Creating a Catio

Is your kitty an indoor-only cat? If so, that’s great! Fluffy will be both safer and healthier living inside. One way you can pamper your feline friend is to make a porch, patio, or sunroom into a catio. A Marietta, GA vet offers advice on creating a catio in this article.

Plants

Pet safe plants are a great addition to any catio. Catnip and cat grass are the obvious choices, but you can also grow certain herbs, like rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Add a few potted trees, such as a rubber plant or money plant, and other safe plants, like spider plants. You can find a full list of non-toxic plants on the ASPCA site.

Furniture

Cat towers and trees are actually great for cats, as they promote healthy activities like climbing and jumping. They also offer Fluffy a scratching post, and give Her Furry Majesty a great vantage spot from which to survey her kingdom. If you want to save money, go the DIY route by upcycling a wooden stepladder into a kitty tower. Just add planks to widen out the steps, and then cover it all in carpet or sisal rope.

Beds

No catio is complete without kitty beds. Offer your cute pet several comfy napping spots. Of course, you can also include furniture for yourself!

Toys

Make sure Fluffy has lots of fun toy to play with. Classic kitty toys like catnip mice are always popular with our feline friends, but you can also get something more modern, like an automated laser pointer, catnip bubbles, or a robotic mouse.

Kitty Fountain

Did you know that many cats prefer drinking running water? A kitty drinking fountain is a great addition to any catio!

Cat Walk

Cats love high places. If you really want to spoil your furry friend, install a catwalk for her. Or, look for wall mounted pet furniture. There are some really cute options for this!

Live Entertainment

Even if your pampered housecat wouldn’t know how to react if a mouse ran past her, she’ll still be fascinated birds, squirrels, and other small animals. Provide Fluffy with live entertainment by putting a bird feeder in your yard, where she can see it. Your feline buddy could spend hours birdwatching and sunbathing. Do you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your local Marietta, GA animal hospital, today!