What accessories for free standing cat enclosure?

[notquiteangel]

I’m in the process of putting together an outdoor cat enclosure and I’m struggling to come up with some cost effective ways to provide my cats with stimulation. This is the enclosure I’ve used, but instead of the standard plastic chicken mesh I’ve used snake/mouse mesh.

I’m hoping y'all could help me come up with some lightweight and weatherproof ideas (and how I can implement these). So far, I’m wanting to add in:

- Cat friendly, frost tolerant, plants.

- Shelf and bridge set I’m not sure what the best way would be the attach this. The enclosure posts are 2m apart, so the brackets won’t line up, and all I can come up with is cable ties and rope but I’m not too sure how sturdy this will be? 

- PVC pipe with sisal for scratching posts. If I can come across any fallen branches I’ll do the same for a more organic look. This is looking to be an expensive task as 20m of rope only covered perhaps 30cm of pipe.

- Pine boards for ramps, but I’m unsure how to secure these and how to weatherproof.

- Outdoor canvas material made into hammocks. Hoping this one is straight forward!

- I’d love to implement some platforms and bridges, but again am struggling to work out how to secure these. 

Any suggestions and insight would be greatly appreciated 🥰

[EricL]

Hello @notquiteangel 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your cat enclosure.

I suggest using SpecRite 90 x 19mm Merbau Pre-Oiled Decking - Random Lengths - 90mm to create a bookshelf type walkway with ramps leading up to the different levels. The entire structure can be self-standing, but it would be best if it is attached to the enclosures frame. The branches and pipework can be linked to the shelf to provide access to different parts of the bookshelf. You can use 70x35 timber pieces as framing for the walkway. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @Kenzi and @AS19 for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Morning @notquiteangel 

Giving something for cats to be entertained would be a lot of fun I would probarly start small and then expand your range as you go. @EricL's idea for a cat walkway is also something I would be trying. Some other ideas are -

- Picture frame with a raised edge, Cardboard pieces cut up into strips the same heigh of the inner of the picture frame. This are then layered one on top of each other with a little pvc glue between each. The completed slab is then cut so it fits into the frame. You can hang the frame or lie it flat, cats seem to like it a LOT.

- A cover for your frame, I would go for a thicker tarpoline trype deal, you will need to ballance the weight of it against the waterproof/weather rating so your frame can support it. I would also secure you frame more then what is recomended if you are putting any type of rooffing on top as it will act like a huge sail.

- I would keep an eye on ebay/local surplus auctions, recyle places for the rope you are wanting, cats wont care what type so it will give you a range of what can used. I like the idea of going for a walk and picking up a branch or two over PVC piping for sure.

- Even a shelf hung off the side of the enclosure with a comfy base the cats will gravitate to, anything high up as they are suppiour to everyone you know.

Will see if I can add some more ideas later on. Having shade over the top (not on the top) would also make it a much nicer place for the cats to hang out in. If you feel hot in there in summer, they will for sure.

Dave

[Kenzi]

Wow, your cats are going to ADORE such a large space. That's so lovely! 😻 

I've found that my cats enjoy scratching on fake turf. I also got a small jute mat from Bunnings recently and it has saved one of my indoor rugs from getting any worse, and would last quite a while outside.

If you hit your local flooring place you could get some carpet remnants pretty cheap (I'm taking pocket change) and although it will go mouldy eventually, for the price to replace it - it's a cost effective way to make some scratching posts on the PVC pipe instead of using rope.

Were you thinking of having the catwalks secured to the 'walls' with zip ties and stabilised using rope hanging from the 'ceiling'? Honestly, unless your cats are far older and unstable, a little wobble on the catwalk won't be an issue. It's an odd thing to say, but cats can survive a landing at terminal velocity, so if they fall from less than 2 metres they're gonna be fine, and they'll adapt to a slight wobble incredibly quickly, plus it will actually help keep them entertained as it's a challenge. One of my boys adores an old wobbly cat tower because he can show off how nimble he is. He's gonna be upset when I tether it to the wall 😂

A couple of pingpong balls glued together and wrapped in jute twine hanging from places is a cost effective entertainment option, but buying a box of assorted toys from the Reject Shop or a $2 store will probably be quicker.

Some hanging bridges will definitely be appreciated. Either sturdy sticks or thick dowel (round or square) tied together with thin rope would work. The trick is you don't hang it straight under where you've tied it. Have the hanging ropes spread wider than the actual bridge and it wont be able to sway as much.

@EricL is right with a bookshelf being a good freestanding catwalk. I have some IKEA Kallax units in varying heights in my office and the cats seem to think they were bought specifically as a large staircase for them. You can find them on Facebook marketplace all the time and really cheap. My boys fall asleep in the shelves as they are 40x30cms - just right to curl up in, apparently. They will last a few years outside, but you could easily find some sort of weather proofing to extend that, and using some decking or other treated boards to have a nice long catwalk from one unit to another would make a huge piece of equipment for them, but for stability having 3 pieces in an L shape will ensure the cats have to work as a team to topple it, and they WILL try . . .

We used to have an outdoor cat that had a cat playground with most of the aforementioned equipment, and he used it in ways we didn't imagine. He used the bridges like monkey bars on occasion. Don't stress too much about finding stimulating things, because cats will make their own fun, you just have to give them something and let their natural curiousity take hold. Even a thick stick hanging from a rope was used for scratching, what appeared to be boxing and climbing/swinging from. Cats are nuts. Plus, being outside is a lot is stimulation with the sounds, smells, and probably some bird watching.

My current cat run needs expansion into the backyard for a catio, but I've shared most of the ideas I've had that are more on the cost effective side. I'll be putting in about 3-5 posts which will be of different heights and having bridges and walkways running between them. If you're concerned about stability just putting a couple of posts in your run could be used to stabilise/connect walkways and double as scratching posts at the base.

Anyway, I've rambled on. Reach out if you have any questions!

Best of luck with your project. Please post some pics when you've got it underway. You must pay the cat pic tax!

Kind regards,

Kenz

[Jason]

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @notquiteangel. It's great to have you join us. 

Can I please ask that you share this project with the community as you make progress? We often have members asking how to build cat enclosures so I'm sure there will be plenty of interest.

Also, I thought I'd point you to the step-by-step guide How to build a cat tower - it should serve as great inspiration for you.

Jason