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Catios are very underrated, and extremely useful for all indoor cats who love being outside, even during the Canadian winter, and Vancouver rainy season. So I hope this post inspires you to get a catio for your cat.
Outdoor catios are enclosed outdoor spaces that safely allow indoor cats to enjoy fresh air, sunlight, nature, and outdoor enrichment from balconies, patios, or backyards without roaming freely outside.
How to Use Catios?
Catios are meant to be placed outdoors to safely give your cat more exposure to nature, sun, and fresh air.
Catios are not cages inside the house.
I want to be very clear about this because some catio images show catios placed inside the house. That’s absolutely not acceptable. We don’t put cats in cages inside their own homes!
Should You Buy a Catio for Your Cat?
Catios are not for every cat, and they are not suitable for every space either, so let’s make sure this is right for you and your cat first.
Catios are great for cats who:
- Love being outside in nature.
- Already go outside on walks on a harness and leash (A catio will give them more outdoor time).
- Spend a lot of time sitting by windows.
- Tend to escape.
- Seem bored indoors, and need more adventure than what they are currently getting.
Catios are great for your space if:
- You live in an apartment with a balcony, but you are unable to fence it up due to strata rules.
- You have a private patio or yard
If this sounds like you and your cat, then yes, a catio will be a great addition.
However, I should say this loud and clear:
Catios are complementary to indoor cat furniture. They cannot replace it.
So if you don’t already have enough cat furniture and vertical spaces inside your home, then you should definitely start with cat trees and window hammocks by windows first.
The indoor environment matters first and foremost.
How to Safely Put Your Cat Inside The Catio
There are two common ways to safely put your cat inside the catio.
Best option:
Place the catio so one of the openings lines up directly with a window, allowing your cat to come and go between your home and the catio through that window, while the rest of the catio remains completely enclosed.
In this setup, the catio should fully block access to the outside around that window, leaving no gaps where your cat could escape outside the catio itself.
If you use this option, the catio should be securely placed against the window. Remove the wheels, and even place a heavy weight at the bottom of the catio to help keep it stable and secure, especially if you buy one of the lightweight models.
Second option:
If you can’t secure the catio to a window, then take your cat on a harness and leash from inside your home directly into their catio.
This option works only if your cat is already harness and leash trained, and you take them on walks by default.
Once they are safely inside, you can detach the leash while keeping the harness on if needed, then securely close the catio.
Your cat should have access to the catio only while you are home with them, and during daylight hours.
My Top Pick Small Outdoor Catios on Amazon Canada
The ones below work well for balconies and small patios.
Please measure your outdoor space carefully, including the ceiling height, before buying.
Suumerpety Waterproof Outdoor Catio 31.5”L x 31.5”W x 70.9”H
GUTINNEEN Waterproof Outdoor Catio 31.5”L x 31.5”W x 70.9”H
Aivituvin Waterproof Outdoor Catio 31.5”L x 31.5”W x 70.9”H
FunXplore Waterproof Outdoor Catio 31.5”L x 31.5”W x 70.9”H
Nyeekoy Outdoor Catio 39.4”L x 33.3”W x 63.8”H
Amazon Basics Outdoor Catio 35.8”L x 22.4”W x 50.6”H
MidWest Outdoor Catio 36”L x 23.5”W x 50.5”H
My Top Pick Large Outdoor Catios on Amazon Canada
The ones below work well for larger patios, decks, or backyards.
Please measure your outdoor space carefully, including the ceiling height and overall footprint, before buying.
PawHut Waterproof Outdoor Catio 73”L x 55”W x 74”H
FunXplore Waterproof Outdoor Catio 62.6”L x 32.9”W x 73”H
PawHut Waterproof Outdoor Catio 67.7”L x 35.4”W x 70.5”H
Gowoodhut Waterproof Outdoor Catio 71”L x 37”W x 71”H
Takeaways
Outdoor catios can be a great, safe option for cats who genuinely enjoy being outside and want more access to nature, sunlight, and fresh air throughout the year, including during the Canadian winter and Vancouver’s rainy season.
Most catios come with a waterproof roof already. If yours doesn’t, you can simply add one, so the catio is usable all-year-long.
Happy catio shopping!
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