10 Best Outdoor Cat Catios in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks!
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Is your indoor cat spending all their time staring longingly out the window or bolting outside every chance they get? Does the sight of songbirds and squirrels send them into a frenzy? Keeping our cats indoors is safest for both them and the small animal population of the area. However, thereʻs no denying that the lure of the great outdoors can be hard to resist and that some indoor cats can become bored, leading to destructive habits. Luckily, there is a solution! Why not provide your cat with a safe outdoor space to play in the form of a cat catio? These cat-friendly outdoor play spaces are a nice alternative to giving your cat unrestricted access to the outside world. But which cat catio is the one for you?
We collected reviews of what we think are the 10 best outdoor cat catios of this year. Keep our thoughts in mind as you start your search for the perfect catio!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Aivituvin Outdoor Cat House On Wheels |
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Best Value | Outdoor Jack Happy Habitat Cat Playpen Tent |
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Premium Choice | PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House |
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Best for Kittens | Yaheetech 3-Tier Metal Indoor Outdoor Cat Home |
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Gutinneen Large Cat House |
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The 10 Best Outdoor Cat Catios in 2024
1. Aivituvin Outdoor Cat House On Wheels – Best Overall
Size: | 31.5 x 31.5 x 70.9 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 3 |
Materials: | Wood, asphalt shingles, galvanized mesh wire |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
If you prefer a more stable catio, this cat house can also be constructed to attach to a window of your house, allowing your cats to go in and out safely on their own. No more early morning wake-ups to be let outside? Priceless! Users report some frustrations when assembling this product and many reported a strong odor to the pieces when first removed from the box.
- Works in a variety of locations
- Wheels make it easy to move
- Can be tricky to assemble
- Strong smell
2. Outdoor Jack Happy Habitat Cat Playpen Tent – Best Value
Size: | 75 x 63 x 36 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 1 |
Materials: | Polyester, mesh |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
Cats who are handy with their claws could rip holes in this portable catio. Durability can be an issue but for the money, this is an easy way to allow your cat to enjoy the great outdoors safely.
- Easy setup
- Portable, works for many different spaces
- Not as durable
- No space for climbing
3. PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House – Premium Choice
Size: | 76.75 x 37.25 x 68.75 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 3 |
Materials: | Wood, asphalt shingles, galvanized mesh wire |
Movable/Portable?: | No |
This product is expensive and can be a little tricky to put together. Some users questioned the quality of the materials for the price but others found it worked well and their cats enjoyed spending time in this catio.
- Big enough for multiple cats
- Contains indoor space
- Expensive
- Tricky to put together
- Some complaints about the quality
4. Yaheetech 3-Tier Metal Indoor/Outdoor Cat Home – Best for Kittens
Size: | 31.5 x 22 x 48.4 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 3 |
Materials: | Iron |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
Because itʻs easily rolled from place to place, you can use it outside and inside if you need to keep energetic kittens out from underfoot for a little while. Everything is wire, so some cats may not like the feeling of the rungs under their feet. This catio isnʻt quite as durable as some of the others but is small enough to work on tight porches and patios as well as in yards.
- Small size and setup ideal for kittens
- Lots of climbing and resting spaces
- Some cats donʻt like the feel of the wire surfaces
- Less durable than some
5. Gutinneen Large Cat House
Size: | 71 x 38 x 71 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 3 |
Materials: | Wood, asphalt shingles, galvanized mesh wire |
Movable/Portable?: | No |
Assembling this product is time-consuming and it canʻt be attached to a window. The size and weight make it a better choice for a yard or large patio.
- Lots of climbing space
- Full-size door for easy human access
- Assembly takes a while
- Not a good choice for small outdoor spaces
6. PawHut Wooden Outdoor Catio w/ 3 Platforms
Size: | 71 x 32 x 44 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 3 shelves |
Materials: | Wood, asphalt shingles, galvanized mesh wire |
Movable/Portable?: | No |
Users report this catio is fairly easy to assemble which is a definite plus. While it doesnʻt have as many frills as other catios, this is a solid choice for cats who prefer to just enjoy time outdoors in peace.
