Cats are among the most popular pets in this country. However, ever-increasing urbanization and increasing traffic, even in rural areas, are making life increasingly dangerous for outdoor cats. A great way to ensure safety when going out is to build an outdoor cat enclosure. Properly built, Puss and Maunz can climb and play happily in a secure setting - but not escape.
Stable and safe for the kitty
The optimal location for the outdoor cat enclosure is at a door to the house. A patio door into the garden becomes the new entrance to the cat's paradise, and a cat flap can also provide access for four purring four-legged friends. The cat outdoor enclosure is best built with square beams (8 x 8 cm / at least 2.20 m long), which are anchored in the ground using joist shoes and set in concrete. A pollutant-free wood protection glaze ensures longer durability of the wooden parts. Two beams should be installed in a direct connection to the house, and all other beams should be positioned at a distance of approx. 1.50 m (depending on the intended size).
Increased stability of the outdoor cat enclosure is achieved by means of cross struts at the top, bottom and in the middle (a uniform offset is visually nice). Heavy-duty angles are used for this, which additionally strengthen the connections. In order to prevent cats from later digging under the surface, the inner edge of the outdoor cat enclosure should be bordered with curbs. If you let the lower crossbars rest on this, they receive less moisture from the surface and are therefore better protected from damage.
Safe grid misused - screed grid
Screed grids are ideal for filling the gaps when building your own outdoor cat enclosure. These grids are now attached to the sides and as a roof on the cat enclosure using staples (U-shaped nails with two points). If desired, the connection points can also be covered with boards. If the new outdoor cat enclosure is on the south side and gets a lot of sun, stable shading for the cats should be the first step in the interior design that follows.
Interior of the outdoor cat enclosure
You can not only build the outdoor cat enclosure yourself, but also the interior design. The stable square timbers are suitable for building a scratching post in combination with sisal ropes. Small caves and cozy places can be created using non-toxic plants and wooden structures. Tiles and lawns are equally suitable as a surface, but can also be combined for a change. When designing the interior, provide climbing opportunities and resting places at different heights. This means that your self-built cat outdoor area becomes a cat paradise that not only your four-legged friends will surely enjoy.
