Catio Refresh: What Worked... and What the Cats Destroyed
- Cécile Mioni
- Mar 16
- 8 min read
This small balcony catio makeover started as a simple refresh after a sudden California heatwave, but it quickly turned into a full troubleshooting project thanks to my two cats, Purrl and Jaspurr.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a tiny commission from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use or recommend for cat-friendly living.
Why This Small Balcony Catio Needed a Refresh
California weather has a personality disorder.
One week we get an arctic storm with snow at low elevation. The next week we jump straight into a heatwave.
That sudden heatwave was the perfect motivation to finally refresh the catio I had neglected all winter. It also happened to coincide with Jaspurr’s first adoptaversary, which felt like the perfect excuse to do something special for him.
And honestly… that’s also what kept me away from posting these past couple of weeks.
Purrl and Jaspurr are no longer kittens, which means they have developed very strong opinions about interior design. They have been enthusiastically “helping” me by:
testing the durability of every planter
finding creative escape routes
evaluating new furniture by sitting on it immediately
In this post, I’m sharing my catio troubleshooting journey — what worked, what didn’t, and what my cats immediately tried to destroy.
If you’re looking for inspiration, practical ideas, or just a good laugh at cat-mom life, you’re in the right place.
Welcome friend! I’m so glad you’re here.
01
Adding Vertical Space: Climbing Shelves for a Multicat Catio
The Problem
When I first built this catio, it was designed for Purrl alone, before Jaspurr joined the household. As kittens, both cats were happy exploring the space at ground level.
Now that they’re grown, it became clear that a multicat household benefits enormously from vertical space. Cats like to climb, observe their surroundings, and move around each other without conflict.
Since we’re renting, there are also a few rules about what can go on the balcony. Technically it has to qualify as outdoor furniture, so any climbing solution needed to blend in with the patio décor rather than look like a traditional cat tree.
The Solution
For the climbing shelves, I chose IKEA SÅGMÄSTARE metal shelves (not an affiliate link). I liked them because each leg has a screw-style adjustable foot, which allowed me to slightly lower the back legs so the unit naturally leans toward the wall for extra stability.
The adjustable feet also have a vintage leg detail that I find charming, and the grey-blue color blends nicely with my balcony palette (and happens to align perfectly with this year’s “color of the year” trend). I also ended up using fewer shelves than included in the kit so the structure would align perfectly with the height of my window, which made the setup feel more integrated with the space.
The shelves also come with hardware to secure them to a wall if drilling is possible. Since we’re renting, drilling wasn’t an option for me, so the adjustable feet turned out to be a very useful feature.
Lesson Learned
The shelves were an immediate success. Purrl and Jaspurr started climbing them almost right away and quickly incorporated them into their daily catio routine. True to form, Purrl quickly claimed the highest spot. Since the shelves are made of metal, I also suspect they retain a bit of warmth in the evening sun — which may explain why the cats seem particularly fond of lounging there later in the day.
While the climbing shelves solved the vertical space issue, another challenge remained: Jaspurr’s complicated relationship with my planters.
02
The Planter Experiment
The Problem
Jaspurr loves dirt.
Not just casually — deeply and passionately.
He naps in my planters, digs in them, and occasionally uses them as an excavation site.
The result?
My supposedly perennial lavender quickly became… annual.
The lightweight plastic planters also made things worse. They were easy for him to move, tip over, and scatter soil everywhere, which is a small nightmare if you happen to be a clean freak.
The Troubleshooting Experiment
I replaced his favorite “napping planter” with a sturdier faux-travertine planter from Target.
Since digging seems to be one of his life passions, I decided to redirect the behavior instead of fighting it.
So I filled the new planter with pine pellet cat litter.
The result?
Jaspurr is now proudly “planting” his toy mice there.
Lesson Learned
Sometimes the best solution isn’t stopping the behavior — it’s giving cats a better place to do it.
Shop the Planter Set Up:
Tap or click the images in the scroll gallery below to explore the products I selected for my cat-safe catio refresh without having to leave the page. You can also shop my full cat-safe catio collection on my storefront clicking here.
03
The Glass Dome Experiment: Protecting Cat Grass
The Problem
If you’ve ever tried to grow cat grass with curious cats around, you probably already know the challenge. They dig the seeds out before the grass has a chance to fully sprout, leaving soil and seeds scattered everywhere.
The thing is, they really do need their little patch of cat grass. They nibble on it, and sometimes even lounge on it when they want a cool spot for a cat nap. So the grass had to stay... but the chaos had to go.
The idea for a solution came to me after another post-zoomies apocalypse cleanup session, while reaching for one of my favorite comfort treats.
And that’s how the glass dome experiment started.
The Solution
This Glass Dome from Hearth & Hand™ with Magnolia was the perfect fit for the planter I use to grow their cat grass patch.
The dome originally came with a beautiful marble slab designed to keep cheese or pastries safe from curious paws — which, as it turns out, also works very well for curious cats.
