Matthew Hildebrandt
Marketing Director
Catio Tunnels That Stood Out in 2025 (So Far)
Explore five of our favorite custom catio tunnel builds from 2025, each with unique designs, standout features, and special details.
Our Best Catio Tunnels of 2025 (So Far)
Catio tunnels have quickly become one of the most requested features in 2025, and for good reason. More cat parents are realizing that tunnels don’t just look incredible, they provide safe and exciting ways for indoor cats to explore the outdoors. From connecting a cozy window perch to a backyard catio, to creating long passageways across a garden, tunnels offer enrichment, exercise, and peace of mind all in one.
At Cat Topia, we’ve seen this trend firsthand. We’ve designed and installed dozens of unique tunnel systems this year alone. Each project is completely tailored to the home, the yard, and—most importantly—the cats who will be using it. Whether it’s predator-proofing for rural properties, elevated bridges for adventurous climbers, or wider tunnels for Maine Coons and other large breeds, every design reflects both safety and creativity.
For this post, we’ve pulled together five of our favorite catio tunnel builds of 2025 (so far). These stand-out projects were chosen not just for their looks, but for how they improved daily life for our clients and their cats.
As you explore these builds, you’ll see the design inspiration, project details, safety features, and customization touches that made each tunnel special. Our hope is that these stories inspire you to imagine what’s possible for your own feline family.
Design Spotlight: Custom Catio Tunnels We Love
This year has given us some incredible builds — here are five standout catio tunnel projects from 2025.
The Backyard Explorer Tunnel
Design Inspiration
Our client wanted his four cats—Rye, Teneco, Willot, and Taylor—to enjoy the outdoors safely while taking full advantage of their expansive, beautifully landscaped backyard. The cats loved lounging on the back porch, but they wanted to give them something more enriching and permanent. Their vision was ambitious: two separate catios connected by an extended tunnel system that would let the cats truly roam and explore.
Project Details
- Catio A: 6 ft wide × 8 ft deep x 8 ft tall
- Catio B: 8 ft wide × 8 ft deep x 8 ft tall
- Tunnel System: 100 ft of custom-built tunnel connecting the two catios wrapping around clients home
- Placement: Both catios positioned to maximize backyard exploration, linked through a meandering tunnel path
- Materials: Pressure-treated lumber for framing, black PVC-coated welded wire (1” × 1”) for walls and ceilings, and a human-sized access door for convenience. Each enclosure featured staggered shelves and ramps to encourage vertical climbing and play.
Safety & Functionality
The tunnel was fully predator-proof, using durable welded wire and weather-resistant lumber. Its design ensured long-term stability and year-round functionality in California’s climate.
Customization Highlights
- 100 ft tunnel system winding through the backyard
- Staggered interior shelves for exercise and lounging
- Black PVC-coated mesh chosen to blend with the surroundings
- Full human-sized access door for easy entry and maintenance
Project Cost: $49,300
Location: California
The Elevated Window-to-Catio Pathway
Design Inspiration
This project was designed to let multiple cats safely access the outdoors while blending seamlessly into the client’s home. The goal was to connect an interior window (from the garage/laundry area) to a spacious lean-to style catio in the yard. A key challenge was navigating the elevation change in the exterior pathway, the tunnel needed to rise above stairs and remain functional while still looking clean from the deck and kitchen window.
Project Details
- Catio Size: 7 ft wide × 5 ft deep × 7.5 ft tall
- Tunnel System: ~26 ft long
- Tunnel Dimensions: 2 ft deep × 2 ft tall, elevated to chest height in front of the deck
- Placement: Tunnel extended from side window, leading into a lean-to catio enclosure
- Materials: Pressure-treated lumber; black PVC-coated 1” × 1” critter-proof fencing; clear polycarbonate roofing; built directly on dirt ground with post supports
- Interior Features: Eight shelves and three ramps for climbing and perching
Safety & Functionality
- Critter-proof fencing for predator protection
- Elevated tunnel designed for durability and stability over the exterior stairs
- Clear polycarbonate roofing to shield from rain while keeping natural light
Customization Highlights
- Lean-to style enclosure, taller at the back to maintain backyard and kitchen visibility
- Elevated chest-height tunnel pathway, a distinctive design element that maximizes use of space
- Simple, minimalist finish (no paint or stain) to maintain a natural look
Project Cost: $25,000
Location: California
The Double-Zone Tunnel Retreat
Design Inspiration
Our client wanted to recreate and expand on the catio her two cats had enjoyed at their previous home. With one bold escape artist and one more reserved follower, safety and enrichment were top priorities. The vision was a dual-zone catio system, connected by a tunnel, that would give the cats multiple environments to explore while blending seamlessly into her modern farmhouse-style home. A key challenge was preserving existing landscaping — especially a crepe myrtle tree — while still integrating a spacious second enclosure and tunnel system.
