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The 9 Best Outdoor Cat Houses To Keep Felines Warm All Winter Long

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Outdoor and feral cats benefit from a dedicated shelter any time of year, and the best outdoor cat houses help keep felines warm and dry in the worst conditions. During the winter, cats that live or play outside face freezing temperatures, snow, sleet, rain, and wind. This leaves cats susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. A cat's age, coat type, and certain medical conditions will determine what types of weather they can handle and which type of cat house is best for them.

To find out which features are essential to a good outdoor cat house, we spoke with five experts on outdoor cats and pet safety. We then researched dozens of shelters, including heated, multicat, and wooden houses. Our top pick, the Petsfit Outdoor Cat House, is well-insulated and waterproof. If you're looking for extra warmth during the coldest months of winter, we recommend The Kitty Tube Outdoor Cat House. It's made from durable recycled plastic and highly insulated with foam and wheat straw.

Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews pet products.

Our top picks for the best outdoor cat houses

Best overall: Petsfit Outdoor Cat House - See at Amazon

Best for winter: The Kitty Tube Outdoor Cat House - See at Amazon

Best heated: K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Kitty House - See at Chewy

Best multicat: K&H Pet Products Extra-Wide Outdoor Kitty House - See at Chewy

Best for rainy weather: Kinchoix Outdoor Cat House - See at Amazon

Best for warm weather: Petsfit Cat House for Outdoor Cats - See at Amazon

Best for senior cats: Trixie Outdoor Wooden Cat House - See at Chewy

Best wooden: Feralvilla Outdoor Cat Shelter II - See at Feralvilla

Best DIY: Rubbermaid Brute 14 gallon and 20 gallon totes - See at Amazon

Best overall Petsfit Outdoor Cat House

The weatherproof Petsfit Outdoor Cat House has a pitched roof, asphalt awning, and removable floor boards for easy cleaning.

"A good outdoor cat house should have plenty of insulation and be waterproof," says Dr. Stephanie Ninnemann, a veterinarian at VCA Spring Creek Animal Hospital in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Size matters, too. "There should be plenty of room for the cat to stand and turn around but not too much room for them to get cold," she says. The experts we interviewed recommend cat houses with a single door for added warmth. They also suggest outfitting the interior with straw, which won't retain moisture like cloth or wool.

The easy-to-assemble Petsfit house is the ideal size for keeping a kitty warm in cold, wet conditions. The pitched A-frame shelter is made with spruce wood and lined with high-quality plastic sheeting for waterproofing. An asphalt-covered awning over the front door keeps out the rain and snow. 

This house's floorboards are removable for easy cleaning and have an opening for threading the power cord of a heated bed. Although the house has a second escape door, a swinging plastic flap provides only partial protection. For better weatherproofing, Whitney Phillips, a volunteer with Alley Cat Project in Seattle, recommends covering it with vinyl weather stripping. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best for winter

Cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia the same way humans are. While some cats do well outside as long as they have protection from wind and precipitation, even a heated cat house may not be enough to keep them warm in more severe conditions. 

"In general, if it's too cold for you to be outside for any length of time, it is certainly too cold for them to be outside without proper shelter," Ninnemann says. When below-freezing temperatures are forecast for more than a couple of days, outdoor cats should be housed inside a barn or shed with access to heat, water, and food.

The next best thing is the Kitty Tube House, which is one of the best outdoor cat houses because of its insulated and weatherproof material. Although it's one of the pricier options on our list, it stands up to harsh conditions and is very easy to assemble. The interior, including the floor, is protected by foam insulation and comes with wheat straw to add up to two more layers of insulating bedding. The house has a slightly elevated door with an awning to prevent water from entering. It's large enough for two adult cats or a female with kittens. 

The shell is made from 100% recycled plastics with a lifetime guarantee against chipping, cracking, or fading. In warmer weather, you can adjust the carry handles for increased airflow. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best heated

Phillips says heated cat houses can be an excellent option, especially in regions with frigid temperatures. These best outdoor cat houses that are heated are warmed with low-voltage electricity. While they aren't likely to catch fire, the wiring should be concealed and kept away from water to prevent shocks or electrocution, according to Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety in Reston, Virginia. Since these structures aren't waterproof or insulated, you'll want to place them in a sheltered location near a house. 

