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Large Catio Ideas to Inspire Your Cat's Outdoor Paradise

Designing a spacious outdoor haven for your cat? Explore inspiring large catio ideas complete with materials, layout specs, and build features to help you create a secure, stylish retreat in your yard or garden.

Why a Large Catio? The Benefits for You and Your Cat

Large catios are ideal for multi-cat households, giving each feline plenty of room to roam, play, and relax without stepping on each other’s paws. We recommend providing a minimum of 10 square feet per cat to reduce territorial stress and encourage harmony.

Beyond space, large catios offer:

  • Safe access to fresh air, sunshine, and nature
  • Mental stimulation through bird-watching and outdoor enrichment
  • Fewer behavioral issues tied to boredom or overcrowding
  • An upgrade to your home’s curb appeal—and potentially its value

 

A thoughtfully designed large catio isn’t just a luxury; it’s a wellness investment for your cats and peace of mind for you.

Large Catio Ideas to Spark Your Next Build

The Berkeley Breeze

Design Specs

  • Wood: Pressure-treated lumber, painted to match the home and provide long-term resistance to moisture and insects
  • Roof: Metal roofing for weather durability 
  • Fencing Type: 1×1-inch black PVC-coated critter fencing for secure, chew-resistant enclosure walls
  • Catio Size: 8 feet wide x 6 feet deep x 8 feet tall, featuring a 10-foot-long tunnel connecting from the guest room window to the enclosure
  • Location: Berkely, California 
  • Access Point: A 10-foot tunnel connects the catio to the guest room window, allowing cats independent access from indoors
  • Climate & Design Considerations: Designed to handle Berkeley’s coastal climate, with materials selected to resist moisture during rainy winters and withstand prolonged sun exposure in dry summer months
  • Design Type: Freestanding catio enclosure designed for flexibility in placement and seamless integration with the home’s exterior

Purradise Perch

Design Specs

  • Wood: Pressure-treated lumber for structural durability and long-term resistance to weather, painted to complement the home’s exterior
  • Roof: Corrugated metal roofing provides maximum protection against rain, sun, and other weather conditions while maintaining ventilation
  • Fencing Type: 2×3-inch black PVC-coated welded wire for secure, chew-resistant walls
  • Catio Size: Two connected enclosures—one 6 feet by 8 feet, the other 8 feet by 8 feet—linked by a 100-foot tunnel system for continuous, safe outdoor exploration
  • Location: San Rafael, California 
  • Access Point: A 100-foot tunnel system connects two catio enclosures, allowing cats to travel freely between spaces while staying safely enclosed outdoors
  • Climate & Design Considerations: Built with pressure-treated lumber and welded wire to withstand moisture, sun exposure, and temperature fluctuations common to Northern California’s mild but varied climate
  • Design Type: Custom-built dual catio system featuring two freestanding enclosures with staggered shelves, ramps, and a human-sized door—engineered for both function and long-term durability

The Whisker Way

Design Specs

  • Wood: Pressure-treated lumber for strength and longevity, with a finish tailored to match the home’s exterior and withstand outdoor exposure
  • Roof: Flat-panel metal roof, providing reliable protection from the elements with a clean, modern look
  • Fencing Type: 2×3-inch black PVC-coated welded wire that maximizes visibility
  • Catio Size: Two spacious enclosures—one 6 feet by 10 feet, the other 10 feet by 10 feet—connected by a 10-foot tunnel for safe, seamless exploration between spaces
  • Location: Yuma, Arizona 
  • Access Point: A 10-foot tunnel connects the two enclosures and links to a window, allowing cats safe, independent access between the indoor space and both outdoor catios
  • Climate & Design Considerations: Built to withstand Yuma’s intense desert heat and sun exposure, this catio features pressure-treated lumber and a corrugated metal roof specifically chosen to block direct sunlight and keep the enclosures cooler during the peak summer months
  • Design Type: Custom dual freestanding catios

The Boardwalk

Design Specs

  • Wood: Pressure-treated lumber for structural durability and long-term resistance to outdoor conditions, with finishes selected to complement the surrounding deck area
  • Roof: Clear polycarbonate roof allows natural light to filter through while offering full protection from rain and sun
  • Fencing Type: 1×1-inch black PVC-coated critter fencing ensures a secure, chew-resistant enclosure with excellent visibility
  • Catio Size: A single freestanding enclosure measuring 7ft wide x 24ft deep x 9ft tall
  • Location: San Diego, California 
  • Access Point: Freestanding design with a human-sized door for easy entry; no tunnel system required, as the enclosure serves as a self-contained outdoor retreat
  • Climate & Design Considerations: Built to handle San Diego’s mild, coastal climate with pressure-treated lumber and a clear polycarbonate roof that offers UV protection while allowing natural light into the space
  • Design Type: Custom freestanding catio featuring a multi-level layout with 10 shelves, 4 ramps, 4 cubbies, 3 hammocks, floor-to-ceiling scratch posts, and a built-in bench for shared human-feline enjoyment

The Lone Star Lounge

Design Specs

  • Wood: Western Red Cedar, stained for added richness and longevity, offering a natural, upscale finish with excellent resistance to outdoor elements
  • Roof: Corrugated metal roof designed to block intense Texas sun and provide maximum protection from heat and seasonal weather
  • Fencing Type: 1×1-inch black PVC-coated critter fencing for a secure catio
  • Catio Size: A single freestanding enclosure measuring 7 feet wide x 10 feet deep x 12.5 feet tall
  • Location: Austin, Texas 
  • Access Point: Freestanding design with a human-sized door for convenient entry; the enclosure functions as a fully self-contained feline retreat with no tunnel system required
  • Climate & Design Considerations: Engineered for Austin’s extreme summer heat, this catio features stained Western Red Cedar and a corrugated metal roof to block direct sun exposure while maintaining structural integrity year-round
  • Design Type: Custom freestanding catio featuring a multi-level interior with multiple shelves, two ramps, a handcrafted cat tree, and an enclosed outdoor litter box

Describe Your Space — We’ll Do the Rest

Outdoor custom-built catio attached to a home exterior, with multiple climbing shelves and ramps surrounded by colorful landscaping.

Customer Information

What Makes Our Large Catios Stand Out

  • Spacious, Custom Layouts for Bigger Builds – Whether you want to enclose a full patio, create a backyard sanctuary, or design a multi-level cat haven, we tailor every catio to your vision and square footage.
  • Architectural Harmony with Your Home – Our large catios are painted, stained, and styled to blend seamlessly with your home’s exterior—adding both value and curb appeal.
  • Room to Roam, Climb & Play – With elevated shelves, long tunnels, spacious floor plans, and shaded nooks, our large catios give cats the space they crave for exercise and relaxation.
  • Built for All Seasons & Every Region – From rain and snow to summer heat, our materials—like pressure-treated lumber, metal roofing, and Critterfence—stand strong in any climate.
  • Designed for Multi-Cat Households – Need room for more than one cat? No problem. We engineer large catios with multiple perches, hideaways, and pathways to keep everyone happy.
  • Nationwide Installation You Can Trust – Wherever you’re located in the U.S., Cat Topia’s expert team will handle your custom large catio from design to build—no stress, just results.