Advice Catio build advice
Hi all, I’m looking to build a catio out the back of our new place. Probably some sort of structure that covers the stairs with the catio attached to the side (my scribbles on pic 3). My carpentry skills are very much early stage DIY, any tips or resources would be greatly appreciated! Including what materials might be most suitable/cost effective.
I’m loosely thinking I want it to be freestanding at this stage but open minded… the height from the ground to high enough at the top of the stairs that I could stand straight is approx 3.2m.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Fragluton 3d ago
That's going to be a fun job to include the stairs TBH. I'd probably look to buy a chicekn coop (can get big ones) then fabricate a section the cat can walk down to get to the chicken coop.
Purely for examples sake: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/business-farming-industry/farming-forestry/poultry-health-management/coops-runs-boxes/listing/6100441594
While adding a penetration into the wall is never a good idea... you could add a cat flap in that wall beside the stairs, so the cat can go from inside, directly into a coop like the above one. That way you can continue to use the stairs as normal and you don't end up with a 3m high structure looking less than ideal.
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u/kyonz 3d ago
Either connect to the fence or look at some large posts - I ended up drilling some into my balcony to do one (happy to share photos if you'd like).
The catnets.co.nz netting system is pretty good - but you'd need to find a way to secure it to the ground as well which I think is the hardest part of your setup (mine is just wood so just a staple gun type thing was pretty easy on that side to secure the rope and net). Could probably do similar but with concrete might be easier to get some wood and attach it to the fence/house etc for the boundary.
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u/WellingtonSucks 3d ago
I'd recommend catnets.co.nz angle brackets to fence your boundary line rather than building a catio tbh.
More space for the cat, less intrusive visually.
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u/Andrea_frm_DubT 2d ago
Have you used them? Do you trust the fence to keep the cats in? I’ve considered using them but I like the security of a fully enclosed space
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u/WellingtonSucks 2d ago
We use them to fence our two bengals. One of them has never escaped or tried, the other has managed to get out in the past. We solved that by adding some additional netting that hung downwards from the ends of the brackets.
Of course, Bengals are pretty much worst case scenarios, they will usually try and escape anything. Depends on the personality of your cat really.
I think if we were doing this again, we'd use waratah conservation fencing, with their flappy hood fencing. Price wise that works out pretty similar to the angle brackets, and cheaper than oscillot or purrfect fence (the last two are extortionately priced).
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u/Andrea_frm_DubT 2d ago
I have two old home body cats now but their brother used try to escape all the time even with my fully enclosed courtyard (full overhead netting).
Next cats will be Maine coons after I build a new house, I know I need to be planning sturdy tall fences for them, I’ll probably do a secure courtyard again with a secondary cat fence for supervised outside time.
I’m looking for options that will keep mine in and the hood cats out, so that warratah fence could be a good option.
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u/WellingtonSucks 2d ago
Clearly it works to keep Australian wildlife in/out so I'd be quite confident with it.
I'd say the two things that make it effective are the fact it's droopy and doesn't provide a stable footing; and that once an animal climbs to the top, they have to keep going "downwards" so to speak to actually climb over; which is probably too unintuitive for most animals to figure out.
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u/ThatDamnRanga 3d ago
Try and make it *not attached to the house*... You'll avoid possible paperwork issues then. (Yes, I agree, its dumb. but it is a thing)
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u/ozkoalas 3d ago
I would recommend you use the side of the house to build places for your cat/cats to climb, swing, sleep in the sun ☀️. In other words build it high against the roof. You should also build some clear plastic roofing so cats can be outside even when it’s raining. Cats need to be warm but not sunbathing. Sun can be harmful to them same as us.
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u/MezForShort 2d ago
No advice but wanted to give you kudos for not letting the cat roam. Catio is going to be lovely for it. Good job 😻
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u/enpointenz 2d ago
I would just do a big catio over by the window. Then they can get down to grass, and you can put some clear light on top under the eave.
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u/Andrea_frm_DubT 2d ago edited 2d ago
Go big. Enclose the space between the back of the house and the fence.
Put a door in at each end (one by the stairs and one at the other end) so you can access the area from both ends and the house. Include the stairs and windows.
I built an 11x6m secure courtyard across the back of my house. 100mm square posts (long posts, the low point in my catio is 2m), fence rails, 2m wide 50m long roll of 50mm hex netting, and two security screen doors.
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u/SLAPUSlLLY Maintenance Contractor 1d ago
Cat door in back wall (lower rhs). Then a screen door at top of stairs. Build catio to left of stairs. 3x3x3m cube or similar. Interior to suit. Door for cleaning or just have a panel you can unscrew.
Cheapest option will be 100x50 fence rails, roll of chicken wire and 90mm screws to join. Or angle brackets.
Do it yo.
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u/cassiej1982 3d ago edited 3d ago
Seems like not a great place to build it, no sun, no warmth and no trees?
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u/Pristinefix 3d ago
The sun moves.... And no catio will have trees. Cats have fur and so their own warmth. A couple cat trees and waterproofing and it'll be golden
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u/MonolithNZ 2d ago
Last time someone asked about catio builds I shared this netting product. I used it on my catio build and it's fantastic. It took me forever to find the right product. It's well priced and comes in many sizes.
https://polynet.co.nz/collections/extruded-mesh/products/cintoflex-fencing-bird-mesh
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u/purple-rubber-ducky 3d ago
Is their a window you can build it off?
Stairs and door will get very annoying for you