- Easy to assemble
- Good size for the price
- Too big for balconies
- Shelves might be too small for large cat breeds
7. Dapu 3-in-1 Compound Pet Playhouse
Size: | Tower: 21 x 21 x 60 inches Tent: 39.5 x 39.5 x 35.5 Tunnel: 63” x 19.6 “ |
Number Of Levels: | 3 |
Materials: | Mesh |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
However, because itʻs so light, use caution if you use it in windy conditions or your cats might blow away like Dorothy and Toto, hopefully minus the trip to Oz.
- Reasonable price
- Lots of activities for the price
- Works for smaller living spaces
- Not as durable as wood and wire catios
- Lightweight, not for use in bad weather
8. PawHut Outdoor Metal Pet Enclosure
Size: | 40.5 x 40.5 x 86.5 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 1 |
Materials: | Iron, wire |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
One side of the roof is covered to provide shade. In theory, this catio would work on a patio or porch but you may need to consider a way to secure it since you canʻt stake it into the ground.
- Easy setup
- Sturdier than mesh catios
- No perches or climbing areas
9. Coziwow Indoor/Outdoor Small Animal Hutch
Size: | 54.7 x 19.5 x 34.1 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 2 |
Materials: | Wood, galvanized mesh wire |
Movable/Portable?: | No |
The structure is easy to assemble and looks nice once itʻs all put together. Older cats will appreciate the ramp up to the sleeping space. A shaded area, a “yard” for sunning, and a fully enclosed space to rest make this catio functional for all kinds of weather.
- Reasonable price
- Indoor and outdoor space
- Good access for older cats
- Some quality concerns
- Not good for multiple cats
10. OutingPet Mini Cat Tent
Size: | 55 x 35 inches |
Number Of Levels: | 1 |
Materials: | Cloth |
Movable/Portable?: | Yes |
Otherwise, users find it easy to set up and quite useful for allowing their cat friends to spend time outside or come along on camping and car trips. Plan to bring some toys for your cat as this catio doesnʻt have any of its own.
- Great for car trips or outdoor adventures
- Affordable
- Easy setup
- Mesh can be torn by claws
- No built-in entertainment or climbing space
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Outdoor Cat Catios
Now that you know about some of the fine catio options available to you, here are some points to consider as you try to narrow down your choice.
Available Space
This is probably the first thing you need to determine before you start shopping for a catio. Your options are going to depend quite a bit on where you will be placing the structure. If you live in an apartment with a balcony or small patio, you obviously canʻt fit one of the larger, permanent catios there. The smaller, portable catios will work in any size space but youʻll need to pay more attention to keeping them secure since most of them are designed to be staked down.
Budget
As you learned from reading our reviews, there is quite a bit of difference in price between many of these catios. If youʻre on a more limited budget, you may not be in the market for one of the larger wooden catios. At the same time, you want to get good value for your money, and the mesh portable catios likely wonʻt last as long as the wood and wire ones.
How Many Cats You Have
Many of these catios are big enough and designed to be used by multiple cats. Some are either too small or not sturdy enough for multiple full-grown cats. If your cats all get along, they might be able to use a smaller space without getting into squabbles over territory. Ideally, you want multiple spaces for resting or climbing to avoid any issues.
Portable Or Not?
Are you planning to use your catio in multiple locations or take it with you on trips? Do you need your catio on wheels to move it between indoors and out easily or to chase the sun around your back patio? Are you okay with having a permanent cat yard within your yard? The answers to these questions will play a big role in which catio you choose.
How You Feel About Assembly
The larger, more permanent catios require a fairly significant amount of assembly, some of which can be tricky. However, once they are assembled youʻre good to go with hopefully no further tinkering involved. The metal catios take less time to assemble and the portables take next to no time but obviously, you will be taking down and putting up the catio multiple times. Youʻll need to balance out all these different assembly choices as you decide which catio will work best for you.
Conclusion
As our best overall outdoor catio, the Aivituvin Cat House On Wheels offers the most versatility combined with plenty of climbing space. Our best choice for the money, the Outdoor Jack Happy Habitat doesnʻt have all the bells and whistles but is easy to set up and will get your cat outdoor time safely. Spending time outside can be beneficial to your catʻs mental and physical well-being but itʻs important to make sure they stay safe too.
Hopefully, our reviews of these best outdoor cat catios will allow you to make the best choice for yourself and your cat family.
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