The Cedar Skywalk | Recent Catio Build in Elk Grove, California
📍Location📍
Elk Grove, CA
Project Overview
This custom freestanding catio was designed to give three indoor cats a safe, enriching outdoor experience while complementing the aesthetic of the home. Inspired by premium cedar catio builds seen online, the client wanted a structure that felt intentional and high-end—not just a basic enclosure, but a long-term investment that would enhance both their cats’ lives and their backyard.
Their cats had been showing clear signs of needing more stimulation, from scratching furniture to constantly trying to slip outside. They also loved spending time perched by the window, watching the outdoors. This project transformed that natural curiosity into a secure, dedicated space where they could explore, climb, and relax safely.
Built with stained cedar for its warm, natural tone and durability, the catio features a sleek black critter fencing system and a solid white metal roof for year-round protection. Inside, the space is thoughtfully designed with tiered shelves, ramps, a cozy cubby, and enrichment features like a floor-to-ceiling scratch post and bubble dome—creating a dynamic environment that encourages movement and engagement. The structure also allows room for litter box placement, helping reduce indoor odors while improving overall functionality for the homeowner.
Project Goals
- Design a visually appealing, premium catio using high-quality cedar materials—something that enhances the backyard rather than feeling like a simple enclosure
- Create a fully freestanding structure with a deck base, eliminating the need to attach it directly to the home
- Incorporate a tiered layout with low-to-high shelves, ramps, and enrichment features to support climbing, play, and rest
- Provide enough interior space to comfortably accommodate three litter boxes for improved cleanliness and odor control
- Install a solid metal roof to protect against sun, rain, and extreme weather while matching the home’s aesthetic
- Position the catio along the living room window to extend the cats’ favorite lounging and viewing area
- Include a full-sized human access door for easy cleaning and maintenance
- Ensure the space feels safe, secure, and enriching—giving the cats outdoor access without the risks of roaming freely
Design Challenges
- Designing a fully freestanding structure that would not attach to the home while still aligning seamlessly with the existing window access point
- Matching the catio height to the home’s existing roofline while allowing enough clearance to properly install a solid roof
- Preserving the client’s yard by minimizing impact to grass and maximizing use of the existing brick paver area
- Extending the catio horizontally while keeping a narrow footprint to stay primarily on the pavers
- Balancing structural stability with a tall, vertical design that supports multiple interior levels
Key Design Features
- Freestanding cedar enclosure built entirely independent of the home for flexibility and minimal structural impact
- Stained cedar wood frame providing a warm, premium aesthetic that complements the home’s exterior
- One-by-one black PVC-coated critter fencing for durability, visibility, and maximum safety
- Solid white metal roof for protection against sun and extreme weather while maintaining a clean, cohesive look
- Full-sized human access door for convenient cleaning and maintenance, with window access for the cats
- Three-tier vertical layout with shelves and ramps arranged from low to high, creating an engaging climbing experience
- Floor-to-ceiling scratch post and bubble dome to encourage enrichment, play, and stimulation
- Outdoor carpeted shelving and multiple step levels for comfort, traction, and easy navigation
- Built-in cat cubby offering a cozy, enclosed space for rest and retreat
Stained Cedar
Build Specifications
This build was designed to create a tall, narrow outdoor catio that maximizes vertical space while maintaining a minimal footprint. As a fully freestanding structure, it preserves the integrity of the home and existing yard while providing a secure, enriching environment for the cats. The use of premium cedar materials and a solid roofing system ensures long-term durability, weather protection, and a polished, cohesive appearance.
Dimensions & Layout
- Main Catio Structure: Approximately 12 feet wide x 3 feet 2 inches deep x 10 feet tall. Designed as a tall, narrow enclosure that maximizes vertical space while maintaining a minimal footprint within the yard.
- Freestanding Layout: Built as a fully independent structure positioned along the home’s window, allowing for seamless cat access without attaching to the house.
- Footprint Optimization: The elongated, narrow design allows the catio to sit primarily on existing brick pavers while minimizing disruption to the surrounding lawn.
