Creating safe outdoor environments for indoor cats

Owners of indoor cats face a dilemma: while keeping a cat cat contained indoors undoubtedly lengthens their lifespan – by almost 10 years according to the Cat Protection Society – in order to thrive, cats need sufficient physical and mental stimulation, which can be challenging to provide indoors. Safe outdoor access offers a stimulating environment where cats can exercise, explore, and enjoy the fresh air, which can contribute to their overall physical and mental well-being.

Giving indoor cats exposure to the outdoors in a safe and contained environment is the ideal solution, and perhaps not as difficult as you may think. Even if you have limited outdoor access and/or a small budget, there are ways to make the outside world accessible for your cat. Here are our top ideas for bringing the outdoors to indoor cats.

Giving indoor cats room to roam

One very effective way to give indoor cats some outdoor space is to set up one or more cat enclosures in your outdoor area. An outdoor cat enclosure provides a safe place where your cat can enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and sights and sounds of the outside world, and also have room to move and exercise.

Whether you have a garden, backyard, veranda or balcony, there are options for providing a safe outdoor cat enclosure. The most common methods are to cat-proof your fence or to use netting to enclose all or part of your outdoor space.

Cat-proof fencing

Cat-proofing your existing fencing is one of the simplest ways to ensure that your cat cannot leave your property and that other cats can’t get in, as well as providing your cat secure access to the entire outdoor area around which it is installed. An ideal position for cat proof fencing is the narrow corridor between the house and a fence that can be closed off at each end by gates.

To cat-proof your fencing, you need to:

• Ensure that your cat cannot get over the top of the fence, either by raising it or installing an escape barrier on top.
• Seal any gaps or holes in or under the fence.
• Make sure that there are no escape routes such as overhanging trees or other climbable structures or jumping points.
• Keep the garden itself safe by removing any toxic plants, garden chemicals and other dangerous objects.
• Cats can be very resourceful, so even with these precautions, it is advisable to monitor your cat to make sure you’ve blocked all possibilities of escape.

Several cat-proof fence suppliers and installers are available in Australia and there are also many affordable DIY options using items such as shelf brackets and chicken wire, nylon mesh or even chain link fencing to create a suitable overhang on top of the fence. In most local government areas in Australia, fence extensions and raising the height of your fence is legal unless these extend beyond your property boundaries (i.e. any protrusions should be on your side of the fence).

Cat-proof netting

Another popular option is to use netting to create a cat enclosure and/or cat run to prevent your cat from escaping, whilst stopping others from getting in. Netting is an ideal material to use for a cat enclosure, as it is very versatile and easy to work with. The quality of the netting is important – cheap netting can sag and perish, while high quality netting is strong and long lasting; look for one that is UV tested and warrantied for at least 10 years.

Cat netting is a simple yet highly effective solution when installed from floor to rooftop. For instance, a veranda or balcony can be fully or partially enclosed with netting to create a safe outdoor haven for your cat. If your house has a side alley, it can be transformed into a net-enclosed cat playground, particularly if it can be accessed directly via a door, window or cat flap.

There are several Australian companies that will custom design and manufacture a netted enclosure to suit your exact requirements and provide professional installation, but keep in mind that this can be a costly exercise. For considerably less expense, you can purchase ready-to-assemble kits or you can go completely DIY and purchase the individual components required to do the entire construction and assembly yourself.

Cat enclosures

Cat enclosures are typically free-standing or attached (to side of the house) outdoor structures that are securely enclosed with cat netting, giving cats a safe and secure space in which cats can explore, play, sleep, and get some exercise. They can range greatly in size, depending on budget and available area, and can be single- or multi-level. They can be connected to the house via a tunnel or ‘run’, allowing the cat to come and go as he pleases. For those with the budget for it, cat enclosures can be custom designed and installed.

Off-the-shelf and portable runs and enclosures

There are many free-standing enclosures with or without runs available in kit form ready to be assembled. These may also be the best option if you do not own your home, as they can be moved with you; likewise, if you are planning to move to a new house, a free-standing enclosure is probably a more economical and practical choice.

Pop-up tunnels and tents are the simplest, cheapest and most portable options for cat enclosures and cat runs. They can function as cat enclosures for indoors as well as outdoors, taken to the park or on camping trips, and packed away quickly and easily if necessary.

We found this basic tent-tunnel combo on Amazon. Additional tunnels can be added to extend the length of the run.

DIY Cat Runs

If you are creative and handy with the tools, a DIY enclosure or run can often be the ideal – and cheapest – solution. You have the option to customise to your requirements and come up with your own design, search the web for one of the many freely downloadable plans, or seek advice from your local hardware store.

There are many great examples of DIY cat enclosures and tunnels on the internet, for example, this extensive construction from Cuckoo4design has access via a cat door from the living room window into a window box that leads to a lengthy tunnel along the fence, which leads to a spacious, multi-level cat enclosure at the back of the garden.

Apartment living – making balconies safe for cats

While indoor cats can live happily in apartments, they will be even happier if they have some safe outdoor access. If you have a balcony, netting can easily and inexpensively transform it into a secure space where your cat can enjoy the outdoors. Transparent or low-visibility netting is available to comply with building regulations and to keep balconies looking neat.

Once your balcony is safely enclosed, add some items that will transform it into a special place for your cat. Consider installing a series of perches at different heights, which will provide your cat with elevated views over the neighbourhood and which can be used for climbing and even napping. A cozy cat bed can be placed on a perch or in a sunny, sheltered corner of the balcony, while toys can be strategically placed to move or flutter in the breeze. Potted plants such as cat grass, catnip or cat mint, will add to the appeal for your cat.

If you don’t have a balcony, a mesh-enclosed fixture attached to the outside of a window frame (as in the image below) will provide a spot to enjoy the fresh air and observe the outside world. This can contain a comfy resting spot and some cat-friendly items. If this type of addition isn’t feasible, consider installing a comfy, padded perch or shelf indoors, near a sunny window. You could also install cat netting or fly screens over your windows so they can be kept wide open while still being cat proof.

Supervised outdoor time

If none of the above options is suitable, you may prefer to give your cat some supervised time in your garden or courtyard each day. This will mean keeping a close eye on your cat in order to prevent him from climbing the fence and escaping. Be sure to cut back any overhanging tree branches and look out for jumping points that may provide a swift escape route.

Some cats are happy to be harnessed and secured to a stationary object to enjoy the outdoors while you are relaxing or gardening nearby, but be sure to never leave your cat alone while he is tethered.

In summary

Enriching your cat’s environment is the key to keeping your cat happy at home. Creating a safe space outdoors can do wonders for both his well-being and exercise needs. Whether large or small, custom designed or off-the shelf or DIY, there are many options (and budgets) to choose from, ranging from pop-up tunnels to cat-proof fencing to fully netted back yards. Whichever option you choose, your cat will enjoy – and greatly benefit from  – having increased access to the great outdoors with its fresh air, cool breezes and sunshine.

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