[Image source: Deposit photos]
For cat owners, creating an outdoor space that is both stylish and safe can be a challenge. More than ever, people want to design gardens that are an extension of their home’s aesthetic. However, our feline friends require some special considerations to keep them happy and healthy in an outdoor environment.
The goal is to blend safety and functionality with beautiful design to create a “purrfect paradise” – an outdoor cat haven that is enjoyable for pets and humans alike. We’ll provide tips for crafting a cat-friendly garden that is secure yet stylish. With a mix of practical and decorative choices, you can create a gorgeous garden oasis that both you and your cats will adore spending time in.
Provide places to hide
An open layout may be great for a minimalist aesthetic, but it’s not ideal for your cats. These bare spaces can make cats feel vulnerable and exposed, because they don’t have anywhere to run and hide when they get scared or want to escape from perceived threats like unfamiliar cats. Providing your pet with plenty of hiding spots will make them feel more comfortable in the garden, and they’re easy to create. Add shrubbery and dense foliage in several areas that they can access through or hide behind, as well as tables and chairs or planter boxes.
Add practical water features
Water features are a wonderful addition to any garden, with the mesmerising sounds and movement of water. From shallow ponds with recirculating pumps that will entice your cat, to swimming pools for the human members of the family, water features elevate any space. However, consider safety if you’re opting for a larger addition such as a pool. An automatic pool cover will ensure that your pets don’t fall in, while adding mesh to ponds will keep the area safe but still visually pleasing.
Include vertical interest
Cats feel safer when they get to a high vantage point, so adding vertical interest in your garden is a great way to give them a lookout point or a safe place to relax in the sunshine. Shelves or ledges are ideal, as well as tables or benches. Alternatively, incorporate trellises, arbours and pergolas – you can train climbing roses or vines up these structures to add height and a pretty focal point. Don’t forget to include defined sitting and lounge areas for people to enjoy, surrounded by cat-safe plants.
[Image source: Deposit photos]
Plant non-toxic foliage
On the subject of cat-safe plants, certain common plants in our gardens are poisonous to pets so when it comes to designing a pet-friendly space, choose wisely. Buddleias are beautiful plants that are great pollinators for your garden and are safe for your cats, with a variety of colours to choose from. As the name suggests, catnip is also a great option that’s ideal if you have a sunny garden. Other options for your garden include oat grasses, succulents and honeysuckle that all add colour and interest to your space but won’t cause any issues for your four-legged friends.
Use sleek materials
Materials matter in making a garden look stylish and well-cared for, but they can also be chosen to make a space more cat-friendly too. For cat owners who want a minimalist aesthetic that’s contemporary and easy to maintain, polished surfaces such as paving slabs and concrete or tiles provide a modern look and are well-suited to patio areas. They’re ideal for cats to rest and walk on, and they won’t be uncomfortable underfoot. Wood chips and mulch on raised beds adds a decorative touch and will keep the beds cool, while also being safe for your pets.
Make it engaging
To make your garden as cat-friendly as possible, provide amenities suited to your pets. Add scratching posts and climbing structures made of natural wood or sisal to allow cats to exhibit natural scratching behaviours, without damaging plants or furniture. Even an old tree stump or large branch can act as a perching spot for cats. Interactive toys like feather wands and puzzle feeders to engage your cats’ predatory instincts too, or you can add garden mirrors that reflect the light and will add interest for your feline friends. To keep your garden tidy for you too, you may want to keep a dedicated space in the garden just for your cats’ toys and posts.
Provide sheltered hubs
Cats love to spend their time sunbathing in the summer, but just as with humans, too much sun can be damaging – they can even suffer from sunburns on their ears and bellies. Providing them with plenty of shaded spots and sheltered spaces will give them a place to relax and enjoy the warmth without risking their health. If you have tall trees in the garden, these will naturally provide shade. But if not, you can still add your own shelter with awnings or a gazebo that will provide shade for you and your family as well as your pets.
[Image source: Deposit photos]
Add cat-friendly fencing
You may want to keep your cat confined to your own garden for their safety, especially if you live by a busy road. Cat-proof fencing will protect them from cars and other wild animals, and can create a private, enclosed space for the human members of the family too. It can even help to block out surrounding noise for a calmer, more tranquil garden. There are several options available, including fence rollers which fit to the top of your existing wooden fence panels and metal fence toppers.
Creating an outdoor space that both you and your cats can enjoy takes careful planning and preparation. By implementing safety precautions, choosing durable and stylish materials, and providing enrichment, you can craft a garden that blends form and function beautifully. The result will be a gorgeous, peaceful paradise where your cats are safe to roam and play and the human members of the household can relax and unwind in style.
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