Outdoor Cat Enclosures

If you are looking to set up something great outside for your kitty, consider both outdoor cat pens and cat runs. What is the difference? Not much. Many people use the terms interchangeably. For the sake of this post, a cat pen is a small area that you set up like a tent that allows your feline to chill safely outside. A pen, on the other hand, is made for traveling. You may also refer to this as a cat tunnel.

Temporary or Permanent Cat Enclosures

When trying to decide what you should buy, consider your cats personality and the layout of your home. If you own your home and are willing to spend the time and/or money needed, you should consider constructing or buying a permanent cat run and pen. These are typically made of wood and and wire.

They are attached to a home via a window or back door and allow your pet access to the outdoors without you having to take them out. While you can always remove them when you move, they aren’t something that you would be taking down every evening. These tend to be more expensive than temporary ones, unless you are building one yourself.

Four Popular Premade Cat Pens and Tunnels

Here are four of the most popular ones that you can purchase.

Outdoor Feline Funhouse

This is a simple, one-piece product that looks a lot like a tent. It is weather resistant so you don’t have to worry about it getting a little bit wet. If there are going to be severe weather conditions, however, you might want to pack it up and store it inside.

It’s a decent size tent (one reviewer says it is big enough for two people to fit inside), and can be placed on a deck or on your yard. In order to keep it stable, it comes with some stakes you can drive in the ground. If you don’t want to use them, the tent will be fine if your feline is just chilling, but you may find that it rolls over if you have a hyper or nervous cat who wants to run. The mesh is good and it will withstand sharp kitty claws.

One thing that people don’t like about the product is how hard it is to roll up and get it back into the bag. The instructions on how to do so aren’t that clear and you may want to watch a video on Youtube to see how it is done. If you are a regular tent camper, you’ll probably be used to putting things like this outside cat enclosure away.

Abo Outdoor Cat Tunnel

If you are looking for something more like a cat run, you might like the Abo outdoor cat tunnel. At under $50, it is one of the cheapest things you can buy to introduce your cat to a safe outside play experience. It comes with a storage bag for convenience and stakes and sand pockets for stability.

You won’t need to spend time assembling it because it instantly pop opens. It is made of a durable nylon mesh that won’t be snagged by kitty claws. It is large enough for your pet to lay down in and enjoy the breeze. If you have a large enough outdoor area, however, you might want to pair it with other products so that the cat has more room to run and explore. You can attach it to other tunnels or pair it with a tent. Some people have a couple of these going from a cat door to a cat tent so that the cat has plenty of room to play. If you do this be sure to lock your pet door at night. While you don’t need to be outside with them every second, you do want to keep an eye on them, especially if you live in a neighborhood where other cats, dogs, or neighborhood kids might come into your yard and stress out your feline.

Kritter Condo

If you don’t want to worry about assembling a product or dealing with stakes that you need to put in the ground, you might like the Kritter Condo outside cat enclosure. While it doesn’t have a ton of reviews at this time, all of the customers seem to like the product and it gets an average of four and a half stars.

It is collapsible and does have its own storage case. It costs a little over $100. It is weather resistant, but you won’t want to leave it outside for an extended length of time. It is well put together and sturdy. Perfect for a calm morning where your cat can be outside with you as you garden. If the weather is extremely windy, however, it can be a problem. It may take your pet awhile to adjust, but put a favorite cushion in there along with some food and water and they will become accustomed to it after a few outdoor sessions. Short sessions are a good idea until your pet is used to it.

Even as a child, I was known to all of my family as a cat lover. So I’ve had a decent amount of experience in gifts for cat lovers. These presents are usually pretty safe because almost all kitty lovers enjoy receiving presents that acknowledge the greatness and the cuteness of our furry babies. But if you are looking for something other than a mug or a sweatshirt, here are some ideas.

