Outdoor Cat Enclosures

So you've decided you wanted to let the breeze whip through your cat's fur, but you don't have a secure space or simply don't want him having free range of the yard. Now what? Well, outdoor cat furniture is a great trade off between the safety of the indoors and excitement of the outside. There are plenty of choices on the market, and what you decide on will depend on a lot of different factors: how much exposure you want your cat to have, how handy you are with tools, and how much space you have.

Recommendations

Outback Jack Outdoor Cat Enclosure

This ABO Gear Play House is a good option if you want to just let your kitty get some fresh air or if you're not a great builder. This tent-like play house is made up of a sturdy mesh material that easily pops open. The main "compound," or the house itself, is a little over 30 square feet in size, while the included "fun run" is roughly 5 feet long. For additional ease and safety, each end of the tunnel is zippered. On the upside, this useful device is easy to set up and helps prevent any sly escape attempts. On the downside, the mesh is not small enough to prevent possible bug infestations, so you may need to provide your kitty with a flea collar.

TRIXIE Pet Products Natura Wooden Cattery

Safe, durable, and great for multiple cats, this Trixie outdoor enclosure is an excellent solution if your kitties crave some outdoor stimulation. Made up of sturdy fir wood, metal, and composite asphalt shingles, this handy-dandy little enclosure is well-built and meant to withstand all sorts of weather. What is very neat about this is that it can either stand alone, be used as an extension for other outdoor Trixie housing, or attach straight to your own house. All of the hardware is included in this do-it-yourself kit; however, that also means that you will, in fact, have to do-it-yourself, which may be a pain for some.

Open Outdoor Cat Houses

If you have a very secure place for your kitty to use, you may feel more comfortable allowing him to roam a little bit. However, even if you feel secure with your surroundings, it's always a good idea to give him a safe home base to hide in, perch on, or play with. Open furniture options tend to be a little more stylish than their enclosed counterparts, and generally offer more variety as far as style, level of security, and play options. You may be required to do a bit of assembly on this type of outdoor cat toy, so be prepared to spend a few hours on it.

Recommendations

Petsfit 2-Story Outdoor Weatherproof Cat House

This Petsfit 2-Story cat house is stylish, functional, and fairly sturdy. It is made up of a 12mm thick cedar wood material, is coated with a pet-safe water-based paint, and is topped with an asphalt roof. Because of the paint and asphalt, this cool little shelter works very well outdoors, as it should hold up fairly well under harsh weather conditions. This 2-storied affair comes with either a staircase or tilted scratching pad; a protected lower house, with handy escape door; and a shaded upper deck. Although this is a very neat, functional, and well-built outdoor cat condo, it is important to note that it isn't one-size-fits-all. According to Petsfit, this building is best for medium-sized cats up to 12 pounds. Furthermore, the floor boards inside the house are not butted together. This helps with ventilation, but may make it uncomfortable on colder days if you don't put down a mat or towel.

Kitty Tube: The Outdoor Insulated Cat House

This little contraption is an absolute wonder for outdoor kitties. Made up of post-consumer recycled material, this house is both comfortable and friendly to the environment. So... why so comfortable, you ask? Or, well, maybe you didn't, but I'll tell you anyway. You see, this groovy little thing is fully insulated - from the roof to the floor and all the way around. It also has built-in handles that are adjustable, making it usable during both the cold and hot seasons. Unlike other choices, this option is truly damp-proof, as it has a moisture-resistant surface, plenty of venting, vapor barrier, a drainage system and elevated floor, and an awning that allows the door to remain open during rainstorms. Although there are a lot of pros to this particular house, one of the cons is that is isn't exactly aesthetically pleasing to humans, and may be a little intimidating to cats - though more adventurous felines will likely be curious enough to check it out.

Outdoor-Safe Cat Toys

The vast majority of cat toys are really not meant to be used outdoors - they're either too fragile or not particularly water-resistant - so you'll have to think just a little bit outside of the box. It might seem strange, but dog toys are actually a pretty good stand-in for your typical cat fare. The reasons for this are simple: One, dogs are outdoors more often, so their toys are generally more versatile. Two, a dog's mouth is infinitely damper than a cat's, so their playthings tend to be a good deal more moisture-resistant. And three, because dogs are generally more inclined to chew, dog-specific toys are usually made up of sturdier material. All that said, you can see how dog toys are a viable alternative for outdoor use by cats. There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Dog things are sometimes made up of fairly fragrant materials, which could turn a cat off of them. They can also be large, so you may want to focus on toys meant for smaller breed dogs.