I’ve also used glass cookie jars to protect some of my indoor plants (see shoppable gallery below).
Both the glass dome and cookie jars act like mini greenhouses. The glass allows light to pass through while retaining warmth and moisture, creating an ideal environment for sprouting seeds and young seedlings. At the same time, the smooth and heavy glass surface keeps the plants safely protected underneath.
Tap or click the images in the scroll gallery below to explore the products I selected for my cat-safe catio refresh without having to leave the page. You can also view my full "Cat Grass Mini Greenhouse" collection by clicking here.
Lesson Learned
Purrl and Jaspurr were very patient during the growing phase, and very enthusiastic once the cat grass was ready to harvest.
As a bonus, once the grass was grown, the glass dome returned to its original job: protecting my treats. In this case, cake pops from my new friend Jessica.
Safety Note
When growing cat grass, I always use organic soil and avoid fertilizers or pesticides.
If a cat eats excessive amounts of grass or vomits frequently after eating it, it’s best to consult a veterinarian to rule out any digestive issues.
04
Cooling Solution for Hot Days
The Problem
Summers are very hot in Sacramento, with temperatures regularly reaching the triple digits.
Last year, I realized the bedding situation in the catio needed an upgrade. The fuzzy donut beds I had purchased earlier were cozy during crisp spring mornings, but they were definitely not designed for summer heat.
If the catio was going to remain a comfortable lounging spot during the hottest months, the cats needed cooler, breathable seating options.
The Solution
I purchased these petal-inspired elevated cat futons when I spotted them on sale at Walmart.
They turned out to be an instant hit.
Purrl and Jaspurr carefully supervised the assembly process — which took less than five minutes — and climbed onto the beds as soon as I finished.
The small futons are hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and slightly elevated, which helps with airflow during hot days. The flower shape also fits the catio’s garden theme perfectly.
Now the cats lounge comfortably while watching the tree in front of the balcony — their favorite channel of “Cat TV.”
Today’s episode: Squirrels and birds.
Mission accomplished.
Lesson Learned
At one point, I considered buying a human-sized outdoor chair, since both cats regularly take turns stealing my office chair indoors.
I had my eye on a wicker rocking chair, but it was out of my price range, and I was slightly concerned that Jaspurr might use it as a launch pad to send his sister into orbit.
As it turns out, these tiny cat-size futons solved the problem perfectly. They give the cats their own comfortable lounging spot, and I get my office chair back.
Everyone wins.
05
Making the Catio Escape-Proof
The Problem
After replacing the cheap plastic planters (and the now-deceased lavender) with concrete slabs, I thought the catio project was finally finished.
But Purrl quickly proved me wrong.
She managed to slip through a small gap between the tension rods I had installed last year and the balcony ledge. She ended up tangled in the net and gave me a serious scare.
Clearly, the catio still had one important weakness.
The Solution
After considering several options, the answer turned out to be surprisingly simple: “noodles” (the above picture shows a close-up of the foam insulation secured to the rods).
More precisely, I used foam pipe insulation from the plumbing section of the hardware store.
These foam tubes are inexpensive, lightweight, and designed to withstand outdoor weather. At the same time, they are soft enough to conform to the uneven shapes of balcony walls and railings.
I secured them along the gaps using zip ties, creating a flexible barrier that fills the spaces between the extension rods and the wall.
I chose the grey plumbing insulation because it matched the color of the extension rods and blended nicely with the setup. But if aesthetics are less of a concern, pool noodles would likely work just as well.
What I Learned
The concrete slabs serve two purposes in the catio. They secure the bottom of the net and create a warm surface where the cats like to lounge on sunny afternoons.
They also happen to be heavy enough that even an energetic Bengal can’t easily move them.
What I had forgotten, however, is that cats are essentially toddlers who can jump to the ceiling... and whose flexible shoulder blades allow them to squeeze through surprisingly small openings.
If their head fits, the rest of their body usually will too.
The foam insulation turned out to be a simple, affordable, and renter-friendly solution for sealing the remaining gaps. Each piece cost less than five dollars, matched the rods perfectly, and was easy to cut and install.
In total, the entire fix took less than thirty minutes.
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best ones.
Safety Note
When building a balcony catio, always check for small gaps around railings, walls, and tension rods. Cats can squeeze through surprisingly narrow spaces, especially if they are curious or determined explorers.
Conclusion
Refreshing the catio turned out to be a fun project and a great reminder that small changes can make a big difference in our pets’ daily lives.
Creating spaces that keep Purrl and Jaspurr safe, comfortable, and curious is one of my favorite parts of creating cat bliss — the little motto behind Purrrfect Finds.
I hope this post gave you a few ideas and practical tips if you're building or upgrading a catio of your own.
If you’ve tried similar solutions, or have your own catio troubleshooting tricks, I would love to hear them. Feel free to share them in the comments. We cat parents are always learning from each other.
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