It’s been quite some time in coming. But here it is. In my opinion, the pictures just don’t do it justice. It came out so much better than I could have hoped! And the kitties are loving it. It still needs a few little additions for them. Maybe some shelves and toys and stuff. But they’re enjoying it and that’s all that matters to me!
The beginning
Let the construction begin
Framing it in
Up goes the siding
Painted and waiting for screens
Freckles and Maggie – Mortal enemies in Florida; best buds in Georgia
PLEASE, Mum, you’ve been saying for two months, it won’t be long now…
The finished product from the outside
Finished (almost) product from the inside
There were four out of the seven enjoying their new catio when I went to take the picture
I still have things I want to add inside the catio for them. I’d like to put in more shelves and climbing thingees. And some sort of grassy area. But hubby and our contractor friend said that it’s probably too shaded to have any grassy section. If any of you out there are reading this and have any ideas and/or suggestions for any thing to add to the catio, they are more than welcome!
Hubby and our contractor friend felt that the catio needed one more thing to make it complete. And shown below is their suggestion. A neon sign. Gee, do you think the neighbors would have anything to say? Oh, right guys. Laugh it up and just keep laughing.
LIVING WITH MY ANCESTORS 
Love it Linda! Catio, I have never heard about it before, but I’m sure the little ones will love it, or better I can see they are already loving it!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Not sure where I picked up the term but when I first heard it, it stuck! They’re back to getting fresh air and it keeps the birds safe! HA! 😀
Ideas…..
Make walkways around the top area for them to walk or just lay there. They love it.
And as far as grass grows, buy cat grass, plant in low containers or even rectangular ones. Even strips…in boxes. They can eat it or lay in it. I believe it is barley grass, but the cats do enjoy it very much.
You may want to grow a pot or two of catnip in different areas.
Hopefully it will make them happy. (Sometimes Dudley, my cat gets bonkers some…lol. but not always.
Createm a natural enviroment for them.
Google ” plants that are safe for cats ”
And then try incorporating them into you cute room you have for them.
Cats love to peek through bushes, grass and plants.
Just make sure it is not toxic to them.
You can also google “toxic plants for cats”
You would be surprised what is toxic.
Fortunately my cats do not eat my plants.
My daughter’s cat will.
But I would defiantly go with the cat grass and catnip.
Cat grass seeds are pretty cheap! And good for your cat.
I hope this helps…:)
You’ve got some great ideas there! We’re planning on putting up some “shelves” for them to climb on and lay on. And I now do have catnip out there for them. Makes some of them pretty squirrelly! LOL! I thought they were going to destroy the whole thing when we first put it out there. One of the cats ended up just laying in it. But they all pretty much had a turn! And I’m surprised to say that the plants survived and are growing again! I’m going to check into cat grass this week. One of these days I hope to add a potted tree (big enough to climb in)! All these ideas. Thanks for sharing your ideas. They’re great! 😀
Perfection! This is the only cat house I like! What a wonderful kitty suite and your home is gorgeous!
Hi Linda, I absolutely love your house and your cat house!! I just can’t believe you’re living in the mountains! What a beautiful place to take pictures! Is your yellow cat a male or female? I had a female that looked just like yours, she was hugh! She died a couple years ago and I’m down to one solid black one named Lucy and 1 dog, Boomer, a yorkie! My husband is not as accommodating as yours, he keeps me from keeping all the strays! Love ya, Sue
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Sue! I can’t believe I’m living in the mountains either!😧 I figured Florida would be it! Guess it just goes to show that it’s true we can’t predict the future. I swore I’d never live anywhere colder than my Florida home. Crazy thing is, I find I’m loving it here. Who woulda thunk it? Freckles is my biggest boy. He last weighed in at 24 pounds. I just don’t know how to get the weight off him. I’m thinking about looking for a halter guaranteed not to come off a cat and then making him go on walks with me. Nobody wants to guarantee their harnesses! As for the pictures, it’s a great place. I find myself dreaming about a “real ” camera with a real zoom. Can’t believe how many bird and wildlife pics I’ve missed cause I can’t zoom in on them. I suppose I’ll end up breaking down and giving in. I just know I won’t lug a bunch of equipment around. I’m too spontaneous with my iPhone. Maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll put a zoom on it somehow! Ha! You have a great week! Love ya! 😻
Glad you overruled the ‘neon’ sign! But guess it wouldn’t be worse than an orange tractor! Love the concept, looks great. Looking forward to meeting the happy campers.
