How to Build a Catio for your RV | RV Cat Enclosure

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

What’s stopping you from building an RV Catio for your cats or are you ready to build one now? Let us know below.

[@carolbufala3562]

I don't have a cat, yet. Your video takes the worry out of how to let my "future" RVing fur baby enjoy the outdoors. Love your Catio! Great job you guys! The only thing I might add is a drop-down tarp I can move around, depending on where the sun or wind is coming from, to protect them. Thank you for sharing.

[@turnbullstravels735]

I think my fear of bugs must outweigh my love for our cat! 😢

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

@@turnbullstravels735 You can use a regular cat door with a screen to keep bugs out.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Carol Bufala awesome idea. Our boys usually come inside when it’s hot or raining. We like seeing them inside with us.

[@michellestratford9753]

I'd love to do this for my cat, and I know she'd love it, but I travel alone and it looks like this is definitely a 2 person job. Can you recommend anything that 1 person can do? Thank you!

[@phyllisstein1837]

A) that is Genius! B) these two perfectly complement each other.

[@Gimo76]

I had a 32 ft Motor home and I took out the laundry door where clothes went into a basket in the basement. Well I had two cats which meant two boxes and put them in the laundry spot. The cats appeared to love it. Then each night I would close the bedroom door n go out n clean the box. It worked great.

[@recordball]

Very informative! Now my wife has somewhere to put me when we park our RV!! 🤪

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

John Bain haha. I know your wife. You’re safe. She’ll use the enclosure for her plants. 😂😂

[@tracybiggie]

😺 Looking for a shot of the catio entrance from the inside? There is a VERY quick shot when the cat goes inside. The entrance/exit is above the arm of the chair. If you look to the right it looks like they have padding for scratching on, too.

[@jennyhays5775]

My husband and I followed your directions exactly. Worked GREAT!! Our 3 cats loved the freedom!! Thank you!! Only point I would make is the tension bars were difficult for us to bend with the tools we had on hand. We got it done but it took a Lot of muscle.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay. So glad it worked out for you. My brother in law bend the bar for us so we didn’t really know how much muscle power it took. 😂😃😌

[@maribethspence9458]

I've been looking for a catio build that could be disassembled and stored for rv's for...ever. I'm by myself though so don't think I'd be able to left it to fasten it to the side of my rv. So I am looking for one that can be easily assembled/disassembled that isn't attached to the rv...I guess. Would rather have one they could go in and out that could sit on the ground, because I wouldn't be able to lift it by myself. What I had in mind though is something I'd have to take each cat out, I have four and put them in the catio, when I'm going to be around to supervise their safe outdoor time. So I'm thinking room enough to get some exercise, climbing or something for the younger two while providing cozy time for the older two. looks like you have lots of cat centered ideas for rv's so you got my subscribe and like. Thank you.

[@paulabuckley8639]

My husband made our catio today. Our boys love it!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay! that's awesome!

[@phyllisstein1837]

You two are like a well oiled machine. Team work makes the dream work. thank you for sharing your video.

[@jonf2126]

About to take an extended trip in my RV with my cats. They've gone before, but no catio. They have a catio at home that they love. This will be awesome for them to have during this trip.

[@bobbiedzarate]

This is a very practical solution! Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@burnettsteven]

I did sound for this guy in Seattle. Super cool dude!

[@ocibact]

You guys your babies are lucky taking care of them well

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Krystal Cabico Thank you. Our boys are so important to us and we do all we can to ensure their happiness. 😻🐶

[@Elladepass]

That is so totally a Bob Birks design! He truly is a genius when it comes to making things work simple - and you two were geniuses to get Bob’s help! The video is very informative and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you. It’s such an easy design and the boys love it so much we might go for a second one. And yes, it’s awesome to get Bob’s help. 😀

[@mojorisin188]

I hust found your channel and this is amazing. I wanted to find something to help my catsv(3) to be apart of the oitside experience without them escaping or being afraid to venture outside. This is a stress free way for them to control when they go out. ❤ Thank you for this. I am going to do this for my Class C.

[@sandrabailey3767]

Captain Orange!

[@carolwyant809]

Omgggg I thought I was going to have to get rid of my kitties! I have dogs also ..you gave me great ideas so I can keep my babies! Thank you!