The K&H Pet Products Heated Kitty House is just large enough for two cats to snuggle up together. The shelter consists of lightweight vinyl-backed nylon and has a removable zippered roof with overhanging eaves. 

It's fitted with a fleece-lined heated pad that is MET safety-listed, which means an independent lab has evaluated and approved it for safe use. The pad is removable — its fleece cover is even machine washable — and so are the plastic door flaps, which attach to the house with velcro. It's available in several colors as well as barn- and cottage-themed prints.

Best multicat

Even if you need a house that will fit more than one feline, it's still best to think small: If the space is too large, the cats will have a harder time maintaining the internal temperature, Wolko says. 

If you're setting up a shelter for feral or community cats, it's also important to remember that they may not want to bed down together. Ninnemann recommends setting up multiple houses instead of one large house if you think more than one cat in the neighborhood may use it. 

The K&H Pet Products Extra-Wide Outdoor Kitty House is big enough to house multiple cats but not so large that they'll struggle to warm it up with their body heat. It has a velcro-attached roof and door flaps and a machine-washable, cushioned pad for added comfort.

The house's vinyl-backed nylon is not waterproof, and there are two exits, which allow for more heat loss than a single entry point. Because of this, it works best when set up in protected areas like porches, barns, and garages. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best for rainy weather Kinchoix Outdoor Cat House

The Kinchoix cat house's elevated design keeps cats off wet or muddy ground, while the insulation helps keep them warm on chilly nights.

If you get a lot of rain and worry about outdoor cats staying dry, Dr. Athena Gaffud, a veterinarian with Veterinarians.Org, recommends choosing a house that's elevated from the ground and has plenty of insulation. The insulation helps prevent moisture build-up, while the added height should ensure that water doesn't get inside, she says. 

The Kinchoix house meets all of those requirements. Standing 8 inches off the ground, it's designed to keep kitties away from soggy grass or mud. It also has a slanted roof with leak-proof wooden planks to help protect against heavy rainfall or snow. The door has curtains to keep the wind out, and an interior divider creates a protected space away from the door for added warmth.

This is also one of the best outdoor cat houses for multiple cats to take shelter from the rain, as it has plenty of space and built-in foam insulation on all sides to keep cats at a comfortable temperature. You can also add extra straw insulation if you live in a particularly cold climate. The roof opens on a hinge, making it easy to clean. Since the shelter is so high off the ground, you might need to add a makeshift ramp for older cats or set it up near outdoor furniture that cats can use as leverage to climb inside. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best for senior cats

Gaffud says that when choosing a cat house for senior kitties or cats with limited mobility, you'll want to opt for one they can easily access from the ground.

Steps or a ramp could give older kitties a helping hand, Quandt says — and this cat house by Trixie comes equipped with a handy ramp to give older cats easy access. The slightly elevated floor helps promote air circulation while keeping cats off cold or wet ground. But at just 2 inches off the ground, the entrance is also low enough for most cats to easily hop inside. 

The slanted roof and weather-treated wooden planks help your kitty stay dry, while the plastic cat flap keeps the wind out. You can also remove the flap if your cat isn't a fan. The house is big enough for a single cat to bed down, but it may not work well for multiple cats. –Brooke Helton, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best wooden Feralvilla Outdoor Cat Shelter II

The two-level Feralvilla Outdoor Cat Shelter II has a fully insulated and protected "bedroom" that keeps kitties warm and dry in bad weather.

Wooden houses are sturdier and much more weather-resistant than their nylon counterparts. Plus, you can customize them, too. You can paint them any color you like with exterior latex paint, which also extends the life of the shelter.

Although the Feralvilla Outdoor Cat Shelter II requires more assembly than all but our DIY recommendation, its unique two-level design makes it one of the best cat houses you can buy.  After entering via one of two doors on the ground floor, a cat will pass through a wind-breaking baffle. Then, they can hop up through an opening to a completely protected, cozy upper level that's 20 inches wide and deep and 12 inches tall.

The Feralvilla is made from wood composite and comes lined with a half-inch of foam insulation and heat-reflecting aluminum foil. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best for warm weather

When choosing a cat house for hot climates, good ventilation and shade are both crucial, says Stephen Quandt, certified cat behaviorist at Cat Behavior Help. Houses with a covered porch are especially ideal since the porch will have the most ventilation of any part of a cat house, he says.

