When Nora Auston moved into her new home in Portland, Oregon, several years ago, she had long considered building a catio. Her family stripped Bertie, “our grumpy old cat,” of her wandering privileges after three strikes. Bertie needed professional rescue after harassing a neighbor's elderly dog and becoming stranded in a 50-foot-tall redwood forest. And there were dozens of dead birds that Bertie had brought home. “That cat was in a lot of pain outside,” Auston said. She never let her younger cats, Peach and Herb, run free outdoors. She worries that they will cause problems too.
When the pandemic hit, Auston, an oncology nurse, needed an outlet for the pressures of work. “When I'm stressed, I create something,” she says. “I think that explains Catio's size.” Her pets enter the vast outdoor oasis through a cat door in the entry cupboard. From there, a skybridge and 20-foot-long elevated walkway continue, ending at her 100-square-foot building with a fountain, tunnel, and ledge. As soon as she started construction, the cats were on board, waiting for the contractors to hurry up. “They were like a little warden,” she recalls. “Wherever I completed any section, they would cram in there, stick their feet in there, and wait expectantly for me to complete the next spot.”
Now, out of reach of their claws, the cats spend their time snoozing in the sun, rotating their perches, and observing the insects and birds flying around in the garden. “It’s really nice to see them living in Catio,” Auston says. “We're just here to serve them. That's how they think, right?” Auston admits his life is more than this, but at his most modest, Even for DIY projects, a few rules of thumb can help.
plan ahead
You don't have to start from scratch. Check out catiospaces.com and catioworld.com for guides and inspirational plans. Before starting the project, Auston found it helpful to attend his annual Catio tour in Portland. Several cities host such events, where catio owners offer the public a chance to see their structures up close. Auston sketched out the design, calculated the cost of materials, then scaled back and made adjustments when lumber prices skyrocketed during the pandemic. The most common question she receives from her novice catio builders is whether to include a trash can. She suggests prioritizing space for cats to play, since it's common for her owners to have litter boxes indoors.
Safety considerations
Cats are safer indoors than outdoors, but build carefully to avoid inadvertent hazards. The cat door gives Mr. Auston's pets direct access to the cat door, so he can transport his pet without risking it falling off. To avoid attracting coyotes and mice, she doesn't feed food outdoors, installs cat-safe plants, and covers areas for shade and protection from the elements.
provide richness
Cats need places where they can climb and hide, such as cat trees or cubbies. “I see a lot of empty space catios,” Auston says. “Even just adding a cardboard box with holes cut in it makes it a much more appealing feature.” A simple shelf provides a sunny napping perch, and an outdoor bird feeder or sun catcher is perfect for cats. Provides additional stimulation to increase satisfaction.
remember you
Many owners prefer to spend time with their cat in a catio. Auston created a space where she could enjoy her morning coffee and her family could enjoy time outdoors with the cats. “We all enjoy it,” she says. However, Bertie is an exception. Bertie often takes advantage of everyone gathering at the cafe and has the house to himself.
This piece originally appeared in the Spring 2024 issue. To receive the paper magazine, please become a member in the following ways: make a donation today.