8 Best Catios To Create A Oasis For Your Cat

For cat lovers who want to let their cats get some fresh air and outdoor time while not wanting them to wander off or get in trouble, catios are the perfect solution. 

What Is A Catio?

Cat patio or catio is an outdoor cat enclosure that is big enough for your cat to play and lounge while being completely contained. Catios are usually covered to protect your cat from the elements and feature various platforms and houses for your cat (or cats) to enjoy. They can be placed on a porch, patio, deck, or yard.

What Are The Benefits Of A Cat Catio Or Outdoor Cat Enclosure

Keep Your Cat Safe

Whether you want to keep an indoor or outdoor cat in a catio, the outdoor cat enclosure will keep your cat safe from traffic, disease, cat fights, predators, and poison. Using a catio will allow cats to enjoy the outdoors while providing cats safety and putting their mind at ease. 

As a pet owner, you no longer have to worry about your cat getting into a fight with other animals, catching diseases, and spending a ton at the vet. No more worrying if your cat could get hit by a car or roaming around in high-traffic areas. And more importantly, if you live in areas with predators like coyotes, birds of prey, wolves, or foxes around, and it's not safe for your cats to go out, a catio can protect them from these predators. 

If you have an outdoor cat that keeps bringing you "gifts," using a catio will allow them to be outside while keeping wildlife safe.

For an indoor cat, they can enjoy the outdoors without you worrying it will get lost or run into trouble.

Enrichment And Exercise

Catio allows your cat to get outdoor time, making an indoor cat's life even richer! Fresh air, nature's beauty, birds, and wildlife, a catio will expand an indoor cat's world and have happy cats.

What To Consider When Buying A Catio

Size

Before purchasing a catio, you should measure your outdoor space first. Unless you want to do some DIY, most catio on the market can take up a good amount of outdoor space, so you will want to make sure the catio will actually fit.

Consider how many cats will be using this outdoor cat enclosure. If you are a multi-cat household, you will want to ensure there is enough square footage to keep cats and other animals inside safely and happily. Some catio is large enough to allow you to spend time in it with your furry friend.

Design Ideas

What is right for you and your kitties depends on your catio ideas and what kind of outdoor cat enclosure you need.

There are many catio designs. Some catio can be accessed from any window or door through a cat door, and some can be accessed using a ramp, tunnel, or stair. Some have an open roof that allows cats to bask in the sunlight, while some have roofs that can weather all seasons and provide some shade.

But the best catio is a DIY catio. DIY catio will ensure that the catio will fit your outdoor space just right, using quality materials that will last and create a fun space that suits your feline's fancy. However, you will need a DIY catio plan and be super handy to achieve this. Nowadays, you can find step-by-step instructions for DIY catio plans online. But if this doesn't sound like something you like to do, it's worth investing in a catio and DIY from there.

Material

Whether you are thinking of building your own catio or purchasing one from a catio company, make sure the material is easy to clean and durable enough to withstand the elements, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather.

Easy To Clean

Catio will need to be cleaned regularly to kill bacteria, viruses, fungus, and parasites. If you have bowls, toys, or any decoration inside, be sure to clean them daily or weekly as well.

Moveable

Some catio is built with attached wheels, making it easy to move around your outdoor area. If you are not looking to have the catio stay in the same spot all year round, it may be best to look for one with wheels.

Features

A few common features a catio may sport and that you may want to be on the lookout for include—

• Platforms 
• Hammocks
• Easy access doors
• Weatherproof tops/roofs
• Floor space for toys, cat trees, cat-safe plants, and food or water bowls
• Wheels for easy moving
• Easy set up or take down
• Flat storage when not in use
• Cat Houses

8 Best Catios To Create A Oasis For Your Cat

This PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House Catio Enclosure is the perfect option for cat parents, especially a multi-cat household. These catio spaces come in gray, orange, and white colors, so you can perfectly match your outdoor aesthetic. This cat topia also has a weatherproof asphalt roof that will keep your indoor cats safe, dry, and cool even in harsh weather conditions.
This catio is made of a wooden frame that is sealed with pet-friendly sealant and secured with strong wire material to keep your cats contained while they enjoy some outdoor time.
There are six large platforms for your cats to lounge and climb on. This spacious enclosure is nearly six feet high, six feet wide, and a little over three feet deep, perfect for one or more cats to rest and play safely.

The New Age Pet ecoFLEX Kitty Katio Pen has it all when it comes to quality, durability and customizable. This catio is made of a unique material that is designed to last. The frame is made of ecoFlex material, an eco-friendly composite of reclaimed wood and recycled and new polymers. Easy to assemble and require no additional tools.

