Cat runs, also known as catios or cat enclosures, are a great way to provide your feline friends with safe access to the outdoors. However, simply providing a space for your cat to be outside isn’t enough to keep them happy and healthy. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some ideas for enriching your cat’s experience in their enclosure and keeping them entertained.

10 Tips to Improve Your Cat Run

1. Add vertical spaces:
Cats love to climb and perch, so adding vertical spaces such as shelves, ramps, or cat trees to your cat run can give them more opportunities to explore and observe their surroundings from different angles.

2. Include hiding spots:
Cats also love to hide, so adding a small enclosed area or a cozy hideaway can give them a sense of security and comfort.

3. Provide scratching surfaces:
Cats need to scratch to maintain their claws, so adding scratching posts or pads to your cat run can prevent them from scratching on inappropriate surfaces like furniture.

4. Offer different textures:
Cats enjoy different textures, so adding a variety of surfaces such as grass, sand, or even a small water feature can provide sensory stimulation and enrichment.

5. Incorporate toys:
Adding toys like balls, feather wands, or puzzle feeders can provide mental stimulation and encourage playfulness.

6. Create a sunbathing spot:
Cats love to soak up the sun, so adding a sunny spot in the enclosure can give them a comfortable place to relax and bask in the warmth.

7. Add plants:
Incorporating cat-safe plants such as catnip or wheatgrass can provide sensory stimulation and promote natural behaviours like nibbling and rubbing.

8. Install a bird feeder or birdbath on the outside:
Providing a bird-watching spot can give your cat a fun and engaging activity and allow them to indulge their natural instincts.

9. Rotate items:
To prevent boredom, consider rotating the items in your cat run periodically to keep your cat interested and engaged in their environment.

10. Add a patio roof:
If your cat run is on a patio or balcony and it does not have a roof, adding a patio roof makes it into an all weather experience for your cats.

A cat enclosure provides your feline friend with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while keeping them safe. By incorporating these ideas for enrichment and play, you can ensure that your cat is happy, healthy, and entertained in their enclosure.

Looking to build a patio roof to improve your cat run? Contact us at Diamond Patios Brisbane to discuss how we can help.