Recommendations

KONG Wet Wubba Toy

If your outdoor space has a lot of trees or plenty of railings, a toy like the KONG Wet Wubba may be ideal. Meant to be used in water, this toy is made up of neoprene material, which is fairly sturdy and water-safe. So why would this particular toy be enticing to cats? Well, the neoprene material splays out into several long arms that, if hung from a high spot, will billow in the wind. Furthermore, the rubber balls in the upper portion provide some added weight, which will help the toy to spin around in the breeze or move with a bit of extra momentum when batted at. Although this would work pretty well, the downside of it is that you will need to get a little creative when it comes to hanging - perhaps sewing in a piece of thin rope or pet-safe, heavy-duty string. Also, this toy may initially have a strong rubber smell from the tennis ball inside. For some cats this won't be an issue, for others, it might. That said, you may want to spray the whole thing with a catnip or homemade silver vine/catnip spray.

ANG Extendable Dog Teaser Wand

This toy is probably going to look pretty familiar - a teaser wand with a replaceable toy. So why not just buy a regular cat teaser and call it a day? The difference between this and the cat equivalent is twofold. For starters, the toys themselves are quite different. Unlike feathery or plushy cat toys, these are made up of tailed cotton rope. That brings us to the second part, which is that they are made to be used both inside and out by wet, slobbery mouths that like to chew. Why is that second part important? Well, if you consider that this toy will likely be left outside, it's important to factor in moisture levels and general toughness, and a teaser like this will certainly be more durable than their more fragile kitty versions. All of that aside, this makes for a great outdoor cat toy as it can be used either manually, or it can be hung from a tree branch or railing. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the cotton material may become dirty or soggy over time, so you will have to wash it more frequently than you would other toys.

Outdoor Cat Playground

So there's a nice spot to hide and a few sturdy outdoor cat toys in place. To make things even more entertaining, you might consider creating a sort of jungle gym situation. It's safe to say that a kitty who regularly plays outside will have an affinity for tree-climbing; however, this can be a worrisome activity - after all, tree branches break, collars get caught, and falling is always a possibility. Though you may not be able to entirely prevent them from climbing your trees, you may be able to reduce the risk of injury by installing some strategically-placed shelves and hammocks. In this way, you can give your cat some sturdy platforms, create enriching obstacle courses, or simply give them a safe spot to bird watch. If trees aren't a problem, you can also place hammocks and perches on walls, or mountable beds on large outside windows.

Recommednations

HOSOM Wall Mounted Shelves Set

Simple, elegant, and easy to mount, this cat shelf set would make a marvelous addition to your kitty's outdoor playground. Made from a firm, attractive pine, these solid wood shelves are pretty sturdy, and come with metal brackets. The set comes with three shelves that range from 5.5"x17", 5.5"x13", to 5.5"x9". If you plan on mounting to a tree, the smallest size is your best bet. If you don't plan to attach them to a tree, you can use all three to create a sort of stepping stone pattern along outside walls. Since you will be using this outdoors, you may want to coat the shelves in a pet-safe waterproofing. Unfortunately, depending on what sort of waterproof you use, you may also need to add some non-slip surfaces, like a rubber shower mat.

Kitty Cot Original World's Best Cat Perch

Good for inside or outdoor use, mountable perches are an excellent choice for both play and rest. Although it may seem strange to put a window perch on the outside, consider this: your cat is frolicking outside, you've lost sight of him. When he's finished playing, though, where is he most likely to go? His personal perch, of course. It's like a home base where you can keep an eye on him no matter where you are! That said, the Kitty Cot is a fantastic choice, as it is made up of a tough plastic frame, and a weather-resistant hammock. Furthermore, the patented Giant Suction Cups used for mounting can hold up to 25 pounds - making it suitable for just about any kitty or multiple cats. Of course, if you want some added comfort, you might want to also look into a waterproof bed.

Conclusion

When it comes to letting your furry friend outside, safety is the main goal. To ensure your kitty's safety, it is important that you use the right equipment, and keep your outdoor cat toys clean and in good repair. Exposed to the elements as they are, they will get dirty and fall into disrepair sooner than their indoor counterparts, so just be sure to keep an eye on them, and you and your cat will have hours of outdoor fun!