Kitty City Outdoor Catio Play Kits For Cats

This is a great outdoor catio enough space for my 2 cats to wander a little outside when I’m out there

nice and light so I can move it into our shed for the winter when not in use but heavy enough to stay in place when cats are using it
I wouldn’t suggest that it is “portable” though I think it would break if I had to take it apart & transport it anywhere too often

I wish they would carry the additional items to attach like the tunnel/ playpen to extend the space but they always seem to be out of stock
Overall though it’s been pretty good

THE NEED:
We are renters in need of a catio solution that is easily transportable, lightweight, and that will allow our cats to spend time outdoors in a safe and secure environment. Most solutions I looked at weighed between 50-100 lbs while this one weighs less than 12.

THE SET UP:
There was a fear that this would be a rage inducing assembly resulting in a flimsy catio solution. I was wrong.

It will take you about an hour to an hour and a half to assemble. Find yourself a nice big space to work with. I did mine outside in the yard, and was able to fit it through the door with no problem once completed.

There are 45 cams and 89 rods plus the accessories inside; there is no difference in size between the cams and the rods so don’t worry about separating them based on any numbers or markings that you might see on the items. The biggest challenge is the instructions because they just aren’t very clear.

There are an equal number of cams and rods on the TOP, the BOTTOM and the BACK. The interior is a little more tricky because there are spaces that DO NOT use cams and bars so use that picture on back to follow instructions.

Altogether they’re 18 cubes comprising columns and rows. Total number of columns=6 (3 sets with one front and one back.) Total number of rows=6 (3 sets-top, middle and bottom)

Follow step one and step two then flip to the back page to see the full set up. I found the picture instruction after step 1 & 2 difficult to understand. The picture on back will help you visualize those places in the interior that don’t have cams and rods which are primarily at the front where the door opening is.

For the three accessories, which are the vinyl cubes the cats climb in and out of, there is a flap the rods must slide through before inserting into the cam.

Facing the front of the catio, in the left most column (front row), the accessory cube with 2 holes and no mesh goes on the bottom row with one hole facing right and the other facing back. In the column immediately behind it, mount the double cube accessory on the very top row with the holes facing front.

In the middle column (back column) mount the accessory cube with two holes and mesh on the lowest row. The mesh should be facing front. One hole faces left and one hole is on the top.

In the 3rd column which on the farthest right, in the back column, mount the cat bed MESH SIDE UP in the MIDDLE row. This one has two different types of flaps the rods must go in. Place the vertical flaps down over the rods before placing the horizontal flaps in their corresponding rods, and set the pillow on top.

Keep referring to the picture continually to see those spaces that do not have cams and rods. This is what took me longest. I went cube by cube in the picture to figure out those spaces that don’t use bars/cams.

In the front columns and rows, there are many sections that do not have bars/cams. In the back set of columns, both the middle and right groups, each have sections without bars/cams. The picture on the back is your best friend figuring out which doesn’t have these.

After you have the frame assembled, go back and tighten the rods inside the cams because they loosen as you work with the opposing tension.

Now you’re ready to put on the mesh cover. The cover zips at the top, so look for the gray material that runs the entire length of the mesh and place it on the ground with the rest of the fabric UNDERNEATH it. The curving zipper also in gray fabric should be oriented towards the front.

Unzip the long zipper with gray fabric flipping the flap backwards. Pick up the catio and place on top of the fabric bundle. Set the bottom inside the fabric bundle and slide the fabric up a little bit.

Now pick up the whole thing and flip it over, meaning the top of the catio should be on the ground. Slowly work the fabric bundle down the frame, making sure to fit the corners properly over each corner cam at what will be the bottom of the catio once you right side it.

Once you have most of the fabric fitted over the frame, pick the whole thing up again and flip it over so that the top is again at the top. Keep fitting the fabric to the top working opposite corners at a time. The hardest part will be getting the fabric edge over the last cam, then zip the whole thing up.

The door should be at the front and should have no bars or accessories in front of it. The blue zipper hole should be on the right side of the frame.

