If you'd rather purchase a catio, there are many available to order online, but with some wood, screws, and hardware cloth, you can create your own custom catio.

Why a Catio is Great for Siberians

Mental Stimulation and Enrichment:

Siberians are smart and highly observant. A catio gives them a dynamic, ever-changing space filled with new experiences. The flutter of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the scent of the outdoors all offer the kind of sensory input that indoor environments can't match. This type of enrichment helps prevent boredom, reduces stress, and may even reduce behavioral issues like scratching or over-grooming.

Physical Exercise:

With their strong, muscular build, Siberians benefit from having vertical and horizontal spaces to move around. A multi-level catio encourages climbing, jumping, and exploring — all essential for keeping your cat fit and agile. Including ramps, perches, and platforms adds to the fun and gives your cat the opportunity to use their natural athleticism.

Safe Access to the Outdoors:

The catio is a perfect compromise between a cat’s desire to explore and an owner’s concern for safety. It protects your cat from traffic, predators, toxins, and diseases they might encounter outdoors, while also protecting local wildlife from the hunting instincts of your feline friend.

Planning Your Catio: Key Considerations

Before you begin construction, it’s important to think through the logistics of your catio to ensure it’s safe, functional, and appropriate for your home.

Location:

Choose a location that offers a balance of sun and shade throughout the day. Most catios are attached to a window, porch, or patio with direct access from indoors, allowing your Siberian to come and go freely. If an attached catio isn’t an option, a freestanding structure in your yard can work too — just be sure it's fully enclosed and secure.

Size and Layout:

While catios can be as small as a window box or as large as a full outdoor room, bigger is generally better — especially for an active, medium-to-large breed like the Siberian. Include multiple levels for climbing, soft resting areas, and places to hide or perch. Adding natural elements like branches or grass patches (in pots) can make it even more exciting.

Materials:

Use weather-resistant and non-toxic materials to ensure longevity and safety. Sturdy wire mesh or metal fencing (½ inch or smaller openings) prevents escape and keeps wildlife out. Avoid chicken wire, as it can be easily damaged and isn’t secure enough. For the frame, cedar or pressure-treated wood resists rot, while composite materials can provide a low-maintenance alternative.

Access and Safety Features:

Make sure your cat has a secure way to enter and exit the catio from indoors. A cat door installed in a window or wall is ideal. Locking mechanisms and reinforced panels are crucial to prevent escapes. Always check for sharp edges, toxic plants, or small gaps where a determined cat might squeeze through.

Catio Comfort: Make It a Space They Love

Outfit your catio with creature comforts to make it irresistible. Include soft cushions, hammocks, or enclosed boxes for lounging. Elevated platforms give your Siberian a better view of the world outside — something they instinctively enjoy. Rotate toys and include scratching posts to keep the area fun and engaging.

Adding weather protection, like a solid roof or partial cover, ensures your cat can use the catio in various conditions. You might also include water bowls, especially in warmer months, and removable flooring or mats to make cleaning easy.

Important Catio Safety Tips

• Monitor temperatures: Catios can get very hot or cold depending on the weather. Always make sure there’s shade in summer and consider limiting time outside in extreme weather conditions.

• Check for pests: Inspect regularly for wasp nests, spiders, or other pests that may pose a risk to your cat.

• Avoid unsafe plants: Never include plants that are toxic to cats, such as lilies, azaleas, or pothos. Stick to cat-safe greenery like catnip, wheatgrass, or spider plants.

• Supervise initially: When introducing your cat to the catio for the first time, supervise them to ensure they’re comfortable and can’t find a way out.

• Maintain regularly: Inspect the structure often for signs of wear, loose screws, or gaps that could become escape routes.

A Siberian’s Outdoor Sanctuary

A catio offers the perfect outlet for a Siberian cat’s adventurous spirit, all while keeping them safe from the dangers of the outside world. It supports their need for stimulation, exercise, and environmental variety — making them healthier and happier companions. Whether you build a small window box or a deluxe cat playground, your Siberian will appreciate the freedom to explore and enjoy nature on their terms.

In return, you’ll get to watch your fluffy explorer soak up the sun, chirp at birds, and lounge like royalty — all in a space you’ve created just for them.