Outdoor Cat Enclosures

Depending on your needs, an indoor cat gate can save you a lot of time and effort. But if you are hoping to keep cats out of a room, you should realize that most cat gates do very little to prevent felines from going wherever they please. Depending on the cat and the model of your indoor cat gate, you’ll find your kitty squeezing through the bars, jumping over them, or climbing up them. If your kitten is young or in good health, they’re even more likely to make it through the obstacle. They might even think that it is a game.

So if your only purpose is to keep your pet confined to certain sections of the house, you might want to rethink your plans. Since gates are see through, cats have no issue trying to jump them to get on the other side. Something opaque, such as a piece of plywood, is likely to work much better. Otherwise you might find yourself needing to stack three gates on top of one another. And if your kitty is an escape artist (you probably already know if you have one of those), even that wouldn’t stop them for long.

But there are other reasons to be looking for cat gates. And, like I said, these are definitely worth the cost. These are meant to give your cat freedom of the house and protection against others that they might wish to avoid. This includes large dogs, babies, and toddlers.

Now, felines and canines can peacefully coexist. I grew up with both a cat and a dog in the house (and my beagle was always deferential to the (somewhat mean) feline. But dogs can be rambunctious and scare cats, so it is always good to have a safe place for them to go. The same is true with babies. While many kitties love the company of younger humans, children younger than school age can unintentionally hurt your pet and your pet might need a peaceful place where they can go when they want to take a nap. Indoor cat gates allow this to happen. While they might be listed in a pet supply section, they may be listed under baby gates or dog gates.

Baby Gate With Cat Door

A baby gate with a cat door is a good investment for any new parents who have felines. It gives your pet free roam of the house and gives them a place they can run to if the noise and excitement of a new child is too much for them. These are normal sized baby gates that have small doors in them that you can open for your pet to get through. If you are trying to keep a pet out of a room, you can keep the door closed but you might still what to keep an eye on them. Cats may try to squeeze through the bars or jump over them if the door is closed but they want to get in a room.

While many companies make baby gates, few actually make them with pets in mind. The most popular manufacturer of baby gates with cat doors is Carlson. Their best-selling model is the Carlson 0930PW Extra-Wide Gate with Door. It has over 100 customer reviews and maintains a rating of four stars, so most people who buy it are satisfied with it. Its list price is around $70, but I’ve seen it sell for under $40 so it isn’t that big of an investment to make.

Of course it has all of the construction essentials, such as being non-toxic and lead-free. It is made from steel. It is fairly easy to setup and it has a handle so you can quickly open it up. It has an average width but comes with two extensions to make it longer. With the extensions it is 44 inches wide. The pet door is 10-by-7-inches, which lets any cats through and smaller dogs will also be able to squeeze through. If you are looking for something to keep the dogs out of the cat rooms, you might want to look for something with a smaller door.

Dog Gate with Cat Door

Keeping dogs out of the kitty litter boxes can be a challenge. Many people look into using dog gates with cat doors. These dog gates are the same as baby gates, but you might need something taller than average if your dog is a jumper. The Carlson 0941PW Extra-Tall Gate with Door is one of the most popular ones. It sells for around $50. With over 100 customer reviews it has a four star rating.

Like the first one I listed on this page, this is made from chewproof steel and is free of lead. It has a one touch handle so that humans don’t have to spend a lot of time opening and closing the door. The pet door is 10-by-7-inches so it is perfect for cats but might also let small dogs get through. It is 41 inches tall when the extension is used. The extension is good if you have larger dogs or dogs that like to jump. The extension isn’t as sturdy as the rest of the gate, however, so rambunctious pups might not be deterred by it.

Cat condos are great for your feline because they allow her to exercise, scratch, sleep, and look down on the world. The best ones will usually have multiple levels and may have cat hammocks or hiding holes where your pet can relax in peace. While smaller ones may suffice for single cat households, people who have multiple cats will usually need something a bit larger. It isn’t uncommon for all the cats to decide to nap on it at the same time, so you want to make sure you have enough room for everyone.

