Indoor cats deserves to smell fresh air and feel warm sunshine on their coats. You can accomplish this without letting your cat roam unchaperoned outside by giving him or her a private room with a view: an outdoor pet enclosure.
Pet enclosures extend the cat-friendly atmosphere of your home into your backyard — safely. Protected inside a sturdy enclosure equipped with scratching posts, ramps, and perches, your cat will get the chance to smell the air, feel the breeze, and get a closer look at birds, squirrels, and other outdoor critters without the perils of being in the wide world on his own. Your cat can even catch bugs!


A cat enclosure allows your cat to visit the great outdoors in safety. They can range from simple 2 x 4 structures with fencing to more elaborate complexes containing cat condos, live trees, and cat-flap doors providing 24-hour access from the house.
Enclosures vary in sizes and shapes. Here are a few tips on helping you get started:
Check with your city or homeowner’s association first to make sure the enclosure won’t require a building permit or violate neighborhood construction rules.
Do a budget to estimate the costs in advance. Include the cost of equipment, materials, and time.
Take your time building the enclosure or hire someone handy with tools and wood.
Select quality materials that are sturdy and long lasting. Best choices include plywood; redwood; PVC piping; thick, steel chicken wire; and 4 × 4 blocks of wood. Floor options range from grass and dirt to concrete and carpet. Finally, rely on quality fasteners to prevent accidental openings.
Be realistic on the size and dimensions. The enclosure should be big enough for your cat to move about easily, but you don’t need to match the size of your patio or living room.
For folks living in apartments, consider patio-style enclosures that fit over double or single windows, giving your cat a private bay window area. Some friends of mine have opted to put their cats in large, collapsible steel crates on their balconies. The crates fold up neatly when not in use.
Regardless of the size or style, make the enclosure comfy for your cats by including bedding materials (thick towels or a cat bed), food, and water. Other options include shelving areas as well as connecting tunnel systems.
Scheduling even 10 minutes a day for your cat to roam and nap inside an enclosure can invigorate her and help chase away any boredom blues. Be close by as she enjoys spending time checking the outdoor world from a safe location.
A final option: If you have an enclosed run in your backyard for your dog, then periodically let your cat use this safe outdoor haven. What should you do with your dog? Use this time to give him a bath with your garden hose. This way you can keep an eye on both your pets.