Cats love the outdoors, but allowing them to roam freely can expose them to dangers like traffic, predators, or getting lost.
That’s where catios outdoor enclosures designed specifically for cats come in.
Catios provide the best of both worlds, offering a safe and enriching environment where your cats can explore, sunbathe, and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, all while staying protected.
In this article, we’ve compiled 30 creative catio ideas that will inspire you to build the perfect outdoor haven for your feline friends.
From simple window boxes to elaborate backyard setups, these designs suit all kinds of spaces and cats!
Tips for Building the Perfect Catio
When building a catio, consider your cat’s personality and preferences. Add multiple levels for climbing, cozy spots for lounging, and safe access points.
Ensure the structure is secure with sturdy mesh or wire to protect your cat from escaping or encountering wildlife.
Also, don’t forget to incorporate some shaded areas for hot days!
1. Window Box Catio
Give your cat the joy of the outdoors safely with the Window Box Catio. This compact design connects to your window, allowing your feline friend to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while comfortably lounging or sitting. It’s a perfect way to bring the outdoor experience inside your home.
2. Elevated Adventure Catio
Provide your cats with the ultimate playground using the Elevated Adventure Catio. This large, multi-level structure connects through a window or door, featuring vertical climbing areas and tunnels. It’s a fantastic way to keep your cats entertained and secure in the garden.
3. Wall-Mounted Window Catio
Maximize narrow spaces with the Wall-Mounted Window Catio. This clever design includes compact shelves and cages that attach to your home’s exterior, offering your cat a safe spot to lounge and play with a view. It’s ideal for homes with limited outdoor space.
4. Modern Climbing Wall Catio
Redefine indoor play with the Modern Climbing Wall Catio. Featuring sleek wooden shelving and scratchable poles, this minimalist setup invites your cat to climb, hide, and explore. Seamlessly integrate this stylish play area into your home decor to mimic the vertical catio experience indoors.
5. Boho Chic Catio
Transform your home with a Boho Chic Catio that features natural wood posts and macramé elements. This stylish cat playground offers cozy cushioned perches where your cats can climb, lounge, and scratch. Combining beauty and functionality, it’s a perfect addition for your feline friend.
6. Cozy Two-Level Outdoor House
Create a cozy retreat for your cats with a Two-Level Outdoor House. Featuring a ladder for easy access and comfy cushioned bedding, it’s ideal for cool days. The covered porch provides shade, ensuring a safe and pleasant outdoor experience.
7. Backyard Enclosure Catio
Give your cats a backyard adventure with a Backyard Enclosure Catio. This spacious, enclosed area lets your cats roam freely while staying safe. Connected to your house by a door, it’s perfect for climbing and lounging, especially for multi-cat households.
8. Catnip Café Cardboard Catio
Delight your cats with the Catnip Café Cardboard Catio, a playful indoor hideout. Designed as a pretend café with whimsical signage and windows, this creative cardboard project offers a cozy spot for your cats to play or nap.
9. Rustic Tunnel Catio
Transform your cat’s outdoor play with this vertical, wall-mounted wooden lattice tunnel. The high walkway offers exciting climbing and sunbathing spots, all securely attached to your home’s exterior. Enjoy the rustic charm of wood and mesh for an outdoor cat paradise.
10. Mobile Cat Wagon Catio
Reinvent your garden space with this wooden wagon catio, featuring a cozy house and open lounging area. Its vintage style adds charm to any yard, while giving your cats a fresh outdoor retreat on wheels.
11. Farmhouse Porch Catio
Create a safe outdoor haven with this farmhouse-style white and red porch catio. With multiple platforms for climbing, your cats can enjoy the great outdoors securely. Ideal for homes with ample patio or deck space.
12. Minimalist Multi-Tier Catio
Maximize small backyards with this clean, minimalist white frame catio. Multiple levels with green turf-like platforms allow your cats to explore, scratch, and hide. Its open design offers freedom to roam both vertically and horizontally.
13. Modern Porch Catio
Transform your porch with a sleek multi-level platform catio. Cats can explore and perch while enjoying fresh air in a secure space that connects directly to your home. This minimalist design fits perfectly with any modern style.
14. Rustic Patio Catio
Add a touch of charm with a wood and metal enclosed catio. Featuring sturdy perches and a clear corrugated roof, this rustic setup offers protection and lets your cat safely enjoy the outdoors, no matter the weather.
