
Once the frame is complete, attach the mesh to create the walls, leaving one side free
On the leftover side, create your door, attaching hinges, wood, and mesh as required
Now your frame is complete, add extra supports as necessary
Attach shelves and perches using planks of wood, making sure they're stable
Include tunnels or hiding spaces as per your design
Make sure it's safe and free from sharp edges
Test the door to make sure it's secure and flush to the frame
Secure your catio to your home or the floor with supporting anchors
Step four: Add the finishing touches
Now your catio is ready for the finishing touches, it's time to decorate as required. This might include plants, grass or pebble floors, comfy beds, climbing trees, water and food bowls, and anything else to encourage your cat to enjoy their outdoor enclosure!
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Ideas for outdoor cat houses
In need of some inspiration for your cat house? Keep reading for some of our top ideas.
Hidey holes in the trees
Help your cat feel right at home with their very own hidey hole. With a ladder leading up to the choice of two standard suites and one penthouse, it's somewhere perfect for your cat to hide when it rains.
Soft blankets for lazy (every)days
If there's a universal truth about cats everyone knows, it's their ability to sleep for 16 hours a day! Take advantage of this knowledge by giving them a warm plush pile for them to sprawl in. (Warning: May induce loud purrs and long periods of isolation!)
Related content: 21 purrfect pet bed ideas.
Climbing apparatus for hanging out
Cats love being high, so why not help your feline friend out by giving them plenty of objects to climb? Many options on the market allow you to link them together for as high, long, or intricate a display as you desire!
Cat towers for spying and scratching
Give your cat an all-in-one option of scratching, sleeping, playing, and observing from their very own multi-purpose tower. It's a wonderful way to make sure they have everything they need without spending a fortune.
Easy access cat flap from your catio to your home
Don't forget the catflap! If there's one thing your cat will thank you for (quietly), it's their freedom. Let them roam free but safely with a cat flap that links your home to the catio or enclosure. Read our guide: How much does it cost to get a cat flap fitted in 2024? for more information.
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