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10 Best Outdoor Cat Catios in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks!
By Elizabeth Gray
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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? Weʻve collected reviews of what we think are the 10 best outdoor cat catios of 2021. Keep our thoughts in mind as you start your search for the perfect catio!
Our pick for the best overall outdoor cat catio is this cat house on wheels from Aivituvin. We picked this best overall primarily for itʻs versatility. Itʻs a good option for a wide range of housing arrangements. Because this house is on wheels, itʻs easy to move around and give your cats a new view whenever you like. It has enough space for more than one cat to play and exercise, but itʻs not so big that it wouldnʻt fit on a patio or maybe even a large apartment balcony. Not everyone lives in a house with a yard and this catio can accommodate those people. 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.
Pros
Works in a variety of locations
Wheels make it easy to move
Cons
Can be tricky to assemble
Strong smell
2. Outdoor Jack Happy Habitat Cat Playpen Tent – Best Value
Our choice of best cat catio for the money is the Outdoor Jack Happy Habitat Playpen Tent. This lightweight, no-frills playspace is the choice for you if you donʻt have the space or the budget for one of the larger, more permanent catios on our list. Made of mesh, this play tent installs quickly with no tools but wonʻt be as durable as catios made of wood or wire. It also doesnʻt have any climbing or activities for your cat but is simply a safe space for them to get some fresh air. The size of this catio makes it suitable for use out in the yard or on the porch or patio. 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.
Pros
Easy setup
Portable, works for many different spaces
Cons
Not as durable
No space for climbing
3. PawHut Large Wooden Outdoor Cat House – Premium Choice
If you have space in your yard and your budget, consider this large cat house from PawHut. This premium catio contains a fully enclosed indoor space with multiple openings and levels for cats to snooze and relax. Made of real, solid wood, this catio is designed to withstand the elements, although some users found it didnʻt do that as well as advertised. This catio is big enough to accommodate multiple cats at the same time. However, it doesnʻt have the option to attach to a window like some of the others on our list. 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.
Pros
Big enough for multiple cats
Contains indoor space
Cons
Expensive
Tricky to put together
Some complaints about the quality
4. Yaheetech 3-Tier Metal Indoor/Outdoor Cat Home – Best for Kittens
We picked this portable, metal catio from Yaheetech as the best choice for kittens for several reasons. One is its smaller size. You donʻt want to worry about your kittens falling from a height as they play. Each tier of this catio is easily reached by way of ramps so tiny kittens donʻt have to worry about trying to jump. Besides the three shelves, this catio also has a cute hammock for kittens to curl up in for a snooze. The smaller size of this catio makes it a little bit of a tighter squeeze for adult cats but you could still get use out of it when your kitten grows up. 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.
Pros
Small size and setup ideal for kittens
Lots of climbing and resting spaces
Cons
Some cats donʻt like the feel of the wire surfaces
This catio from Gutinneen is ideal for cats who love to climb and jump. The catio features multiple shelves including a middle shelf that makes it easy for cats to jump from side to side as they play. There are also two sleeping nests for when the kitties finally wear themselves out. Fully enclosed with a shingled roof, this catio keeps your cat safe and entertained. Unlike other catios, this product has a full-sized access door so you can easily go inside to clean up or enjoy some kitty hang time. 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.
This catio by PawHut is a more bare-bones version than the one we reviewed earlier. Made of the same materials, this catio offers a safe outdoor space for multiple cats to play. It has three shelves for resting but not much else as far as climbing or playing options. This catio is best for a yard or large patio rather than apartment balconies. The shelves may be a little small for larger cat breeds like Maine Coons to stretch out comfortably. 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.
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
This 3-in-1 portable catio offers a lot of play space for a very reasonable price, which is what we love about it. Itʻs the only multi-level mesh portable catio on our list and also has a tent and tunnel attached, providing lots of play options for your cats. This catio is very lightweight and might not hold up to heavy play from large cats. It works either out in the yard or on a large balcony. 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.
This metal catio from PawHut strikes a balance between the cheaper, mesh portable catios and the larger, stationary versions. It’s made of metal so itʻs sturdy but itʻs light, sets up quickly, and is easy to fold for storage. If you donʻt want a permanent catio in your yard but are worried your cats will destroy a mesh portable catio, this might be the choice for you. It doesnʻt have any perches or climbing options so it functions purely as a safe space for your cat to hang out outdoors with you. 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.
If your cat isnʻt offended by using a catio thatʻs technically sold as a bunny hutch, this option from Coziwow offers both indoor and outdoor space for your cat to enjoy. This is a smaller-sized catio that probably will only work for one cat at a time unless they arenʻt territorial or super active. Itʻs reasonably priced as far the more permanent catio structures go but that price comes with some potential durability issues. 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.
If you and your cat love to hit the open road for adventures together, this portable catio from Outing Man is the one for you! Easy to pack and quick to set up, this catio fits easily into the back of a truck or SUV so your kitty can supervise as you set up camp. Even if you donʻt have an adventure cat, this catio is an affordable choice to allow your kitty safe time outdoors no matter where you live. The cloth mesh may not withstand sharp claws well, which seems to be the main complaint about this product. 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.
Pros
Great for car trips or outdoor adventures
Affordable
Easy setup
Cons
Mesh can be torn by claws
No built-in entertainment or climbing space
Buyer’s Guide
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 youʻll need to determine before you start shopping for a catio. Your options are going to depend quite a bit on where youʻll 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 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 theyʻre 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.
