Cat Outdoor Enclosure Design | Animal Welfare Hub

Outdoor enclosures (catios) provide cats with enriching outdoor access while eliminating the primary risks of unsupervised outdoor roaming. Design principles maximize welfare benefits.

Key Facts

Catios range from small window boxes to large yard enclosures and can be built or purchased pre-assembled
Effective catio design includes perching at multiple heights, scratching posts, vegetation, and shelter from weather
Access from inside the home via a cat door tunnel allows cats to choose when to use the space
Plant selection matters — many common garden plants are toxic to cats and must be excluded from catios
Large catios with tunnels allowing access to multiple garden areas provide near-equivalent enrichment to outdoor roaming
Catio construction is increasingly a DIY option with widely available plans and community building groups

Welfare Considerations

Catio design is a practical welfare intervention that resolves the most significant tension in companion cat welfare: the conflict between behavioral enrichment from outdoor access and the severe mortality risks of unsupervised outdoor life. A well-designed catio provides the core welfare benefits of outdoor access — fresh air, natural light, weather experiences, wildlife observation, and territory enrichment — while eliminating vehicle strikes, predation, infectious disease from other cats, and persecution by humans. The welfare benefit scales with enclosure size and complexity: a small window box provides some benefit but a large garden enclosure with multiple levels, tunnels, and naturalistic elements provides substantially more. Investment in catio design and construction is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available to indoor cat owners.

What You Can Do

Research catio designs appropriate for your living situation and budget — options exist for apartments through large gardens
Include multiple perching heights, shelter from rain and sun, scratching posts, and non-toxic vegetation
Install a cat door tunnel that allows free access so cats can choose when to use the catio
Check plant lists for cat toxicity before including any vegetation in your catio design
Connect with catio-building communities online for design inspiration and construction guidance
Consider a shared catio for multi-unit housing — cooperative design can provide larger enriching spaces