Many of our customers who have house cats have realised that their cats are missing out on the great outdoors but have been reluctant (and rightly so) to just let their cats roam.  Some of our customers own expensive pedigree cats and others have standard “moggies” but all are loved and cared for.  These owners have told me that they are just so very frightened that something will happen to their cats if they let them outdoors unattended.

They can roam far afield and get lost, they can be stolen, they can be injured or killed on the roads, they can be attacked by dogs or foxes and I have even had reports of them being shot at and tortured by cruel people who seem to find it amusing to hurt defenceless animals.  And so these caring cat owners are purchasing cat kennels with runs so that their beloved cats can be allowed outdoors in safety.  

ideas-4-pets have cat kennels with cat runs to suit all requirements.  They can be made in many sizes and are available as a standard pent cat kennel or a chalet type with an apex roof.  The cat kennel areas are large so your feline friends have plenty of room under-cover – just put their favourite cat bed in there and they will be warm and secure and protected should the weather turn.  The cat run areas are also large and can accommodate from 1 cat to probably about 6, dependant upon the size you choose.  Just put some cat toys like a cat scratcher, a cat scratching post, a cat activity centre or even a large tree branch  for your cats to climb and they will be happy and amused whilst in their cat run.

There is easy access to the cat kennels via a full sized door and there is the option of a safety porch on the larger models if you have a cat who thinks he’s a good escape artist !!  There is a cat bench in the sleeping area with a cat flap and ramp to lead into the run area and there is also an access door directly into the run via a mesh door. 

Don’t forget to ensure your cats have access to plenty of fresh, clean water and their favourite cat food and you’ll find that once they’re used to their new surroundings you will have peace of mind knowing that they are outdoors but safe and sound.

Our cat kennels are delivered and fitted free by professional fitters within 7 working days so once you have made your mind up you will not have long to wait and with the summer approaching now is a great time to make arrangements.  All you need is the available space in your garden and a concrete or flagged base and off you go …….  Decking would also be suitable to erect the cat kennel on.  ideas-4-pets also have a smaller version of the cat kennel and run called the Kitty Shack which is ideal if you have just 1 or 2 cats and you intend to keep your cats outside for shorter periods of time.

Take a look at what’s available and give your cat a taste of the outdoors – let him smell the garden and see the sky and breathe in some fresh air !!

Although a cat who has never known the outside won’t miss it, the chance to feel the sun oon their backs and smell the outdoors is something they will love.  They can amuse themselves in the cat run if you provide them with cat scratching posts, cat activity centres and cat climbers or a tree branch that they can climb and sharpen their claws on.  Place their favourite cat beds in the cat kennel area to rest and sleep in  and make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water and your cats will be happy.

You will also have peace of mind knowing that although they are outside, they are safe.  They cannot get themselves run over or bitten by another animal and they cannot be injured or stolen.

Cats are generally inquisitive and curious creatures and so a cat run makes the ideal place for the cats to either hang out on a lovely, warm summer afternoon or evening or a placee to climb about in and chase each other round.  Most of the cat runs and can kennels have shelves for the cats to jump up on and you could also hang a few cat-friendly plants around and of course some catnip to add to their pleasure.

There are some really attractive cat kennels with attached cat runs around and at ideas-4-pets we have one called the Burley Cat Chalet which looks like a summer house or a Swiss Chalet.  The cat kennels and cat runs we have can usually be built to your own specification and can be as large as you can manage in your garden.  You can also have them with a safety porch if your cats are great escape artists !!

Spring is around the corner so why not think about purchasing a cat run and cat kennel for your feline friend so that she can see and feel the sun too!!

I’ve had cats and have experienced all these emotions with my cats. George loved to be the “boss”. He would lord it over the other cats, jump on the sofa if he wanted some attention and then just when you thought you’d won him over he would scratch and bite just to let you know that he’d had enough !!

Lucy was a darling, she was an old cat but loved to play with her cat scratcher and loved nothing more than snuggling up on my knee (or anyone else’s for that matter) She loved her own cat bed but was sweet and friendly and would happily share her cat bed with George if he wanted to !! She loved being groomed and would let me comb her fur for hours on end.