Project Details
- Main Catio: 8 ft × 8 ft enclosure with window access, built on a durable deck base
- Secondary Catio: 4 ft × 8 ft enclosure positioned near an outdoor light for easy visibility
- Tunnel: 16 ft long with a scenic mid-point “viewing area” for lounging and outdoor observation
- Materials: Painted pressure-treated wood, ribbed steel roof for durability, 1×1 black PVC-coated critter fencing, plexiglass bubble dome, and fully painted finish for seamless home integration
- Interior Features: Tiered shelves and ramps, cat cubbies, hammocks, a floor-to-ceiling scratching post, and an outdoor litter box space
Safety & Functionality
- Double-screening for bug and pest protection
- Predator-proof fencing throughout
- Solid steel roofing ensures year-round usability
- Emergency human access doors in both enclosures
Customization Highlights
- Two plexiglass bubble domes for elevated views
- Fully painted finish to match the home’s exterior
- High tunnel pathway designed for both fun and safety
- Tree-friendly design that preserved landscaping without compromising cat exploration
Project Cost: $29,000
Location: California
The Hillside Tunnel Escape
Design Inspiration
This project was designed to provide a secure way for two cats to explore a scenic backyard while staying fully protected from the high coyote presence in Oregon. The vision emphasized tunnels and elevated pathways, blending safety with aesthetic appeal. One of the biggest design challenges came from the complex hillside terrain, which included stairs, a towering Douglas fir tree, and recently installed landscaping with retaining walls and pavers.
Project Details
- Primary Catio: Wrap-around enclosure, 9 ft wide × 4 ft deep × ~8 ft tall, attached to the house near the pergola seating area
- Tunnel System: 50 ft of enclosed tunnels leading from the main catio
- Viewing Area: Scenic cat viewing pod at the end of the tunnel system
- Materials: Cedar framing, painted to match home aesthetics; classic ribbed steel roofing; black PVC-coated 1×1 critter fencing
- Interior Features: Shelves, ramps, two cat cubbies, and two bubble domes for lounging and lookout
Safety & Functionality
- Fully predator-proof to withstand coyotes and other wildlife
- Tunnel doors and a human access door for safe entry and maintenance
- Roofing over all tunnels to ensure usability in Oregon’s heavy rain
Customization Highlights
- Bridge-style tunnel arching over stairs, designed for both safety and dramatic visual appeal
- Hexagonal gazebo-style viewing area at the hillside’s peak, overlooking a waterfall feature
- Painted cedar finish, chosen to blend with the client’s outdoor space
- Optional mix of half-inch and one-inch mesh for balance of hummingbird safety and structural strength
Project Cost: $35,000
Location: Oregon
The Mountain Deck Tunnel
Design Inspiration
Set high in the Colorado mountains, this build needed to seamlessly integrate with an elevated deck while standing up to the region’s challenging conditions. Strong winds, heavy snow, and local wildlife — including bears, mountain lions, and bobcats — made safety and durability top priorities. At the same time, the design had to remain simple, functional, and unobtrusive to preserve the deck’s scenic views.
Project Details
- Main Catio: 9 ft wide × 5 ft 6 in deep × 8 ft tall
- Style: Lean-to with metal roof; attached directly to the deck (no flooring)
- Tunnel: 15 ft long, 2 ft wide × 2 ft tall, built directly on the deck
- Materials: Cedar lumber stained to match deck; metal roofing; 2×2 critter fencing; 2×4 framing and 2×6 boards for tunnel top
- Interior Features: Shelves and ramps; side entry door near gutter for access
Safety & Functionality
- Predator-proof 2×2 critter fencing, reinforced for strength
- Tunnel doors for human access
- Designed to withstand mountain snow loads and high winds
- Elevated tunnel constructed flush to deck for stability
Customization Highlights
- Tunnel designed to double as a functional bench with slats along the top, blending cat safety with usable deck seating
- Stained cedar finish chosen to perfectly match the existing deck color
- Compact footprint and lean-to roof to preserve mountain views from the home
Project Cost: $17,000
Location: Colorado
Your Custom Catio Tunnel Awaits
Catio tunnels are more than just a pathway, they are a safe, enriching, and visually striking way to expand your cat’s world. From connecting two enclosures across a sprawling yard to creating elevated sky bridges or integrating a tunnel right into a deck, these builds show just how versatile tunnels can be. They give cats freedom, adventure, and exercise, while giving owners peace of mind knowing their pets are protected from predators, traffic, and other outdoor dangers.
Each of the projects we shared highlights a different way tunnels can be customized, whether it’s blending into a mountain deck, stretching across a hillside to a gazebo, or connecting multiple catios into one cohesive system. With thoughtful design, the right materials, and a focus on safety, tunnels transform an outdoor space into a true feline paradise.
At Cat Topia, we’re proud to lead the way in premium, custom-built catio tunnels nationwide. Every project is designed around the unique needs of the home, the environment, and — most importantly — the cats who will be enjoying it.
Inspired by these builds? Let’s design your custom catio tunnel and create an outdoor space your cats will love for years to come. Contact us today to receive a free customized quote!