Cat patios, or catios, are a great way to satisfy your cat’s desire to be outside without worrying that they’ll get into trouble or run away. Catios are enclosed areas, often with perches or other features, where you can place your cat. According to Jessica Sewell, LVT, a veterinary technician with over two decades of experience, “a catio is a safe and easy way to give a cat more territory and provide stimulation, and can help reduce conflicts and behavioral problems with other pets in the household.”
For multiple cats that need a lot of space, you are going to need an extra-large cat patio. Aivituvin has you covered, with a 70-inch tall catio complete with six platforms, two resting boxes, and a middle platform.
Made of high-quality wood, there’s also a waterproof flat asphalt roof to protect your kitties from the elements. The mesh exterior is thin but durable, keeping your cats from escaping the enclosure. If you’d like, you can even combine multiple catios and create large enclosures to use as outdoor play areas.
This cat patio is quite large but is made with reinforced wooden corner strips to keep it from breaking or falling apart.
Size: 31.5 x 31.5 x 70.9 inches
Your cat already loves staring out the window, swatting at every animal it sees. So why not just get a perch that hangs directly outside the window for them to get a closer look?
We tested this window catio with a 1-year-old kitty, and it was installed in the cat’s favorite window. Our tester reported it took their cat about a day to understand how to use the cat flap to enter the solarium, but they now use the space every single day and have even worked out a few different ways to perch inside.
The solarium’s half-circle design protrudes outside of the window, giving your cat the ability to sit “outside” with a 180-degree view of the environment. It’s durable enough to hold a 50-pound cat and comes in a wide variety of configurations. There is a base-level minimal version, but the Sun Room Package includes a screen to keep out bugs and the cat flap door, which lets you shut off the catio when it’s time for your cat to come inside.
We recommend this package as a catio minimum. For those worried about the colder winter months, you can purchase a bundle with a weathertight enclosure made of plexiglass and wood. Setting it up isn’t as simple as screwing it together; the brand recommends that you use wood or caulk to secure the sides.
Size: 14.5 x 25.5 inches
How We Picked
Testing: We selected six bestselling and highly rated catios for real-world testing at home with our very own cats. Each product was sent to a volunteer tester’s home, along with an explicit guide on our testing process and procedures.
Testers observed and took notes on critical aspects and features during the two-week testing period, including ease of assembly, how well their cats took to the catios, and the overall size, durability, and value of the product. They were also asked to share their personal opinion, experience, and objective likes and dislikes about the catio and their experience with the product during the testing period. We also wanted to know what things they would change about the catio they tested, and if they would personally purchase the catio themselves.
After reviewing feedback paired with numerical scores across different categories, we categorized and ranked the catios.
The Spruce Pets
What to Look For in a Catio
Assembly
Catios can vary widely in how easy or hard they are to assemble. Some of our favorite catios are made from wood and typically come flat-packed. These cat houses typically require a screwdriver for assembly. While this is often no more complicated than assembling furniture, having a helping hand during the process can make it easier and faster. Other catios are much simpler—even collapsible—but will likely need to be reassembled for every use. By contrast, wooden catios can be similar to outdoor cat houses and act as permanent or semi-permanent installations on your porch or patio.
Supervision
Supervise your cat during their first few sessions in their catio, especially if your cat is used to being indoors. Cats should be provided with water and monitored to ensure they have access to shelter and shade. Keep an eye out for any signs of stress and for possible threats, like unleashed dogs or birds of prey. Catios that give cats free access in and out of the house or sheltered safe space give both you and your cat more freedom, but if your cat uses a standalone catio, it’s important to never leave them unattended or unsupervised.
Acclimating Indoor Cats
Cats generally want to be outdoors, enjoying the sun and watching potential prey scurry on by, but it may be daunting at first for indoor cats. Cats explore best on their own terms, so to help them acclimate, Sewell recommends leaving the door of the enclosure ajar, allowing them to come and go as they please. You can also feed them in the catio—either by providing snacks or serving their meals outside—which will incentivize them to return and also indicate to them that this is a space you’ve deemed to be safe. If the catio is spacious enough, it is also advisable to provide a litter box.
More We Recommend
Best Portable: Outback Jack’s Outdoor Cat Enclosure is a tent-style catio with an attachable mesh tunnel. The main tent portion gives your cat approximately 30 square feet of play space, and the 62-inch tunnel adds additional space and a short run track.
Our tester reported this tent-style pull-and-snap catio assembles in under a minute—once you get the hang of it. The tunnel is akin to a collapsible indoor tunnel: It comes compact in a circle and, once released, pops open into a full tunnel.
Unfortunately, our tester noted the tunnel’s zipper was faulty, so they were unable to attach it to the main tent. Although there are no internal features, like platforms, our tester liked that the mesh bottom seemed to create a more authentic outside experience for their cats since they could feel the ground on their paws.
It’s worth noting that this catio is best set up and used as needed, and our tester said that although the polyester lining is hydrophobic and meant to withstand light rain, long-term use outside in the elements would end up breaking down the material. The good news is that this catio can be easily set up on a variety of floor surfaces, including grass, decks, patios, or even indoors. We also like that it comes with anchoring stakes and sandbags, so you won’t get caught in a jam if things suddenly get windy or your cat tries to push on the sides.
