One Cat, Two Cats

Even though my house is not directly on a road (and the road is only a quiet suburban road anyway), it was quite clear that being run over was a possibility.  You wouldn't think it from the number of neighbourhood cats who seem to quietly, and confidently congregate at their front gates to catch the last rays of sunshine, or criss-cross the road at sunset in preparation for twilight hunting or exploring. Losing another cat was simply not an option, and so I looked at all the options for creating a safe outdoor space for Noomi (at least). A friend recommended a free-standing catio, however there is a world of difference between her older Persian, and the far more active, young Tonkinese I had. So I looked instead at providing as much of the yard as possible as a safe, cat friendly area. I had already started creating a number of climbing areas specifically for the cats on the fences , and much of the garden was planted in large native grasses to give the cats lots of tunnels and f

So with most of the angst and anguish of the previous couple of months over, now it was back to making sure that the cats were entertained, as well as safe. Cat proof fencing keeps the cats in the garden, but it is the use of a variety of climbing elements and the garden itself that keeps them entertained (in addition to nature's show). As well as adding a number of shelves and seating areas to the fence, I also used natural elements and swinging elements for interest.  Gardening wire, and webbing provide tree friendly options to hang a bridge.  I tend to use free (recycled) building materials, and add elements as I think of them or as the building materials present themselves.  Not only is this extremely cost effective, it also means that there are new things for the cats on a regular basis, and it's not a big deal if a tree suddenly grows(or dies) or if an idea doesn't work out as planned. One of the first things I started using was a type of wooden garden edging.  I

Using simple or free materials, anyone can make their garden more fun for their cats (and therefore keep them in the garden, instead of looking for mischief elsewhere). I used free pallets, found materials (a building site down the road put out wood scraps on the roadside that they were happy to give away), and repurposed garden edging. Obviously if aesthetics or permanence are important then you might want to plan out a design and use more durable materials.  But for me, I just started with a few pieces, watched whether the cats used them, or not and went from there. If areas weren't used, I could rip them down, or change.  Popular features were repeated elsewhere. As I have a wooden boundary fence, this was the easiest way to create simple features for perches, and stairs. A simple perch, created using off cuts of wood, nailed to the fence.  Make sure they're stable and plan a series of perches so that they can be used both as steps up/down and as sitting/sleeping

Cats need to know everything, about everything.  They especially need to know everything about everything you are doing.  What is this?  Noomi photobombs Milla - what is this?  Cats also need to know if they can fit in, hang from, jump on or get under everything  Can I get this? Milla checks out how perfectly she fits in a supermarket bag What goes in a sink? A cat goes in a sink Exploring the car

As the kittens got a little bigger it was time to introduce them to the outside world.  This was done first by giving them a couple of days to wear a harness inside to get used to it, then by attaching a lead and letting them get used to dragging that around (or playing with it), and importantly being gently stopped by it (without freaking out).    Training steps achieved we would head outside to play in the grass and look at the big world outside.  This was done in short sessions starting around 15 mins, and then up to an hour at a time.  They were never allowed outside without supervision, and initially never off leash.  Then the leashes were just an emergency handle, they were allowed to run about with the leash dragging behind in case I needed to grab one or other of them and reel them in.  Names were used consistently, and the kittens always rewarded when they come, or respond to their name.  Importantly they are given a little freedom to enjoy themselves, and support when th