The whole backyard, safely all theirs.
Give your cats a proper stretch of outdoors: a generous enclosed run across part of the yard, or netting overhead that hands them the whole backyard. Either way there's room to climb, patrol, chase and doze in the sun, fully contained and kind to the birds and lizards next door.
Room to be a cat, without the risks of roaming.
A backyard run is the classic catio: a decent enclosed area, often along a fence line or across a corner of the yard, kitted out with shelves, cat ramps, logs and hidey-holes. It gives cats the space to actually move, to sprint, climb and stalk, instead of just sitting in a box.
It's ideal for multi-cat homes, because there's room for everyone to have their own patch. And because it's fully enclosed, native birds and lizards stay off the menu and your cats stay on your property.
If you'd rather not give up a slice of the garden at all, we can enclose the whole backyard instead. Closing the top of the yard with a fine, UV-rated net hands the cats the entire garden, lawn, garden beds and all, with no structure sitting in the middle of it. The net is virtually invisible once it's up, and we close off the gates, gaps and low spots around the boundary at the same time.
A backyard adventure, fully fenced in.
Sized to your yard
A run along a fence or across a corner, or netting overhead that gives them the lot. Either way, room to sprint, not just perch.
Climb, ramp and lookout
Shelves, ramps, posts and platforms at different heights so cats can climb, survey and claim their spot.
Kind to local wildlife
Full enclosure keeps native birds and lizards safe and keeps you onside with council containment rules.
Happy in a crowd
Sized and laid out for multiple cats, with enough perches and retreats that nobody has to share the best one.
Is a backyard catio right for you?
It's for households with a bit of yard and cats who want to really use it.
- You've got a backyard, side return or courtyard to give over
- You'd rather net the whole yard than hand over a corner of it
- You have two or more cats, or one very active one
- You want to protect local wildlife and meet council rules
- You'd like the cats out of the house but not out of sight
Backyard Catios, answered.
The things people ask us about backyard catios.
How big does my yard need to be?
Bigger helps, but it's not essential, we build backyard runs into side returns, courtyards and corners as readily as sprawling gardens. We'll design to the space you can spare, whether that's a few square metres or a large chunk of lawn.
Can you enclose the whole backyard instead of part of it?
Yes. Rather than building a run inside the yard, we can close the top of the whole space with cat-proof netting, so the cats get the entire garden and you don't lose a section of it to a structure. The net is UV-rated and virtually invisible once installed. It suits yards already fenced on all sides, and we deal with the gates, gaps under the fence and low spots as part of the job.
Can it hold several cats at once?
Yes, this is the style most suited to multi-cat homes. We plan enough vertical space, perches and retreats that each cat can find their own spot and there's no squabbling over the sunny shelf.
Will it keep native wildlife safe?
That's a core reason people build them. A fully enclosed run stops your cats hunting birds, lizards and possums, which protects local wildlife and keeps you on the right side of council containment rules.
Does it connect to the house?
It can. We often link a backyard run to the house with a tunnel or through a door or cat flap, so the cats let themselves out. Or it can be a standalone run you open up when you're home.
What do you put inside it?
Whatever makes it fun and comfortable, shelves, ramps, posts, platforms, logs, hidey-holes and sunny and shady spots. We tailor the fit-out to your cats' ages and personalities.
Is the ground left as grass or covered?
Your choice. Some people keep lawn or garden inside, others prefer paving, decking or gravel for easy cleaning. We'll talk through what suits your cats and how much upkeep you want.
How do you stop cats digging out or climbing over?
The enclosure is sealed at ground level to stop digging under and fully meshed overhead to stop climbing out. Every join is closed off, so there's no weak point top, bottom or sides.
Do I need a permit for a backyard enclosure?
Modest runs usually don't, but larger or taller structures near boundaries sometimes do, and it varies by council. We flag anything worth checking at the site visit. The final say is always your local council's.
How long does a backyard catio take to build?
Small to mid-sized runs often go up in a day or two on site; larger ones take longer. Once the design's locked in we give you a clear timeframe with the quote.
How much does a backyard catio cost?
It scales with size and fit-out: a compact run is a modest job; a large enclosure with lots of climbing gear is a bigger one. After the site visit you'll get a quote so you know the number before anything starts.
How do I get a quote for backyard catios?
The easiest way is to build your quote online; it takes a couple of minutes and rough answers are fine. Prefer to talk? Get in touch and we'll call you back. Every quote is free and no-obligation; here's how pricing works.
Do you cover backyard catios across Melbourne?
Yes, we work right across greater Melbourne. If you're not sure you're in range, drop us a line and we'll let you know.
What if a different service would suit me better?
No problem, we cover the lot, patio catios, side runs, backyard cat netting and walk-in playgrounds. Browse the full range of services, or just describe your space when you request a quote and we'll point you to the build that fits.
How long until my cat settles in?
Usually just a few days. Cats are drawn to warmth, height and a good vantage point, so once they've found the sun and something to watch, most make the space their own fast. Nervous or senior cats can take a little longer, we can build in cat ramps, low steps and cosy nooks to bring them along at their own pace. Tell us your cat's character when you request a quote and we'll tailor the fit-out.
Other ways we can help.
Check your local council rules.
Cat curfews, containment and registration change from one Victorian council to the next. Find your council for a plain-English rundown, and see how a catio keeps you compliant.
Let's talk about your backyard catios.
Tell us a bit about your cats and your space. We'll be in touch to book a no-obligation site visit and quote.
After a free quote? The quote builder gets you a sharper answer, faster. For anything else, use the form below and we'll get back to you.