Cat Houses -Outdoor Enclosures

I've mentioned before that when I had cats while living in my family's house, my family never really worried if our cats didn't come home for the night. They would say something like "They're cats. They'll know how to come home." Unfortunately, over time about 6 of our cats never found their way home. I'd cry buckets for weeks then slowly get over the loss.

To avoid the pain and anxiety of missing cats, especially at night and especially if you live on a busy street or in a neighbourhood where dogs are let loose, you can build outdoor enclosures so that your cats don't feel stifled and still "prowl" the grounds while we sleep blissfully.

In Malaysia, I've not come across portable outdoor enclosures but these should be a breeze for your local carpenter to build. Just make sure to choose material that is easy to clean, won't harvest bacteria and is waterproof. Also study the type of wood to ensure that it's scratch worthy and won't fall apart after months of rain and shine. Also, take into the consideration that if your cats like to hangout in their outdoor enclosures during the day, there should be sufficient shady areas, and clean water sources.

Here are some pointers courtesy of Pets Weekly.

Cat Enclosure Options
If you want to offer your own cat a secure place to experience the great outdoors, you have a number of options. You can purchase a pre-built cat enclosure, assemble a structure from a kit or plans, or you can come up with your own design. Kristine Kischer, owner of Toronto-based Habitat Haven, says most of her customers start with modest enclosures, then remodel and build up. "It doesn't have to be this humongous expense right off the get-go," she says. "I've had one lady add on five times in the last six years."

Habitat Haven, which ships throughout North America, offers a selection of kits. The company also allows you to plan an enclosure by choosing different elements. A "starter" enclosure runs from $500 to $1,000. The kit arrives with instructions and all necessary hardware.

Cost-effective Solutions

You needn't worry about spending a fortune. Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, thinks an outdoor enclosure is such a great idea, she installed one herself. "I love outdoor enclosures for cats! I built one off a window in our hospital with lumber and fencing wire to prove to people that you don't have to spend millions to get a safe, fun enclosure," says Dr. Colleran, who practices in Chico, Calif., and Portland, Ore.

Major pet organizations generally are in favor of outdoor enclosures for cats too. The Humane Society of the United States sells portable enclosures on its Web site. There, you'll also find information about a number of businesses that sell plans, kits and pre-built structuresm

A Cat Enclosure Checklist

As you plan an enclosure, Dr. Colleran and other experts list several important considerations:

Access: How will your kitty move from your house to the enclosure? Will you allow free access, letting your cat come and go at will? "One of the most important considerations for me was that I only had to prop open a window to allow the cats access to the cat run," Moore says. Access should be energy-efficient, safe and easy, advises Dr. Colleran. "A covered cat door is a good choice if it is insulated," she says.

Security and protection: Test every seam to make sure your enclosure is secured to the ground so that your cat can't dig its way out, Dr. Colleran cautions. You'll also want to ensure that your cat has a shady, fully covered space that can offer relief from the sun and weather. Your enclosure should be large enough to accommodate the family cats without overcrowding, which can lead to behavior problems. Each cat should have enough room to claim its own space and walk comfortably in and out of the enclosure.

Cleanliness: Use materials that you can easily clean, and practice flea control in areas that contact the soil. Regular cleaning will help protect your kitty's health and avoid the buildup of unpleasant odors.

Enrichment: Vertical climbing and perches make an enclosure more interesting for your cat, says Dr. Colleran. Moore suggests providing separate areas for watching backyard activity and quietly snoozing.

Neighborliness: Consider both what you want to view in your backyard and what others may be able to see, says Kischer. Put your enclosure in a place where it isn't publicly visible -- that's a plus for your cats and your neighbors.

Once you build an enclosure, you'll need to introduce kitty to its new space. Let your cat investigate at its own pace, advises Kischer. Soon enough, she says, you'll have peace of mind while your cat enjoys a bit of risk-free fresh air and stimulation.

Here are some cool outdoor enclosures PetsInBlack found to inspire you to build your own:




Source: Cuckoo4design



Source: YourHomeOptions



Source: LatestHouseDesign


Source: ChinaCat



Source: MySanAntonio



Source: Cats Of Australia

Agent L and S would be soooo jealous if they saw these!

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