Pet’s Place: Catio Fun for 5 Fluffy Cats in Arizona
A custom-built patio enclosure gives the chinchilla Persians a place to safely explore the outdoors
The cats have lots of toys and scratching posts to keep them entertained inside the catio. The wildlife around them also provides entertainment.
“We wanted to create a safe yet fun area for them,” Balc says. “The older cats took a little bit to adjust to the catio since they were used to roaming the whole backyard while supervised. But now they really like the catio.”
“We wanted to create a safe yet fun area for them,” Balc says. “The older cats took a little bit to adjust to the catio since they were used to roaming the whole backyard while supervised. But now they really like the catio.”
Inside fun. The cats have their own furniture in the house too. Here, two of them climb on one of the cat trees the family owns.
Favorite places to nap. These cats look alert on their tree now, but Balc says the trees are one of the cats’ favorite places to nap. If they aren’t sleeping on a tree, they’re probably dozing next to a human family member.
Favorite places to nap. These cats look alert on their tree now, but Balc says the trees are one of the cats’ favorite places to nap. If they aren’t sleeping on a tree, they’re probably dozing next to a human family member.
The cats also have several litter box options around the house.
They have a room in the basement that has five litter boxes. On the main level of the home is a kitty room with three boxes. There’s also a litter box in the catio.
It’s a lot of litter boxes, but it ensures that every cat has its own space.
They have a room in the basement that has five litter boxes. On the main level of the home is a kitty room with three boxes. There’s also a litter box in the catio.
It’s a lot of litter boxes, but it ensures that every cat has its own space.
“We love to play with them and cuddle with them,” Balc says. “And they totally match my decor.”
Your turn: Have you built something for your pet? Tell us about it in the Comments.
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Pet Owner Creates a Climbing Space for 2 Cats
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Your turn: Have you built something for your pet? Tell us about it in the Comments.
More
Pet Owner Creates a Climbing Space for 2 Cats
Read more stories about pets at home
Find pet supplies
Pets at a Glance
Pets: Five silver chinchilla Persians named Pearl, Fancy, Silver, Chantilly and Skyler
Ages: 6 months to 2½ years
Location: Sun City, Arizona
Owners: Luisa Balc, her husband and their two kids
Meet the family. Each of the five cats joined the Balc household when they were 8 to 10 weeks old. They all get along, Luisa Balc says.
Each has its own personality. Pearl loves to eat. Fancy, named after the Fancy Feast commercial her grandfather appeared in, loves to be held. Silver is laid-back. Chantilly is super quiet. And Skyler always wants to play.