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Whether you have one cat or multiple, we all share the same goal of providing our feline friends with safe and happy lives. While many cats are intrigued by the outdoors, it isn’t always the safest place for them. There’s a lot to worry about a housecat tangling with outside: threatening predators, busy roads, pests, disease, and more.
Fortunately, you can still allow your cat to enjoy the fresh air while gazing at birds, squirrels, and more—all from the safety of a catio. If you’re up for a DIY project, consider downloading and following one of the catio plans below to build your cat its own oasis of safe enrichment.
1. Pergola Catio
Use these outdoor cat house design plans to give your felines plenty of space to enjoy the great outdoors from the safety of an enclosure. They are intended to make building a catio easy by adding on to the design of an already constructed garden pergola. The ebook, which is available for instant download, includes information about the materials and construction process you’ll want to follow, along with photographs to help you transform a pergola into a space your cats can enjoy.
Get the Night Blooming Garden Pergola DIY Cat Enclosure & Catio Digital Plans on Etsy for $0.99.
2. Gabled Window Catio
If you’re looking for catio ideas that will keep your fur babies happy and entertained while also offering some protection against threatening pests, consider building this house-shaped catio off of one of your home’s windows. Originally designed for the Nahimana Forest Kitten Rescue in North Carolina, the plans offer 29 pages of material lists, step-by-step instructions, drawings, photos, and more. If you have the space, you could even consider purchasing the plans to build the catio with a catwalk and treehouse.
Get the Catio 828 Catio from Nahimana Forest Kitten Rescue on Etsy for $9.99.
3. Catio With a Tunnel
These free catio plans from the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) will guide you in crafting a stand-alone catio that can connect to your home through a window or a cat door. The free plans include a shopping list with all the tools and materials you’ll need, detailed steps for construction, and clear diagrams to help you assemble the finished product. The BC SPCA offers additional tips for building a catio and turning it into an enriching and safe place for your pet, along with some additional free plans, on their website.
Get the BC SPCA Stand Alone Catio Plans at British Columbia SPCA for free.
4. Freestanding Window Catio
If you’re the type of cat owner with furniture that makes space for your pet, then you’ll also love turning your open window into a mini retreat for your cat. With these plans, you can build a window catio house using basic materials. The instruction manual includes a list of all the materials you’ll need, as well as the step-by-step directions to follow to make this outdoor cat area for your furry friend.
Get the Matt Builds It Window Catio Plans on Etsy for $9.99.
5. Catio Tower
Follow these digital plans to create an enjoyable escape where your kitties can explore nature from the safety of an enclosure. The outdoor catio is quite spacious, measuring 24 inches wide by 48 inches long by 96 inches high. It will give your cats room to spread out, observe their surroundings, and even jump and climb between different platforms. (Who knows, the extra activity and place to explore may even help keep your cats off the counters!) The plans are designed to be easy to follow and include 13 pages of images, diagrams, and directions.
Get Studio Catio’s The Tower plans on Etsy for $9.03.
6. Catio Balcony
If you only have the space for a small catio, try following the plans to build this kitty balcony that will attach to your window. The plans include nine pages of materials, tools, drawings, and step-by-step directions. There are also notes about modifying the plans to suit different window frame materials to ensure a good fit. Once purchased, the plans will be available as an instant download so you can get right to work building a new retreat for your feline friend.
Get Studio Catio’s The Balcony on Etsy for $9.03.
6. Simple Standalone Catio
Those searching for larger catio enclosures might want to purchase the plans to build this spacious 8-foot by 4-foot kitty house (which is also simple and universal enough to be used for other animals if desired, such as chickens). The detailed plans will share all the materials you’ll need and then walk you through the steps to complete the catio. Once ready, be sure to add some catio accessories, such as a hammock, shelves, or hanging food and water bowls.
Get the Future Gadgets Design Catio House Plans on Etsy for $5.64.
8. Window Catio With a Door
The window catio could be used with either indoor-outdoor cats or indoor-only cats. The plans will help you construct a window catio with an optional side door, allowing outdoor kitties to hop out and go exploring. For indoor-only cats, modify the plans and make the door a permanent wall that won’t open, so your kitty stays safely inside. The plans are also designed to allow DIYers to modify the dimensions of the cat house, based on the size of their windows and the available space outside their home. Each purchase includes 23 pages of high-resolution plans with detailed measurements and descriptions for building your cat’s dream suite.
Get the DigitalTutoriaStudio Cat House Plans on Etsy for $6.87.
9. Aluminum Catio
These plans will help you build an aluminum cat patio enclosure to give your kitties space to roam around and observe nature. While most other outdoor catio ideas feature wood frames, these offer an alternative option to create a cat house that will be more weather-resistant. Unlike wood, aluminum doesn’t rot, deteriorate, or change color, even with exposure to the elements. The downloadable plans include lists of the tools and materials you’ll need, the steps to take to prepare for the project, a cut list, and directions for assembling the finished product.
Get the Fitzie Goods Catio Build Plans on Etsy for $7.50.
10. Two-Tier Window Catio
Those interested in catio designs that will allow their cats to access the enclosure through a window, while still providing plenty of space to play and relax, might want to try these plans. They’ll help you make a two-tier window catio, complete with ramps—and a mid-level perch—to make it easy for your cats to move between the upper and lower levels. Designed to be suitable even for beginners to follow and complete in a weekend, the plans include written directions, clear measurements, and 3D renders to help you put the patio pet playground together.
Get the Garden Elkun DIY Window Catio House Plans on Etsy for $9.38.
The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on August 1, 2024.