Mitzi was much younger and came to me as a frightened half-wild kitten who would curl up in the fruit bowl to escape attention !! After much patience, she eventually crawled over and sat on my shoulder and this turned out to be her favourite place. She would sit on my shoulder whilst I did the house-work, cooked a meal or talked to friend on the telephone. If I wanted to take her anywhere she wouldn’t go into a cat carrier, but would happily sit on my shoulder whilst I took her there !!

Sadly Mitzi was killed on the road by a motorist and she was only one year old. If only I’d know about outdoor cat kennels. Mitzi loved the outdoors although she didn’t stray – a cat kennel would have given her some freedom but also kept her safe and secure. Unfortunately I was at work when she was killed on the road and had cat kennels been readily available then, I would have certainly had one for her and my other cats, knowing that they were able to be outdoors, but having peace of mind that they would be safe and unharmed when I returned home.

ideas-4-pets have a selection of cat kennels with cat runs attached and they are ideal for cats who love the outdoors – you can put their favourite cat scratcher, activity centre or other toys in the cat run and even a tree branch if your cats are climbers and their favourite cat beds fit easily the sleeping area so that you know that when they are resting they are warm and cozy.

George lived to be 15 years old and suffered for the last few months of his life with a form of dementia. Again, a cat kennel would have been great because he loved to be outside in the sun, but I had to watch that he didn’t stray too far or he would forget his way back.

Lucy also lived to be 15 years old and she would have been happy anywhere so long as she had some company – the vet said that she was the type of cat he described as “loving to gossip over the garden wall”!! She always had something to say and would spend ages miaowing to anyone that would listen.

Cats are lovely creatures and they all have their own personality. It’s so important to keep them safe and to give them lots of love and attention – the rewards will pay you back triple-fold !!

You very often find at this stage that you kitten will want to scratch with her claws and this could be anything – the curtains, the furniture, your clothing, your knitting – anything with a bit of texture.  Sometimes this is just for fun and other times it is to keep her claws in trim.

If you cat is left alone all day whilst you are at work she may long for the fresh air but of course there is always the dangers of her getting out of your garden and into someone else’s who maybe doesn’t love cats the same way as you do or she may even venture into the road.  How can you encourage your cat to stay in your garden, so as not to upset the neighbours?

It is impossible to stop your cat’s natural desire to explore but it can be curbed.  You can  encourage your cat to stay in your garden by making it as interesting as possible so she won’t want to leave it but this is not always possible or 100% guaranteed.  Alternativey you can buy her a cat kennel or a cat house with a cat run attached.

This is an ideal “home from home” for your cat.  She will have her very own space to sleep comfortably and warmly under cover in the kennel area or she can play to heart’s content in the run area.    Just place her favourite cat bed in the cat kennel area and her litter tray somewhere she will use it – either in the kennel area or in the cat run area and fill the cat run with her favourite toys. 

Place a cat scratcher, or a cat activity centre in the cat run or even put large tree branches in there and hang catnip toys from the branches so that she can climb and play as much as she likes.  Don’t forget the essential bowl of clean, fresh water each day and some of her favourite treats !!

An outdoor cat kennel is also cheaper than  trying to enclose your back garden using a fencing kit which is not always 100%effective.

Cats are natural hunters and will tend to be more active at night time when their nocturnal prey are also active.  Some cat owners put their cats out at night as they won’t settle in the home at night because they want to be outside hunting, but there is an increased chance of road accidents when cats are out in the dark.  Again, another good reason to purchase a cat house or a cat kennel. 

A cat kennel with an attached can prevent cats that are used to being out and about at night from becoming restless and stressed because they have to be kept in but their owner can rest easy knowing that although their feline friend is outside smelling the night air and watching for little visitors, she is also safe and secure and will be waiting for her breakfast in the morning !!

As cats have a mind of their own your cat will not take kindly to you waving a toy in her face expecting her to suddenly wake up and become interested in playing with you. Unlike dogs, getting your cat to play, jump about and get excited about exercising to a schedule is not going to happen. Cats are very independent and so the key is to get them to think that playing is their own idea. It’s not difficult if you have the right cat play equipment.

