Dear Ms. Kitty: For years we let our cats go outside when they wanted. Recently, our senior cat Moose never came back, and we’re afraid something bad happened to him. How can we keep our cats safe but give them the outside time they crave? Signed, Worried in Westcliffe

Dear Worried: Keep your cat indoors or let your cat outside—the great debate. Most of us would love to give our cats the chance to be normal cats: playing, basking in the sun, scratching at dirt and trees and interacting with the world. 

Yet our homes also keep our furry companions safe—from wild animals like birds of prey, viral infections and parasites, poisons, becoming lost or stolen, adverse weather and injuries from other cats, dogs or cars. Small wildlife is safer with our cats indoors too. 

Finding a middle ground between indoor and outdoor life might be the perfect answer. A catio, or cat patio, is an enclosed structure that lets our feline friends be out in the sun, yet stay safe from the hazards of outdoor life.

Catios come in many shapes and sizes. The walls of a catio are typically mesh or wire. They can be as simple as a window box or as elaborate as a multilevel playground. 

You can design and build a catio yourself. If DIY isn’t your thing, you can buy a kit or hire a professional catio maker.

Catios fit into two categories: freestanding and attached.

Freestanding catios are not attached to your home. They can be anywhere in your yard; however, you’ll need to bring your cat to the catio. 

Attached catios are part of your house. They often have a cat door or tunnel that allows your feline friend to enter and leave the catio at his or her leisure.

Large or small, freestanding or attached, there isn’t a wrong way to build a catio. Your choice will depend on your budget and available space, as well as your cat’s personality and preferences.

If you live in an apartment, a window box or balcony catio might be perfect. If you travel a lot, a freestanding catio that you can take with you is ideal. 

And if you live in a house with a large patio or deck, you might consider turning part of the patio or deck into an attached catio with different levels. Some companies offer fence extensions to enclose your whole yard for safety. 

Your cat’s personality is also an important factor. For example, is your cat a bush dweller or a tree dweller? 

Bush dwellers are most confident down low and somewhat hidden from view, under tables or behind potted plants. If your cat is a bush dweller, you’ll want to include items that let your cat stay out of view, like cat tunnels or cubes. 

Tree dwelling cats are most confident in a vertical world. They’re on top of the table or climbing the potted plant! If your cat is a tree dweller, you’ll want to include items that let your cat explore his or her vertical space, such as ramps and shelving or cat trees.

Whether purchasing, contracting or building it yourself, consider durability, safety, flooring, weather and cat escape possibilities.

Catios are growing in popularity. A simple online search will bring up endless results to inspire you when designing your own catio or buying a kit. 

They’re the perfect middle ground to give your feline friend the joys of Mother Nature while staying safe.

This article was reprinted courtesy of Happy Cats Haven, a no-kill shelter for cats in Manitou Springs. Learn more at HappyCatsHaven.org.