cat enclosures?

So Ranger really wants to go outside and I have been thinking about building a cat enclosure. But I don't know where to start. I am going to wait until spring or we to build it. But I need ideas. I want to make it big enough that I can sit in there with them. Anti.e have one? I am reluctant to us chicken wire, but a lot of places say to use it. Any ideas?

How big is the area you have to work with?

2x4s and welded wire utility fencing (which is sturdier than chicken wire) work fine. A staple gun to attach the wire to the wood, and screws to fasten the wood together. Some random scraps of wood to make ramps and perches and stuff.

If you're in mosquito country I would suggest lattice and pet screen to enclose, plus, the lattice looks very nice, not industrial looking at all.

Check out the photo galleries at these websites for a ton of cat enclosure ideas: 

http://habitathaven.com/blog/

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures.htm

Our back yard is a little less then a .25 acres. So we have a lot of room. We do have mosquitos, but not a lost our town sprays for them. I have looked at one site where you had to pay for the plans and I find that crazy.

We have the Purrfect Fence (not sure if I'm spelling that right).  It's great, though the neighbor's cat has managed to (no pun intended) catapult herself inside a few times. Once she's in, she can't get back out.  It works, but it is a very expensive option.  Some of the people on here have very nice enclosures; they posted pictures when I inquired a while back.  Kai Bengals comes to mind, but there were several other members.  I wish I could remember the name of the thread, there were some great examples. 

It's great, though the neighbor's cat has managed to (no pun intended) catapult herself inside a few times. 

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 that is funny. 

My husband built us a verandah cat enclosure made with chicken wire stapled to a wood frame with 2 doors as well. It works great....very happy with it. I use it at night and when I go out etc. But now I would also like a cat fence enclosure to keep out some of our neighbouring cats that like to fight. There are 3 cat fences that I am aware of: Purrfect Fence is especially designed for keeping your cats inside your yard. There is also CAT FENCE-IN  and Cat Fence which have been designed for both keeping cats in and out of your yard and are actually extensions for existing fences. I am also considering making my own fence extensions sometime in the spring, but we have an extra large yard and lots of trees too, so don't want this project to be too difficult. I will be weighing my choices. Bottom line, I would love for my cats to be able to be safe in our back yard. In previous years our dog was very good at keeping the neighbourhood cats out, but I'm ruling that option out for now.

My parents are going to cat proof the yard at their new house. Its on a triple lot so the back yard is huge. It has a tall wooden fence around the yard already so all he has to do is add chicken wire around the top so they can't get over the top.

I built an outdoor enclosure for a couple of the farm cats, who are ironically now all living indoors. I tend to think of it as time well wasted, as it's now sitting empty/unused. :lol3:

Here is a link to the pictures I took a few years back.

Now that I have two cats I'm thinking seriously of enclosures.  My girl comes out with me and is happy to return when I do.  But I can see my boy is just raring to go and I don't want him out at all.  I have to do things on a budget, but keep it looking nice, as I run workshops from home.  Could people please have a look at this link and tell me what they think of this product?

http://www.catsafe.com.au/

Suggestions for good looking DIY would be great too.. I have a friend's husband who is handy, recently retired and hanging out for a challenge (and my friend would just love him out of the house for a while )  If you do have suggestions, keep in mind I'm in Australia.. some of the things you talk of I can't find here.

Mani said:

If you do have suggestions, keep in mind I'm in Australia.. some of the things you talk of I can't find here.

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Most of them are, just under different names

One of the cheapest places for netting is:

http://catnets.com.au/

Catmax and SecuraKat are popular. Cat fence topper by Oscillot keeps most cats in

More ideas here
http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-enclosures-home-made-enclosures

http://www.cat-world.com.au/cat-enclosures-commercial-cat-enclosures

That is fabulous info, Missymotus.  Many thanks!

I've just had termites found and a fence fall over, so there goes the enclosure money for a while.  But I'm definitely going to do it..

Someone accidently left the door open yesterday and little Sundar (who will be 6 months old on Wednesday) had a taste of the great outdoors.  I have never seen a kitten so excited!  One thing about Russian Blues is that they can run like the wind.. it is extraordinary how fast they are... I heard one breeder say never let a Russian out as they are spooked easily, and when they are they will just run and run.  Little Sundar, however, with his compromised chest, will dart around madly, then just stop with his mouth open, panting, then start again (just as I get near him).  It took me 45 minutes to catch him!

I can't deprive my furries of the outside experience, but, both for their sake and the multitude of wildlife in my garden (I have many blue-tongued lizards for example) I'll do the enclosure thing as soon as I can.  Of course it breaks my heart as Sundar now peers intently out the window making the most pitiful and constant miaow he can possibly manage.

Although it's aimed at the UK, the FAB advice might be useful:

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fencing/index.php

OrientalSlave said:

Although it's aimed at the UK, the FAB advice might be useful:

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/fencing/index.php

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There are some great ideas there... I'll keep them in my 'enclosure' file. 

I remember the days when we really just had cages and caged runs...none of the mesh and rotating things that we have today.  And I've always kept cats inside so it hasn't been a worry before, but for some reason with this new little boy it feels really unfair. 

diycatstuff said:

I'm slowly building a "cat habitrail" on our backyard deck (inspired by Habitat Haven) for our three cats.

You can't sit in it with the cats but, since its on the deck, they are hanging out with us outside.

I'm using dog cages and just connecting them together. I provide access with a cat door in the window.

Check it out:

www.diycatstuff.com

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I'm really impressed with your site and have bookmarked it.  Good on you!

The enclosure is back on the agenda.

I'm thinking 3.5 metres (11 1/2 feet) by the width of the walkway between my house and the fence, so there's a concrete walkway of a bit over 2 feet, and then a garden strip of the same.. a bit over 4 feet in all.  I'll put a lot of ledges, shelter etc in it.  I'll use that really strong cat enclosure netting with the side of the house and 1.8 metre poles for support.  The links missymotus gave me some great ideas.

I guess the main thing is does it sound big enough or should I wait till I can afford more?  it's for 2 cats.  For those with enclosures, what do your cats seem to really enjoy about them?

Mani said:

I guess the main thing is does it sound big enough or should I wait till I can afford more?  it's for 2 cats.  For those with enclosures, what do your cats seem to really enjoy about them?

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Can you design it so that you could add on to it later if you wanted? Hubby and I just finished making an enclosure for 3 of our cats using the frame of a small portable greenhouse. Its footprint isn't all that big but it has shelves which the cats just love. We covered it in plastic garden netting and attached it to a basement window with a wood and PVC frame. It'd be easy to make it bigger in the future by just attaching another greenhouse to the existing one. Here are some pics of the cats first venturing outside:

DH and Carrot in the enclosure. The grey cat on the bench is Memphis, my "reformed" feral.



A wide-eyed Peppercorn:



Peppercorn and Cinnamon Girl contemplating their next move:



Cinnamon Girl sitting on a shelf:

What a good idea.. making it out of a green house frame.  They do tend to be cheaper.  And your window access is excellent. (and your cats are gorgeous... )  I love your 'rogue' Memphis, sitting defiantly outside

I'm beginning to realise, as you say, that height is really important.. Even if I go with something small initially, with height they will be a lot happier.

My problem is that I can't just open a window.. I live in a land of little bighty insects and must have screens, and that makes access a real problem... And locating it near a window is an issue too.   

It's fine if the money is unlimited.. you can do just about anything.  Ah well, necessity is the Mother of invention!

Thanks again, Sugarcatmom.. some great ideas.