This pandemic has been difficult. Like everyone, we’ve experienced loss of many things. One of the biggest positives to being stuck at home so much though? All the extra time spent with the kitties! Our quarantine time has been especially enhanced by a new addition to our home — A CATIO!
That’s right! We built a catio! It was a crazy idea I had a few weeks ago while my husband and I were sitting on our back porch one evening. I looked at Bobby and said, “I want to build a catio on our deck.” He said, “Okay.” Having never built anything before, we really had no idea what we were doing. We naively thought it would be a fun Sunday afternoon project. We sketched out a plan, took some measurements, and off to Lowe’s we went the next morning to get the necessary lumber, nails, and screen.
Fast forward 6 days, 30+ hours of work, and 10 trips to Lowe’s later, and we have a catio!
(Here is a photo gallery of the transformation process, if you’re interested in seeing the different stages of the project.)
Besides completely underestimating how much time and materials it would take and having to revamp our plans several times, the whole project went quite smoothly. It was actually a lot of fun! With the exception of Roof Day. Roof Day was a dark day. The only time I seriously considered calling the project off and just throwing a tarp over the top of it. MOL!
The catio has been complete for two weeks now, and we are all still obsessed with it. We’ve added 2 regular bird feeders, a hummingbird feeder, 2 suet feeders, and a bird bath out in our backyard. Endless “TV” entertainment, for all of us really.
Want to take a guess as to which cat loves the catio the most? I bet it’s not who you think…
Raddy! I think Raddy would live on the catio if we would let him. As soon as we get up in the morning, he is at the window waiting for us to open it. He was out there until well past midnight the other night, only coming in at meal times.
Everyone loves it though. Gryphon can barely contain himself whenever there’s a bird or squirrel at the feeder. He runs around, grunting – completely frustrated that he can’t get out there to it.
I think it’s safe to say that building this catio is one of the best things we’ve ever done for our little family. We love it!
So now I’m going to overload you with photos of everyone on the catio… Enjoy!
What a terrific catio!
I watched the construction on FB (or was it IG?), and am impressed with your results.
And your clowder obviously adores it too!
That really is wonderful, you sweet kitties are so lucky!
What a wonderful Catio and it is so nice that Dad or Mom can use it if there are a lot of buggies out at night. We got the Cat Fence last fall and are just getting to use it as we need to keep the back door open and it has been too cold.
That catio is purrrrrfect! The kitties must love it. We don’t have a catio, but we do have a sunroom. The mom needs to clean it up after winter so we can go into it again.
Ohmy cat! Concatulations on the new catio! I have to say the look on the kitties faces say it all 🙂 It will be interesting to see which cat goes out at the crack of dawn to watch and listen to the birds. At our house, It’s Sly Pie 🙂 So happy that your kitties are enjoying it and you are too! Well done humans! xx
What a hit ! Every kitty is obviously loving it !
I am so impressed! The cats look very pleased.
Wow, what a lucky family of kitties! The catio looks awesome! Of course everyone loves it (humans too)!
The catio looks awesome!
What a great project and a ton of fun for the kitties to be out there enjoying the nature TV channel.
Oh! We are SO jealous! You lucky kitties! We don’t even have a deck, let alone a catio!
It’s beautiful! What thoughtful Humans you have!
WE’RE in love with your new catio too!
We love your new catio, too! It looks like all the cats approve! 🙂
Pawsome job ! Your catio is amazing ! Purrs
This is totally pawsome! Congratulations on your new catio. You guys did an absolutely amazing job for never having built anything before. It looks professionally done.
We wanted to stop by and Wish Sophie a Very Happy Birthday!