A Condo Catio Solution
“Finally - the catio of our dreams! We had always lamented this weird dead space on our balcony, and also dreamed of a catio someday to keep our kitties (and wild critters) safe. catiOasis made our dream come true. Rebecca and Ken worked with us to make sure the cats had what they needed, and all our own requirements for strata bylaws were met. They matched our paint colour, and the whole thing is secure without drilling into the walls or floors. The cats love it, and we couldn’t be happier!”
The Task:
Build a catio that Matches the Building Exterior for shy, indoor cats.
Erin and her husband, Mitch, live in a condo in Kitsilano. They have two mildly active indoor cats, Grubber and Wesley, and often foster kittens for the BC SPCA.
An Overview
Erin worked in the BC SPCA’s Science & Policy Division and specialized in wild animal welfare. She is well aware of the dangers facing wildlife and the harmful impact outdoor cats have on local wildlife. She loves wildlife as much as she loves cats and won’t sacrifice the welfare of one over another.
Grubber has shown interest in going out onto the patio and so far has not tried to jump over the railing, but Erin doesn’t want to take any chances.
The Solution:
A catio with that is pressure fit and makes the most of a small space.
Erin identified a small unused space on her patio as the #PurrfectPlace for a catio for Grubber and Wesley. Grubber is a senior kitty and Wesley is not very active, so we included engaging but relaxing features, such as turf shelves and a bubble bed for watching the local birds.
How We Made it Work
Erin’s deck already had a ~4’ high escape-proof wooden railing, so we knew we only had to enclose the open space from the railing to the ceiling.
Erin and Mitch live in strata housing. The strata requirements were to ensure that no screws penetrated the envelope and that the catio matched the exterior colour of the building in order to better blend into the environment. The panels are pressure fit between the top of the wooden railing and the fascia.
For Erin, we used 2x3 SPF lumber painted to match the colour of the building. Two shelves are triangular shaped, with one top one containing a bubble bed, and the third shelf is a long rectangle. Erin really liked the look of artificial grass, so we secured it to all of the shelves.
Given the location of the catio, the access would be through an opening window that is approximately 5’ from the ground. We knew that we would need to build a staircase to help the cats reach the pet flap, while not taking up too much space.
The catio contains 4 panels, 1 human door, 3 turfed shelves, 1 bubble bed and 1 ramp. The catio is 8’ long x 4.5’ wide x 6’ high.
The interior staircase to the pet flap was made from primed SPF painted white. It is approximately 5’ tall, 2.5” wide and contains 4 shelves.
The time between Erin and Mitch accepting our quote and installation day was just over 3 weeks.
Integration with the Home and Yard
It was vital that Erin’s catio matched the colour of the exterior of the building, which was easy to accomplish. It blends so well, in fact, that it is nearly impossible to see it from the sidewalk!
Health and Safety Benefits
Building a catio has encouraged Grubber and Wesley to get more exercise, and enjoy the benefits of fresh air from a safe place.
The Best Part:
Impact on Cat Behaviour and Well-Being
Erin let us know that adventurous Grubber made her way out to the catio shortly after we packed up and left, and that her repeated trips to the catio inspired shy Wesley to finally check it out. Both cats enjoy their safe outdoor time and have become more active thanks to the catio!
