Most cats naturally want to be outdoors where they can experience the sights, sounds, and movements of nature, and maybe even want to get some exercise and fresh air. However, if you have an indoor cat or you worry about the safety of the outdoors for your cat, catios may be the solution you’ve been looking and hoping for. Catios offer the best of both worlds by allowing your cat to enjoy the outdoors, but from the safety of an enclosure. They are quite simply put – an enclosed patio for cats. “Catios come in many forms. DIY, store bought or custom built, window size to yard size, frugal and fun to fancy with flair! Furnish it creatively with old tree stumps and perches for climbing and scratching. Put your green thumb to work by adding cat-friendly plants. The possibilities are endless” (Catios, Cats Safe at Home). Cats with any personality, energy level, and temperament can be able to enjoy being outside with a simple addition of the catio.

Whatever your budget, living space, or preferred style, there are lots of options out there, but no matter what option is chosen, the benefits for all catios remain the same. These benefits include protecting your cat from vehicles, predators, poisons, and parasites, which in turn may help reduce health costs. Catios also help protect birds and wildlife as cats would not be able to hunt while outside (more than a few outdoor cat owners may know the joy of getting that bird or mouse gift). In addition, they can help reduce the cat overpopulation issue, provide a healthy outdoor lifestyle, reduce issues from multi-cats indoors, help reduce indoor cat odours, and gives a peace of mind to owners.

“A catio eliminates the worry of wondering if your outdoor cat is safe and, for indoor cat guardians, eliminates the guilt of confining your cat indoors instead of accommodating a cat’s natural desire to be outdoors” (Cynthia Chomos, Top 10 Benefits of a Catio, Catio Spaces). At the end of the day, every cat and every cat owner is unique in their personalities and preferences, but the unifying factor is the love for the outdoors and the love for your cat, and a catio can be one great step to an extra strong bond between you and your cat.