Catio guides
Plain, practical references for building a catio your cats will use and cannot leave — the same principles OpenCatio3D checks as you design.
Plan
Size, budget, site and access — before you buy anything.
How much does a catio cost?
What drives the cost of a DIY catio — size, framing, mesh, roofing, doors and hardware — and how to estimate yours without false precision.
3 min read
The complete catio planning guide
How to plan a catio from scratch — choosing a type and a spot, sizing it, getting cats in and people in, and what to settle before you buy materials.
4 min read
Build
Lumber, mesh, roofing, doors and latches.
Catio doors, latches and access
How cats and people get in and out of a catio — cat doors and window access, human doors, latches cats cannot open, self-closers and vestibules.
2 min read
Catio materials guide — lumber, mesh, roofing and hardware
What to build a catio from: framing lumber and treatment, welded wire mesh, roof sheets, fixings, hinges and latches, and finishes that are kind to cats.
2 min read
Catio mesh and roofing — what to choose and why
Choosing welded wire mesh for a catio by opening size, gauge and coating, fixing it properly, and picking a roof that handles sun, rain and snow.
3 min read
Safety
Escape-proofing, heat, weather, predators and upkeep.
Catio shade, heat and weather
Keeping a catio comfortable through the year — shade, overheating, rain, wind, snow and drainage — and which designs need professional review.
2 min read
Cleaning and maintaining a catio
A simple routine for keeping a catio clean, hygienic and secure — daily checks, seasonal inspections, and designing for easy cleaning from the start.
2 min read
Escape-proofing a catio
Where cats get out of catios — gaps at the base, roof and house wall, weak mesh, doors and latches — and how to design and inspect them out.
2 min read
The catio safety checklist, explained
Why each item on the catio safety checklist matters — enclosure, doors, house vents and exits, weather, ground and predators, welfare, plants and first use.
3 min read
Enrichment
Designing for how cats climb, rest, hide and share.
Plants
Container plants and the hazards to avoid.
Inspiration
Ideas for small spaces and unusual sites.
Free tools
Design your catio in your browser
Free to design and check. Fit a catio to your wall, window and yard, run the safety checks, and see the materials list before you buy a single board.