Cat + Patio = Catio!

What some people don’t realize is the positive impact catios can have and how simply they can be made!

The benefits of catios are nearly endless and run the gamut from prevention to enrichment. Let’s start with prevention and welfare. Kitty is vulnerable to many hazards when unsupervised outdoors.

The scary stuff: Disease, traffic, predators and poisons

Disease

Cat fights can lead to diseases. These include feline leukemia, feline AIDS, IP (feline infectious peritonitis), feline distemper, and upper respiratory infections. Save yourself the vet bills and ensure your cat's health.

Traffic

It goes without saying that cars are a great danger in and of themselves. Add in ‘distracted driving’ and the fact that indoor/outdoor cats have an average range of several city blocks and you have an unpredictable, dangerous, and easily preventable mix.

Predators & Poison

Injury or worse can come from fighting with raccoons, hawks, and of course, our flourishing coyote community! Mice & rats are often the target of pest control. Our kitties are likely smart enough to not digest the poisons set in traps in alleyways, however, the poisons are often designed to ensure the rodent brings their fate back to the nest. This is where the danger for our kitties persists.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Enrichment & Exercise

Fresh air! Nature’s beauty! A kitty hike or, more likely, a catnap in the sun! We relish the opportunity to relax outside and so do our cats. Catios allow for the expansion of an indoor cat’s world to include experiencing the full spectrum of the change of seasons: sights, smells, feels! Kitty will love you forever. For an indoor/outdoor cat or former feral, the catio is a happy middle ground in providing the outdoor living they may desire in a worry free environment.

Birds & Wildlife

More than 40% of the 3,000 animals brought to the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wildlife Care Center receive their wounds from cats and of those wounded, 16% survive. Portland is a natural habitat for a menagerie of rodents & birds – migratory and resident. We have endangered species, threatened species, and a steep decline in general bird population. When a safe outdoor enclosure is provided, you’re doing *so* much more than letting kitty get some fresh air! Not only are you spoiling kitty a little, but you’re providing them with a safer life and doing your part for the welfare of our remarkable local wildlife.

What kind of Cats Would Benefit from a Catio?

Fussy, happy, fat, skinny, skittish, confident, old, young, sassy, funny, spunky, snarky, and lovey (all!)

Any other reasons I should want one?

You’re not convinced yet?

What if I’m not very handy at building things?

There are many online videos demonstrating DIY catios, but if you're the kind of person that doesn't own a hammer there are options! Pre-built, store-bought window units and portable structures are available in stores and online through various outlets. There are several handymen and builders in the Portland area who have been building catios, too!

Catios can be simple or elaborate; inexpensive or extreme.

They have the common goal of keeping a cat safe while allowing outside time, but otherwise come in many different forms. Consider these design ideas then see below for a list of links to resources. We do not recommend any particular style or brand but hope to make it easier to keep Cats Safe at Home™!

  1. Cat-only catios can be fairly inexpensive to build, can be small, and can be built in an otherwise unused space.

  2. Cat and human shared catios can be transformed from an existing patio just by enclosing it with screen or wire or can be a new addition to your home. This option can also provide a great shaded, bug-free setting for people.

  3. Construction can be pre-made kits or fencing, DIY, or built by a hired handyman or contractor.

  4. Catio access can be through a window, door, or wall cut, and either direct or through a tunnel to another location (or add the tunnel just for fun!). You can also carry kitty to a free-standing feature.

  5. Cool features are limited only by space, weather, safety concerns, and creativity! Consider ramps, cat trees, and boulders for climbing; driftwood and posts for scratching; cat-safe plants for shade and catnip for enjoyment; and fountains and perches for relaxation. Don’t forget lounge chairs for humans to relax with their favorite felines!