Caturday: Welcome to Cat Heaven — Building a Dream Catio for Your Cats

 

our cats' private litter area

Last week, when my neighbor dropped off her cats for a short stay, she took one look at our catio and said, “This is cat heaven.” And you know what? She’s right. Our catio is a dream come true—not just for my eight cats, but for me, too.

Creating a catio—a safe, enriching outdoor space for your cats—can dramatically improve their quality of life. It’s fresh air, stimulation, sunshine, and safety all in one. There’s no one way to build a great catio. The magic is in tailoring it to your space, your lifestyle, and most importantly, your cats' personalities.

Let me give you a little tour of ours.

The Layout: A Sunroom-Style Sanctuary

Our catio is a 108-square-foot sunroom-style extension off our master bedroom. The cats access it right from the sliding glass door. It runs the full length of one side of our house—21 feet of space to run, lounge, birdwatch, or sunbathe. We have floor-to-ceiling windows with cat-proof screens on three sides. They can all be opened to let in breezes on hot California days, and we're finally installing UV window film to help cut down on summer heat after years of relying on fans and a swamp cooler.

The roof has retractable shades, perfect for sun protection during the day or stargazing at night. Zebra blinds on the windows let me adjust the light levels—full sunlight, soft glow, or cool shade. We’re always thinking about our cats’ comfort, and they let us know they appreciate it.

The Comfort: Cozy, Cool, and Cat-Approved

The floor is easy-to-clean plastic parquet—cool under paw, and hygienic. In summer, I lay down cooling mats; in winter, I switch to warming mats that reflect the cats’ body heat. There are multiple cat trees—two 6-foot ones with platforms, cubbies, hammocks, and tunnels at either end—and smaller ones along the front windows to give the cats choices. A ratapan chair offers a giant, soft place to nap, while a bench draped in a soft blanket is another favorite perch or hiding spot.

Lining one wall are cat beds and cozy nooks. There are scratchers of all shapes and sizes, a big box of toys for free play, and a window view facing our garden where lizards frequently scurry by. It’s lizard TV, and the ratings are excellent.

The Private Touches: Dignity and Design

One of my favorite features is the private litter area. It’s tucked into a corner, with a pebble-style litter box, a wall for privacy on one side, an adjacent window looking out onto a grassy path for light, and two room dividers growing lush cat grass. It’s visually shielded, functional, and clearly well-loved by the cats. Even their bathroom area adds to the peaceful, intentional feel of the space.

We also keep a combined food/water station out there, and yes—fresh water is always available (especially important since one of our cats drinks a lot and inspired the purchase of a large indoor water trough, but that's another story).

Building Your Own Catio: Options to Suit Every Home

Our design works perfectly for us, but there are countless ways to build a catio. Some ideas include:

• Window box catios – Small, secure balconies attached to a window, perfect for apartment dwellers.

• Tunnel catios – Enclosed walkways through a yard or around a house.

• Standalone catios – Free-standing structures in a backyard with ramps, towers, and multiple levels.

• Patio conversions – Turn an existing porch into a cat-safe haven with screening and cat furniture.

• Vertical catios – Great for smaller yards, these tall structures maximize space by going up instead of out.

What Matters Most

The best catio is the one your cats love—and the one that works with your life. Ours is attached to the most intimate room in the house, which feels right. Cats love being near us, even when they’re out in their own world.

Every detail of our catio was chosen with our cats in mind: their need to perch, play, hide, nap, stretch out, or stare out into the world. It’s not fancy. But it is thoughtful, and it’s full of love.

If you’re considering building a catio, don’t get overwhelmed by the options. Start with what your cats enjoy, and build from there. A simple shelf outside a window can be a game-changer. A little enclosure on a patio can offer hours of enrichment.

Because when it comes down to it, every cat deserves a piece of heaven.

Learn more about cats. See our many Caturday posts.

Be entertained. See all our posts about cats.

Be inspired. See posts by and about Sula, parish cat, and her books.

Have a chuckle. Read posts by and about Jeremy Feig's award-winning book (book of the year finalist, Kops-Fetherling Lagacy Award for Humor), How My Cat Made Me a Better Man.

Watch for Luna Norwood's forthcoming book, Raising Happy Cat Families.

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