There is no better example of a pet who enjoys the loner life quite like a cat. Unlike dogs, who are pack animals and treat you like you’ve been gone for five hours when it was really five minutes, cats sometimes enjoy their own company. And creating a catio is one of the best ways to satisfy a cat who prefers mingling solo outdoors versus indoors.

What Is a Catio?

Short for cat patio, a catio describes a fenced-in area that gives felines a chance to enjoy what’s going on outside of the windows they’re always peering in. With heavy-duty screening material, the cat can roam without worrying about unwanted guest pests like possums, squirrels or dogs bothering them. It keeps them safe from the various dangers that being an ‘outdoor cat’ pose, while providing enrichment and stimulation. And while a catio certainly beats putting a cat on a leash in the front yard, the latter has been used so they can roam but not go too far. However, even in a catio, putting the cat in a secure enclosure with nothing else is a bit of a snoozefest.

These seven catio ideas can make a “purr-fect” paradise for your four-legged, furry friend.

Catnip (Or Its Alternatives)

The newfound freedom is fun. But eventually, they may get bored on a quiet block. Catnip ups the ante. Interactive catnip toys, especially ones with crinkle sounds, include an herb with the essential oil nepetalactone. This mimics a cat’s sex pheromones, giving them a sense of euphoria and happiness, along with relaxation. While neutered or spayed cats can have this same response, some cats just aren’t all that impressed by catnip. If that’s the case with your cat, try silver vine, honeysuckle or valerian as an alternative.

If you’re really invested in the idea, after your winter garden is complete, you can grow your own catnip somewhere else in the yard. Sow seeds indoors approximately six weeks before the last frost date. Then, spread the seedlings 18–24 inches apart in your garden or a prepared garden bed. When the weather warms up, cover them lightly with soil. They should be OK with light frost, but late frost might do some harm so be careful about the weather forecast before trying this out.

Cat Scratching Post

Scratching is a cat’s instinctive nature, and a way for them to care for their claws. Hoping your cat doesn’t like scratching is like wishing your dog would stop turning in a zillion circles before sitting down. You may as well just embrace it. And while cat scratching posts are strategically placed in areas where your cat already loves to scratch (ex. bed posts, couches), it’s therapeutic for cats to have a sturdy post where they can dig their nails in and get a good grip. The Humane Society recommends that a scratching post be around 3 feet tall.  Avoid flimsy ones that tip over or wobble around when a cat sinks its nails into it. While there are wall-mounted catios that you can use inside, it’s especially important to have one that your cat likes outside in the catio too.

Artificial Turf Grass

The tricky part about a catio that’s built in your yard is you’ll have to water this grass too so it doesn’t brown (along with getting rid of bugs and pulling up weeds). You’re better off digging up the dirt above your catio to about 2-1/2 inches and just using artificial grass. This way, you don’t have to worry about garden upkeep in that enclosed section. If the litter box is not brought outside, cat poop can be cleaned up from artificial grass with soapy, warm water. And the latest versions of turfgrass are not toxic, so you (usually) won’t have to worry about side effects if your cat decides to nibble on it.

Pet Door

Skip having to take your cat out of the front door or back door each time your cat wants to hang out in the catio. If the structure is reasonable to do this, make sure your catio is connected to the cat flapper door. Another bonus of having this new barrier around the cat flapper is it becomes easier to keep wildlife from trying to get inside. While your cat has you covered when it comes to rodents, there are plenty of other unwanted houseguests that look at this as an entryway. A catio is a nuisance barrier for them. Regardless, make sure your flapper door connected to your catio has strong, secure flaps on both sides and tight-fitting magnets.

Cat Tunnel or Cat Tunnel Bed

If there’s a handy person in your household who can build a fenced-in tunnel so your cat can go from one end of the yard to another, that’s amazing. But if that looks way too intimidating, consider buying a cat tunnel bed for your catio. They’re usually plush and allow the cat to walk in from one end to the other. The downside of a cat tunnel is it may feel cramped on the floor if there’s not enough room for the cat to hop around higher than the bed. The cat tunnel may end up working out better on a living room floor if the catio is small.

Window Box

Revisiting the cat flapper door, if you really don’t have enough room for a human-sized catio, consider a catio window box. There’s no rule that says a human being must be able to fit in a catio. The goal of the enclosure is for cats, not a human gazebo. A mounted window box may be an easier way to not worry about putting down artificial turfgrass and keep an easier eye on what your cat is doing. The window box may look more cramped, but if you’ve ever seen how much cats like tunnels, they are just fine in more cramped spaces. And when they’re tired of being there, they can use the flapper to come inside again and stretch.

A Spot for You

As opposed to the window box catio idea, there’s also no rule against letting yourself into the catio either. Cats are known to be somewhat solitary creatures, but many cat owners can attest that their pets are prone to clinginess too. If your cat is the type to start meowing at you when you’re not in bed (where they can cuddle you) by a specific time, make sure there’s room for you to join your pet on the catio, if space allows. Set up a small chair or any other outdoor patio furniture that might fit the space. Then, sit on your catio to read, drink your morning coffee, or just watch your cat play and experience the outdoors in this safe, enclosed space. Just don’t be surprised if your cat takes up that chair as their own when you’re not using it.

Step Stair Kit

These are usually sold pre-built, and you can clip these stair kits to the side of the fence. This gives cats pleasure in hopping from one step to the next to sit, lay or just run back and forth in their catios. If you have the woodworking knowhow, you can also connect your stairs to a walkway high up in the catio, which is especially handy for those kitties who love to get as vertical as they possibly can.

Of course, if your cat has a favorite toy, favorite bed or favorite treat, you’re welcome to add those into the catio. The goal is to make this a cool place for your cat to hang out with when they just need their own “cat me” time, and they know they can’t roam the streets. Make it as enjoyable as you can.