Oh, Pat, you just made me laugh out loud! So you wouldn’t want a red neon sign lighting up your house?😜😂🙀 well, I have to agree with you about the orange–I’m not a fan. Although, you know, Tom offered to buy it! 😬 And what’s with this cold weather again? 😠
Heavens, this is a most fabulous catio. How lucky you kitties are to have this. Our mom is curious as to what your flooring is made from. We are in love with your fancy cat trees as well. We can attest to the fact that y’all are going to absolutely love this space. We think that sign would be a nice touch, but maybe made from wood and not neon. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
So glad you like the catio. I think they’re going to really get some enjoyment out of it. Heck, I don’t mind sitting out there myself and enjoying the view and the weather when it’s warmer! We originally planned to put down concrete but found it cost prohibitive because the truck wouldn’t be able to get up our drive. So we went with what I think is called pea gravel. Turns out it’s better for our purposes anyway. I’ve added an old outdoor carpet and they seem to like that too. They don’t mind the tiny gravel at all. Hubby made the big cat tree in the background and was featured in an earlier Florida post. We had it moved up here with our stuff. Couldn’t leave that behind! I know how much work he put into it! As for the sign, the neighbors are glad it didn’t go up! 😅😝 haha!
It is great to see your edition — I would LOVE to have this for my tribe! They are going to love it more and more as time goes by!
Thank you for sharing. It is back on my list!!! 😀
Thanks, Becca! Well, until your tribe gets their catio, maybe they can com over and play! 🙀 😄
Just beautiful!!! What do you mean about the kitties being enemies and then friends?
It’s kind of strange, Luanne. In Florida, the two orange cats and the two black cats were always “at” one another. They didn’t do physical damage that I could find (I would occasionally find a tuft or two of hair from one or the other). Since coming here, I just about fainted the day I saw an orange and a black kitty cuddled up together. I could barely believe my eyes. I’m not sure what changed — unless they figured maybe they ought to stick together just in case I was going crazy since I brought them to this cold place! HA! Whatever worked, I’m glad! LOL
That must have been a pleasant surprise. Two of my four cats do not get along, and I was toying with the idea of taking them to California with us so they would be in a different environment for awhile and maybe start to get along?
Well, Luanne, stranger things have happened! I never thought I’d see these particular cats sleeping curled up together. It just might work! Good luck!
Thanks!
Linda, the catio is a beauty. And the house itself looks lovely. Congrats. Those kitties look happy.
Thanks, Cynthia! They are enjoying it (thank goodness!). 😀
Holy cat! 🙂 Very lucky felines.
And, yet, they have no clue! They’re in that group that considers themselves entitled. Gee, I wonder why. 😼😹😻
perhaps a little extra
income by welcoming
boarders at this
bed & catnip inn 🙂
heehee! I’m afraid if I tried to bring in anymore, we’d all be homeless! 😆
What a place! Could you adopt me, please? 😀
Come on over! 😆
I am so jealous – the house and neighborhood are great! I don’t know how your neighbors would like the Cat House sign, but I think it’s cute! The only idea I can come up with for the babies is maybe a low hanging mobile for them to bat around?
My neighbor (who is following my blog) let me know! LOL! She made me laugh when she said up above that it might not be as bad as the orange tractor the previous owners apparently parked prominently! 🚜 That mobile is a fantastic idea! Thanks, GP! That will be a definite addition, whether I can find one to buy or whether I have to make one (or a combination thereof)! Gosh, love it!
About all I could come up with, you’d done such a great job! Happy you like it.
Wow, they get taken care of very well. Balls of wool hanging from the ceiling, perhaps?
Well, now, how perfect would yarn balls be? Totally perfect! Thanks for that! 😻
Glad to be of help 🙂
Wow! Looks fabulous. What a view those precious kitties have!
