Awesome Outdoor Cat Run – Catwalk for Cats
As many of you know, we have an awesome community on Facebook – and many great photos, videos and tips are shared there by readers.
Some might be looking for catio ideas or just an enclosed cat run.
Margaret posted a video of the outdoor cat run that her husband built for her Ragdoll Cats a few weeks ago. As soon as I saw their awesome catwalk for cats, I asked Margaret to please e-mail me to see if she would be game to share details of their outdoor cat run DIY experience.
Lucky for us she sent in photos and details! Thank you to Margaret for taking the time to type this out and share it!
Our Catio!
We got our two Ragdoll kittens in August 2016 aged 15 weeks. It was obvious as soon as they had settled in they were desperate to explore the great outdoors. We introduced them to a harness but they hated it so we took them out into our garden most days for half and hour or so if the weather was good and my husband and I were both free to supervise . However as they got older they got bolder!
The shape and size of our garden did not lend itself to ‘ cat proofing’ so we decided building a cat run would be the best idea.My husband is good at making things and so decided to make it himself. There was no real plan and he just kept adding to it !
Materials used included:-
- Dressed red wood 2×1 1/2 “for framing
- C.L.S 2×4″
- Galvanised wire mesh 2 inch square
- Plastic twin wall 3/8″
- Decking
- Plastic cladding
- Astroturf
He began by making
1 The veranda which is on stilts to allow access from our kitchen window and for me to keep the dustbins underneath.
This is made from the red dressed wood, galvanised wire mesh and twin wall on the roof. It is approximately 8 feet long by 4 feet wide plenty big enough for the two cats.It has two platforms to allow them to sit up high.The floor is covered in Astro turf.
2 All the walkways are made from decking covered in Astro and wire mesh . They are approximately 14″ by 14″ This allows them to turn in the walkway .
3 The viewing platform is similarly made from red dressed wood etc but this time has a roof of felt and broom . It is approximately 2 1/ 2feet long by 3 1/2 feet high.
4 The two turrets are by far the most difficult to make in terms of time and effort. Again made from same materials with plastic cladding to the exterior. Each turret is 36 inches in diameter .One has 3 floors the other which has a tree trunk for climbing 2 floors. The turrets are supported by rafters 2×1 1/2 then plastic cladding.
Cedar shingles could also be used or green mineral tiles but we used cladding due to the weather and the weight.
The mesh is held in place with 1/2 inch staples and small cover plates cover the fixings. Braziers are used to support the turrets.
It took several hours to build but it was a labour of love and glad to say my girls love it !
Hope you enjoyed looking at ours and gave you some ideas for your cats. Best of both worlds they experience the outdoors but are safe from foxes people and cars.
More Catio Ideas
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
omgosh that is so great and so pretty too. what an awesome cat daddy to make that for the kitties! thanks for sharing, it’s really wonderful.
Thank you so much x
I love it! It looks very complicated to build, but is so interesting to look at. Your cats are so fortunate to have such a clever “daddy”!
Ruth Marbert
Yea I certainly couldn’t do it but it was no bother for hubby glad to say. …..he is very glad though only the one to build hahah x
Fantastic post, Jenny! Your Catio/Catwalk is SUPER PAWESOME, Margaret! Thank you so very much for sharing the wonderful video, lovely pics and information regarding the marvelous (and VERY IMPRESSIVE) work your hubby did in building this amazing place for your two VERY BEAUTIFUL Ragdolls to being in the great outdoors while remaining totally safe! Wow! This structure is truly a work of art and I can see just how much love you and your hubby put into it! 🙂 <3
Wishing you, your hubby and your Ragdolls many, many years of happiness, love, good health and tons of purry adventures! 🙂 <3
Big hugs & lots of love!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3
Many thanks Patti ..they really love out in it all day every day even in the rain ascplaces to hide! X
Many thanks x