More About Catios
A catio can be built in a window, on an existing patio, porch or deck, or in your yard and can be either free-standing or attached to a wall or window. Catios provide outdoor enrichment and safety for your cat and there are lots of options available, including economical DIY plans and pre-fab kits. The key is taking stock of the space and the budget you do have available and planning from there.
Catios protect cats, birds and other wildlife
Free-roaming domestic cats kill over 2.4 billion birds every year. And new studies show that birds are already facing declines due to habitat loss and pesticide use. It’s in a cat’s nature to follow its prey-driven instinct and catios can help keep birds and other wildlife out of reach while giving your kitty quality outdoor time.
Free-roaming cats and coyotes
Coyotes are highly resourceful, dedicated to their families, and very intelligent. As coyotes increasingly adapt to and bridge the rural-urban interface they increasingly come into contact with humans and their pets. Coyotes don’t distinguish a cat from any other prey and are opportunistic omnivores. They will hunt in their territory and if a cat is available, it may become a meal for a hungry coyote. There are varying statistics on how often cats are killed by coyotes. Every rural and urban area is different and provides it’s own set of challenges and opportunities for coyotes so there is no set formula for coyote-cat interactions.
That’s why it’s up to us to make sure our feline friends stay safe. It’s best not to allow cats to roam freely. And statistically, cats run in to many other dangers far more frequently than a hungry coyote. Dangers to free-roaming cats include injuries from fights with other cats and domestic dog encounters, disease, poisoning from rodenticides and antifreeze, car collision, human cruelty and becoming lost.
“Coyotes are opportunitistic omnivores and will take advantage of food resources in their territory, including cats. Just as it’s in a cat’s nature to want to be outside and hunt for rodents, birds and other prey, it’s in a coyote’s nature to forage and hunt for food. Unfortunately, an unprotected cat can equal a great meal for a hungry coyote”
— Camilla Fox, Founder & Executive Director of Project Coyote
Are catios coyote-safe?
When building a safe outdoor space for your cat, it’s important to keep in mind what might discourage coyotes and other predators. With some planning and regular maintenance, it’s possible to build a catio that keeps coyotes ‘moving on.’
Consider the tips below for a safer catio:
Use fencing wire that can keep a coyote out. 2”x3” grid, 16-gauge fencing wire is recommended.
Coyotes can dig, so add a collar of dig-proof material below the base of the frame.
Consider all potential entry points from above and below. Think coyotes and owls.
Give your catio a regular maintenance check, looking for holes and unsecured areas.
Add predator deterrents in your yard such as motion sensor sprinklers and coyote rollers on fences.
Need more reasons to build a catio? Be sure to check out Catio Spaces’ Top 10 Reasons to Build a Catio
For more great information on catios visit catiospaces.com