Cat parks, cat runs and cat enclosures

It is a known fact that the average life span of a cat that has free access to roam outdoors is significantly shorter than those kept indoors. Car accidents, access to poisons, cat fights, dog attacks, snake bites and infectious diseases are just a few of the dangers that a free roaming cat has to try and avoid. Confining your cat to your property allows you to have much greater control in protecting your cat from these risks in addition to helping protect our native wildlife from falling victim to the cat’s hunting. There are now an increasing number of councils that are placing a “curfew” on cats and rangers will attempt to trap roamers and impound them.

Provided that their basic environmental needs are met, cats can enjoy longer and healthier lives when safely contained on their human’s property. There are a number of cat enclosure companies listed below that can either sell supplies for you to make your own enclosure, or alternatively you can pay them an extra fee to install it for you. Prices and types of materials used can vary, so it is best to speak with them individually to choose a company that best suits your requirements.

Most cats adapt well to living indoors and in an enclosure, particularly if this is commenced from an early age. Adult cats that have been used to roaming outdoors will require a bit of time to adjust. Desexing your cat will reduce their desire to roam and will also help to prevent behavioural problems. It is law in WA for all pet cats to be sterilised, microchipped and registered with your local council.

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Basic Cat Run Design considerations

It is important for your cat’s health and well-being to create an enriched environment to prevent them from getting bored or developing behavioural problems. Cats have a number of basic needs that must be met if they are to stay happy and healthy which we have discussed in detail in our Environmental Needs information page. Special considerations for your outdoor enclosure should include:

  • Cats are territorial animals that like to be in control of their surroundings. Allow them to have free access to their enclosure via a cat flap or tunnel if applicable. If your household has more than one cat, consider placing two cat flaps to prevent one cat blocking access to the cat run for another cat.
  • Provide plenty of vertical space in your enclosure in the form of ramps, hammocks, shelving and cat trees. Try to have some platforms or hammocks positioned to allow your cat to laze in the morning and afternoon sun, and ideally have some at a reasonable height from ground level to give your cat a vantage point to observe the local bird life. Design the platforms at two or more different heights and connect them with walkways.
  • Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats that sharpens claws, stretches muscles and leaves scent marks. Each cat run should provide at least one scratching pole. For households with more than one cat, try to have at least as many scratching poles as you have cats.
  • For those with more than one cat or for those with timid cats, create a number of hiding and escape areas to enable cats to feel safe.
  • Perth is a hot place in summer. Ensure that your cat run has protected shaded areas and ensure to have a fresh water supply in the run at all times.
  • Ensure your enclosure is well ventilated to prevent build up of odours.
  • Check your run regularly for signs of damage to the netting or caging.
  • Carefully select non-toxic plants such as cat nip and cat grass to place in your cat run. There is a great list of toxic and non-toxic plants on the ASPCA website. Click here to view.

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Types of Cat Run Designs

There are three main ways you can contain your cat in your back yard:

  1. Cat proof fencing
  2. Cat enclosures built onto the family home
  3. Free standing cat enclosures or modular cat parks

1. Cat proof fencing

‘Cat proofing’ your fencing provides your cat with free access to all or part of your backyard. If you have a small area, this may be a better and cheaper alternative to building a cat enclosure. An ideal spot for cat proof fencing is the narrow area between the house and a fence that can be closed off at each end by gates. Ensure there are no dangerous items in the backyard or sharp edges used in the fencing. For most councils, fence extensions are legal as long as they are entirely on your side of the fence (i.e. not directly above the fence or intruding over to the neighbour’s side). However, some properties may have restrictions for the height of fences, ensure to check with your local council to see if this applies to your property.

The first step in cat proofing your yard is to seal off all gaps in and underneath the existing fences and gates. Cats do not usually dig underneath fences. However, if your cat shares the back yard or is next door to a backyard with a dog that digs, then you may need to put a concrete or wooden plinth in the soil under the fence to prevent the dog opening up an escape route. In addition to ‘cat proofing’ your gates, lock any gates that are used infrequently and fit self-closing springs and latches to all other gates.

maxresdefaultWays to cat proof your fence can include raising the height beyond the scope of what your cat can jump or using Oscillot Cat Containment devices at the top of your fence line. Remember cats can climb so all tall trees and scrubs, garden furniture and pot plants will need to be moved away from the fence line.

If you have a problem with other cats coming into your yard, you will have to watch to see if they are able to climb over the cat proof fencing. Most cats should find the netting or Oscillot fencing too unstable to climb on. However if they can get in, you will have to ask your neighbour to install the cat proof fencing on their side of the fence too to avoid visiting cats becoming trapped in your yard.

2. Cat enclosures built onto the family home

Building a cat enclosure joining onto your home can be achieved in a number of ways. The easiest solution can be to enclose your existing pergola or patio area with cat proof mesh or fit a roof over a small enclosed area such as a path between the house and fence.

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The size of your enclosure will depend on the number of cats you have and how well they all get along with each other. For cats that also have free access to your home, aim for at least two square metres of floor space for each cat with a minimum height of 2 metres and then create vertical space and hiding locations to increase the available space further more.

3. Free standing cat enclosures or modular cat parks

Free standing enclosures are ideal for those who rent their property or need some degree of portability. Enclosures can be linked to the home using wire or mesh tunnels that run into a cat flap.

Image courtesy of Catmax

Cat Enclosure Companies

I have compiled a list of popular companies that can help you build your dream cat enclosure. Many of these companies have locally based installers in Perth and some of them also sell portable modular style cat runs for those in rental properties. Please note that this list is purely for your reference and the Perth Cat Hospital has no association with any of these companies. If you would like your company listed here, please contact us on info@perthcat.vet.

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