While most people opt to buy these, cat condo plans are popular with DIYers for a couple of different reasons. The main one is the cost. Expect to spend over $100 to get a medium sized kitty playground. Shopping online might help you find a good deal, but they are very heavy and the discount is often eaten by shipping. Another reason to make your own is that it is a fun experience and it’s great to see that your kitty loves something that you worked hard on. Although some people might be able to make one up as they go along, most people will find cat tree condo plans helpful.

When you are looking at plans for a cat condo, you need to decide a couple of different things. What materials you want to use, how experienced you are at making things, and how much space you have for the finished product are all things you want to think about before you get started. You should also consider your budget.

Cat tree condo plans should come with a list of required materials. If you don’t know where you can get these materials cheaply, you might not save much money. Talking to others who have made their own kitty jungle gyms is invaluable, so visit some pet forums Experienced users will have tips to help you save time and money. You may choose to purchase plans for a cat condo, but there are several free ones available online.

And don’t forget Youtube! While I need written instructions before I do anything, my husband is a more visual learner. Watching someone construct one can help you get ideas even if you decide to not follow the same path. Here’s a video that I thought was pretty helpful (but there are a tons more).

Free Cat Condo Plans

Below are some websites where you can get free cat condo plans. I haven’t tried them (don’t have that many cats!), but they all seem very helpful. I suggest looking at multiple ones and maybe combining ideas if you are comfortable building things.

http://feline-furniture.tripod.com/
Nice and clear instructions

http://www.orecatay.com/catcondo.pdf
This is a PDF so it might take a little while to load, but great plans.

http://www.instructables.com/id/5-Minute-Recycled-Cardboard-Kitty-Condo/
Intimidated by wood? Make your cat a cardboard condo.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cat-Condo/
Step-by-step instructions with photos. Can comment and ask questions.

http://cfhs.ca/athome/build_your_own_cat_tree/%20Cat%20house%20plan
Three perch condo.

http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-animals/how-to-make-a-sisal-rope-cat-scratching-post
Not a full condo plan, but an important read if you are using sisal rope.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35516793.tip.html
Not as step-by-step as other plans, but it’s really nice looking.

Tips to Keep in Mind

The taller, the better. Cats love climbing.

Make the base sturdy. You don’t want it to wobble when the cat climbs it.

Sisal rope is the best for scratching posts.

Window placement is ideal. Indoor kitties love to watch birds fly by.

Figure out if your cat prefers horizontal or vertical scratching so you know what kind of scratching surface to make.

Large spacious outdoor cat enclosures are great whether you have more than one cat or you simply wish to provide your pet with plenty of room to romp outdoors. There are many different options to choose from including: self contained singular units, cat houses that connect to you home through a window installed tunnel system, and cat enclosures with multiple sections to provide plenty of space for you cat to play. The larger outdoor cat houses allow for space in the case of multiple cats or cats that are very active at play. Some even come complete with comfortable places for you cat to sleep.

Kittywalk Town-&-Country Pet Enclosure

If you are looking for an outdoor cat enclosure that is both extremely durable and capable of providing plenty of room for your cat then the Kittywalk brand Town and Country Pet enclosure delivers just what you and your cat companion needs. Not only does this outdoor cat house provide plenty of space for your cat to move freely about but it is also designed to protect your cat and keep them from getting out and into trouble. It has a solid steel frame of wickets that support netting composed of a rip-stop material. In addition to durability the netting also helps to ensure that your cat is safe from harm or injury. This cat enclosure is extremely easy and quick to set up. Once it is erected, it will provide a large protected space for your cat for years thanks to its durable design and construction.

Not only is this outdoor cat enclosure quick and easy to set up, but it is also fast to take down and transports just as easily. This makes it perfect if you wish to bring your cat along with you on camping trips and other outdoor recreational activities. The sturdy construction of this cat enclosure can also provide years of lasting stability if you wish it to be a more permanent fixture.

The Kittywalk Town and Country Pet Enclosure features the Kittywalk Deck and Patio Enclosure along with the Pentouse and Cabana units. This means you cat will have plenty of room to play, relax, lay in the sun, or sleep. Speaking of sleep, this outdoor cat enclosure also sports not one but four different hammocks. So your cat or cats will have plenty of different comfortable places to relax and/or sleep. Another cool thing about the design of this cat house is that the units can be set up in any configuration or order that you choose. It is also compatible with other Kittywalk brand cat enclosures. Which means that it is easily expandable if you wish to provide your cat or cat family with more space later on.