Inexpensive Gifts for the Cat Lover

If you are looking for cheap gifts for cat lovers, you have plenty of options. There are many things that you can buy for under $10. One of the best suggestions I can think of are cat toys. Now, if you want something that the person will cherish forever, this isn’t a good idea. But if you are shopping for a person who doesn’t have many wants or needs, this is great. It is a present you can give to someone who says that they don’t need anything to let them know that you are thinking about them. Minimalists who are trying to reduce clutter in their home will appreciate a toy for their pet far more than other gifts.

When you are looking for a fun feline toy, keep safety in mind. Avoid toys that have small pieces that could be swallowed by a pet. One of my pet’s favorite toys is the cat dancer. It is simply a piece of spring steel wire and some cardboard. The owner can have their pets chase it or jump into the air to catch it. There are other types of cat dancers which are pieces of fabric attached to wands. Also fun, but not quite as good as the wire and cardboard.

Most felines love catnip, so toys that include those are always popular. One that I buy for my pet is called the “Kitty Can’t Cope Sack”. I buy it at my local grocery store. You can also get catnip toys that are handmade at Etsy. They come in a lot of different shapes and are sure to be appreciated by both people and cats.

Books for Cat Lovers

There are several good books for cat lovers. The only possible problem with this is the possibility that they own and have already read them. So if you go this route, keep the receipts so they will be able to exchange them for something else if they would like. I don’t want to list all the books, but here are some personal favorites (and judging by the reviews on Amazon, others agree with me).

Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover’s Soul

OK, I admit that when I see the Chicken Soup series my first thought is about their great marketing and not their great stories.

But then I’ll pick up a copy and read a few stories and I’m sold. This has over 100 stories, and while some of them are sad, most of them are heartwarming.

The Cat Who Came for Christmas
By Cleveland Amory

This, along with its sequel The Cat and the Curmudgeon, ranks as a  personal favorite. It details the story of Amory, a self-confessed curmudgeon, as he learns to live with and love a cat. He did work for animals before the feline came into his life, but he wasn’t a cat person.

What started as a temporary arrangement became a close friendship. While the cat arrived at Christmas, this is a story that can be read at any time of year.
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
By Vicki Myron and Bret Witter

A small freezing kitten was found in the book drop of a small town public library. It could have become a tragic story but instead the kitten grew up to be known and loved by the whole town.

I love libraries and cats, so my love of this story is not surprising.

Unique Cat Lover Gifts

Below I’ve listed some of my favorite unique cat lover gifts. My requirements are that they have to be something that I find funny or cool. They certainly won’t be for everyone but they are a great present for the right person.

Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure
If you ever tease your friend or relative about being a crazy cat lady, this is a good gag gift. In addition to the crazy looking figure, there are six cat figurines.

This is a fun present and should be good for plenty of laughs.

Art Deco Cat Fan
I love the looks of this! It’s a bit more expensive than the other items on this page, but it is great for a close friend or relative.

It is a portable fan made of high-quality cast metal and it has a nice bronze finish.

iPhone Cat Case

If your friend has an iPhone and loves cats, you can get them this cute little case cover that will help protect their phone and give it more of a personality.

This is a cheap gift idea and it is also useful which makes it a better choice than many gag gifts.

Gift Certificates

If you are looking for a cat lovers gift for an elderly relative or someone who is on a fixed income, consider getting them a gift certificate that will help them care for their pets. Pets can be expensive but they bring a lot of joy to our lives. Not being able to give their pet the care it deserves can be hard, so they will really appreciate the gift certificate.

You can help them with buying food or litter if you know the brand that they use (cats can be picky so you don’t want to get something at random). Some veterinarians also offer gift certificates so you can get one of these to help pay for a checkup or a vaccination.

Does your pet get enough exercise? If not, would a cat jungle gym solve your problem? It’s a sad fact that many of our pets are overweight. This weight problem may be caused by a bad diet, lack of exercise, or a health problem (I had an overweight beagle growing up who was able to lose weight once she was put on medication for a thyroid problem). A lot of times all three of these things cause issues.

