Creating a Catio

Do you keep your cat inside? If so, that’s great! Fluffy will be much better off living indoors, where she is safe from cars, weather, predators, and other hazards. However, your cute pet can still enjoy a little taste of nature. Read on as a Pickerington, OH vet offers tips on creating a catio.

Choosing The Right Spot

An enclosed porch or patio is an excellent spot for Fluffy’s room. You can also use a spare bedroom, or just set aside a bright corner. If you own your home, you can even build Fluffy an enclosure. Even if your furball doesn’t use it much in winter, she’ll still enjoy it warmer weather.

Purrniture

Cats don’t mind ‘borrowing’ our furniture, but they really love having things that suit their needs. A catio is a purrfect spot for Fluffy’s pet furniture! Cat towers are great, as they provide napping spots, vantage points, jungle gyms, and scratching posts, all in one. Your furball will also appreciate comfy beds, and perhaps a pet tent or tipi. Another way to activate the purr is to make a catwalk. This is easy to do with shelves! If you are on a tight budget, look online for great DIY ideas.

Plants

Set out some pet-safe plants for Fluffy to nibble on and hide behind. Being able to peek out at you from behind green leaves will really make your kitty feel like she is outdoors. Just be sure to only choose plants that are safe for our feline pals. Boston ferns, Spider plants, Money trees, and African violets are all great options. Cat grass is another good choice. (Tip: repurpose an old, clean litterbox by adding soil and cat grass seeds. In a few weeks, Fluffy will have a living grass mat to enjoy.) You can find a complete list of suitable plants at the ASPCA website.

Toys

Set out lots of fun playthings for your furball to pounce on. Catnip mice are great, but you can also pamper Fluffy with automated laser pointers, mechanical ‘swimming’ fish, remote-controlled mice, and other modern toys.

View

Birdwatching is one of Fluffy’s favorite pastimes! Make your kitty’s catio more fun for her by putting a birdfeeder where she can see it.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, your Pickerington, OH pet clinic, with all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!