15. Poolside Catio
Create a luxurious escape by your pool with a bright multi-level catio. Cats can climb and lounge on various shelves, enjoying a splendid poolside view. Its white open layout enhances any backyard with elegance.
16. Wood-Framed Garden Catio
Enhance your garden with a large wood-framed catio. Its open layout and climbing platforms under a transparent roof bathe your cat in sunlight, creating a warm, safe space for endless exploration and relaxation.
17. Compact Climbing Catio
Transform your limited yard space with this tall, narrow catio, featuring multiple climbing platforms.
Its wooden frame and metal mesh guarantee durability, while the vertical design offers your adventurous feline plenty of exploration room.
This is the perfect space-saving solution for active cats who love to climb.
18. Sunroom Catio
Create a sunlit sanctuary with this cozy enclosed porch-style catio.
The wooden framing and screened panels offer a spacious, light-filled retreat for your cat.
Perfect for homes with a large yard, it provides a safe, outdoor relaxation spot.
19. White Grid Catio
Achieve a sleek look with the modern white grid catio.
Its minimalistic frame and open spaces are perfect for climbing and playing, seamlessly attached to your home for easy access.
This design blends effortlessly with contemporary homes, offering a safe outdoor haven.
20. Nature-Inspired Catio
Bring the outdoors in with this nature-inspired catio, featuring tree branches and multiple shelves.
This design creates a natural playground, ideal for cats who love climbing and exploring various textures and heights, delivering an organic feel to the enclosure.
21. Forest-Inspired Catio
Transform your outdoor space into a nature haven with a wooden catio.
This spacious design features natural branches and beams for your cats to climb, creating a forest-like adventure.
Enjoy peaceful moments together as you relax with your furry friends in this open, nature-inspired sanctuary.
22. Garden Planter Catio
Create a green oasis with the garden planter catio! This enclosed area includes climbing spaces and planter boxes, allowing your cats to explore safely amid vibrant plants.
It’s a perfect blend of greenery and feline fun, making your outdoor space a mini paradise.
23. Deck Catio Extension
Seamlessly extend your living space outdoors with a deck catio extension. Crafted from wood and mesh, it features multiple shelves and ramps for endless feline exploration.
This design is perfect for integrating with your backyard deck, providing safety and amusement for your pets.
24. Side Yard Tower Catio
Maximize narrow spaces with a side yard tower catio. This tall, compact design fits neatly against your house, offering vertical levels with secure mesh sides.
It’s ideal for homes with limited outdoor area, giving your cats a safe and adventurous outdoor experience.
25. Compact Wooden Catio
Create a cozy haven for your cats with a Wooden Catio that’s perfect for small backyards. Its sturdy wooden frame and mesh panels offer a safe play space.
Inside, multiple levels and ramps are perfect for feline exploration. This compact design is ideal for homeowners seeking a functional outdoor cat paradise.
26. Multi-Level Adventure Catio
Turn your backyard into a playground with a DIY Catio featuring multiple platforms, ramps, and perches. The wide door and open-air layout let your cats enjoy fresh air safely.
Perfect for adventurous climbers, this design offers endless fun and exploration opportunities.
27. Tall Tower Catio
Maximize space with a Vertical Tower Catio. Its tall, multi-story structure provides ample climbing fun while keeping your cats secure.
Ideal for small yards, it combines safety with enrichment, creating a stimulating environment for your feline friends.
28. Scandinavian Cat Tree Catio
Bring style indoors with a Scandinavian Cat Tree. Featuring natural wooden branches, cozy platforms, and a hanging macramé seat, this piece is both a playground and a chic decor addition.
Perfect for cat lovers wanting an elegant, indoor play area that complements modern homes.
29. Window Tunnel Catio
Give your cat controlled outdoor access with a Window Tunnel Catio.
This clever design uses a narrow walkway to connect indoor life with an outdoor enclosure, letting your cat explore safely.
It’s a practical, space-saving way to let your pet enjoy the outside world.
30. Patio Lounge Catio
Transform your outdoor space with this spacious, elevated patio lounge catio that promises comfort and adventure for both you and your feline friend.
Featuring a sturdy wire mesh, wooden platforms, and a cozy seat for humans, this design ensures your cat can safely enjoy the great outdoors while you relax nearby.
The multi-level structure and enclosed setting offer an enriching experience in style and safety, making it the perfect addition to your home.
