
I found a carpenter who was willing to listen to my crazy building ideas. My First Homemade Outdoor Playground for Cats It was during that time that I vowed to never again let a cat outdoors until I inquired about outdoor cat enclosures. I can't describe the anguish I went through over the next days. Then one warm summer night, China's adorable brother didn't show up at the door as the sun set. Their outdoor cat enclosure was built by nature and seemed the only way to give them happiness.įor a few months all was well and, with trepidation, I continued to let my cats go outside during the daylight. By this time, we had 14 cats, all very domesticated and indoors most of the time, but all of whom became frantic if they could not go outdoors.Īs my heart ached for China, I watched the others leap into the air, chase each other, catch bugs, run up trees as we sat on the porch watching the sun go down, and I couldn't imagine taking that from them. The imagination can conjure up terrible images of how your feline friend may be suffering, hungry, lost, or very ill. I learned that a missing cat caused me more pain than one who died. I cried for days and hunted the woods and streams and fields, calling her name over and over. One very precious female kitty named China just disappeared one night. I also learned about foxes and hunters and owls and other dangers. Two were found dead on a road several miles from our house. It certainly wasn't a setting that brought outdoor cat enclosures to mind.Īs time went on, I sadly learned that my cats who seemed to never leave the porch actually explored far away.

The only danger to cats I had ever witnessed when I was growing up was automobiles, so I thought this place was the perfect playground for cats and completely safe.


The house was in the mountains, in the middle of corn fields, surrounded by the forest and fields and ponds, and not a road or neighbor in sight. Actually it wasn't a cat (singular), but instead was a Momma Cat with 4 kittens that came with a house my husband and I traveled to each week-end. When I grew up and was out on my own, I adopted my first cat. My heart was broken time after time, but that's just how it was. An outdoor cat enclosure had not yet even entered anyone's imagination.Įven as I grew up and saw my childhood pets die on the highway in front of my house, I didn't question my parents about the cats being allowed outdoors. I was around cats from the day I was born and at that time, the concept of a cat staying indoors all the time was unheard of. I would like to share with you the story of how I came to be so committed to keeping my cats indoors and consequently having an outdoor cat enclosure. Why is an Enclosed Outdoor Area Important for Cats?
#Outside cat enclosures install#
You can construct a cat enclosure entirely by yourself or buy a kit and put it together ot hire a company to install one or hire a carpenter to build a cat fence exactly to your specifications. There are many different companies that make outdoor enclosures for cats, including: How do I Get An Outdoor Enclosure for my Cat? They all come with a method of easily closing off your cats access if there are times you want to keep your kitty totally inside. There are many styles available these days including electronic pet doors, window pet doors, and many others. I have always used cat doors so they could come and go as they wish. It's simple to find a way for your cats to navigate from indoors to outdoor cat enclosures. How Will My Cat Get From Inside the House into the Outdoor Area?

However, safety from cars and other animals and poisons and many other dangers is provided when you give your kitty an enclosed area to enjoy outside.
#Outside cat enclosures plus#
For example, cat flea control must be used, but that is easily accomplished by using Frontline Plus for Cats or Advantage for Cats.
#Outside cat enclosures free#
Some of the concerns a cat owner has about a cat being free outdoors still apply even when outside cat enclosures are used. Does an Outdoor Cat Enclosure Solve All Problems?
