I would have thought it being small would be a good thing for a cat who has no experience with outside. Air holes is a silly way of putting it but I understand the idea of having holes so that the sents from outside could blow in. (Or enjoy a breeze). Still it would just be a bonus not an important feature.
@@pumkitdrawz The structure its self does not look like its built to be water tight (no calking along the edges/seams)so water can still get in if its raining crazy. A handful of holes could be drilled & then covered from the outside (to reduce the likely hood of a cats claws coming in contact with it) with mesh (like screen windows) to let in a breeze. But the point is the holes were not needed & would just be a bonus. if she wants to add them to the next one she builds (if she ever decides to) that for her to choose.
They make rugs and placemats out of water hyacinth, seagrass, and other materials like those, and my cats absolutely love the texture. Also very eco friendly and nontoxic.
It's not too small. Cats be squishing themselves into the narrowest spots bc it's comfy for them. There is loads of room and I love that she can alternate between the lower and higher level. 😊 You did amazing ❤
Since they are free to leave when they want to, this would actually be big enough for two cats. She's got the whole house and now a spot outside as well. It looks really good, great job ❤
I could imagine like six cats chilling in there honestly. As long as it's them going in and out in free will and they have other space there's absolutely no problem ❤
There's a concern when it comes to athletic fields that fake grass there is toxic to the athletes after a long time of exposure, but that's mainly because they're so rough on the fields and the filler is constantly being kicked up. If everything's left in place and none of it's being eaten you and gourmet cat are generally gonna be alright. Especially if it's just a fake grass carpet and not an actual fake lawn, cause the temporary carpets don't have the fillers people are concerned about
crazy idea, but why not grow cat grass in your catio? nice lush grass that is safe to eat and walk on, plus it helps create oxygen in the environment. water a few days a week and can use scissors to cut if needed.
vertical space and things to climb is an important part of an enriched lifestyle. The catio is great. You did a fantastic job and I've loved watching this come together thru all your hard work :)
A big catio is fun, but just having a catio is already great for your cat if she was indoor only at first. Maybe the big space would even be to overwhelming for her. I really like what you made and i’m glad to see she loves it so much 😉😄
Agreed. The cat probably finds this to be a nice and cozy safe place. It isn’t so large that someone/something could sneak in without her noticing etc. Besides, many projects starts small. If the human wants, she can always add more spaces/tunnels to this structure or enlarge it otherwise. Sometimes people have a weird view on things. Commenters may expect perfection even though this is more like a functional prototype (as it is the first version and can always be altered if needed).
Carpet is awesome for inside but outside, they can attract carpet beetles and mites (makes it harder to get rid of them because of the tightly woven fibers). Natural fibers would probably be more sanitary/easier maintenance
You could put a metal net instead of plexiglass/glass and an opaque roof for shade. This way the sun is not too hot and offers ventilation, plus your cat will feel more the outside world. My cat loved to watch the pigeons and feel the air on his face.😊
You could use different textured mats like sea grass matting and another could be one of those bristly door mats that most cats like to roll around on because it’s kind of like a brush on their fur, and finally an off cut of woollen carpeting. I’m sure that you would be able to ask for an off cut of carpet that hasn’t been treated with any kind of chemicals. You did a great job building the catio. Well done you 🙂 Thanks for sharing. 🙂🐿🌈❤️
Maybe add wired mesh nets (or chicken wire) on one side that's not touching the floor outside . I have wired nets on all my windows and both my cats love smelling the outdoors. (but I also just saw some of the build-so if you have something like that and it's not shown if never had an opinion)
100% cotton rag rugs! They're biodegradable, don't retain a lot of heat if you go light colors, and can be washed to keep things sanitary. Also, "air holes" really don't constitute proper ventilation in such a structure. You need a small ventilation fan to circulate the air so it doesn't get too hot and so that the plexiglass won't degrade faster due to the heat.
Fleece! Like the liners used for Guinea pigs and hedgehogs and such. It’s washable, cute, and pretty affordable. It’s super easy to find fleece liner makers who would be willing to take on a custom order. Or you could sew it yourself!
A good replacement for the fake grass is alfafa or rye grass! They're perfect for a catio since they're comfortable, safe and fit the vibe. They can also be used as a snack for the cat and are really easy to grow. There are other kinds of cat grass you can try based on what your kitty likes.
You could try rubber tiles or matting that you put in the bottom of cupboards. They can scratch it up without ingesting it. You can usually find a roll at the dollar store. Looks cool what you have done so far. :)
Cats love *towels* . So maybe you can put towels down. A big pro is that they wash easy and if you have some fluffy ones they will insulate against cold in winter. Or, cardboard scratchpad-floor. You can get pretty big pads. Also insulating. No need to wash, only replace when worn.
You did a great job! I built my parent’s cat a cat house for him in the basement with small bedroom furniture and he hated it. It broke my heart because I put sooo much effort into it. At least your cat is showing appreciation and is enjoying it! Don’t give up on these projects! You’re talented!
I’m tackling a huge catio for my side yard too! Didn’t even think about a window frame. I was going to just cut a door into my side wall 😂😂. I’m handy so it will work either way. Yours came out pretty gooood
Great job on the catio! Love the design. Instead of the grass, I might use a rug, or a more weatherproof mat, even though that may not be as soft. That kitty is so lucky to have you! You sound like the best cat mom ❤️
People who say this is too small clearly have never owned a cat nor seen one crawl into a fish bowl- actual round fishbowl - and just sit there and chill like it was meant to be. This cat space is so well made, for someone who’s never built any type of structure prior- imo it’s impressive! A friend sent me a quote once, by Sri Chinmoy, “When you invent something, there will always be people to criticise. God’s creation is full of critics, but has God given up His creation because of the critics?” Whether you have a religious belief or not, there’s real meaning in those words. No matter how well made it is, how amazing it looks, or how much it costs, there’s always 1 who has something negative to say- one who ‘could do it better’, or would do it differently. We need more people sharing the same excitement of this accomplishment or genuine constructive feedback. What good is focusing on the ‘what if’s’ or anything that takes away from such effort! Having this sort of energy after ending a job or career is amazing. Your landlord appreciates your energy and beautiful soul! ❤❤ 🐱 Have a great day!
