All cats love being outdoors, it is, after all, their natural habitat. Most owners choose to keep their cats as “indoor only” for safety reasons, I myself am one of those owners. So aside from training your cat to walk on a harness, what else can you do to allow them to be outdoors but safe at the same time? Have you considered an outdoor cat enclosure?

An outdoor cat enclosure is a fully enclosed area that can be attached off your home, or stand alone in your yard. It works the same way the enclosures do at the zoo. It will keep your cat safe, offer security, and you won’t have to worry about them escaping.

Now, these enclosures can range from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars, so you want to build one based on your income. Yes, I said, “BUILD”. If you don’t have any handyman skills, there are companies like Suncatcher Enclosers who make enclosures that can be easily set up out the box. Some options even include window access entryways for your kitties. Let’s explore different kinds of cat enclosures.

Attached Enclosures

A cat enclosure is best attached to your house with access to it from a window typically in a room you don’t use much so it can stay open. These enclosures will offer 24/7 outdoor access for your cat and they will love it! Here are some examples of attached cat enclosures.

Small Metal Enclosure Wooden Enclosure Small Cat Balcony Wire Runway PVC Enclosure Two-story House Wooden Enclosure

Detached Enclosures

If, for whatever reason, attaching an enclosure to your house is not possible, you can opt for a detached enclosure instead! They can be as big as you like, depending on the size of your yard. The only downside is that you’ll have to carry your cat to it. Here are some examples of detached cat enclosures.

Wooden Enclosure Walkway Metal Playpen Wooden Hut Lounge Enclosure Curved Enclosure

No matter which style of enclosure you go for, your cat will absolutely love spending more time outside. Eating grass and watching nature is something they adore. Your cat will be healthier as well.

Can’t get an enclosure yet? Try walking your cat on a leash instead to get them outside. Read our guide: How to Leash Train a Cat