Many cat owners these days realize how dangerous the outside world is and for this reason they are keeping their cats inside. Cats like being pampered and having the freedom to wander around inside the home where they are protected from disease, injury and different hazards like cars and pet thieves. Most cats are also inquisitive territorial animals and generally like to explore their own patch outside, smell the grass, lie in the sun and watch birds landing on the back lawn.
Although many people like to keep their cats indoors safe from outside harm they realize a cat needs to be exercised, stimulated and to be outside in the fresh air with a safe place to hide away from any dangers. There have been many cases of cats being left to run loose outside only to disappear, to be stolen, lost or trapped in a shed or under a house without any food or water.
Providing a safe outdoor cat enclosure is a good compromise because it offers your cat the safety of the indoors and the benefits of the outdoors. These enclosures are available in a wide variety of designs, shapes, materials and sizes from basic cages, inexpensive perches, and cat fences to elaborate innovative and expensive cat houses.
Creating your own outdoor cat enclosure really has a lot to do with what type of living situation you are in because this will have a direct bearing on the space you have to work with. For example if you live in the country on a large block of land then you won’t have an issue with space for an outside enclosure. However, living in an apartment or inner city living where your backyard space may be limited, may require you to purchase or build an enclosure to fit in with the available space.
If your home has a fenced backyard and you prefer your cat to wander around outside your property without wandering off, then you have the simple option of buying and fitting cat fences. These fences can be attached near the top of an existing solid fence either as extensions or freestanding fences and are designed to prevent cats from climbing over the top.