This is so lovely! You could replace the grass with carpet, you can get scraps of nice carpet for really cheap at carpet stores, then you can cut it to the perfect fit! Regular rugs might be nicer though because they’re probably easier to wash. Listen to your heart about it ✨
Most carpets can be toxic in an enclosed area, so I wouldn't advise using any of those. A cat scratching type of rug would be ideal as she could get a little exercise sharpening her claws at the same time. But not the type made out of cardboard rather the type made of sisal. You can get many sizes on the internet at a reasonable price. It will look good and wear well, especially if it gets direct sun. Tack the sisal down, don't use any type of glue to fasten it down, use small nails with large heads, or finishing washers to keep in place. Some small holes on one of the levels so she can smell the outdoors would enrich her experience. But in any event you did a fabulous job... be proud you have enriched your furbabies' life.
So adorably cat sized! I’m sure she appreciates your talented efforts! About the holes. Maybe you don’t want water leaks? If so you can put some holes in the bottom and cover with cotton or sisal mats like other people mentioned. To grip the carpet down use some Velcro tape stapled to floor and hot glue to the carpeting. If you are looking for a reliable rechargeable electric stapler and cordless glue gun, check out Ryobi. I love my Ryobi line of rechargeable tools. Really nice they have everything from drills to circular saw to multitool to glue gun to stapler. Sooo many affordable tools makes it easy to pick up a new tool/batteries every time there’s a sale, like Father’s Day, Memorial Day, black Friday etc.
Depending on where they live, hot glue will not hold in any area that freezes. Sisal carpet without padded backing should be heavy enough to stay put. But if you want to be sure a few upholstery staples should hold it down. In some cities or towns you can rent or borrow tools so you only have to buy the consumables in this case staples.
I would probably use "EZ Whelp" pads instead of the fake grass. They are basically washable puppy pads. They have a comfortable quilted top, are great quality and come in almost a dozen sizes. They sell them on their own website but are also available from the Zon. They come out of the washer in perfect condition every time!
In regards to replacements for the fake grass, I know my cat loves any kind of fuzzy blanket, so perhaps yours would enjoy a couple little fuzzy mats/rugs to lounge on. (It would probably be smart to make/get at least one spare set so you can swap them out for cleaning and whatnot, if you go for something made of fabric.)
A bit of old carpet or a couple of carpet tiles from a diy store. I would consider drilling some holes only so your cat can sniff. My cat loves to sniff so much ❤but the holes wouldn’t be for air!! There’s plenty of that 🤦🏻♀️🐈⬛🖤🐈⬛
If you want you could wrap fabric around the shelves and staple it from below:) the staples shouldnt poke through but if they do just knock them over and push them back in with a hammer:)
Looks so great. I used preforated boards for the base, then waterproofed them for the flooring. Allows drainiage and air. I cannot believe you used plexy for the whole thing. BALLER.. lol i only used plexy on the top and catscreen on everything else.
Contractor here. You did a great job especially for someone with no experience. Keep it us that’s awesome. And I love your kitterz she seems so cute and happy.
Hessian is a good option, very scratchy, or just old clothes from natural materials (cotton, wool, linen). Easy to clean, eco friendly and very cheap (or free even).
Buy those balcony mats on roll that you buy per feet.. they are warm & soft to sleep on. They can handle their claws.. my cats LOVE them! And they are avaliable in many colors & not expensive or hard to clean
Cats are a liquid. They can fit in ANY space they want! Lol I think what you've done is absolutely fantastic and shows how much you love your furbaby. She is gorgeous too!
Woahhh, reminds me... I never would have remembered this til I saw this, but like last night or the night before, I had a dream about catios. I was shopping for them and had so much trouble finding any
Outdoor carpet/ rugs…. It’s cute might add a shade area when it’s super hott. It took my a week to build a chicken run& coop for my flock!😊u did a great job
Replace the grass with some wooly food mats. I’m not sure what they are actually called but they make ones that look like grass and it’s adorable. Great job I want to do something like this for my cats.
not sure if they make it in carpets, but if you can buy cat grass seeds and grow your own cat grass carpet! (to be clear, cat grass is not catnip. catnip is a member of the mint family, cat grass is usually a mix of grasses like rye, oat and wheat. it also apparently helps with hairballs!)
Id recommend possibly putting some sort of stickers/markings on the window to prevent birds from flying into it... Just a thought. They sell vinyl decals just for this
Don’t listen to them! This is perfect. It’s not a play castle is a cat tv with sunshine! Plus you don’t need air holes, that’s how you get bugs. It’s great ❤❤
Love this so much! Imagine you build this giant catio and surprise, surprise the cat doesn’t even care for it. Love what you did!! It’s a good size and I bet she feels safe in it
it's likely it won't ever fall shut, but there's a small chance it could happen, so you might wanna get a stick to solidly prop open the window just in case
I love your catio. But I'm concerned about covering the window, from a fire safety perspective. Would you consider doing a video on that topic, even as a kind of PSA to others who might be considering their own catios?
