Why your cat needs a catio superhighway. Let’s go up!
Last updated on September 30th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
All cats want to go up! The catio highway or better known as the “superhighway” if you’re a Jackson Galaxy fan of ‘catification’ is the perfect platform for surveying territory and owning space. Here, best friends George and Mr. Jack are enjoying the peace and tranquility of their superhighway in the catio at sunset after dinner. Seeing George assert his presence confidently by scratching and climbing is a wonderful site.
Because it wasn’t always so…
George, the pariah cat, would hide away on top of a cabinet in the basement and was never part of the cat clan. Living in a multi-cat household, we knew we had to increase their territory and I was certain that building the catio would help him come out of his shell.
We had built our catio in three stages and made many modifications along the way, with recommendations from our feline crew. In fact, it was the cats who shaped it and made it what it is today. Today, George has learned that he doesn’t need to hide away, that he can own and time-share certain areas, indoors and outdoors. The catio has allowed him to be brave and mark his spot with confidence.
Quick tip for building your first catio:
When starting out building your catio, do not become too overwhelmed by getting it right the first time. You will learn along the way by trial and error and your cats will surely be providing some input by letting you know if there is a design flaw.
It has to be easily accessible to reach the top from the ground yet still provide a challenge for their wild instincts. The platforms or ramps have to feel sturdy and solid, otherwise, your cat will avoid it. If it’s too steep or leads to nowhere without any escape routes, kitty would be showing you his ground-dwelling skills, sitting next to the flower pots.
Sometimes you have a design in mind, but your cats know better!
Read more on how you can create a safe outdoor space in my in-depth post on How to build a catio your cats will love.
You can also read my guest post about catios at Cat Lady Confidential and Cat Wisdom 101
Have you built your kitties a playhouse? How have they inspired your designs? We would love to hear from the kitties and their humans.
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Love it – looks like they have a nice ‘catio’ – I could use a nice “dogio” WOOF!
Funny you say that – our neighbour’s little dog sneaks under the fence and always just sits and watches the cats in there. It’s like he’s saying “I want one of these!” ? Thanks for dropping by
We have so fallen in love with your catio design that we’re looking at changes and additions in ours! So we definitely can’t lose your blog — you’re our inspiration! 😆
Yay! That’s good to know thank you, I’ll keep posting. ? I have lots to share!
We envy your catio. We wish we had the room to have one for us.
We hope to have a catio some day, when we stop moving every 3-4 years!
I am so incredibly jealous of your catio! So are my cats.
I think you are so blessed (and so are your kitties!) to have the space to build this! This is incredible!!! I am in a condo and due to association rules I would never be able to do this. This totally rocks!!
Awwe thank you, I know, we are so lucky we can do this. Mind you we also have to deal with permits and such for what is considered permanent structures in one’s backyard.
Your kitties are very lucky, No catio here, but lots of scratching poles.
Your kitties are so lucky to have such a great catio! It looks like they were able to give you a lot of input in the design. I would definitely want a catio if I lived in a house. 🙂
You bet they were responsible for many ‘re-designs’ and back-to-the-drawing-board moments.
I NEED one of these!!! ~Bear Cat
We need one of these!!!
That is one SWEET catio you have there, for sure. George obviously LOVES it! purrs
Thank you! George is a whole new cat since he has more vertical space!