[@lashonay]

I love the way she calls the cats, "the boys" 💙💙💙

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Hehe. Now I also have a baby girl kitten. 😻

[@heidihobson4525]

I'm so glad I saw this, I was about to try something way more difficult for my clowder! And I didn't notice the rails on my RV until you pointed them out 🙃

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay!!!! It’s such an easy set up and my 5 cats love it so much.

[@PrincessJamiG]

We want to create a catio for our kitties! Your cat-buddies look so happy in theirs. :)

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Jami Good yay!!!! Do it. Our boys love it so much and uses it all the time. 😻

[@1Lightdancer]

Love this great catio and all your tips! My daughter and son-in law got a portable dog fence when they had their RV, and had the awning rail ... I've been looking at designs for my kitty on our Ohana - and can see incorporating some of these ideas ❤ 🎉 🐈

[@maryconn5230]

This is brilliant. I've been looking and not finding something that would work for me and my one amazing little cat who LOVES being outdoors. The best I have done so far is a playpen and a 15 foot leash with a really great harness. This deal is going to change lives. Thank you so much for sharing and all the great detail! I'm all over it!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

awwww that makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing.

[@cliffbedell715]

Oscar, my maine coon kitty is gonna love this. Thank you so much

[@krisbullock6861]

Made mine today! Wrapped it in screen b.c of flies😊

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay! Would love to see a picture. Please post to RV Adventures with Pets on Facebook.

[@Travelinalong5553]

which one did you buy on amazon?

[@vicvanner8323]

SO glad to find your KZbin channel. Just what we've been looking for, as concerned with beginning RV travel with our 2 cats. Keep up the good work. You have great ideas for our furbabies!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay! Glad you found inspiration form our channel. If there's something specific we can answer, be sure to let us know. Happy camping!

[@jordanbrackin9633]

So glad I found your guys channel! Love the energy and the PB shirt. We just bought a 18ft travel trailer to live in with 2 cats and 2 dogs 😅

[@williamhogg7830]

This reminds me of the pioneer spirit of the old west, just modernized. I love it! I cannot improve on what you have created for your cats. Stay safe in your travels, and GOD BLESS YOU BOTH. CHEERS.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you. Happy travels.

[@sea_sorceress]

FINALLY! someone put out a Great, Easy instruction video for a traveling catio... and where to get materials, and protect your coach?!?! Thank you So Much!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

You're welcome. So glad you found it helpful. Excited for you to make one for your cat(s).

[@57tailfins]

Good build and break down of the Catio, with no Catastrophies! I am betting the cage was made by Pinch O'Matic. Great vlog!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

57tailfins Lol. Pinch-o-matic for sure. And yes, no catastrophes. 😹😻

[@carolynevans8826]

It's basically a wire bird cage. I've had these in the way of large bird cages, just adjusted for cats

[@armandavasquez2411]

Very nice catio and very lucky boys. Amazon also has tents for pets too.

[@OurCatioHome]

Traffic video! We plan to travel in RV at some point too and want our fur-babies to join in too. Useful info. 💚

[@paulabuckley8639]

My wife started a comment but hit send too quick. Thank you for creating this video. Viewed it a week ago, ordered and purchased parts per your list and yesterday it all came together. A few changes from the cage manufacture we had to figure out but your video provided lots of good information. Our kittens are having a blast. TY, TY, TY.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

I love this so much! I'm so glad you found the video helpful and now your babies are having a blast. Thank you for sharing.

[@NeverStopFightingBack2024]

Brilliant ❤

[@avocado3748]

I am so glad you made this video, thank you!! I was trying to figure out a compact cage that would keep my fur babies safe without having to keeping an eye on them. I can't wait to do mine!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

netty chow yay. Glad you like it. Our boys love it so much. 😻💖

[@ronyerke9250]

Put some tape on your top hooks to protect the coach a little.

[@costa2984]

This is absolutely brilliant engineering

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you. So simple and so perfect. 😻

[@amandacaterina6650]

you could cover the sharp hook ends in a layer of silicone to protect the paint of your coach

[@leilal8053]

I have the same cage......instead of putting the 2 bottom shelves on the same level, I put the 3rd one up high so there are 3 different levels and no wasted headroom at the top..

[@chugelen]

Thanks you guys so much.. I am going to build a custom catio also.. you inspired me. I will share when I finish it.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay!!! Can't wait to see it. Your cats are going to love it.