Now, it is important to get regular checkups for your pet and to feed a healthy diet. But it can be hard to control what your cats eat since they are such notorious picky eaters. One thing that you will have more control over is the amount of exercise your feline friend gets everyday. If they aren’t getting enough, you may want to invest in a kitty cat jungle gym.

Jungle Gym Cat Tree

There are many different cat jungle gyms on the market, but one of the most popular ones involve cat trees. This is important because it allows your feline to climb and jump. These can be expensive or you could make them at home yourself. (I provide a list of cat tree plans). Any jungle gym cat tree should be at least two stories, but most cats prefer ones that have at least three levels that they can lounge on. This will allow them to look down on you as they survey their domain.

The scratching posts should be made from sisal rope, since this is the best for their claws. A hidey hole is also good, since it will give them a quiet place to rest or a fort that they can hide in while they plan their attacks. Kitty toys should hang down from some of the surfaces that your pet can attack and bat at. Just make sure there isn’t anything that they could swallow. Pompoms are fun, but they don’t often have a long life.

Multi Cat Jungle Gym

If you have more than one feline in your home, you’ll want to get one that is large enough for the whole gang. The best ones for multiple cats will typically run $100-$150, but making your own is a great money saving alternative. You’ll want something that has multiple surfaces and plenty of scratching posts. Cats love to lie in wait before they attack their friends, so a multi cat jungle gym should have some boxes or tents as well.

Introducing Your Pet to a Kitty Cat Jungle Gym

You won’t find many pets that hate their new play area, but not all of them will take to it right away. There are a few things you can do to encourage your feline to adapt to it quickly. What you buy and where you place it both matter. When I first lived on my own and had a cat, I felt the need to get her a lovely cat jungle gym. It was huge and would have been the right size for three cats. So my first mistake is that I bought more than I needed. I was in an apartment and knew that I would be moving a couple of times before I got a second pet, so I don’t know why I thought I needed to buy such a large thing.

Then I made another mistake. My Luna is a very social kitty. She is in the same room as I am 98% of the time. Yet when I bought her a jungle gym I realized I could only put it in the spare bedroom, which is where her litter box and food dish were. She loved it, but only if I were in there with her. Now I know to keep it in an area where I like to spend my time so we can both be happy. Other, less social cats might not like their new tree if it is someplace busy because they will like to sleep in it. So think about the personality of your pet before you decide where to set it up.

If you need to encourage your pet some more, consider rubbing some catnip on the tree. This will help them associate good feelings with their new play area. Brushing them or petting them while on it is also a good way to get them more comfortable.

Not all felines take to lounging around in a cat hammock, but a lot of them do. You can buy these as separate pieces of furniture that can match your interior decorating, make your own if you have a sewing machine and simple materials, or buy a cat tree that has one hanging from its posts.

Cat Furniture Hammock

If you don’t know if your pet will like it or not, you might want to avoid large pieces of cat furniture hammock. This is because not all pets will like to lay in it. While some people have more money than they can spend, you probably have a budget and don’t want to buy something if it will not be used.

There are some cheaper pieces that you can get for under $20, but others will cost close to $100. If you have a multiple feline home, you won’t risk much if you buy one, because chances are good that at least one of your cats will love it.

Cat Hammock Beds in a Shelter

I came across a great site the other day while I was looking for cat hammock beds. It is from a lady who makes them herself and donates them to local shelters. What a good idea! The cats who are kept in a cage have a soft and cozy bed that is higher up than the floor of their cage. They don’t have to worry if they spill water because their bed will always be dry. And they are easy to clean, which is nice when you have one kitty but is essential if you are caring for a full shelter of them.

Get the instructions on making them by clicking here.

It is really affordable to make your own as long as you already have a sewing machine. It is a fairly easy project, so it works well for people who are new to sewing and want to practice something. The only materials you need (in addition to standard sewing supplies) are pillow cases, batting, and key ring hooks. If you currently volunteer at a shelter and want to try this out, ask them if they get donated pillow cases that you can turn into cat hammock beds.

