What is the difference between a 3-sided and 4-sided catio?Updated 2 months ago
Habitat Haven offers 3 primary catio style options:
- 3-Sided Enclosure
- 4-Sided Enclosure
- Window Catio Enclosure
3-sided and 4-sided refer to the total number of wire mesh walls the catio has.
A 3-sided catio has one wall/side left open aside from a 6-inch wide attachment strip around the opening. This allows the catio to be positioned tightly against a wall or structure and secured directly to that wall or structure (required for proper stability). Most people select this option if they want the catio to sit over a window or pet door.
All of our 3-sided enclosures include a wire mesh floor, as this provides the added stability that these enclosures require. Because our enclosures do not rely on any type of framing, the wire mesh panels themselves provide the structure needed for a 4-sided enclosure to stand on its own. When one side is removed to create a 3-sided enclosure, the structural stability decreases. This is counteracted by securing the "open" side directly to the surface of a structure.
However, if two sides are removed, the enclosure loses even more of its structural stability. However, it is technically possible to create and install a 3-sided enclosure without the wire mesh floor. In this case, the enclosure would need to be placed on level ground and secured to the surface below in addition to being secured to the structure, so that the enclosure cannot be easily misshapen or moved.
Because of this, we typically do not recommend a 3-sided enclosure without the wire mesh floor. They can be more difficult to install and keep "square".
A 4-sided catio has all four walls made of wire mesh panels, and it can stand on its own without attachment to a home or structure for support. This style of catio is great for "freestanding" catio solutions and can provide more flexibility in location since it does not rely on attachment to another structure. Most people select this option if they prefer not to secure anything directly to their home, or if they want the catio to sit a distance from the home.
In order to provide access to a 4-sided catio from the home, there are two primary options:
- The catio can sit tightly against the home, without being attached to it, over a pet door or window that will be used for access. This option works well if the entry point is nearly flush with the house wall. If there is a deep ledge and the catio wall does not fully cover the window, for example, a cat could climb up the exterior wall of the catio and escape.
- A pet door can be used through a wall or window of the home, and then components like tunnels, towers, bridges, or stairs can be used to create a pathway between the pet door and the catio. For sliding windows, you may consider our custom Pet Door Window Inserts, but a pet door installed through a wall in the home also works well.
The wire mesh floor of a 4-sided catio is optional. A wire mesh floor can be a great solution for preventing cats from digging out (or other critters from digging in) when the catio sits over soft ground. But if the catio will be sitting on top of a concrete patio or deck, some customers prefer to remove the wire floor altogether. For either option, it is not required that the "base" of the catio be secured to the ground surface, although you certainly may anchor the catio in place with appropriate hardware if desired.
Lastly, a Window Catio Enclosure is a special type of 3-sided catio. This type of catio is more shallow (22" depth is standard) so that it can be elevated up off the ground and attached to the home over a window. The Window Catio should fully encompass the window (including frame/trim/sill) with at least a 6-inch clearance around all four sides. If space is tight or you have obstacles within 6 inches of the window (such as an outlet or light fixture), please contact us for customized options that work in your space.