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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Who has a cat run?

11 replies

mathsfiend1 · 27/11/2017 21:40

I am inheriting 2 quite elderly cats one of which is very poorly [I don't even want to think about what time he has left :( ]. I live on quite a main road and to be honest it is far from ideal for cats ( I had to deal with one neighbour's cat fatality on the road). A friend has suggested getting a cat run. I don't even know where to start. Does anyone have one the can recommend? What size should I look for? What are the things to look out for? How do you get the cat from the house into the run? I just want to do what is best for the cats.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 27/11/2017 21:50

No experience on cat runs but if they are that elderly they may adjust to being indoor cats.
You can cat proof a garden so they can't get out (not tried it myself) and I think others on here have done so.
Do you have a back garden? If so could you let them out under supervision either?

mathsfiend1 · 27/11/2017 21:55

How do I "supervise" them. Do you mean on a cat lead?

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 27/11/2017 22:01

No, more staying with them whilst they're out there (not ideal in winter). We just used to go out the back with ours while she sniffed about, went to the loo etc but could stop her from leaving the garden. I would not suggest this with a younger cat but an older one is less likely to suddenly run off.

NoSquirrels · 27/11/2017 22:05

Do they like being outdoors? In winter, elderly and moving house, they might not want to at all.

In the short term you’ll need to keep them in anyway so they adjust, so time to see if they’re looking to get out or content to curl up and just look at the world from behind the window!

EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 27/11/2017 22:15

We used to have a “catio”. The cats were quite elderly and after both of them got hit by cars and miraculously survived, we decided to keep them in. It drove one of them mad though so DH built him the Caio from plywood and chicken wire.

I think the ones done by Protectapet might be a bit more professional looking 🙂

mathsfiend1 · 27/11/2017 22:34

yes the "Catio" is a cat run - that is exactly what I am thinking of buying. Did it work?

OP posts:
MsMims · 28/11/2017 14:03

Ours loved their ‘catio’, we attached it to the house around a window so when the window was open the cats had free access. Also have a freestanding run which they don’t like as much and it’s a bit of a hassle to carry them to it/ move it around to mow the lawn although probably not so difficult if you only have two.

They would probably adapt to being house cats given their age and health issues but they definitely have a more enriched life with safe access to the outdoors.

Search Pinterest for ‘catios’ for lots of great examples. You can buy ready made units or simply construct one yourself using aviary panels.

Wolfiefan · 28/11/2017 14:04

You can also DIY or get a company in to cat proof the whole garden.

shhhfastasleep · 28/11/2017 15:23

Google Jackson Galaxy for ideas to "catify" indoors.
Ours has to be indoors: busy road; vet verified cat torturer/killer.
She loves it . Happy healthy cat that gets to display normal cat behaviour but indoors.

EveryoneTalkAboutPopMusic · 28/11/2017 18:06

Yes they loved it. DH built a tunnel from the cat flap to the large catio around the side of the house. I thought Be was a bit honkers when he suggested it but it made the cats very happy 🙂

Rudgie47 · 28/11/2017 22:01

Look on Ebay under Aviary panels.

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