These spaces called “catios” are enclosed outdoor patios for cats. The term has become very used as of late as people have started to realize the importance and benefits of providing their feline friends a safe space to chill and have fun while breathing fresh air.
While many take advantage of spacious backyards to build amazing catios that sometimes look like intriguing mazes and feel like cats’ dreams come true, it’s possible to install a catio on a balcony as well. If you live in an apartment, you probably don’t have a backyard to build a prosperous cat city. But don’t worry! A catio can be built even on a window!
Unleashing your creativity is important here, that’s why we gathered 19 balcony catio ideas to get you inspired and build your cats a space of their own! (or one that you can all share)
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Cat Balcony Design Ideas
1 Safety Net Is a Must
Not one design featured on this balcony catio ideas list will lack a safety net. When we talk about cat-proofing a balcony, security is the first problem you should tackle, as most balconies have easy-to-access openings which need to be enclosed to them by using certain meshes.
2 Artificial Grass Lifts up The Mood
You can make your balcony feel more like the outside world by installing some artificial grass on the ground, steps, or ramps. Cats love how it feels, and it looks good in 99% of outside decor ideas!
3 A Personal Observation Spot
Do you have little to no space? You can build something like this mini balcony catio in your window! It may not seem much, but I can assure you that your furry friend will spend hours in a spot like this.
4 …Or Go Bigger!
You can build upon this concept and end up with a bigger catio right outside your window! Adding ramps and stories makes it more fun for cats to try new spots.
5 …And Higher?
You can apply the same concept of a window catio on an upper floor. Just make sure you install a sturdy structure that can easily hold your cat’s weight.
6 The Perfect Solarium
Two stories are more than enough for your cat to sunbathe comfortably in the window! You can decorate by adding your personal touch, or just make it blend with the house as in this example.
7 Adding Some Color
A colorful catio always looks great! You can opt for your house’s color like in this example or explore other options.
8 Metal Frame + Mesh = Make a Catio Out of Any Balcony!
A catio is pretty straightforward to build: A frame, mesh, and you are almost good to go. Why almost? Because you should add at least a few platforms for your cat to have some fun and observation spots!
9 Wood is Also Great For The Frame
This concept is very appealing aesthetically. Frames don’t always have to be metal, you can also go with planks from a resistant material, such as redwood. Then, you can let you creativity make wonderful designs like this one for your cats to enjoy.
10 Three-Story Observatory
Many cats, but small space to work with? Seems not a problem for this group of six cats that share a privileged spot in the window from where to look over the neighborhood.
11 Cats and Plants That Coexist Peacefully
You thought it was impossible? You can achieve everything with training. Some are lucky enough that their cats will respect plants from the get-go. Adding shrubs is also a great idea as they can offer some shadow. While cats adore sunbathing, sometimes they’ll want not to receive so much direct sunlight and will be grateful for having a shrub to stay under.
12 Cat Trees! (Literally)
Recreation can’t be missing in your balcony catio. You can always install a scratching post. But you can go a step further and provide your furry friends with a big & sturdy cat tree! You can build it yourself or get a store-bought one.
13 Hiding Spots
See that little barrel? It can serve as an outdoor resting space or a little hideout. Cats love tight spaces, they enjoy their time inside while they feel secure. Combine this with bridges and steps to make the perfect playground.
14 Nature-filled Balcony
Do you love plants? This is another example of a catio and a plantio? coexisting. Sometimes you can’t have both, but if you train your cat, you probably will be able to make them share the same space. It will definitely be worth it, just look how beautiful this balcony is!
15 Cat-Proof and Aesthetic are achievable even in small balconies
It’s okay if you want your small balcony to remain yours. However, you can always share with your cat! A safety net is enough to enclose the space and let them keep you company while maintaining the aesthetic.
16 The Labyrinth
You can build a great catio by combining some of the ideas we’ve seen before: scratching posts, ramps, shelves and a cat tree provide variety for your feline friends who will most likely not get bored in a place like this.
17 Ramps, ramps, ramps!
Cats love ramps, don’t forget to include at least one in your design! you can decorate them with artificial grass as well.
18 Portable Cat Enclosures – Another Quick And Easy to Set-up Alternative
So, you don’t want to build it yourself. I get you, I’m no handyman and would most certainly look for a simple solution.
For people like us, someone created portable cat enclosures! The best part is that you can find many of these for under $100, which makes them not only easy to install but affordable as well.
Benefits of a Balcony Catio
But why build a catio in the first place? Can’t I just install a safety net and call it a day? Maybe.
However, you could be missing a great opportunity to take advantage of a space by making it enjoyable for your furry friend, especially if you have more than one cat!
Benefits of a cat room or a catio for felines:
- Reduced stress and anxiety: Cats have easily manageable instincts if you have a space in the backyard where you can safely keep them while enjoying being a part of the outside world. Being in an apartment with no safe spot to breathe fresh air can make many cats stressed or anxious. That’s why using a balcony to create a special spot for your cats is a great solution to keep them happy.
- Enhanced stimulation and exercise: Cats need to stay active, you can catify the interior of your apartment, but you can also use the balcony for this. Stimulation is important since cats have a lot of energy they need to spend doing something throughout the day. If they don’t have a preferred space to do so, they may end up developing destructive behaviors or anxiety.
- Safety: Just installing a net can grant you the privilege of opening that door again while letting your cats enjoy the sun and air. Providing a safe spot for your cats to play in will grant happiness for them and tranquility for you.
Tips For Those Building a Balcony Catio:
If you want to go the DIY route, here are a few tips on what you’ll need to get the job done, plus some add-ons:
- Lumber: Essential if you plan to build the entire structure or as pillars to enclose big openings. The most recommended lumber among DIY catio builders is Redwood. It’s sturdy, smooth, and resistant to heavy weather conditions. You’ll also need lumber if you want to build ramps, steps or any structure within the balcony catio for your feline friend to enjoy.
- Safety net: This is a must for any DIY catio project. a popular and safe choice is wire metal mesh. It’s a relatively cheap and safe mesh option, which makes it great for most balcony catio projects.
- Artificial grass: As we’ve seen, artificial grass it can lift up the spirits of a bland balcony, and cats love it! If you don’t want to use it on the floor, you can trim it and add some to any shelves or ramps you add to the catio to give it a distinct aesthetic.
- Scratchers: No catio can lack a great scratcher or cat tree. you can purchase a scratching post for a quick and easy solution or build one yourself. The choice is yours!
- Frame Enclosure Kit: Want to speed up the process? You can get a catio enclosure and install it on your balcony in no time! These come in many sizes, shapes, and forms. Here’s an example of an affordable outdoor cat enclosure
- Outdoor litter box: Tired of the litter smell inside the house? Why don’t you try putting an outdoor litter box on your balcony? This way, you don’t have to deal with strong odors inside anymore!
Don’t know where or how to start? Here’s a great video that shows the whole process of building a beautiful catio:
Conclusions
By now you should know that even the smallest balcony can be turned into a functional, beautiful catio. DIY or pre-built? The choice is yours! you can also mix both solutions and do what you love while not having to handle the tedious part all by yourself. Let other readers know which idea you liked the most and why so everyone can get inspired.
Do you have a small room you’d like to repurpose into a cat room? Check out our post on small cat room ideas to get the inspiration flowing!
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