- Vertical Climbing Design: The interior layout is structured to encourage upward movement, with platforms and pathways arranged to guide cats from ground level to elevated resting and viewing areas.
- Accessible Configuration: Includes a centrally positioned, full-sized access door for easy human entry while maintaining a clear, functional flow throughout the enclosure.
Catio Gallery
Materials Used
Lumber: Cedar
Why Cedar?
- Chosen for its premium appearance, delivering a warm, natural look that elevates the overall design
- Naturally rot-resistant and highly durable for long-term outdoor use
- Strong yet lightweight, making it ideal for a tall, freestanding structure
- Pet-safe and free from harsh chemical treatments
Stained Finish
- Custom-stained cedar to enhance the wood’s natural grain and rich tone
- Designed to achieve a high-end, polished look that complements the home’s exterior
- Helps protect the wood while maintaining its color and appearance over time
Roofing Options
Roofing: Solid Metal Roof (White)
- Installed across the entire catio structure for full coverage
- Provides reliable protection from sun exposure, rain, and extreme weather conditions
- Durable and built to withstand long-term outdoor use
- White finish helps reflect heat while complementing the home’s exterior
Fencing: 1×1 Black Critterfencing
- Material: Galvanized steel core with protective black PVC coating
- Mesh Size: 1×1 inch square openings
Why This Fencing?
- Provides strong, secure protection while maintaining clear visibility in and out of the enclosure
- Durable and weather-resistant, ideal for long-term outdoor exposure
- Black coating reduces visual obstruction, creating a clean, modern look that blends with the structure
- Rust-resistant finish ensures long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance
Interior Features & Enrichment
This catio was designed to encourage vertical movement, play, and relaxation within a compact footprint. The interior layout promotes climbing, perching, and exploration while also providing comfortable spaces for rest and observation.
Feature List
- Climbing Shelves
Shelves are positioned at multiple heights throughout the enclosure, allowing cats to jump, perch, and observe their surroundings. The staggered layout supports full-body movement and vertical enrichment.
- Ramps
Sloped ramps connect different shelf levels, creating smooth transitions and making it easy for cats to navigate between elevations.
- Multi-Level Steps
Multiple sets of steps provide additional pathways for climbing and descending, giving cats more options for movement and exploration.
- Floor-to-Ceiling Scratch Post
A full-height scratching post encourages natural scratching behavior while doubling as a vertical climbing feature.
- Bubble Dome
A mounted bubble dome creates a unique lookout point, allowing cats to safely observe their surroundings from an elevated, enclosed vantage.
- Cat Cubby
A built-in cubby offers a cozy, enclosed space where cats can retreat, rest, and feel secure.
Feature Purpose & Pet Personality Fit
This catio was thoughtfully designed around the personalities and behaviors of three curious, indoor cats who were eager for more stimulation and outdoor connection. Since they already loved watching the world from the window and frequently tried to sneak বাইরে, the design extends that natural behavior into a safe, enriching outdoor space—turning their favorite indoor perch into a fully immersive experience.
- The placement along the window builds on their existing habit of observing birds, movement, and light—creating a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors.
- The vertical layout with tiered shelves and ramps supports adventurous, high-energy climbers who enjoy exploring different elevations and staying active.
- The floor-to-ceiling scratch post caters to natural scratching instincts, helping redirect that behavior away from furniture while encouraging stretching and movement.
- The bubble dome provides a unique, stimulating lookout for curious cats who enjoy watching their surroundings from a slightly enclosed, elevated vantage point.
- The cat cubby offers a quiet retreat for moments of rest, giving more reserved or easily overstimulated cats a place to decompress while still being outside.
- The open floor space and structured layout allow for multiple activity zones, supporting different personalities at once—whether one cat wants to climb, another wants to lounge, or another wants to observe.
- The overall design balances stimulation and comfort, ensuring each cat has the freedom to explore, relax, and engage with the environment at their own pace.