There are a variety of expansion units to choose from if you wish to add on to the Kittywalk Town and Country Pet Enclosure. They come in a wide variety of styles and shapes from curvy tunnels to cat Tee-Pees. They are all completely compatible and can be quickly and easily connected to provide addition space for you cat to enjoy the outdoors.

The best way to keep your cat safe is to keep them indoors. But many cats long for fresh air beyond what a open window will give them. The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for cats is a good way for your feline to spend some quality time outdoors while staying safe.

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for indoor cats is one of the top rated outdoor cat enclosures on the market. It doesn’t have hundreds of reviews yet, but the reviews it has are positive. It averages a four and a half star rating on Amazon.

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat is the perfect size for an afternoon outside. It gives your cat over 30 square feet to walk around in. It is a good size for one cat, but it can easily hold two or three as long as they are friends. It can be set in the yard or on the deck. Its dimensions in inches are 74 x 63 x 36 and it weighs just two and a half pounds.

It stakes down with two pegs and is easy to set up. There is a zipper door. When not in use, you can fold up easily and store it in the included carry bag. The bottom is permanently attached and is a strong mesh material that their claws won’t tear. So there is no reason to worry about your cat escaping from this outside kitty tent. Even so, you shouldn’t leave them outside for long unless you are with them. So check on them frequently to make sure that they are content and relaxed. I prefer to be outside with my cats, whether I am gardening, reading a book, or doing some work.

When you first buy this, you might want to get your cat used to the ABO Gear Happy Habitat before you use it outdoors. Just set it up in the living room with some of your cat’s favorite toys or catnip inside. They will become accustomed to it and will be less likely to freak out when you take them outside the first time. If you’ve used other outdoor cat enclosures before you probably don’t need this step.

The ABO Gear Happy Habitat for indoor cats retails for $70, but you can get it for around $50. This makes it an affordable solution for anyone who is interested in giving their cats some fresh air but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars building or installing an outdoor habitat.

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There are many cats out there who can benefit from a heated cat bed. Before you buy one you want to make sure it is the right size for your feline. You’ll also want to consider whether or not they will benefit from these. There are several different reasons these are good to buy. If you have an elderly or sick cat they’ll appreciate it, as will any short-haired cat in the winter time.

Heated cat beds come in several different sizes. Most of them range in price from $40-$60, though it is always possible to find cheaper or more expensive varieties. They look like a regular cat bed. Most are just ovals, but some have tops on them. The majority of them are for indoor use. It is possible to get some pads that are also good for outdoor use. While we recommend that cats be kept inside, we know that this can’t always happen. If you have cats that are staying in your barn or garage, you might want to keep them warm when the weather is bad.

The most popular and well rated brand is the K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed. This comes in a couple of different sizes, but I’ve linked to the 16 inch one. This is good for both small and medium sized kitties. Some of your larger guys might find it too small, but as felines are known for getting into spaces too small for them, I’m sure most won’t mind. But you’ll want to check the return policy if you aren’t sure if it will be right for you. This is a round shape and measures 16 x 16 x 6 inches. Out of over 70 reviews it maintains a four and a half star rating. It plugs into an outlet and can be used year round. Its heater is four watts. When not in use, it stays about 12 to 15 degrees warmer than room temperature. With a cat present, it heats to 102 degrees.

A fancier heated cat bed is the K&H Thermo-Kitty Cabin. This will definitely keep your cat cozy. It uses two thermometers to regulate the temperature, and it keeps the temperature the same as the regular bed. This condo can actually transform into three different shapes. The cabin is the coziest option and is good for shy cats who like hiding away. It also has an open cove struction and a walled platform that provides some privacy.

If you want to keep an outdoor cat warm in the winter time, K&H also makes the 1070 Lectro-Soft Heated Outdoor Bed. This comes in small, medium, and large and can be used for cats or dogs, indoors or out. Its exterior is soft PVC so it won’t absorb water. It is good for basements, porches, garages, or doghouses.