USING THE PRODUCT:
One of the reasons I chose this item is because it is so light. This product slides easily wherever you want whether inside or outside. If you want to put it outside, it comes with for stake down bars.

To use, unzip the front door and put the kitties in. The cube accessories inside support my 16 pound cat with no problem.

THE RESULT:
Day one of using the product has been very successful. The cats are really enjoying it and I am comfortable they are secure inside. Always keep the zippers at the top so kitties can’t fiddle around and open the product; there is no way they can get to the zippers in this position. The cats seem very happy and this item solved many problems for me, most especially they can’t get to the plants on the porch and possibly ingest something poisonous. At the same time, the product allows them to enjoy family time together on the patio, and I don’t have to see them glaring at me through windows longing to be outside.

RECOMMENDATION:
I will update this review in six months to discuss any changes however, at the onset, I’m very pleased with this product, am confident in its security to protect my precious kitties, but most importantly, they are very happy, and that was the goal. Thus, I am able to recommend this product and believe it is a perfect solution for many people, seeking a safe, secure catio solution.

WRAP UP: I don’t know if these instructions will help you but I’ve tried to give some clarification for a product which could be difficult for some to assemble. Have patience and just go slow. It really is a great solution for many of us.

Funcional

Size: It is a very roomy size. I am impressed. + Be sure to note : It will not fit through some doorways, so if you are planning to assemble it inside, check the measurements of any doorways in will need to go through first!

Sturdiness: The structure is reasonably strong, sturdy and not flimsy at all. A note about the inside squares: This cat enclosure is very good for kittens and young, spry cats that can easily jump from one soft top section to another without needing much support. There are no solid supported landings for adult cats unless they jump down to the floor and up from the floor. I have an older 9lb cat that loves this cat enclosure. I adjusted it and lowered the upper square seat so they can get in and out. The zipper works best when gentle, similar to how you would zip and unzip a tent door. It is reasonably durable but the zipper track has split a few times. I have easily reset it by gently backtracking and then zipping it again. This not a discouragement to buying it, my cat loves it and so do I!

Easy Assembly: Easily assembled. Patience is the key. If you do not pre-read the diagram & then follow the diagram directions step by step and instead rush ahead you will likely need to go back and redo it. I was able to assemble it easily by following the diagram directions as listed. There are no instructions about the netting, however it goes on exactly as shown on the box with the round entry hole on the right hand side. It is the last step. It took a little strategy to line it up, but when on easily and was the correct size. You need to be patient and gentle in sliding it on.

Extra Parts: The kit comes with a few extra parts for future additions, replacements or adjustments you want to make. I has 1 firm cushion that comes with it for the upper right hand side square.

You can personalize a little bit as you want it to be: I have added my own cat things to personalize my cat’s space. I added a square flat box as a corrugated scratch box, a cat bed and another softer cushion, a square flat box of cat grass that I grew at home, a cover on part of the top for shade and water dish. I added my own little padding between the top of the poles and the net to help keep the netting in good condition.

Outdoors or Indoors: I have it set up on my porch deck so that it is not on the ground to keep from fleas, etc. and in the shade of the porch roof cover. This is sturdy enough that you could prop it up off the ground if you do not have a porch/deck. This could be used indoors as a play area. I had it inside, leaving the door open, for two days for my cat to get use to it and explore it before I set it outside. When I put my cat in it outside for a while, my cat does not want to leave it and give me a fuss about coming back inside, lol!

Price: I could not afford the pricing of a wooden cat enclosures & am not talented enough to make my own without it being a big project and learning experience to build one. This enclosure it the perfect next best thing in my opinion and within my affordability of saving up for.

Recommendation: It is newly purchased so I do not know about longevity. My cat and I are very happy with my purchase so far. I wrote review in detail for the next person who is considering it. I know what it is like wondering if your money is going to a good purchase or if the purchase would be fitting for what you need it for.

Suggested reminder: cats need to be observed and not left outside in it for long durations of time.

I hope this is a helpful review for someone to benefit from. Have a blessed day!