Designing a Safe Outdoor Cat Run: DIY Catwalk Tips & Success Stories

As many of you know, we have an awesome community on Facebook – and many great photos, videos and tips are shared there by readers.

Margaret posted a video of the outdoor cat run that her husband built for her Ragdoll Cats a few weeks ago.  As soon as I saw their awesome catwalk for cats, I asked Margaret to please e-mail me to see if she would be game to share details of their outdoor cat run DIY experience.

Lucky for us she sent in photos and details!  Thank you to Margaret for taking the time to type this out and share it!

Our Catio!

We got our two Ragdoll kittens in August 2016 aged 15 weeks. It was obvious as soon as they had settled in they were desperate to explore the great outdoors. We introduced them to a harness but they hated it so we took them out into our garden most days for half and hour or so if the weather was good and my husband and I were both free to supervise . However as they got older they got bolder!

The shape and size of our garden did not lend itself to ‘ cat proofing’ so we decided building a cat run would be the best idea.My husband is good at making things and so decided to make it himself. There was no real plan and he just kept adding to it !

Materials used included:-

• Dressed red wood 2×1 1/2 “for framing
• C.L.S 2×4″
• Galvanised wire mesh 2 inch square
• Plastic twin wall 3/8″
• Decking
• Plastic cladding
• Astroturf

He began by making

1 The veranda which is on stilts to allow access from our kitchen window and for me to keep the dustbins underneath.

This is made from the red dressed wood, galvanised wire mesh and twin wall on the roof. It is approximately 8 feet long by 4 feet wide plenty big enough for the two cats.It has two platforms to allow them to sit up high.The floor is covered in Astro turf.

2 All the walkways are made from decking covered in Astro and wire mesh . They are approximately 14″ by 14″ This allows them to turn in the walkway .

3 The viewing platform is similarly made from red dressed wood etc but this time has a roof of felt and broom . It is approximately 2 1/ 2feet long by 3 1/2 feet high.

4 The two turrets are by far the most difficult to make in terms of time and effort. Again made from same materials with plastic cladding to the exterior. Each turret is 36 inches in diameter .One has 3 floors the other which has a tree trunk for climbing 2 floors. The turrets are supported by rafters 2×1 1/2 then plastic cladding.

Cedar shingles could also be used or green mineral tiles but we used cladding due to the weather and the weight.

The mesh is held in place with 1/2 inch staples and small cover plates cover the fixings. Braziers are used to support the turrets.

It took several hours to build but it was a labour of love and glad to say my girls love it !

Hope you enjoyed looking at ours and gave you some ideas for your cats . Best of both worlds they experience the outdoors but are safe from foxes people and cars .