This two-tier cat house has an upper level with a shady porch where your cats can feel the breeze. The slanted asphalt roof blocks out the sun and keeps the elements away, while the open railings will allow cats to enjoy the fresh air as they survey their surroundings. The house's raised design can help cats stay dry on rainy days. Your cat can also seek shelter inside the lower level, which can fit one to two cats snugly. Plus, the escape hatch provides another way for cool air to enter.

If you live in a particularly hot climate or want to help your cat stay extra cool, Quandt recommends putting the cat house in the shade and setting out a cooling mat or cooling water bowl nearby. He also suggests placing the cat house on soil or grass, so cats don't burn their paws on surfaces like concrete or tar when trying to enter. –Brooke Helton, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

Best DIY

According to Phillips, there are three primary types of DIY outdoor cat shelters: those made from storage bins, those made from Styrofoam, and those made from insulated coolers. The first type is the easiest to build — you need two plastic storage bins and insulation to stuff between them.

"The big benefit of the bin outdoor shelter style is that it's waterproof," Phillips says. "It takes time and cost and muscle to put together, but it's easy to maintain. You just lift off the lid and stuff a bunch of new straw in."

Rubbermaid's Brute 14-gallon and 20-gallon totes are an affordable option for building a DIY house. "You put the smaller inside of the larger and you insulate the heck out of it," says Phillips. She puts pieces of Styrofoam in between the floors of the two bins, then lines the sides with Mylar sheets and stuffs them as full as possible with moisture- and mildew-resistant straw. 

To make the door, Phillips traces the base of a plastic flower pot onto the bin's side, softens the plastic with a hairdryer, and uses a utility knife to cut out an entrance. Then she cuts off the base of the plastic flower pot and inserts the pot into the bin's hole to create a protected tube-like entrance. Be sure to add plenty of straw bedding to the interior. For more detailed instructions, check out Alley Cat Allies step-by-step guide. –Shoshi Parks, Insider Reviews freelance reporter

You can build your own waterproof cat shelter out of two plastic totes, using Styrofoam, Mylar sheets, and straw for insulation. Vicky Leta/Business Insider What to look for in outdoor cat houses

Considering these important features can help you find just the right cat house for your backyard:

Weather resistance: An outdoor house is only as good as its weatherproofing. Roaming and feral cats may not want to use a cat house that offers little protection from the elements. We chose cat houses made with water-resistant and waterproof materials designed to keep rain and snow from getting in and keep any kitties using the house dry and warm. 

Insulation: On cold winter nights, insulation helps keep a cat's core temperature from dropping to dangerous levels. During the summer, insulation can help block heat from entering the cat house, ensuring the cats who use the shelter stay comfortable year-round. We opted for cat houses with built-in insulation or ones you can easily outfit with Mylar, Styrofoam, and straw — Phillips' go-to insulators.

Ease of assembly: Prefab outdoor cat houses should require minimal assembly and have straightforward, easy-to-follow directions. We favored shelters that are quick to assemble, with only one or a few tools. Of the DIY houses, we selected the one requiring the least technical skill to build and assemble.

Size: While it might seem like a bigger house is better since it can shelter more cats, this isn't necessarily the case. Phillips says you don't want massive houses, storage containers, or Styrofoam boxes. That's because larger cat houses won't prevent a cat's body heat from escaping, which can make it difficult for the cat to warm up, Ninnemann says. So, we included compact, cozy cat houses. When choosing the best outdoor cat house for multiple cats, we opted for one just large enough for two to three cats to comfortably sleep. 

Entry and exit points: While it's true that a cat house with two entrances can make it easier for cats to escape if a predator comes knocking, Phillips says that concern isn't a priority for her. The more doors on a cat house, the more easily heat can escape and rain can enter. "If the purpose is warmth, we need to design for warmth," Phillips says. Because cats tend to avoid entering through door flaps, she prefers elevated doors with awnings that keep out the rain. When possible, we selected cat houses with these characteristics.

