Building a Safe, Enriching Outdoor Haven for Our Cats

What started as a simple idea quickly turned into one of our favorite family projects: building a catio that is safe, stimulating, and joyful for our cats, and honestly, pretty fun for us too as you can see from the videos below.

We began with a very large chicken coop ordered from Amazon. Its size and structure made it the perfect foundation for a secure outdoor enclosure while still allowing plenty of room for creativity. Once the coop was fully assembled, we focused first on safety. Using long metal stakes, we anchored the entire structure 5–6 inches into the ground around the full perimeter. This extra step is crucial as it helps deter predators that might try to dig underneath and gives us peace of mind knowing our cats are protected while enjoying the outdoors.

Zoo-Inspired Enrichment (Thanks, Leif )

During the build, our family took a trip to the zoo, and that’s where inspiration really took off. Watching the animals interact with their environments sparked ideas for making the catio more than just an enclosure, it needed to be an experience.

Leif was especially inspired by the enrichment features designed for big cats: movement, elevation, textures, and playful challenges. We came home buzzing with ideas and got to work.

Inside the Catio: A Cat Playground

We added a variety of features designed to support natural feline behaviors like climbing, jumping, balancing, and lounging:

A colorful kitty bridge for balance and exploration
A large natural climbing branch anchored securely for vertical movement
Cat shelves at varying heights, giving our cats options to perch, nap, and observe
Plenty of open space for stretching, rolling, and sunbathing

Each element was chosen to encourage confidence, physical activity, and mental stimulation, which is important for indoor cats who crave outdoor engagement.

Nature’s Touch: Plants That Love Cats Back

Around the outside of the catio, we planted a mix of cat-safe plants along with varieties known to naturally deter mosquitoes and ticks. This helps create a healthier environment for both cats and humans spending time nearby.

And of course—no catio would be complete without fresh catnip. Lots of it. Watching the cats discover and rediscover it has been pure joy.

These herbs are generally non-toxic to cats and have strong scents that bugs tend to avoid. Most grow well in planters or garden beds:

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Loved by cats, and the natural compound nepetalactone also repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.

Mint (Peppermint or Spearmint) – Smell repels mosquitoes and ants; plant in containers because it can spread quickly.
Basil (especially lemon or cinnamon basil) – Pungent aroma deters mosquitoes and flies, and is safe if your cat sniffs or nibbles a bit.
Rosemary – Strong scent that can deter mosquitoes, and also adds a nice aromatic garden touch.
Chamomile – Pleasant scent that can help deter fleas and other small insects.
Lemon balm – A citrus-scented mint-family herb that bugs dislike; cats usually tolerate it well.

Marigolds (Calendula spp.) – Bright flowers that repel mosquitoes and other pests. Choose Calendula varieties, which are considered safer than some ornamental geraniums.

More Than a Structure

This catio has become a space where safety meets enrichment, and where our cats can experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors without risk. It’s also been a meaningful family project that blends creativity, learning, and care for the animals we love.

Chicken Coop base we started with: https://amzn.to/4iVj0gl

Stakes: https://amzn.to/3YuLRyo