Cats will often amuse themselves for hours inventing their own games. Provide your cat with a small ball like a ping-pong ball, a toy filled with catnip or even a tightly wound ball of wool and your cat will amuse herself for ages. If you use a catnip toy remember to replace it when your cat loses interest. Catnip loses its scent after a while and once the scent is gone, so has all the fun !! If you give your cat a ball of wool to play with, make sure that you supervise her play or she may end up trying to eat it and could choke or she may end up wound up in it !!

If you decide to treat your cat with the best then look for a good quality cat scratcher, cat scratching post or cat activity gym. Ideas-4-pets have a great selection to choose from and they suit all sizes of wallets and all sizes of cats !! Scratching is a natural part of your cat’s behaviour and not only is it great fun but it also helps to keep her claws in trim. With added catnip, Scratch Posts encourage cats to scratch the post – not your furniture!

Many scratch post also incorporate little places for your cat to sleep and hide and have little outposts on top for them to sit and survey the situation !!

A new concept in cat play is the activity gym which offers stimulation and exercise for you cat and hours of fun too !! Activity gyms are usually made from a tubular frame covered in both soft material and corded carpet. The design of them allows your cat to lie underneath them and they have little toys filled with catnip hanging from the frame for your cat to play with.

Whatever you decide to purchase for your cat, make sure that the activity is both safe and fun and that if offers the type of stimulation that cats crave.

If you want your cat to spend some time outdoors but are afraid of these things then consider purchasing a large outdoor cat kennel.

ideas-4-pets have cat kennels which are attractive to look at and built for the purpose. They incorporate a good sized run with a roomy sleeping area. There is a ramp that leads from the cat run through a small door with a cat flap to a shelf in the sleeping area. Put some soft, warm bedding on the shelf and your cat is safe, dry and warm and free from draughts.

If you want another ramp putting in the sleeping area for your cat can to walk up and down, then just ask and we can arrange this for you. Alternatively, your cat may like to jump onto the shelf from the floor area in which case a second ramp might not be necessary.

You can fill the cat run with your cat’s favourite toys or even put some tree branches in there and a couple of cat scratchers or cat activity centres to keep your cat amused whilst you are out.

The mesh that surrounds the run is cat mesh so it designed for cats and the roof covers the whole area so he is protected from the weather. You can also have the option of a safety door which allows you to enter the cat kennel but allows you to shut the outer door afterwards before opening the door into the sleeping area so your if you cat is an escape artist he won’t be able to get out !!

Give your cats the freedom they crave for without exposing them to the dangers outside the home with a quality, purpose built cat kennel and run.

Previously, cat furniture used to be covered with carpet. It looked good, and offered a material or surface which cats like to scratch. Even though some of the cat furniture today – particularly hand-made models – still includes carpet, most carpeting nowadays comprises fabric loops. After continuous scratching, cat claws may cut through them, causing shredding.

With a new acrylic material specially made for the cat furniture industry, fabric loops are not formed. As a result, it doesn’t shred, and therefore lasts longer than carpet. However, it doesn’t provide the resistance that carpet does when cats scratch it, so they don’t really relish scratching on it. But cat scratchers help them in fulfilling this instinctive urge.

There are several innovative types of cat scratchers available on the market. Depending on your budget, you can buy good quality cat scratchers at very competitive prices.

A is for Air - Our large Burley outdoor cat kennels are great for cats as they combine fresh air with safety and peace of mind for you

P is for Play – all cats love to play and what better than one of our cat scratchers, cat activity centres or play tunnels to focus your cat’s attention

P is for Privacy – cats love their privacy and our vast selection of beautiful cat beds will offer your cat this luxury

Y is for Young – keep your cat young at heart with one of our cat activity centres for stimulation and endless fun

C is for Comfort – All cats love their comfort, so take the stress out of travelling when you have to take your cat to the vet or the cat kennels with one of our luxury cat carriers

A is for Activity – keep your cat active indoors with one of our cat activity centres or outside in a large cat kennel with a run

T is for Territory - cats are territorial creatures and they like to have their own space. What better than an outdoor cat kennel with a run where your cat can have its own space outdoors without the risk of being invaded by other cats

S is for Security – whether it’s one of our cozy, warm cat beds indoors, or a cat kennel outdoors, your cat will feel safe and secure

A Cat Post or a Cat Scratcher will encourage your cat to scratch but will save your carpets and furniture!

You can even get them with added catnip which most cats love!!