An Incredibly Well-Built Large Outdoor Catio
If you love seeing what dedicated cat owners build for their cats, this one will impress you. A reader named Dan reached out to show me the large outdoor catio he built for his indoor cats, inspired by my own cat enclosure. Cedar construction, second-story window access, long tunnels running along the fence, polycarbonate roofing, and a large enclosed space with platforms and cat trees. It is one of the most impressive DIY catios I have ever seen.
The catio structure and tunnels
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Dan’s cats have easy access to the catio through a second-story window, just like mine. A cedar structure leads from the window down a ramp along the fence, connecting to the main, large outdoor catio below. Look at all the different levels and shelves Dan built so the cats can move through the space and find their favorite spots. This kind of elevated access is something I have always wished I had incorporated into my own enclosure.
This is definitely one of the most durable and well-built catios I have ever seen, with plenty of room for the multi-cat household. I really wish our yard was bigger so I could keep adding to mine.
Look at this cool climbing construction out of the window which leads to a tunnel. I love all the shelves and levels for these feline friends to climb.
His cats are named Eddie, Max, and Riley. So cute!
The main enclosure space
The tunnels lead into the main catio space, framed with high-quality black wire mesh and way bigger than mine. There are different platforms, cat trees, toys, catnip plants, and even a chair for the humans to hang out as well. What a perfect spot for the kitties to enjoy some fresh air, greenery, and bird watching. Everything is covered with clear polycarbonate roofing panels, so the cats stay dry in the Seattle weather.
Isn’t Dan a wonderful cat owner? Make sure to head on over to Paper Mache Blog to see more photos of this fantastic, large outdoor catio and how it is even lit up at night. Pretty, pretty cool, I have to say. Kind of makes me want to redo mine now.
Benefits of having a large outdoor cat enclosures
First off, let me explain why I am such a fan of large outdoor catios. Well, the number one reason is that keeping your precious fur babies confined to your house and backyard will protect them from busy roads, predators, and other dangers presented by humans. There is a reason that when you adopt from an animal shelter, they make you promise to keep your new family member inside. Having a catio is the next best thing to being able to run free. Of course, the larger the outdoor catios are, the better.
Even with limited space, you can come up with a version to make your kitties happy. Consider building one upwards along the side of your house to increase the square footage. Cats love being up high where they can overlook their domain.
Or if you only have a balcony or front porch then you can enclose that with some chicken wire or even just some window screen mesh. Which kitty doesn’t like a screened-in porch?
Premade large outdoor catios for sale
If you can’t or don’t want to build a catio structure yourself then you could consider buying one.
You can purchase one of the large outdoor catio options pictured below and connect them to the house with a pet door and tunnel the way I did. Check out my blog post about how to build an outdoor cat tunnel. It’s actually easier than it sounds.
I also love this company Omlet Catios, that sells really great premade large outdoor catios.
More of my cat-related DIYs
- Outdoor cat enclosures connected to house
- How to build a custom microchip cat door window insert
- Outdoor cat jungle gym
- DIY outdoor cat ladder or stairs to second-floor window
- Unique cat fence topper system with peephole
- Amazing DIY litter box enclosure
- DIY Ikea catio
- Macrame cat hammock
Dan’s build really is in a league of its own, and every time I look at these photos, I want to add more features to my own enclosure.
Tschüß,
Oh wow, this is great.
If I wouldn`t have the possibility for my kittens to run free outside, I would have build such a thing too.
Really nice.;)
Love & hugs
Every time I see this it blows me away! The ultimate DIY 🙂 I am sure your cats are so happy they get to be outside and have their own space!
This is so amazing! I wish we could do something like that for Figgy. 🙂
Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
That is so much fun and how cool that you inspired it!
This is Purrrrrfect (sorry)! what an amazing way to let cats enjoy the great outdoors safely- and so fun it was inspired by yours! We have 4 rescues who love going out but I worry sometimes even in our quiet neighborhood- and then of course there are the “gifts” they bring us and leave on the step!
Thanks for sharing this!
I have a stray rescue now too who goes outside and she just brought me a dead bleeding baby bunny last week. Ugh 🙁
Fun! Loved that he used an old tree as a climber.
wow! that’s amazing! I keep wanting to do something like this for our cats (or at least the indoor one; the one who’s used to going out probably wouldn’t stand for it). But….time!
WOW! that is awesome! isn’t it so great when you know what you do inspires people? congrats to both of you.
oh man, that is awesome. we just put in a small patio, and i want my cats out there with me! i don’t think the boyfriend would want to do all that, but at the very least we can get a crate!
Dude. Ike needs one of these. Then he could stop scratching at the deck door every two seconds when he wants to go sniff around outside. I’m on it. 😉
this is amazing!! I’m so impressed! Those cats are in heaven!
love it. Those are some lucky cats!
Keya
That is so cool and how fun that he was inspired by yours!! 🙂 Off to check out how it looks at night!
I love that people go to all of the effort to create these structures for the beloved furry family members to keep them safe and provide stimulation. I am saving for some kits that I am purchasing from http://www.habitathaven.com and will need some carpentry done in order to install. No matter where one lives a safe outdoor habitat can be created-so check out this absolutely awesome website-lots of photos from all over Canada and the US of A of people”s enclosures/habitats for their beloved critters.
I saw those structures before, they actually inspired me to build my own because they are pretty expensive. I’m sure your kitties will love it.
That’s badass! I love that it has a roof and that branch with the perches is amazing!
That is pretty cool!
Impressive!
Oh how wonderful. I love his very much. I am still dreaming of making one maybe smaller in length to your’s. I only have one floor house, so can’t do anything as nice as either his or yours. I can’t get the privacy fencing home (gets expensive also) and put it up or I would be starting a short one myself. I am a very determined person, so if I live long enough, I will have one for my four as well.
Ok this is really cool. I wish my neighbor would have this so her cat would stop coming into my yard and peeing on my daughters toys. I hate her cats just for that reason. Will show her this for sure.
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