If you don’t sew, you can also buy these premade from the same person who put up the instruction manual. They are for sale at http://www.kittyhammocks.com/index.htm. I haven’t purchased one so this is not a testimonial nor am I being compensated for linking to this seller.

Cat Tree Hammock

Many felines first experience to lounging around is in a cat tree hammock. If you don’t own a cat tree, this is a good investment because it will give your cat a place to scratch (the posts are typically made of sisal rope) and all felines love to sit up high and look down on the world. Not all of these will have hammocks, but many of them do. The first tree we bought was from Armarkat and it had a removable hammock that you could put on the bottom. The model we chose was a little over $100, but they also have less expensive models.

Cat grass is a tasty treat for your kitty. By having this in your home, you can encourage them to eat a safe plant rather than munch on your flowers. It may even aid in digestion, though vets agree that it isn’t necessary for cat health. By having a planter in your home, you’ll be able to provide a fun and safe activity. My current cat loves to rip up paper, so that is why I first got interested in growing cat grass. While it might not work for every feline, you can get most to direct their attention to this instead of whatever they were chewing on before.

Cat Grass Information

Some people think that cat grass is a way to let indoor kitties experience the outdoors. But if you have read any cat grass information, you probably know that it is not the same as what is growing in yard. So you may want to grow it even if you have a pet that goes outside.

So, what is cat grass? It can come from several different cereal grains, such as oats, rye, barley, or wheat. You can buy this at a pet store or grow your own. Some people think that it aids in digestion and reduces furballs, but I don’t think any studies have been done on this. Cats are carnivores, so it isn’t essential but it may still be beneficial. In the wild, felines might be eating these plants naturally when they eat the digestive track of their prey.

Even if it isn’t healthy, it is safe for consumption. If you have houseplants, they might be dangerous to your pets. You can discourage them from chewing on these houseplants (even if they aren’t poisonous you probably don’t want your flowers dying from kitty antics), by spraying them with diluted lemon juice or another scent that your cat finds unappealing. This will be especially effective if you can redirect their attention to their own plants that they can chew on.

Cat Grass Growing

Cat grass growing is fairly simple and most people prefer it to buying already grown plants. The first thing you want is a planter. Many kits come with a planter, but not all of them are nice. There are a couple of different things you should look for in your planters. You want one that is short and wide rather than tall and narrow. You also want one that is heavy enough that it won’t be knocked over by an excited kitty. Cats don’t have grazing teeth, so they will frequently pull out the grass. A short and heavy planter will prevent this from happening.

If you are using a kit, follow the instructions on the package for best results. If you are growing it from wheat berries, you’ll need to first soak the seeds overnight. Then sprinkle the seeds in damp soil and cover with another 1/4 inch of soil. Water again, cover the seedlings, and store in a cool dry place. Keep the soil moist. Once you seek the grass poking through the soil, it is time to give it some sunlight. Let it grow for a few days in the sun until you introduce it to your pet.

Cat Grass Seeds

So, now that you know more about it, you want to buy some cat grass seeds. If you are just starting out, I recommend going with a kit. You’ll find it easier and you can read customer reviews to see if other kitties approve of the brand. Kits are pretty cheap and since the grass should last you a couple of weeks it isn’t a large investment. If you want to grow your own from scratch, however, you can always find wheat berries at your local health food store.

Here are the three top selling cat grass seeds and cat grass kits on Amazon.

Smart Cat Planter

This is a nice little planter and is a best seller on Amazon.

It has over 50 customer reviews and a 4 star rating.

Comes with organic wheat, oats, rye, and barley.

SmartCat Refills

Use to refill the above planter or just use your own planter.

Comes with organic oats, what, barley, and rye.

Grows quickly.

Pet Greens Garden Cat Grass Kit

Wheat grass growing kit.

Less than 20 reviews, but has a 5 star rating.

Cheaper than the kits with multiple kinds of seeds.