Outdoor cat enclosures connected to house with enclosed tree

I’m always searching for new outside cat enclosure inspirations that I could add to my cat enclosure and frequently watch videos about this subject on YouTube. This is where I came across today’s featured cat enclosure. What intrigued me so much about this catio is that it is made up of several outdoor cat enclosures connected to house and also features an enclosed real tree. I should maybe even describe it more as a wrapped tree because the wire mesh was used in small patches and weaved together throughout the crown of the tree, so the kitties can use the large tree for climbing.

When I asked the owners and creators of this combination of outside cat enclosures if I could feature a little glimpse of their setup on my blog, they agreed and I’m happy to share it with you guys because I know a lot of you would love to have an enclosure as well or maybe would like to add some features to their catio.

So here is what they had to say.

Outdoor cat enclosures connected to house with an enclosed tree

“Recently we experienced an increase in coyote sightings in our neighborhood. It was heartbreaking seeing multiple lost pet signs and watching our neighbors search for their missing cat or small dog. Knowing that this was our new reality pushed me to take a look at some alternative, safe outdoor options.

After searching the web including YouTube, we found several examples of homemade DIY cat enclosures or catios. I must have looked through a hundred including Julia’s and was determined that I could come up with my own design.

Armed with a plan and a contractor we went to work.  In fact, the design plans continue. Our three former indoor cat Chester, Simon, and Grayson are seen in our YouTube videos. The cats have multiple destinations, platforms, stairs, cat accessories, toys, places to hide, places to scratch, places to climb in the sun, shade and fresh air.

Cat tunnels connecting the outside cat enclosures

Here you can see the part of the ensloure that is connected to the house. Some of the ramps and tunnels have outdoor carpet attached to them.

The connected outside enclosures

Below you can see the amazing features of the largest part of this backyard enclosure set-up which also has weather protection provided by a roof. There are several cat trees wrapped in sisal and many different plantforms and climbing shelves.

There is plenty of room for all the feline friends as you can see.

Here is a view of another large enslosure that is connected.

Our goal was to include aspects of their life as it once was outdoors while also protecting the wildlife around them.  We have installed several durable cedar trees and enclosed a live tree too.  The wiring took some time and patience as I used two sizes of ladders, to enclose up to 14 feet of the tree.   Armed with my favorite pair of bolt cutters I weaved and patched small sections at a time working around the many branches with a green fence wire to create a dome from within. 

(below you can see the enclosure with the wrapped tree crown which is a little hard to see)

The outside enclosed wrapped cat enclosure tree

(I love how the wire patches seen below are free-formed out of the top of the cat enclosure.)

My YouTube videos “colossal catio home part 1 and 2” lists specs for the project. This spring I have planted cat grass and fresh catnip into the destinations.   Stay tuned as colossal catio home part 4, Springtime is in the making.  In the meantime take a look at our most recent video.”

So what do you guys think? Pretty cool right? In their videos you can see the tree a little better and how the cats love climbing it. I would love to add something like this to our set up.

That’s it for today and make sure to check out their videos. Love how the cats are enjoying what they have created for them.