Moving to an apartment

[Maxapple]

We live in a ground floor apartment with a patio. No cat flap but our cat goes out when we’re home ( a few hours max a day). He doesn’t go far - just up and down the block looking into peoples apartments and over ro the communal garden opposite.

in the winter he’ll go out for an hour max a day. He doesn’t stay out when it’s cold. He does hang out with other neighbours cats too.

a two bed apartment has come up (we’ve been looking to move) with a lovely big L shaped balcony along the length of the front and side wall.

we’ve booked a viewing but probably will
cancel because of the cat! Is this crazy - could we make the balcony engaging for him (enough room for little trees / pots etc)

Is this rented or bought? Sounds a big balcony but you would need to enclose it and if rented you may be restricted in how you can do that.

I’m in a 2nd floor flat. I’ve catproofed my balcony & grow catnip & cat grass out there. My six-year-old loves it - she’s out there every day.

Indoors she’s got cat trees at a range of heights, more cat grass & plenty of toys.

I had a professional company fit a catio on my balcony, but I own my own house - but you could definitely cat proof the balcony

I did mine solo over a few weekends - the net is fixed with adhesive hooks, cable ties & canes, so nothing permanent.

Could always stay where you are a while and save up, you might be able to afford somewhere that’s good for all of you in another year or two.

You can also get cat play furniture for outdoors, we have one on our balcony for dcat. We have just bought a small pool and some floaty fish for her in Summer as well, so yes, you can make it engaging. As EmpressaurusKitty said, growing cat grass is great too, and easy. Have never tried growing a little pot of catnip, but am going to try. Such a good idea!

Thanks all. We’re looking to buy - think we’ve decided to wait and look for a house with a garden instead. He loves going out so it would be mean to have to stop him I think.