Life Is Purrfect In A Catio Designed By Catio Spaces

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

This post is sponsored by Catio Spaces

Meows from Mudpie!

I'm sure by now you all think I'm a pretty pampered pussycat. I have a family who worships me, yummy food and treats, cozy beds and blankies, and sunny windows to watch the latest episode of Bird TV. Better still, as an only cat I don't even have to share! Life is about as good as it could possibly get, yet I still find myself desperately hoping for one last thing that would make my life truly complete.

What is this happiness that eludes me, you're probably asking? A catio. A place of my very own to hang out and safely watch the world go by. Sadly, dreams of my little spot of heaven on earth are being hampered by my practical Mommy who keeps telling me that other home improvement projects need to come first.

The toilet needs to be replaced? There's a perfectly good litter box sitting right beside it that you're more than welcome to use. The kitchen faucet is on the fritz? Lick your plates clean like I do and you won't need to wash them! Seriously Mommy, are those things more important than your precious little Mudpie??? Where are your priorities?

Until I get our resident party pooper to see the error of her ways, join me in lusting over the amazing catios designed by Catio Spaces...

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

Cats, whether living mostly indoors or outside, enjoy the stimulation of being outdoors, but responsible owners know danger lurks. Seattle cat-lover Cynthia Chomos has built a business to help cat guardians balance their pet’s natural curiosity and craving for outdoor stimulation with concerns for animal safety.

“Indoor-only cats like fresh air and the stimulation of nature, just like their outdoor counterparts,” Chomos said citing early rising, sun worshipping, and nocturnal scampering around the house as some of the telltale signs of this desire. “Once outside, cats pursue squirrels, birds or a mate and there are many hazards outdoor cats can encounter, including vehicles, predators, parasites and poisons,” she explained. In a quest to protect Serena, her own beloved tabby, she built a catio (cat patio).

Soon thereafter, Chomos realized she could combine her passions and skills as a designer, feng shui professional and general contractor to launch Catio Spaces. Her company designs spaces for safe, healthy and happy cats, offering both custom catios and several downloadable “DIY” plans for those who want to build their own catio (or hire a carpenter to build the plan).

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

“I understand the importance of creating environments for wellbeing, so it seemed like a natural extension of my design services to create visually appealing catio havens for both feline and human enjoyment,” she said, adding, “It’s a joy to be involved every day with cat safety and enrichment while also protecting birds and wildlife.” (She donates a portion of each catio plan purchase to support animal and wildlife organizations.)

Chomos cites many benefits of catios and it turns out some of the biggest fans of them are bird-watchers who want to keep their feathered friends safe from their natural predators. (Housecats that venture outdoors and feral cats are blamed for killing between 1.3 billion and 4 billion birds annually, according to a recent analysis by Peter Marra of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.)

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

Initially focused on designing and building custom catios in the Seattle metro area, Catio Spaces® also offers Do It Yourself (DIY) catio plans in a variety of designs and sizes for patios, decks, gardens or yards.

Current DIY plans include the compact Window Box™ or Haven™ and two larger options, the Sanctuary™ and Oasis™ that Chomos describes as “purrfect choices” for guardians who want space for human seating and enjoyment.

Along with easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations to eliminate guesswork, each set of DIY plans is designed for ease of assembly (or removal if relocating) and to complement a home’s design and aesthetics.

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

Bonus information includes guidelines for acclimating a cat to a cat door and the new space, plus tips for cat-safe plants, décor, and accessories to promote cavorting, exercise and enrichment.

Straightforward assembly was an early goal of Chomos’ DIY concepts. “You don’t need to be an expert carpenter,” she emphasized. “Even novices will find the plans easy to follow and rewarding to build.”

Chomos has also become a go-to “CATalyst” and resource for feline owners. (Website visitors can request her free tips for considering and planning a catio.) “On a daily basis, I work with cat guardians, locally and globally on a variety of issues,” she stated. Recent calls and email queries have ranged from questions on protecting cats who were attacked by coyotes to creating a retreat for cats that were living in an upstairs bedroom fearful of a newly adopted dog. Additionally, bird organizations and wildlife rehabilitators seek her advice on educating their communities on the benefits of catios.

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

10 BENEFITS OF CATIOS:

1. Protection from vehicles, predators, poisons, diseases or getting lost or stuck in a tree

2. Reduce vet bills from cat fights or injuries.

3. Protect birds and wildlife

4. Help reduce the roaming cat populations in local communities.

5. Provide a healthy outdoor lifestyle with fresh air, exercise, bird watching and sunbathing.

6. Reduce indoor multi-cat issues by adding more territory.

7. Enjoy feline and human interaction surrounded by nature and fresh air.

8. Help reduce indoor odors with an additional outdoor litter box.

9. Good neighbor relations (keep your cat out of their gardens and yards).

10. Peace of mind knowing your cat is in a safe and protected place.

Photo credit: Catio Spaces

Prices for the DIY catio plans range from $39.95 to $69.95; gift certificates are also available. Catio Spaces donates 10 percent from the sale of each DIY plan to an animal welfare or wildlife organization.

For more amazing photos of completed catio projects visit the Catio Spaces photo gallery, and "Catimonials" with pawsome before and after shots from happy customers can be found here. Make sure you follow them on Facebook too!

Do your kitties have a catio? Any plans to build one?

FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Catio Spaces. I am being compensated for featuring this content but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.