Have you ever considered creating a backyard oasis for you and your cats?
There’s nothing better than sharing space and seeing your cats enjoy fresh air and the sights, sounds and stimulation of nature, while safe from the many dangers of the outdoors.
At Catio Spaces we love seeing the creations of cat parents who use our DIY Catio Plans to build the catio of their dreams. Meet cat mom Shannon who created a catio for her two favorite felines that she can enjoy too! She and her family built our Oasis DIY Catio plan and tunnel for their feral rescues, Naomi and Daisy, who are now “living the lives of queens”.
Shannon originally wanted her cats to be indoor only so they could live a happy and safe life. It was clear from the start that Daisy would adapt to indoor life but this was not the case for Naomi. Thus, she began looking to build a catio so the girls could have the best of both worlds. It had been over 20 years since Shannon had a cat and all her childhood cats were outdoor cats. However, after learning from the rescue shelter, her veterinarian, and many friends about the dangers posed to free-roaming cats, she knew that she needed to protect her newest family members.
MEET THE CATIO CATS
Daisy, a shy and sweet feline of the feral duo, is a little smaller than Naomi. Shannon says she hid a lot when she first came home from the shelter and it takes a long time for her to build trust. Everything makes Daisy nervous, including being alone, but she would reluctantly follow the explorer Naomi. Shannon knew that while Naomi needed an outdoor oasis, Daisy would need a fast and easy way to get back to her “safe space” inside the house through the tunnel connected from the catio. Daisy has since adapted to her new catio where she can relax and lounge outdoors.
Naomi, is an adventure queen and the primary reason Shannon start looking into a catio. She loves the great outdoors and was sneaking out at every opportunity which included chewing her own door through the kitchen screen! Once outside, she loves to sunbathe and explore. Naomi is a confident cat, often forgetting that she is not everyone’s best friend, and shows no fear of approaching any other animal. Now she can explore the great outdoors safely and Shannon has peace of mind.
Shannon lives in a hexagon-shaped house with a wrap-around deck above a rock ledge. She decided to install a cat door in a bedroom wall connecting to a cat tunnel catio that travels under the stairs and ultimately out to the catio where her girls have plenty of sunshine. The catio is customized with painted wood, several fun signs, a cat scratch, ramp, cat-safe plants, and toys to entertain her fur kids.
ENJOYING CATIO LIFE & PEACE OF MIND
Everyone in the family loves their catio! The family dog, Oliver, loves to hang out in there as much as the cats do (despite what the sign says!). Shannon loves sitting in the catio drinking her morning tea or while working on the computer. Watching the girls play and relax is fun, and Shannon often thinks of new ways to entertain them. Just moving a hammock from one place to another or shifting a cat toy piques their interest, as well as watching grasshoppers and birds passing by. Plus, decorating a catio is so much fun. Shannon’s catio is a welcoming getaway where sitting in the sunshine with all her pets is priceless.
The feline duo loves the ability to come and go at will and like the “nightlife” in their catio. They are so busy that Naomi, the lover of all snacks, lost half a pound when she went for her 2-year checkup. The veterinarian said she must be much more active with the outdoor enclosure, one of the many benefits of having a catio. Paws up for Naomi!
BUILDING THE CATIO WAS A FAMILY AFFAIR
Shannon’s family came together to build their dream catio. Her son, daughter, and Shannon had no building experience, so they practiced with tools before they started. Everyone gained confidence in the process and the stories and memories forged to create their “Glorious and Purrfect” catio are endless. It was truly a labor of love, and everyone who comes to their house is amazed at what they accomplished.
“There is no way we could have built anything near this scope without Catio Spaces’ catio plans. I especially loved the materials list that saved me a lot of time. The plans are also versatile enough to be modified. Having a plan is the best first step in accomplishing big goals. Thank you for the Oasis DIY catio plan. We love our catio!”
Shannon G, cat parent
HOW CAN YOU HAVE A CATIO FOR YOUR CAT?
Catio Spaces offers a variety of DIY Catio Plans for a window, deck, patio, garden, or yard. If your space is limited, consider our compact Window Box, Cat Tunnel, or Haven catio plans. If you’re looking for a catio you can share with your cats, the Sanctuary and Oasis plans are a purrfect choice with space for human seating.
All catio plans include a tool and material list, step-by-step instructions, and diagrams for a successful project.
Build the catio plan over a weekend, or hire a carpenter to build the plan for you. You’ll enjoy peace of mind with a quality-built structure, and your cat will enjoy many safe outdoor adventures.
Life is good in a catio! Plus, 10% is donated to animal organizations through Catio Spaces’ affiliate program.
Browse through our DIY Catio Plans here>>
Cynthia Chomos is a Feng Shui Consultant, Catio Designer and the Founder of Catio Spaces, creating harmonious indoor and outdoor spaces for her 4-legged and 2-legged clients. She lives in Seattle with her adorable tabby Serena (who has four catios) and is the inspiration for Catio Spaces. Cynthia offers free catio tips, DIY Catio Plans and custom catios to keep cats safe and protect birds and wildlife. You can contact Cynthia at CatioSpaces.com.