Cost: You shouldn't need a mortgage to afford a good cat house. We only selected premade or easy-to-assemble cat houses for under $200. If you have a tight budget, consider a DIY cat house you can make with inexpensive materials, like a plastic tote container and straw.  

Safety: You should feel confident that outdoor cats can safely bed down in the cat house. When possible, we selected houses with entrances only big enough for cats. That way, larger unwelcome visitors, like coyotes or stray dogs, won't have a way inside. 

How we selected the best outdoor cat houses

To develop our selection criteria for the best houses, we spoke with five experts.

Dr. Stephanie Ninnemann is a veterinarian at VCA Spring Creek Animal Hospital in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She is passionate about veterinary education in the community and hosts a weekly radio show on the topic at KJAX 93.5. Ninnemann helped us better understand the ideal sizing of cat houses.

Whitney Phillips is a volunteer at Alley Cat Project in Seattle, Washington. She has more than 20 years of experience building shelters for feral and community cats to protect them from the wet Pacific Northwest weather. Phillips helped us better understand the importance of weatherproofing houses and explained how to build a DIY cat house. 

Lindsey Wolko is the founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety in Reston, Virginia. In her work, Wolko advocates for the safety of pet products and the pets who use them. Wolko helped us better understand the best types of bedding materials and how to safely use electricity in these shelters. 

Stephen Quandt is a certified feline training and behavior specialist with over 20 years of experience. He consults for organizations like the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, Ready For Rescue, and the Animal Care Centers of NYC. Quandt helped us understand what makes a cat house ideal for hot weather and how to keep cat houses of all kinds clean. 

Dr. Athena Gaffud is a licensed veterinarian from Isabela, Philippines. She runs her own virtual veterinary company, Doc Athena Vet Services, and fact-checks pet articles for Veterinarians.Org. Gaffud helped us understand how to choose a cat house for rainy or wet weather and what to look for when choosing houses for senior cats. 

We conducted research into different types of houses based on our experts' recommendations and reviewed options available at major online retailers to select our top choices in nine different categories. 

Outdoor cat house FAQs What kind of house does an outside cat need?

You have several options for sheltering outdoor cats and feral cats in extreme weather. Ideally, you can offer cats access to a garage, barn, or shed that won't become soggy in the elements. If the building has electricity, setting up a heated bed or heated cat house will help keep outdoor kitties warm. If you don't have a space to welcome cold cats, set up a pre-made cat house or build your own with material that won't leak. Make sure to insulate your structure and place it in a location as protected from the elements as possible. According to Wolko, you should never put blankets or towels in an outdoor cat shelter because they will trap moisture and may even freeze. Phillips recommends buying or making a shelter with only one entrance. A single entry prevents a wind tunnel from forming and helps retain more heat.

How should I clean my cat's house?

Some store-bought cat houses feature roof panels that lift up, which allow you to access the interior for easy cleaning. Quand recommends avoiding using strong cleaners like bleach or ammonia, as these may be too strong for sensitive feline noses. Usually, gentle soap and water should do the trick.

What is the best size for an outdoor cat house?

The ideal size will depend on your cat's height and weight, as well as the number of cats you want to shelter. But according to Quandt, one cat typically needs around four to six square feet of space. "For reference, the area of a medium-sized dog crate per cat is about right," he says. Your cats should have enough space to stand up and turn around, but not enough room to let their body heat escape. Keep in mind, too, that the smaller the house, the better it can retain heat. 

Do outdoor cat houses need litter boxes? 

In general, full-time outdoor or stray cats don't use the best cat litter boxes like indoor cats do, so you don't necessarily need to add one to your cat house. That said, a 2020 Japanese study found that when outdoor cats were provided with litter boxes, they used them exclusively within weeks. So, if you're tired of finding cat "gifts" in your garden, setting up an outdoor litter box near your cat house could make both you and your kitties happy. 

Do feral cats use outdoor cat houses? 

Feral cats may turn to outdoor houses to seek shelter, especially in cold or harsh weather conditions. To provide shelter for feral cats, opt for an insulated cat house that will keep them warm and out of the elements. Feral cats may also prefer an elevated house since a shelter raised off the ground will likely stay drier in wet weather. 

What is the best way to heat an outdoor cat house?

