Catio | Outdoor Cat Enclosure | Cat Run

A catio is an outdoor enclosure for cats. The word is a blend of cat and patio, and it covers everything from a box that bolts onto a window to a walk-in run the size of a garden shed. This guide explains the types, what to measure, what the materials mean and how to pick the right outdoor cat enclosure for your home and your cat.

Why New Zealand cat owners buy catios

New Zealand is a hard place to be a roaming cat. Roads, dogs, other cats, fleas and ticks all take a toll, and the toll runs the other way too: roaming cats kill a large number of native birds, reptiles and small mammals. Some councils already have cat bylaws, and the push to protect native birds keeps growing. A catio solves both problems at once. The cat gets sun, fresh air and something to watch. The wildlife stays safe. You know where your cat is.

Indoor-only cats are safe, but they can be bored, overweight and prone to scratching and spraying out of frustration. An enclosure gives them a change of scene every day without the risk.

The four types of catio

Window catios. A mesh box that fixes to the outside of a window. The cat climbs through the open window into a sunny perch. These suit apartments and rentals because nothing is fixed to the ground, and they are the cheapest way to start.

Freestanding enclosures. A self-supporting mesh enclosure, usually with shelves and a door, that sits on a balcony, courtyard or lawn. Good for one or two cats and easy to move or take with you.

Walk-in catios and cat runs. Tall enclosures you can step into, with room for several shelves, a scratching post, a litter tray and a chair for you. These are the ones to look at if the cat will spend most of the day outside, or if you have more than two cats.

Tunnels. Mesh tubes that connect an enclosure to a window, a cat door or another enclosure, so the cat comes and goes on its own. Tunnels turn a catio from a place you carry the cat to into a place the cat chooses.

Measure before you buy

Measure the space you have, then subtract room to open the door and walk around. Check the ground is level, or plan to level it with pavers. For a window catio, measure the window opening and the depth of the sill, and note whether the window slides or swings. Compare those numbers with the assembled dimensions on the product page, which we list for every item.

Think about height as well as footprint. Cats use vertical space more than floor space, so a tall enclosure with three shelves gives more useful room than a wide, low one.

What the materials mean

Mesh. Welded or woven galvanised or powder-coated steel is the standard. Look for gaps small enough that a paw cannot fit through, and a wire gauge that will not bend by hand. Plastic mesh is fine for a quiet indoor cat on a balcony but will not stop a determined climber or a dog on the other side.

Frame. Powder-coated steel or aluminium frames resist rust and need no treatment. Timber frames look better in a garden but need sealing, and pine will weather faster than hardwood. If a product page does not name the frame material, ask us before you order.

Roof. A solid or part-solid roof gives shade and keeps the rain off the shelves. Full mesh roofs let in more sun but mean the cat needs a covered corner. New Zealand summers make shade a must, not an option.

Doors and latches. A door you can walk through makes cleaning far easier. Latches should close positively, and a second latch low down stops a clever cat working the top one.

Fixing and renting

Freestanding enclosures and window catios need no permanent fixing, which makes them the right choice for rentals and strata buildings. Larger runs are often pegged to lawn or screwed to a deck. The fixing method is on every product page. If you rent, show your landlord the page before you order. Most are happy once they see nothing is drilled into the building.

Assembly

Catios ship flat-packed. Panels are usually pre-drilled and the fittings are included. A window catio is a one-person, one-hour job. A freestanding enclosure takes one to two hours. A walk-in run is a two-person afternoon. You will want a screwdriver or drill, a spanner for any bolts, and a level. If anything else is needed, the product page says so.

Making the catio a place your cat wants to be

An empty mesh box is not much fun. Add at least one shelf at height, a hammock or bed in the shadiest corner, a scratching post and a water bowl. Put the enclosure where the cat can see movement: a garden with birds, a path with people, a window into the house. Introduce the cat gradually, with the door open and treats inside, and never shut a nervous cat in on the first day.

Safety and weather

A catio removes the biggest risks, but it is not supervision. Bring the cat in during storms and heatwaves, provide shade and water every day, and check the mesh and latches every few weeks. Keep up the usual flea, tick and worm prevention.

Your catio buying checklist

Measure the space and the window. Decide between window, freestanding, walk-in or tunnel. Check the assembled size, mesh, frame and roof on the product page. Confirm the fixing method suits your home and your lease. Count the shelves and plan your additions. Check the delivery estimate for your postcode. Then order, knowing you have 14 days to change your mind.

The short version

Pick the biggest enclosure your space allows, in steel mesh with a shaded roof and a walk-in door if you can fit one. Add a tunnel if you want the cat to come and go. Read the dimensions twice. Everything we sell lists them.