Creating a Catio

Have you ever considered making your kitty a catio? This will give your cat a place to enjoy the sights and sounds of being outdoors, while keeping her safe and sound in her own domain. You can use an enclosed porch or patio, a spare room, or even a sunny corner! Here, an Ellicott City, MD vet offers tips on making your feline friend a catio.

Plants

Let your four-legged pal enjoy a taste of nature by setting out some plants for her to nibble on. Fluffy loves to peek out from behind green leaves and pretend she’s a fierce predator! Just be sure to only pick pet-safe plants. Some good options are Boston ferns, Spider tree plants, African violets, and Rubber trees. Another cute option is to repurpose an old litterbox by turning it into a grass mat planter. Start by cleaning it. Then, fill it with soil, and plant some cat grass (wheat grass) seeds in it. In a few weeks, Fluffy will have a living mat to look content on. You can find more online at the ASPCA website here.

Purrniture

No catio is complete without a cat tower! You can buy one, or you can make your own. Fluffy may also enjoy a catwalk, which you can construct out of shelves. You can also offer your feline pal pet tents, kitty tipis, and/or cat hammocks. Needless to say, you’ll also want to include lots of comfy napping spots.

Toys

Entertainment is very important for Fluffy’s well-being! Set out lots of fun playthings for your kitty to bat around. Classic kitty toys like catnip mice are great, but you can also offer your furball fun modern toys, like catnip bubbles or automated laser pointers.

View

Cats love to watch birds and squirrels. Put a bird feeder up in your kitty’s line of sight. Fluffy may spend hours just sunbathing, watching small animals, and daydreaming about hunting.

Enclosures

If you own your own home, and you really want to spoil your pet, consider going a step further, and making Fluffy her own enclosure. You can order one, or you can make your own out of chicken wire and lumber. It doesn’t have to be big, or particularly complicated. Look online for design ideas. Do you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your local Ellicott City, MD pet clinic, today!