I told them they have to share with me once in a while! When it’s a bit warmer, of course! 🌞😺
Warm, cosy and creative Linda.
Thanks so much. I’m just glad they’re enjoying it! Of course, I’m not minding it myself! 😄😻
Oh Linda it looks marvelous! You shall have to give us regular updates on how the cats are settling in. Love your sense of fun with the sign. Yes bright neon would be perfect. 🙂
Thanks, Sue! So far they’re really enjoying being able to get out in the fresh air. They can watch all the activities around and I know they’re safe. 😺
The Catio is absolutely divine Linda, what a brilliant concept to give the kitties their freedom yet keeping them safe. You’re giving me ideas for one of our decks now. It doesn’t seem to make sense at all but as a Catio, perfect! Will you be adding pots of grass for them to nibble the on whilst they play?
You’ve got to let me know if you go for the catio. I want to put some sort of grass or ground cover in a section of it for them. Hubby thinks grass will not survive cause it’s too shady. So I’m trying to figure out something else.
Shall do but for grass I just pull clumps of longish grass out from the yard to put into pots for the cats, changing it over when they nibble it down. At the moment they are living the high life nibbling on “Pony Tails” whilst I dither around getting grass.😄
Lucky kitties!
I keep telling them that! LOL 😻
haha I love your cat house madam Linda! Beautiful setting and home!- and catio! Lucky kitties! Oh you must be breathing easy in that clean woodland air!!
I was so tempted, Hanna! LOL! But I restrained myself and the neighbors are happy! 🙂 And the kitties are happy with it so that’s what counts. In fact, I was just sitting out there with a little while ago enjoying the beautiful afternoon weather and the mountains and the spring buds. Ah, yes, I am enjoying it now! 😀
🙂
I won’t be showing this to our cats! We’d have rebellion on our hands! 🙂
Not sure how you’re going to keep it from them. You know that old catvine! Things just get through! 😀
Seemingly,I have missed a lot here,dear Linda.Fabulous your new house and magnificent the catio!It was a lot of work,I expected it smaller.The Neon Light does make the big difference.Hugs to you,my lovely friend 🙂 xxx
See what happens when you have seven cats! LOL!! Well, they’re enjoying it. I just need to hang some toys out there now. I actually enjoy sitting out there with them and enjoying the spring weather (when it cooperates)! Hope all is well with you and that you had a wonderful Easter. Many hugs, my friend! 😀
Not seven cats,but seven adorable furry kids.Does Pippin join you in the Catio?Perhaps the big cat family has marked the territory there … Happy week ahead,dearest friend Linda 🙂 ❤ xxx
Pippin is relegated to the kitties domain when we have to leave the house. He seems to manage quite well for himself! LOL! Hugs, my friend!
If I were a cat I’d want to live in your cat house
Me, too! LOL! I must admit, for so many, they are sorta spoiled! But what else is one to do with them?❣😻
What a lovely house and ‘catio’ for your kittens…. 😍 best wishes, dear Linda. aquileana
Thanks, my friend! It gives them fresh air and a semblance of being outdoors while remaining safe. And it keeps me sane! 😂
Best catio I’ve ever seen! I like the humor of the sign, but if I did it, I’d put up a nice rustic one inside the catio and hang window boxes on the inside planted with … I saw a great article about plants that are safe for cats – plan to eventually include a link to it in a post, but don’t know when that will be, but you might want to check out http://www.mycatsite.com/cat-safe-plants.html
Wow! Thanks, Jeanne. It’s definitely going to be a continual work in progress! I’ve put several low planters out there now — two with cat grass and one with catnip plants. Obviously, those will be continuously recycled! LOL! A lady at the garden store told me for the cat grass just to sprout bird seed. Works like a charm. I just stagger the two long planters so they always have some! The catnip plants will have to be rethought. They started with three and are now down to part of one! Of course, I didn’t expect anything different! Great site you included. I’ve marked it so I can refer to it and peruse more of the info! Thanks again! Happy weekend! 😀
What an amazing catio! Your cats are very lucky!
Thank you so much, Rosa! 😀