If your cat house doesn't already come with insulation, you can add Mylar, Styrofoam, and straw to provide extra warmth. With a little effort, you can also transform plastic storage bins and Styrofoam or insulated coolers into solid houses, Phillips says. For instructions on how to build a DIY cat house, check out Alley Cat Allies step-by-step guide.

How do outdoor cats stay warm in the winter?

Cats conserve body heat by curling up in tight, cozy spots that are safe from wind, rain, and snow. Many outdoor cats seek shelter somewhere elevated to take advantage of rising heat or find their way under the hood of a car to the still-warm engine. Others will huddle together with other cats to share body heat. Because cats burn through so much energy trying to stay warm, they also benefit from eating frequent large meals to make up that lost energy. 

Do outdoor cats need a cat house?

If your cat spends time outside, they may appreciate a cat house as a safe place to relax or find shelter from the weather. The best outdoor cat houses can help your cat stay warm in the winter and find shade in the summer. They also provide a dry place to nap on rainy or snowy days. In extra cold conditions, a heated shelter is better than an unheated shelter at preventing hypothermia. However, most cats in more moderate climates will do just fine with a well-insulated, waterproof cat house.

Are outdoor cat houses safe?

Generally speaking, cat houses are safe, but there's always the chance a predator may get into the house while a kitty rests inside. Most commercially available cat houses have two exits so feline residents can easily escape if another animal comes calling. But Phillips warns that two doors also leave a shelter less protected from the elements. "Cats who are living outside are like raccoons. That's their natural environment, that's where they live, so as soon as they hear something, they are going to jet right out as fast as possible," she says — even if they only have one door for them to escape from.

Where's the best place to put an outdoor cat house?

The best place is always on private property, Phillips says. A cat house will offer the most protection to cats when placed under an overhang, inside of a shed or barn, or in a location where predators can't go. Ninnemann says a fenced-in area may work best, and facing the opening against a wall may help your cat feel safer. If you have to place the shelter in a public area, Phillips recommends using a bike lock or other tether to prevent people from removing it. She also suggests attaching a laminated sign to the box to explain why it's there.

What should I put inside an outdoor cat house?

"Materials like fabrics or cushions absorb moisture and can freeze, creating an ideal scenario for hypothermia," Wolko says. For bedding that won't retain moisture, use straw or wood chips. You can safely use electric pet heating pads in cat shelters near your home if you regularly monitor, clean, and dry them. Ninnemann says you can also place small amounts of one of the best cat foods inside a cat house near your home to provide nutritional support for cats. Just avoid leaving out so much food that it attracts animals like raccoons.

Brooke Helton

Freelance Writer

Tears As 18-Year-Old Cat Isn't Allowed Inside Family Home But Greets Guests

A video of a senior cat that is no longer allowed inside the family home has broken hearts online.

However, Harry, the orange feline, appears to be in good spirits as he continues to greet visitors, as shown in the TikTok clip from September 17.

Racking up over 116,000 views, the footage, recorded by a woman who runs @almondandcashie—a TikTok account dedicated to her pet cats Cashie and Almond—shows her routine with Harry, who is living in his owner's garage.

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Layered over the footage of Harry outside, the text explains that the woman is a home health registered nurse who visits Harry's owner a few times a week and also brings a "special treat" for the cat.

"They love him, but I do wish he could be indoors," the woman told one user. She explained the reason in another comment: "The cats jump on my patient, and it's not safe for [the] patient."

The text says: "He used to be an indoor cat, but the past [five] years, they won't let him back inside. He's a gentleman walking me to the door on this steep hill." The cat is seen walking alongside the woman as she is filming.

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She said the patient's family has dedicated the garage to Harry and his brother, Pete, which brought a smile to her face.

A stock image shows a ginger cat looking through the window. A video of a senior cat that is no longer allowed inside the family's home has drawn strong reactions on TikTok. A stock image shows a ginger cat looking through the window. A video of a senior cat that is no longer allowed inside the family's home has drawn strong reactions on TikTok. Benjamin44/iStock/Getty Images Plus

The video ends with the nurse and Harry waiting at the door, a scene that has greatly moved viewers. So far, the video, captioned "I think he wants to go in," has 23,900 likes and more than 500 comments.

