By Izzie Dew, Behaviour Team Manager
Keeping your cat home doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to fresh air, sunshine or outdoor adventures.
For some cats, a secure outdoor space can be a great way to give them the sights, smells and stimulation they love - without the risks that come with roaming.
And the good news? You don’t necessarily need an expensive, professionally built catio to get started.
A few simple changes around your home can create a safe outdoor space your cat genuinely enjoys.
Start with the space you already have
Before buying anything, take a look around. Do you have a small courtyard? A verandah? Even a window that could connect to an enclosed area?
Sometimes the easiest solution is simply adapting a space that already exists. The key question is:
Can my cat enjoy this area without being able to leave the property?
Cats are very good at squeezing, climbing and finding the one gap you were certain was too small, so check the space carefully before letting them explore.
Turn a verandah or courtyard into a mini catio
A covered verandah or courtyard can be a great starting point. Depending on the space, secure cat netting or mesh can help enclose open sections while still allowing plenty of fresh air and sunlight.
Then make it worth visiting by including:
shelves or sturdy platforms at different heights
a scratching post
a comfortable bed
hiding spaces
a patch of cat-safe grass
toys or enrichment
somewhere to watch the world go by
Build up, not just out
If you’re working with a small space, think vertically. Cats love getting up high because it gives them somewhere to observe their surroundings and feel secure.
Shelves, sturdy outdoor furniture or climbing platforms can turn a small enclosed area into a much more interesting environment. Just make sure anything your cat climbs on is:
stable
securely attached
able to support their weight
positioned away from anything they could use to escape
Create a window-watching station
Not everyone has an outdoor area they can enclose, and that’s okay. A window can provide hours of entertainment.
Set up a bed, shelf or cat tree near a secure window so your cat can watch birds, insects, people and everything else happening outside.
You can make it even more interesting by rotating what’s around the area - a new box, toy or food puzzle can give them another reason to spend time there.
Sometimes the best cat TV is simply your backyard.
Try supervised outdoor time
Some cats enjoy spending time outside with their person. A secure enclosed yard may allow supervised exploration, depending on your setup and your cat.
Harness training can also work for some cats, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
Start indoors and introduce the harness slowly. Let your cat sniff it, wear it briefly and build up gradually with rewards. If they freeze, flop over dramatically or clearly aren’t enjoying it, don’t force the issue.
Safe outdoor time should be enjoyable, not another source of stress.
Don’t forget the basics
Whatever outdoor option you choose, make sure your cat still has:
shade
fresh water
somewhere dry and protected
places to hide
comfortable resting spots
easy access back inside where appropriate
Check the area regularly for hazards such as sharp edges, damaged netting, toxic plants, chemicals or anything your cat could become caught in.
The safest setup is one you continue to maintain.
You don’t need to create a cat theme park overnight
If your cat is used to roaming, it can be tempting to think you need to recreate the entire outside world in your backyard. You don’t.
Start with one safe space and see what your cat actually enjoys.
Maybe they love sitting in the sun. Maybe they spend an hour watching birds from a shelf. Maybe you build them an elaborate climbing setup and they choose the cardboard box beside it. Very normal cat behaviour.
The goal isn’t to give them unlimited freedom. It’s to give them safe choices.
A secure outdoor area can be a great part of the transition from roam to home, giving your cat some of the things they loved about being outside while keeping them protected.
Ready to make the change? Visit our From Roam to Home guide for practical advice on helping your cat adjust to a safer life at home.
