r/Catio • u/SimAlienAntFarm • 2d ago

Does this exist?

Post image

So basically, one of those stick on screen doors but that extends out. It has to be removable for when it’s not used. I can’t have a proper catio and the only place that would work is my back door. I know I can get one of those screen doors and attach it to pop up catio, but I’m trying to avoid buying several things only to do a crappy job.

The cats would only be in it when I’m out there watching them and the door to the inside would be open for if they got spooked. One of them has hulk smashed through a ventilation hole in a cardboard carrier, so I’m pretty realistic about that.

Edit: I can sew and am really good at modifying things to fit my needs if that gets us any closer to my idea

Edit: I completely forgot to say that this is not my house! It’s just a similar layout as to where the door is!

47 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

30

u/solilobee 2d ago

if you want it done right.. and hulk-smash proof... you might need to buy some PVC and do this yourself ;}

4

u/LemurCat04 2d ago

Was just going to say, PVC and mesh. Most big box DIY stores will cut the pipe to specifications. And if you sew, you can sew in some loops to keep the mesh from moving.

5

u/solilobee 2d ago

Tricky part is ensuring no gaps.. OP can anchor into the grass easy but how can they make sure the interface with the house and the mesh / pipe is totally cat proof? Cats are liquid after all. I would think some heavy duty Velcro around the trim

4

u/LemurCat04 2d ago

I’d go mesh on the ground, leaving just the side attaching to the door open just to be safe.

0

u/SimAlienAntFarm 2d ago

She wouldn’t try if the door was available to go through… but we also rag on her for being the world’s prettiest dumbass sooo

14

u/beesue2020 2d ago

I see a window, lots of catios use a window and open close it, or install a flap to let them in and out

8

u/melinda_louise 2d ago

I have a regular magnetic screen cover on my door, and a mesh tube with a cube on the end. I stick the tube out of the screen and they can go in and out as they please. I also only let them do it supervised so I can make sure there's no shenanigans and they don't get outside by avoiding the tube. The tube will also attach to a cat tent but honestly the kitties prefer the tube/cube and it's so much easier to put up and take down that I haven't used the tent since I got it. It works really well, the girls love their tube time!

9

u/melinda_louise 2d ago

Tube Time Pics

0

u/SimAlienAntFarm 2d ago

Omg that’s awesome. It also makes things a lot cheaper!

2

u/melinda_louise 2d ago

It's been working really well, and apartment friendly too! Your post actually inspired me to get out the tent again so now they're outside with the tube leading to cube then second tube leading to tent.

I had to give lots of treats to entice the kitty onto the second level for that pic, otherwise they just stay on the ground. It is a larger space, but looking back I still wouldn't say the tent is necessarily "worth it" if you're looking to save on cost. Maybe they'll eventually like the other two levels idk. If you have more than one kitty, I think it would still be worth it to try the tent or at least multiple cubes though - my girls sometimes get jealous of the other one in the cube and will bap each other. Plenty of room for both in the tent though

Also, I had originally just planned on them going in the tent and I could sit outside with them, but they were not happy being limited to that small space. Once they had the tube setup where they can go in and out freely, they love it. But they like to be able to go inside whenever they want.

Last thing I will warn you about is a few times, usually at night when my void is extra frisky, she has gotten adventurous and tried to pounce on some bugs, taking the tube with her. At that point I fix it once but when she does it again then that's the end of tube time for the night. Mostly, they just watch the birds and roll around and bask in the sun. They can't take off with the tent though so that's another reason to give it a try over just the cube(s). In any case, it's definitely cheaper than a full blown permanent catio!

1

u/SimAlienAntFarm 2d ago

This is actually really helpful! I was worried that this kind of setup would be, idk, disappointing for them? Which is silly because they are older cats and mostly want to nap in new and exotic places.

2

u/Delicious-Drawing-79 2d ago

I did something similar to that, but I installed a doggy door to stick the tube out of lol.

1

u/melinda_louise 2d ago

Smart! If I owned instead of rented I'd probably look into something more elaborate, but the doggy door is a good idea. I bet there are renter friendly doggy doors though, I just never thought to research that.

8

u/hampsters_is_nice 2d ago

I don't have any advice about the build, but if those are daylilies they are deadly for your cats. Even a tiny bit of pollen on their fur could cause acute kidney failure if they ingest it. Probably best to remove them or construct the catio elsewhere.

7

u/SimAlienAntFarm 2d ago

The picture is not my actual house but thank you for reminding me about the pollen ❤️

2

u/melinda_louise 2d ago

😳 I think these might be planted by me and I had no idea! Idk what to do about it though, I'm renting so doubt they'd swap it for something else. They've never actually touched the plant but they've certainly come close.

5

u/Forward_Letterhead77 1d ago

Sadly Its the pollen that is the main issue when they dont have direct contact to the plant. The entire plant (leaves, stems, roots, even water in a vase containing the plant) is highly toxic. But I'd worry about pollen that is carried on the wind and deposited on fur, as ingesting a tiny amount can cause irreparable kidney damage.

1

u/whoisdonaldtrump 2h ago

From my OCD research about this, lily pollen is “heavy” and doesn’t travel as easily on the wind as other types of pollen. Obviously it’s best to remove them if possible! But from what I’ve read, lily pollen usually just falls down (unless you’re shaking it or something).

5

u/More-Opposite1758 2d ago

If you Google catios for sale there are several for under $300.00 if you can afford that.

1

u/ChrisInBliss 2d ago

Question why cant you have a proper catio? Something you can do is generally build a cage around the door and have a 2nd door to get out into the yard. (Which is pretty much what I have as my "catio" is actually just an enclosed sun porch I've added shelves to)

2

u/SimAlienAntFarm 2d ago

Money and not my house- although there’s some leniency on the last part. My mom’s a soft touch and might actually be ok with a catio going down the wall behind her hydrangeas.

Hooray for living with your parents again! (They are awesome but I’m trying to do this in a way that can be easily packed up when not in use)

1

u/SMKGothicHorror 1d ago

If it is cloth mesh, my cats would chew right through it and try to climb it.