Catio for naughty cat

SteveJohn

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Well it took me a while but finally finished building a catio for my cat who has been nothing but trouble if I’m honest. Fighting outside so kept her inside and basically ruined the house even having scratch posts, toys etc etc, good diet. But she is proper naughty, the only issue I’m having now is she goes in the catio but doesn’t like it, is this just adjustment as she was an outside cat or will she always be naughty.
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di and bob

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Very nice! She'll get used to it, it will take time, cats absolutely hate change. To keep her safe it must be done. You might even add a few more 'shelves' for her to get higher, like steps, staggered so she can get from one to another, it would give her more exercise. she will appreciate it when she realizes it is her only outside time. That will take a while, most likely months. Get several corrugated cardboard scratchers laying around, cats love them and they are cheap. Pull them up and turn them over for twice the use. sprinkle a little catnip on them and she will love it. Good job!
 

verna davies

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You've done a good job and I'm sure she will love it. As well as more shelves and cardboard scratchers mentioned above, put a short tree branch in laying on the ground so she can sit on it and scratch it. Let us know how she is doing.
 

Norachan

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Great job! You've made her a really nice catio. I'd suggest putting a roof on it, those corrugated plastic sheets you can buy in garden centers work well, as well as a few more shelves. My cats really like to be able to get up high and watch what is going on around them. If you could extend the shelves up as high as the roof and make her a little platform there she'd be happy.

It does take time for cats to adjust to anything new, but I'm sure she'll learn to love it.
 
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SteveJohn

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She hissed when she went in it today, I guess she just feels like she is being trapped at the minute so I’ll try add more stuff in for her.
 

Norachan

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She maybe feels a bit vulnerable too. Cats like to be able to get up high, hide themselves and watch all the other people and animals around them. If you live in an area where you can get natural tree branches they make great scratching and climbing posts. You just have to strip the bark off and then tie them together.

I made this cat tree for my cats from an old tree that came down. This is version 1 and 2.

TreeHouse38_R.jpg
TreeHouse48_R.jpg


They like it better now I've modified the platforms, but I haven't taken a picture of that yet. You don't need to spend a ton of money, just use what you can find.
 
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SteveJohn

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She maybe feels a bit vulnerable too. Cats like to be able to get up high, hide themselves and watch all the other people and animals around them. If you live in an area where you can get natural tree branches they make great scratching and climbing posts. You just have to strip the bark off and then tie them together.

I made this cat tree for my cats from an old tree that came down. This is version 1 and 2.

View attachment 345245View attachment 345246

They like it better now I've modified the platforms, but I haven't taken a picture of that yet. You don't need to spend a ton of money, just use what you can find.
That’s brilliant
 

Willowy

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That's a nice catio! We should all take lessons!

Cats like to be contrary, so if you encourage her to go out there she might push back. Instead, make her feel like it's her idea. Put some treats out there, maybe some catnip. If she likes to be brushed, brush her out there (is there a human entrance other than jumping through the window?). Some more plants, if possible, more hiding spots, etc.
 
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SteveJohn

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That's a nice catio! We should all take lessons!

Cats like to be contrary, so if you encourage her to go out there she might push back. Instead, make her feel like it's her idea. Put some treats out there, maybe some catnip. If she likes to be brushed, brush her out there (is there a human entrance other than jumping through the window?). Some more plants, if possible, more hiding spots, etc.
Will defiantly add more stuff in there from the recommendations from people. I think if possible all cats should have something like this as a way outside, especially if they are indoor cats.
 
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