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"This is absolutely tearing me apart! My heart is broken for him, he just wants to be with his owner. He NEEDS to be inside, he's way too old to be outside all the time," wrote one user.

"You know their senses. He's also probably sensing something is wrong with his owner. Poor baby," added another.

Other users are worried about the cat being cold at night, even though he can sleep in the garage.

Cats are nocturnal and can sleep up to 18 hours a day, preferring warm and comfortable places, according to Modern Vet, a multispecialty veterinary hospital in Dubai. Outdoors, they may sleep in quiet, dark and safe spots, like backyards or balconies. It's important to provide them with an environment where they feel secure and aren't startled by noises. In the colder months, an indoor-outdoor cat enclosure can offer additional comfort and safety.

Newsweek reached out to @almondandcashie for comment and could not verify the details of the case.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Feline Design: A 'catio' Can Give Cats A Taste Of The Outdoors In A Safe Way

Summary:

To provide a safe space for their felines to explore the outdoors,many cat owners are turning to outdoor enclosures for cats, otherwise known as catios. A catio does not necessarily have to be big and fancy. Some people just add a small extended catio space to an existing window cutout, others have them professionally designed.

A cat balances on its hind legs while checking out the outdoors from the Kennelly family's balcony catio on June 19, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Want to give your kitty's living quarters an upgrade? If you have the space (and it doesn't need to take much) adding a catio could prove to be the cat's meow. 

Chris MacIntosh, who laughingly described herself as "probably a certifiable cat lady," is caretaker to several beloved felines who rule the roost from the comfort of their catio in her Redwood City backyard. 

"It gives them a bit more square footage. They can hear the birds, they can smell the smells," MacIntosh said. "Cats are really happy roaming around sniffing the yard but unfortunately it's not a super healthy life for them, or for the birds and everything else." Hence, the catio.  

MacIntosh said she's had her catio – an enclosed outdoor space for cats; a portmanteau of cat and patio – for around 15 years.

"It's been moved around and been hauled here and there and made into different formats, so it's completely tacky and ugly, but the cats don't care," she said.

Chris MacIntosh looks up at her cat, Sooty, as they sit in the catio at their home in Redwood City on June 17, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. A safe space

"For people with patios or backyards, catios are a great option for providing a safe way for cats to explore the outdoors. While it is a limited space, it is a safe space, and safety, for me, is the No. 1 thing," Maria Eguren, director of the behavior and training department at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, told this news organization via email. 

In addition to giving cats a taste of the great outdoors while protecting them from dangers such as cars, poisons and predators, catios also protect wildlife from cats. According to Colleen Crowley, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA communications manager, a primary reason for birds being admitted to the organization's wildlife care center is attacks from cats. 

Catios can also offer cats enrichment, enhancing cats' mental and physical well-being by reducing boredom, which can in turn reduce potential unwelcome behaviors, according to Eguren.

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"When cats can safely go outdoors in a catio, it tends to minimize behaviors like unwanted scratching of treasured household items or our feline friends getting busy with things they shouldn't," she said. "Catios allow your cat to use their visual and scent senses, while enjoying sun and fresh air. You control the environment in a catio, so you can add as many things as you want for your cat to explore."

One of the Kennelly's cats explores the catwalk in the newly built catio created by enclosing their balcony. June 19, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. Simple to luxurious designs

Lisa Parramore, an outdoor living designer with Harrell Design + Build, recently designed her first catio, for clients in Palo Alto. The project involved transforming an existing second-story balcony space into a catio for the homeowners' cats that the humans can enjoy as well. 

"They thought it would be nice for (the cats) to get some fresh air safely, and they can also sit on the balcony and enjoy the fresh air themselves," she said. 

The space is about 5 feet by 14 feet, she said, with the existing door preserved for human use and a cat door added for the kitties. Strong copper mesh was chosen for the enclosure (there is a more commonly used mesh on windows to prevent cats' claws from damaging the screens, Parramore noted, but in this case the clients opted for the larger gauge copper mesh that would offer a better, clearer view of the outdoors, especially of a favorite mature tree). 