[@sherryschnebly]

Thank you! We made one for our cat when we travel. Easy instructions and she loves it.

[@kenhelmers2603]

Very nice!

[@mirlopezr]

Amazing!!! ❤

[@carrieirwin4240]

This is exactly what I want to do for our cats when we start full-timing, but I couldn't find anything online that thoroughly explained how to do it until now. I'm so glad it's not as complicated as I thought, so thanks for the tutorial! One question - do you put any kind of screen across the opening to keep bugs out of the RV?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Carrie Irwin We couldn’t find any info either so we’re happy to share what we’ve learned. We don’t have a screen on ours and surprisingly we don’t really have bug issues. You can use a regular cat door with a screen and place that on the foam board. We might do that in the future or make a curtain or something. For right now, it works well for us.

[@leilal8053]

It's even less complicated than they made it out.....dies NOT require 2 people to assemble ....have had the same one 4 yrs....

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Leila L you’re able to set this up on your RV by yourself? That’s so awesome. I have people asking about it and I thought it would be too awkward.

[@thiannele]

Nice tutorial! Super easy to follow. I appreciated the pictures you edited in !

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you so much. Hope it comes in handy when you're ready to build a catio. :-)

[@beew290]

Do you have a locking latch on the bottom where the tray is. I had a cage and the latch was not hooked, the tray skid out and one if my rescue cats got out. Love this idea.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yes there’s a hook for the tray.

[@graveyj2000]

Really cool-we have 5 cats and 2 dogs; I'm trying to figure out if I can do this for long trips. Have you ever tried putting Plasticoat on the hooks to help protect the RV from scratches?

[@csmoothsk8ter17]

That's so awesome❣🐾❣🐾 Time for you guys to start an rv catio business!! I'll buy one!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Haha we’ve been told that a lot! Not for us though.

[@Livin4lyfe101]

I am in love, this is amazing

[@angelfaye101]

Thank you so much! I'm planning on living fulltime in a van and I've been looking for (simple) diy "catios" for my Liam. Everything I've been seeing is so complex my brain cant process it. Thanks again for this video ❤

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

That's so wonderful to hear. We thought the same too when we did and our research and knew we had to share ours with the RV with cats community.

[@texnolan4740]

thumbs up and subscribed .... only bad part, wife wants one for the sticks and bricks... rut row...

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

We had one at our brick and mortar home and it’s awesome. Check out the Catio group on Facebook for ideas. 😻

[@radical227]

Perfect, just what I have been looking for. We have two one year old kittens and are training them to be in the RV - Class C. I now am following your Facebook page and have subscribed to your KZbin. Thank you.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Welcome to our channel. So glad you're finding this helpful. Happy RVing.

[@shellymtisza4319]

wow that is cool

[@vanlifewithGinaPayne]

Love this I have cats and a fulltime rver love your channel and subscribed

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you.

[@leannekudahl2432]

You guys are so great together; and thanks for sharing. Happy travels. :)

[@sjordan7085]

I am sure that taking cats in your RV can be nerve wracking, because if you lose them outside, the chances of getting them back may be very small. Ond of my foster cats is so scared, she clawed up the heating vent cover in the bathroom and escaped down the vent, much to my horror. I don't think I could face traveling with her after that. I recently bought a balcony style catio from Omlet, not cheap, much more sturdy than most. In a northern climate, wooden catios do not hold up, so to me, it was worth spending a bit extra to get something that will likely last a lot longer and comes with a 2year warrenty. Does the catio scratch the paint of your RV, or do you have that well protected. And, what about their litter boxes, where do they go? Are they in a basement compartment of the RV?

[@mobilehomelife4028]

My bus is really small, but I have a cat playpen, I can see now how I could design the back door of the bus to "slide out" the catio, it could work! Or I could use the rail setup, possible align one of the entrances to line up with a window.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay. That’s awesome. Good luck. 😻

[@mobilehomelife4028]

@@RVAdventuresWithPets I found your video quite by accident, it is an awesome way to set up the catio!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

@@mobilehomelife4028 Thank you. We love it and so do our babies.

[@CreekCat1]

Oh wow! I love you two. Love your RV catio. And of course, I love the cats the most. Good work!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Awwwwwww. Thank you. The boys are amazing. We just rescued a little girl gray tabby last week too. 😻

[@RockRiverSky]

This is a brilliant idea!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thank you. Our boys love it!

