If you have an indoor cat but still want them to experience the great outdoors to some degree, then setting up a catio is a brilliant idea that offers them the best of both worlds.
A catio – a combination of the words cat and patio – is an enclosed outdoor space where your feline can roam around safely. These are usually extended onto the side of your home or built on a section of a balcony, and are connected via a cat tunnel or a special door. You might also want to consider one of the best outdoor cat enclosures, which stand separately in your yard.
If you're new to the world of catios and need some inspiration on what to put inside (and where you can buy them in the first place), we've created a checklist for you to follow below – and asked vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan for her top tips.
Where can I buy a catio?
While many pet parents choose to build a catio themselves, you can also buy one pre-made if you don't fancy a new DIY project. When it comes to choosing your catio, you'll want to ensure it's made from sturdy, weatherproof materials and features a secure latch and ground base to prevent any escapes.
What should I put inside my catio?
1. Grass
Whether it's a carpet of grass or a planter, your cat will appreciate having a bit of greenery in their catio for sniffing, lying on, or chewing.
2. Bed
A catio should be a safe haven for your feline to relax and unwind, so having one of the best cat beds inside is a no-brainer – or you might even decide to install a cat hammock if they prefer to perch up high. When it gets cold in the winter, we recommend placing a heated pet pad (like this one from Amazon) on of their ledges.
3. Scratching pad
Scratching pads are essential for keeping your cat's claws in tip-top condition and releasing pent-up stress, so it makes sense to have some in their new little space. While you won't be able to fit a full-sized scratching post, you can buy pads that stick to the wall and won't take up any room at all.
4. Toys
Since your catio is limited on space (and the last thing you want is to clutter it with loads of stuff), you'll need to be clever when it comes to choosing the best cat toys. We'd recommend a hanging spring they can paw at from the ground, or a puzzle feeder (like this one from Amazon) that won't take up much room.
5. Water bowl or fountain
Whether your cat is basking in the sun or jumping between perches, they'll need access to fresh water to stay hydrated – so be sure to include a bowl inside their catio if you have enough room. If space permits, you might want to use one of the best pet water fountains to ensure it always stays clean and filtered.
6. Climbing structures
While most large catios come with built-in climbing structures, you might need to add these in yourself – they’re great for encouraging exercise and exploration.
Catio tips
Here are some of our top tips for installing a catio, including advice from Dr MacMillan:
✅Give your feline friend as much usable space as possible
✅Put a chair inside if you can
✅Choose a sturdy, high-quality catio
✅Choose a level foundation to put it on
✅Ensure it's escape-proof and predator-proof
✅Provide your cat with both shade and sunny spots
✅Make it accessible to enter and exit
✅ Check regulations before building
Read next: Best outdoor cat houses or creative catio ideas
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
This page was last updated in August 2025 by Megan Milstead.
