Keep Your Cat Safe While Enjoying the Great Outdoors with a Catio
May 10th, 2017
Every cat lover wants to provide a stimulating, interesting life for their cat. Some people worry that it’s harmful to a cat’s well-being to keep him/her indoor only. However, letting a cat roam free outdoors carries all sorts of inherent dangers: traffic hazards and natural predators such as raccoons and coyotes lead to countless feline fatalities.
How can we keep our cats both safe and stimulated simultaneously? There are various methods, including leash training your cat (not exactly an aerobic walk for the caretaker), installing Invisible Fence ®, or building a catio.
One of the most exciting and useful trends for cat lovers is to create an outdoor space that is ideal for sharing with their feline friend. Known as a catio or cat patio, this is the perfect spot to enjoy life with a cat safely and peacefully. It could be the start of a fantastic new stage in any cat’s life.
All About Cat Patio Design and Enjoyment
Cats who stay indoors and are well looked after live longer. Typically, the lifespan of an indoor cat can reach up to an average of 17 or even more years, however; outdoor cats may have a lifespan average about two to five years. Another important consideration is that outdoor cats must have regular vaccines, including FeLV – feline leukemia – due to exposure to other cats; we don’t recommend that indoor-only cats with no exposure to other cats have this vaccine.
What is a Catio?
How can this be done in great style with a practical catio? This is simply an outdoor cat enclosure that the cat can’t escape from and that predators can’t get into. The enclosure can be made in any size and shape around a window, patio or yard. Sometimes, however, prey may find its way into the catio. I have personally had to rescue a field mouse from one catio, and that same catio also led to the demise of several birds. The size of chicken wire used can help prevent some prey from entering the catio. If your cat does catch and consume prey, alert your veterinarian so he or she can advise you about parasite treatment options.
Decorate It
It can be tremendous fun to decorate a catio with toys and bright colors that your cat will find appealing. If your catio is large enough, you can bring in elements from nature, such as a large tree branch, a tree stump, and river rocks or large stones. If you decide to bring plants into the enclosure, take care to use non-toxic plants – lilies are definitely on the list of plants to avoid. When in doubt, leave it out!
Enjoying a Cat Patio Together
Best of all, a catio is ideal for sharing time together. Peaceful moments and great games can happen in here at any time of day.
Time for a Catio?
As our dreary winter opens into a hopefully promising spring, it is time to consider an outdoor cat enclosure that makes your cat happy. This could be the finest thing to happen to him or her in his or her life to date.
For more information about on how to keep your cat happy and safe, visit CatioSpaces.com for loads of information – and even catimonials.
Recent Posts
-
10 Tips on How to Introduce Your New Cat to Other Pets
January 4th, 2021
-
How You Can Help Animal Shelters This Holiday Season
December 4th, 2020
-
Senior Cat Behaviors and Symptoms
November 5th, 2020
-
Cat Obesity: No Laughing Matter
October 6th, 2020
-
What You Need to Know About Hyperthyroidism in Cats
September 1st, 2020
-
ATTENTION: National Prednisolone Shortage
August 17th, 2020
-
The Importance of Taking Your Cat to Your Vet
August 1st, 2020
-
5 Common Cat Noises and What They Mean
July 2nd, 2020
-
Summer Days Are Coming: Guide to Cat Grooming
June 1st, 2020
-
COVID-19 Update for Clients of All About Cats Veterinary Hospital
March 16th, 2020
-
Tips for Dealing with an Aggressive Cat
March 6th, 2020
-
5 Common Oral Problems Found in Felines
February 4th, 2020
-
How Often and How Much Should I Feed my Kitten?
January 6th, 2020
-
Tips for Bringing an Outdoor Cat Indoors for Winter
December 6th, 2019
-
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
November 1st, 2019
-
National Veterinary Technician Week
October 1st, 2019
-
Signs Your Cat Is in Pain
September 1st, 2019
-
Senior Cat Care Tips
July 1st, 2019
-
Top Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Cat
June 1st, 2019
-
Diabetes in Cats – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
May 1st, 2019
-
Bringing Home Your New Kitten
January 1st, 2019
-
Ways to Keep Your Cat Safe and Warm this Winter
December 1st, 2018
-
Cat Health Insurance: Is It Right for You?
August 1st, 2018
-
How to Protect Your Cat This 4th of July
July 1st, 2018
-
Effective vs. Ineffective Cat Grooming
June 4th, 2018
-
Declawing Cats – Facts and Answers Before Considering Declawing Your Cat
April 27th, 2018
-
Seasonal Allergies in Cats: Symptoms and Prevention
April 1st, 2018
-
National Poison Prevention Week
March 2nd, 2018
-
National Cat Health Month
January 31st, 2018
-
10 Tips to Improve Your Cat’s Diet
January 4th, 2018
-
The Dangers of Holiday Plants and Ornaments for Cats
December 4th, 2017
-
October 16th is National Feral Cat Day
October 1st, 2017
-
September is Happy Cat Month!
September 1st, 2017
-
August 17th Is National Black Cat Appreciation Day
August 1st, 2017
-
Traveling with Cats This Summer
July 1st, 2017
-
June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month
June 28th, 2017
-
Keep Your Cat Safe While Enjoying the Great Outdoors with a Catio
May 10th, 2017
-
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
April 1st, 2017
-
Lilies and Cats: A Toxic Combination
March 1st, 2017
-
February Is National Pet Dental Health Month
February 13th, 2017