[@heatherzstuff3768]

That's so awsome! Great idea! I would love to live in and travel in an RV. So jealous! Thanks for sharing!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

I hope you get to do it. We love it. 💖

[@lorirugato6463]

Omg love this thank you!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Lori Rugato our pleasure. Are you building one?

[@lorirugato6463]

Unfortunately I have no tools or place I could build at this time.

[@lorirugato6463]

When I get my RV I sure will get this for my babies. And love the inside too. You two are the best!!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Lori Rugato excited for when you do. 😻

[@sunriseskies3883]

Awesome!! Thank you for sharing!!😻

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

My pleasure. 😀

[@star__catcher]

Quick question, will the cardio affect humidity/hot weather for the trailer. I’m worried that if I make a catio it’ll increase humidity and I don’t want that

[@eileenstickney80]

Brilliant solution, thank you for sharing 🐱🐱🐱🐱🐶

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Youre welcome. Glad it helped. :-)

[@camillesylvester5424]

thank you im ordering the cage woot woot

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

camille sylvester wohoooo!!! Excited for you and your 😻

[@almanellyelizalde609]

Awesome! I been looking for something easy for my 4 cats . We have a fithwheel camper. This is a great idea. Thanks guys.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Yay, hope it works out for you.

[@DavidWakefield-qu3ku]

How is the foam board attached to the cage?

[@maryconn5230]

I got this today and put it together, by myself, because I am just that way. Easy peasy. Question: what are the little clips for? I bought them but I don't know how I am supposed to use them, although I bet there are plenty of uses! Thank you so much. My cat played in it inside the house - well, OK there were treats involved. :) But she didn't run screaming from the room, which is what I was afraid of. Thank you!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Awww, I love this!!! The clip were to hold the foam board in place. It's been over a year since we RV'd so the RV catio is a distant but loving memory for me.

[@jennifermorillo437]

Great video!!

[@robinmayer4107]

This was so helpful! Thank you for the details!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Our pleasure.:-)

[@Mommycott]

How do you keep mosquitoes and other bugs out of the rv. Doesn’t they fly in the cat hole?

[@susandesousa3265]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Susan Desousa thank you. 😻

[@kariablinger293]

What kind of clips did you use to attach the foam board to the wire cage?

[@TheEastCoastSensation]

I must agree with all the comments on here. Great job. I was looking for something for my cat. We tried walking her but she gets very aggressive. So we stopped. This idea is just what I was looking for. Thank you for this idea. Keep up the good work with the channel. Your doing a great job. We want to go full time on the road as well. We pray it happens real soon. Check out or channel. I just subscribed and looking forward to your new videos.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thanks for joining the adventure! Excited to know how your cat will enjoy the catio. Our boys love it so much. Hope you'll get on the road soon. Its such a fun lifestyle.

[@katdavis2408]

Hello We have been hunting for a solution, my babies are used to coming and going as they please to the patio from the apt. But we have gone full time RV in our coach while we build our final move in our life Dream Home. I have looked everywhere at different types but all required to transfer the cats out side and place them in. That this collapses and can be stored in the bay, and gives /hem the come and go. I just need to know WHERE to purchase this tall kennel your using, what do they call it? Coming up with the fence bracket BRILLIANT, I'm a designer and appreciate the problem solving and ingenious design. 👍 Thank you for actually taking the time and sharing. Please let me know where I can find the tall collapsible

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Glad you found our tutorial helpful. Here's my affiliate on Amazon. amzn.to/2WYY7tE

[@1stJohn3.9-10]

I was a nomad for 9 months. It was warm 99% from FL-CA. I had to protect my cat, so my windows were always 1/2 way down whenever I went to the Library, Store, Laundromat, Gym, Restaurant, Beach, Church or someone's house. I'm really surprised that I was never broken into, but I never want to forget why pet lovers can go to jail bec of a hot car.😢 ~I've lived in an apt for 2yrs=$30K, so I'm getting ready to move out. I want to get a van and have a 5x5 hole cut into the floor and weld a 15x15x5 cage underneath, so that she'll have shelter from the sun/rain, a nice 4 way Breeze, and get to people-watch, but then still be able to jump back up into the van if something like a dog scares her. The grate of the cage needs to be about 1/8", so that a rodent can't crawl up inside, so maybe I'll wrap it with screen too to make it even more stealthy! The pavement will be hot, so I'll line the bottom with a cat bed.