The Kennelly's catio features a polycarbonate roof that offers some weather protection while also letting in sunlight. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

The Kennelly family opted to use larger gauge copper mesh that would offer a clearer view of the outdoors. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

The 5-foot by 14-foot catio features built-in shelves and swing where the cats can jump and perch. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

One of the Kennelly's cats plays on the new balcony catio on June 19, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

The Kennelly's catio occupies the second-floor balcony of their Palo Alto home. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Chris MacIntosh hangs out with her cats Sooty, left, and Misty, right, in the catio at her Redwood City home on June 17, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Chris MacIntosh designed the catio at her Redwood City home herself. Her cats access it through a window, and she can enter and exit from an exterior door. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Misty peeks through the chicken-wire fencing of the catio her owner, Chris MacIntosh, built for her at their home in Redwood City. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Chris MacIntosh gives her cat, Sooty, a treat as Sooty explores the catio at their home in Redwood City on June 17, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.

Built-in shelves attached to the mesh and covered with outdoor-rated carpet offer the cats places to jump and perch comfortably. A polycarbonate roof offers some weather protection while also letting in sunlight, and a built-in bench with a cushion offers the humans a new comfy perch as well. Now, the whole family, human and feline alike, can enjoy the balcony together. 

When it comes to catios, "some can be extremely luxurious and some can be extremely simple and everything in between," Parramore said. 

In the case of the Palo Alto custom catio, there were some specifications unique to that project.

"The deck had not been sanded or stained for some time; Our first step was to refurbish that," she said. Another slight complication is the fact that, by law, bedrooms need to have an exit to the outdoors in case of a fire. The room with the balcony is currently used as a home office but, as it has a closet, is technically classified as a bedroom. And while the existing door to the balcony did meet this condition, enclosing that balcony meant that it no longer did. Now, one of the metal panels below the railing is hinged, so that a firefighter can access it if need be. 

When MacIntosh got started with her catio, she was living in a rented backyard cottage in Menlo Park. The indoor space she had was very small, and sweltering in summer, but her landlord mandated that she couldn't let her cats out to free range in the yard because of the rescued wildlife his girlfriend rehabilitated there. A friend who was trained in carpentry and had knowledge of catios offered to do the design and direction of an enclosure for MacIntosh if she could round up the materials and labor. With the help of more friends, her first catio was built in less than two days. 

"My constraint at the time was, it had to be something that wasn't attached to the house in an unremovable way. That one was three-sided, with mesh over the top as well, which was a pain to get leaves off from the oak tree," she recalled. 

About a decade ago, she moved to Redwood City and, thanks again to her "most amazing friends" and their truck, she dismantled the catio and moved it north, where it was reinstalled to work in her new space, this time as part of a covered patio. It was taken down again during remodeling a few years ago and temporarily used in a different part of the yard. 

"Now it's back in what I hope is its permanent configuration," she said of the enclosure, which her cats access through a window and which she can enter and exit from an exterior door and secure with a hook-and-eye closure from within. She's added some cat trees for more lounging and climbing options. 

"If you've got somebody with some basic carpenter skills and some friends it is possible to DIY it. The one thing you've got to remember is to think of 'How can the cats hurt themselves?'" she said, when asked for advice to give those interested in adding a catio of their own. 

"Every single possible little corner has been blocked from the little beasties, because they can be creative," she said. 

She's been careful to use mesh that is small enough that no paws or claws will get stuck, and to keep all the poky mesh staples on the outside. She inspects her catio semi-annually to make sure it's still in good condition and doesn't need any repair, and that no predators can get in. 

"I also do have a couple of litter boxes in mine now," she said. "Hey, if I've got to have litter boxes, let's put them out there instead of all over my house." 

One of the Kennelly's cats explores the new balcony catio on June 19, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. Tips for adding your own

For those less inclined to either DIY it or go the professional designer route, pet-supply vendors sell catio kits in a variety of shapes and prices. A quick search on Amazon, for example, reveals all sorts of enclosure options. 

Questions to consider before adding a catio

What do you want from a catio?

What is your budget?

What can your home accommodate?

Do you need permission?

"A catio does not necessarily have to be big and fancy. Some people just add a small extended catio space to an existing window cutout," Eguren noted.

For inspiration, the public can view an example of a simple catio installed in a window at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA's 1450 Rollins Road location in Burlingame. 

More catio tips and information are offered online by the Humane Society of the United States.

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