Size: 34 x 21.5 x 6.5 inches
Best Expandable: Made of nylon mesh, the Kitty City Outdoor Mega Kit is well-ventilated and perfect for playing out on the lawn. Our favorite part of the Mega Kit is that it’s more than just a screened-off area for your cat to play outdoors. It also includes an elevated bed platform and multiple hiding cubbies (but the cubbies do not have a reinforced or supported floor).
The big bonus with this catio is that it’s expandable and customizable thanks to zippered side portals where you can attach extension sections, including tunnels. You don’t have to worry about your smart cat finding a way out; the enclosure has two openings that can only be opened from a zipper on the outside. To keep it from flying away, the included stakes can be placed into the ground, giving it a strong foundation.
Constructed over a plastic frame, the Mega Kit is fairly easy to assemble and doesn’t require any tools, but our tester noted that you’ll have to pay attention to details to avoid having to go back to fix mistakes. They also said that fitting the mesh cover over the plastic frame was, at times, a struggle since the mesh is designed to be extremely taut. Because of these extras during setup, for those looking for a portable catio option, we aren’t sure how breezy it is to repeatedly set up and break down.
Size: 33 x 47.2 x 46.7 inches
Best Indoor Catio: This budget-minded crate-style catio is a convenient, temporary indoor catio. Our tester said the setup was simple and only took 10 minutes, but recommended having two people on the job.
Our tester really liked that the catio was collapsible and could be wheeled to different locations. It was tested with their 4.5-year-old cat, Poppy, who was a bit hesitant to fully embrace the catio when placed inside.
This may be because this catio has a strong cage/kennel-like feel that makes some cats uneasy. Our tester also mentioned that when their cat would start to interact with the catio, for example, by jumping onto one of the three platform areas, the structure would shake, causing the cat to become scared.
That said, there’s a lot of room for customizability with this catio, either by adding plush cat beds to the platforms, installing a tarp hammock, hanging toys from the top, or even adding a scratching post. We also like that it’s spacious enough to put a litter box inside, and feel like it’s a great option to use for fostering, socializing, or recovery purposes.
Size: 35.8 x 22.4 x 50.6 inches
Best Indoor/Outdoor: Although we didn’t test this portable cat catio from Donoro, it’s a top-rated pick at Amazon, so it’s worth including in our list. Reviewers love that this eight-sided enclosure is lightweight yet sturdy, pops open and quickly folds down flat, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, it comes with a carrying case, making it ideal for travel.
Constructed of durable, water-resistant 600-denier Oxford cloth, the pen has two zippered mesh doors and six mesh windows for ventilation and 360-degree views, a zippered mesh top, and a removable zippered bottom for easy cleaning. It’s available in four sizes to accommodate multiple pets and species. including rabbits and chicks. Some pet parents choose a larger size to make room for a litter box, blankets, and toys, while still giving their kitties ample space to roam and play.
The main critique of several reviewers is the quality of the zippers. Some report that the door zippers are not escape-proof, while others complain that the zippers either catch or break off. But overall, reviewers praise the Donoro pen for its ease of use, functionality, and portability.
Size: 46 x 46 x 23 inches (large)
Other Catios We Tested
PawHut Outdoor Cat House Big Catio Wooden: This catio is fairly basic with its wooden frame and chicken wire walls, plus several staggered-level wooden platform perches for cats to climb and lounge on. It can be set up against a window to allow cats to come and go as they please, but there are no security anchors. Our biggest gripe with this catio was the laborious setup: It needed at least two people, didn’t come with any tools, and had confusing instructions and semi-prepared parts.
Rest-Eazzzy Cat Tent: This catio is a great collapsible option that could work really well for travel, particularly road trips, since it takes up minimal space and sets up in a few seconds (although, you might want to get some stake anchors to make sure it stays secure). It provides 30 square feet of protected mash-covered interior space and an interior leash clip for when you want to leave the front window unzipped. Keep in mind that the collapsible design also makes for a flimsier frame, and keep an eye out for tears in the mesh.
Kittywalk Outdoor Net Cat Enclosure: After testing over time, this one didn’t impress us as much due to its lack of interior features and all-over netting that can catch toe beans and claws. As with the Rest-Eazzzy tent, this one is portable and comes with its own carrying bag.
FAQ
-
Can indoor cats use a catio?
“Absolutely! If an indoor cat is eager to be outside, a catio is a great solution,” Sewell told The Spruce Pets. While your indoor cat may not gravitate towards the catio immediately, serving meals or providing snacks in the enclosure should help acclimate them.
-
Should I put a litter box in my catio?
“Definitely! Adding a litter box in a catio provides another option for multi-cat households. An outdoor litter box should never replace an indoor litter box, though. Remember the rule of thumb here is one litter box per cat, plus one,” Sewell said.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
This story was updated with tested results by K. Alex Beaven, a lifelong cat owner and current butler and tour guide to her leash-trained cat, @hellomisterbo. Other stories Alex has written for The Spruce Pets include The Best Kitten Foods, Best Bone Broth for Cats, and Best Lickable Cat Treats.
To gain a better understanding of what cats are looking for in their Catio experience, The Spruce Pets spoke to veterinary technician Jessica Sewell, LVT, who has worked at VCA Animal Hospitals and the Atlanta Humane Society as well as served as vice chair of the continuing education committee for the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
#Catios