EcoFlex is a material that does not absorb any moisture of any kind, so there is no danger of urine soaking it or water rotting it. It is reliant to warp, cracks, splitting, and rotting. The wiring is made of NeveRust stainless steel, which is durable, strong, and long-lasting. To keep it clean, all you have to do is wipe it down every now and then. The ecoFlex material is also colored a honey maple color so that scratches are not as visible, giving it a "brand new" appearance for many years.

And if you are looking to customize the space, we recommend getting the New Age Pet ecoFLEX Kitty Katio House. This house has a hidden litter box compartment with a drop-down door for easy cleaning and multiple safe and sturdy surfaces for your cat to play and sleep on. 

This reasonably priced catio house doesn't cut any corners when it comes to providing plenty of space for your cat. This catio house is 79" tall and 40" wide and deep. It is structured on a solid metal frame and kept stable by four sandbags. A top air vent allows for optimal air ventilation.

This catio has three large platforms providing lots of space for your cat to climb around or rest. Two rolled-up zipper doors allow access from two different points so it is always easy to safely access your cat. These spacious cat enclosures are big enough for multiple cats and provide safety for your cat while it gets some outdoor time. 

For a catio that can be easily moved from one location to another, the Prevue Pet Products Premium Cat Cage Playpen is for you. This spacious catio is perfect for cats or kittens and is made with them in mind, specifically designed to have no gaps or pinch points where your kitty could get hurt or stuck.

This heavy-duty catio is surprisingly easy to set up, and with rust-free aluminum that isn't overly heavy while still being completely safe for your cats. Included with catio are two lock-in platforms, two extra-large hammocks, and the necessary clips and fasteners to ensure they are locked in safely. The hammocks and platform pads are machine-washable for easy upkeep.

A broad base is big enough to set up a scratching board, letterbox, or toys so that your cat has everything it needs. There are three front-facing doors, so checking on your cats and moving them in or out is easy and stress-free. 

The Frisco Collapsible Wire Cat Cage Playpen is perfect when you need a safe space to put your kitty in temporarily. Unlike other options, this playpen is easily taken down and stored when not in use.

This catio provides three shelves with adjustable heights for your cat to lounge and play on and is spacious enough for your cat to move freely. This cage is ideal for kittens who are still learning not to be destructive and provides a safe place for you to keep them when you leave the house or at night.

Make moving the playpen in and out easy, the collapsible catio offers attached wheels. This way, you can easily wheel it outdoors and allow your cat some time in the fresh air while still being safely contained. Swinging front doors make the cage easy to clean and convenient for moving cats in and out. 

GUTINNEEN has a stylish catio that can be used indoors or outdoors while being spacious enough for one or two cats or a litter growing kittens. This catio is also one of the most convenient for big, easy-to-use pet doors. Their double doors make cleaning simple and retrieve your cat stress-free.

These cat patios are slightly raised and have wheels for safer, easier use. You can easily make this catio even bigger by combining two of these houses together and removing the dividing panel. This catio has a waterproof asphalt roof and sturdy PVC bottom that can be configured to attach to your window for a fun and inventive way to let your cat get in and out of the house. This cat enclosure has cat doors, several platforms, and a little hidey box. 

For the dream catio, consider the Esquina Outdoor Enclosure. This massive catio not only has a ton of square footage for your cats to run and play and climb but also has a fun little cat house attached where your cat can rest in the shade.

This catio has ample space for additional toys, food, and water bowls, or a scratching board making it a perfect place for your cat to spend safely outside while still having all its needs met. A window and small door are attached to the enclosed house to allow for easy observation and cleaning.

There is a convenient cat access ramp to the multi-tiered cathouse. This catio is made of wood that has been sealed with a non-toxic animal-friendly sealant and is securely surrounded with durable mesh wire. A large front door makes cleaning and pet access easy for cat parents, and a flat asphalt-covered roof will protect your pet even in harsh weather conditions. 

This Tucker Murphy catio is a large wooden structure that is durable and spacious while still being attractive and easy to clean. Crafted from fir wood, metal wireframe, and painted with non-toxic paint, this catio is safe, stylish, and durable.
The Tucker Murphy Pet Playpen features three platforms that allow a cat to jump, relax, and sleep in higher places. With ample space, you can place your cat's favorite toys, bed, scratching post, and cat-friendly plants inside. This large wooden catio is perfect for one or more cats and provides comfort and fun for any feline. You can even set up a cat litter box and food and water bowl station if the cat will be staying in there for some time.
The flat asphalt top will protect your cat from the hot sun or harmful elements while enjoying quality time outdoors. Perfect for squirrel and bird watching while sunbathing.