Domestic cats can thrive in a contained environment

Building a Catio

Build a catio for your cat!

Did you know GeoCatch is offering a $300 rebate for cat owners to install a new cat enclosure for their feline pets? The aim of the rebate is to help cat owners keep their cats safe and healthy on their properties while protecting our native wildlife from predation.

Register for the rebate

Cat Patio

What is a catio?

A catio is a secure outdoor cat enclosure, or “cat patio” for your cat and domestic cats can thrive in these contained environments.

Contained cats can live up to four times longer than roaming cats, and can live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives if all of their needs are met in the contained environment.

Catios are a great way of allowing your cat to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors while keeping them safe and protecting our native wildlife.

Top 10 Benefits

Why build a catio?

Catios will support you and your cat by:

Protecting your cat from vehicles, poisons, diseases accidents, or getting lost.
Reducing vet bills from cat fights, ingesting toxins or injuries.
Protecting birds and wildlife: billions of birds are killed each year by roaming cats.
Reducing roaming populations and the issues they cause, including more roaming cats.
Providing a healthy outdoor lifestyle with exercise, fresh air, bird watching, sunbathing, jumping, climbing and running.
Reducing multi-cat issues with increased territory and multiple options for some ‘alone’ time.
Enriching cat and human companionship by providing shared healthy outdoor spaces to relax in.
Reducing indoor odours by giving outdoor toilet options.
Improving neighbour relations – made easier when your cat stays on your side of the fence!
Providing you with peace of mind, knowing your cat is safe in a protected and secure environment.

Tips for getting started

Get to Know Your Cat

It’s important to understand the individual needs of your cat before transitioning them to a catio.

Provide the basics and enrichment

Set up a feeding and drinking station, litter tray, scratching post, safe area, play toys and a perch. Get creative with your enrichment and remember that games which allow cats to fulfill their predatory behaviour – and win – will reduce their anxiety and frustration. Many cats also enjoy vertical enrichment and vantage points, so incorporate these into your indoor or catio space.

Start slow

If you are planning to build a catio or cat run, follow the same steps for indoor cats; establishing routines and gradually keeping your cat indoors for more time of the day. Once your cat is accustomed to being contained in your home, you can introduce it to the catio or cat run and establish your enrichment and routines in this space, as well as indoors.

Featured Resources

Catio Planting Guide

Pets

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Keeping Cats Content in Catios

Pets, Western Ringtail Possum

Cat behaviouralist Dr Heather Crawford on the elements of a catio that keep your cats happy.

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Catio Design Ideas

Pets, Western Ringtail Possum

Checklist for creating a safe catio space and the top ten benefits of a catio.

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Catio Design Guide

Pets, Western Ringtail Possum

Catio design is important to ensure your cat receives the mental and physical enrichment it needs to be healthy and happy.

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Catio Services – Geographe Bay Catchment

Pets, Western Ringtail Possum

Useful services when building your catio (cat run).

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