There’s no denying that cats love outdoors. They love to roam around freely, stretch, climb, and get some Vit D straight from the sunlight. However, there’s an ongoing indoor v/s outdoor struggle. Cats desire to go out, whereas their owners want them safe inside. The solution is a catio or an outdoor cat enclosure. Here are a few things to ponder upon while choosing the perfect structure for your fur-baby.
Your Cat
You are considering outdoor cat enclosures for whom? – your cat. The chosen structure should be suitable for your cat’s age, personality, energy levels, and breed. Every cat differs age-to-age, breed-to-breed, and not to mention personality-wise. For example, a kitten won’t need as much space and other components as an adult cat who is planning to live his/her nth life gracefully. The enclosure is for your cat, and your cat should be happy in it, enjoy it.
Material
Cat enclosures can be of many elements wood, PVS pipes, even various metals, and their mixtures. Your choice in materials depends on the style of the structure, not to forget your budget. Readymade enclosures mostly have wooden frames or metal frames along with metal or PVC wires for safety and protection. In the case of custom-made structures, you can be creative with the use of these materials, their combinations, and designs.
Image Credit: kritterkommunity.com
Style
To cater to the style preferences of cats and their owner, catio (a popular term for cat enclosure) also comes with different styles. Do you want the structure to be free-standing? Or should it be attached to your home by a cat-door, window, or tunnel? Then there are cat tents, netted enclosures, wall-hugging enclosures, multilevel cat-cages, and even themed enclosures. Mega-enclosures, with a combination of multiple catios and cat furniture, are also popular. Is your cat a nature-freak? No worries, for he/she will love jungle-themed grass-floored enclosure.
Size and Space
Various size options are available for outdoor cat enclosures. Space matters, especially if you have an adventurous and growing cat (or cats!) If you have the liberty of choosing the size, never forget to consider vertical as well as ground space. Cats are predators irrespective of their domesticated status. So, they need space to jump, stretch, and exercise. If you have multiple cats, keep in mind that less personal cat space can ignite a cat feud. No-one likes a grumpy cat. Plenty of ground space and vertical space, along with branch-like structures and other pieces of furniture, can make any cat happy.
