Outdoor cat pens/tents?! and tips for keeping indoor cats enriched

[Rosebud1302]

Hi all,

I'm very new to the cat world but going into fostering for a small local charity. The cats are not allowed to have free rein outside but they have said we can look into some sort of pen if we like. Can I ask firstly, do people find them useful or are most cats just not interested in? Secondly can I have some recommendations of good ones? Ideally we would like something that connects via the back door. Perhaps some sort of tunnel?! Not sure if these are any good.

I would love the cat to be able to "be outside" (although not truly of course) but not sure if it is worth it.

Thanks!!!

You’ll be fine. Let us know how it goes!

Re litter trays - I use catsan wood comfort, scoop up poos & wees ASAP & change and clean the tray once a week, & it’s generally ok.

Oh and there’s https://www.flatcats.co.uk/ - made to measure netting to cover open windows & doors, stuck on with Velcro. They’re very easy to put up & mean you can have windows open without needing to worry. Some of mine have climbed on them & there hasn’t been a problem.

We have something similar to the flatcats window screening , even if your cats do go out it is useful for upstairs windows so you can open a window wide without the cat falling/jumping out.

https://www.streme.co.uk/shop/pet-screens

You can always put cat Tv ( YouTube) on for it , one of our Siamese loves it

Oh the window covers are a great idea. It's that sort of thing that so handy to know. Loving the idea of cat TV too! Maybe I will leave it on when we go out x

And @EmpressaurusOfCats thank you for the litter tray tips!

We have 5 indoor cats. Currently window and radiator hammocks are hot property along with tall comfy cat trees placed window adjacent. If it’s too hot for their catio. Bird watching is the new olympics!

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 sounds brilliant. Looks like tall cat trees and windowsill spots are good things to aim for :)

Yes to cat TV! And if you’re anything like me you’ll start with one cat tree & end up with a forest.

Honestly though - I know it’s easy to say but don’t get too attached. I hate seeing them go but at the same time it’s great to know they’re happy - and there’s always another one ready to move in.

@EmpressaurusOfCats yes I think it will be hard saying goodbye. I have a 5 year old too so have had to be clear to him they are not our cats but there is always another to love like you say. We have had dogs stay for short term previously so hoping we are semi used to it. Although it's always sad I'm sure x

The first one was the hardest for me. Number 8 is arriving on Tuesday & I can’t wait to meet her!

We had this on today for my normally outdoor cats today because of the amount of rain. They love it.

@EmpressaurusOfCats number 8! How amazing 🥰🥰

@helpfulperson this is sounding like a great idea that I'm glad someone suggested to me

I used Cat TV a lot when I had girls recovering from being spayed - it can be really useful if you just need them to calm down for a bit!

Although you might also find they like TV in general.

@EmpressaurusOfCats as long as they don't leap at it trying to get the birds 😂😂

I WFH & my last one could spend hours trying to catch the screen cursor!