Cat Enclosures

Cats that are allowed to roam outside may face dangers such as car accidents, poisoning, and disease from feral cats. Cat fights can also be very dangerous. Some cat owners feel that cats need to be able to spend time outdoors. Instead of letting a house cat roam freely and unprotected, many cat owners opt for cat enclosures.

Cat enclosures allow house cats to get sunshine and fresh air without the dangers that outdoor cats face. Some cat owners purchase cat enclosures, but many make them themselves. A sturdy frame constructed with two by four boards and covered with chicken wire is a common construction. The cat enclosure is often attached to the home with a pet door leading to the enclosure.

There are a few things that a cat enclosure should have. The cat should have easy access to and from the enclosure. Protection from direct sunlight is important, especially for white cats that are at risk of developing skin cancer. The top of the enclosure can be covered with plywood or other cover. A cat owner may decide to only cover the top of the cat enclosure that is over cat perches. The sides of the cat enclosures are usually left open to allow air flow and indirect sunlight.

Many enclosures contain ramps and perches for the house cats. A cat owner may decide to construct a ramp leading to a catwalk along the inside perimeter of the enclosure. Some cat owners have a branch mounted in the enclosure to give the cat something to climb. Cat enclosures often have a floor surface or cat-safe mulch to prevent the floor from being muddy.

The cat owner should make sure that none of the plants near the cat enclosure are poisonous to cats. If the home is in an area of strong winds, the cat owner may want to either cover a portion of that side of the cat enclosure as protection from strong wind or plant a shrub or hedge near the side of the cat enclosure that is susceptible to wind.

Cats should not be locked into enclosures without the ability to return indoors. If a cat is to be kept in the enclosure temporarily, the cat owner must take special precautions for the safety of the house cat. Food, water, and litter should be readily available.