[@luckydogsanctuary]

Thanks for posting this. Isn't the RV itself like a catio? Do they really need more of a view than the windows provide? I was planning to make a collapsible catio for the entire rooftop of our rig. I wanted to do this because our rig is small and the dogs take up most of the floor/bench/bed space. The roof would be the only place the cats could really stretch out and avoid the dogs. I also feel they'd be safe from predators up there. Have you had issues with predators (human or animal)?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Luckydog Sanctuary haha yes. The RV is a Catio but we want to make sure our boys are as happy as possible. Love your rooftop idea. We have not have any issues with predators.

[@59Alaskan]

Nooo, my kitties LOVE to be outside!! They love to waller in the dirt, sit in the grass, chew some weeds, be one with nature.. but, this one wouldn't work for what we want, but hey...whatever works!!

[@PineGeri]

I have two 6 month olds..how do you recommend training on a leash?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

We have a video on that!

[@lauraleecreations3217]

❤❤❤❤

[@carolynstrong8219]

Love this idea. You two are so cute and explain everything so clearly. Can this work hanging under a awning? Our only open window our cat could reach is under it?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Thanks! I have no idea if it would work under your awning. Worth giving it a try and see. :-)

[@amybraun3840]

Has anyone tried combining making a plexiglass window replacement for your RV sliding window with a cat door inserted into it?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Great thought! We have done well using just the cut-out door for the past seven months. When we need to, we will update the foam board with a regular swinging cat door. That should work well.

[@kashakeys88]

Do you just close a window whenever they are done in it?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

We typically close it when we’re out and about and when the weather is bad. Otherwise, the babies have free access.

[@katdavis2408]

I hope I did leave my comment and Question my kitty just hit the screen as I was signing off wanting attention 🐱 Please send me where the tall collapsible kennel can be found, kitty thanks you🐈💗🌻

[@paulabuckley8639]

How do you keep mosquitoes and flies, etc out of the RV?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Surprisingly, we didn't really have issues with mosquitoes and flies. But if you're concerned, get a regular cat door like you would for at home.

[@chelseagirl278]

I love you two, cat loving RV travelling vegans. Meow!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

💖😻🐶🐷🐮🐯🦊🐻🐭🐹🐰🐨

[@cakeisgrose]

Does that let a lot of bugs in?? Having your window open like that

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

It wasn’t bad because we were in places that didn’t have many bugs. We’re in Texas now and mosquitoes are out of control. We put a regular cat door on the foam board now and it’s working great.

[@johannat6065]

We live in an RV full time. Our cat is leash trained and instead of the catio we trained him to a tie out. He loves it. However, he is only on it if we are near by.

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Johanna T we take two our our cat boys out on leashes with us and they still love their Catio. 😻

[@DisabledNomads]

I would take this one step further by using "poor man's fiberglass" on the foam panel and inserting a cat flap (keeps out bugs).

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

lol… that’s exactly what we did next! Great minds think alike! 👍🏼

[@Lolita041987]

👍

[@s-c..]

👍👍👍👏👏

[@anotheralyssa5723]

In case of an emergency? How would you be able to remove your cats?

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

If they are in the catio, I would take the whole catio down and move them in there.

[@amybraun3840]

What is the measurement from the top of the motorhome to the top of the cage? Cannot tell from the video and my email came back no response

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Hi Amy. Not sure why the email didn’t go through properly. Our Catio is more than 10” from top of RV rail to top of Catio but since the hanging bar is custom made, you can make it to whatever length you need. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@amybraun3840]

Thanks for responding! We are starting to build ours now. Wish us luck! We found we have to use the driver's side window for ours because of the way our Ace Thor is constructed, hope this works!

[@lilyn4982]

I think wind chimes are too much for the cats' ears for they have very sensitive ears.

[@kevinflorer1211]

If you think about it she would fit in that.

[@nedcramdon1306]

Not one down vote?? I hope I didn't jinx it!!

[@RVAdventuresWithPets]

Hehe. Hope you don’t jinx it either. 😹

[@lynnsey9343]

Let those kitties free, they need to explore and wander it's part of life.

[@j.j.8741]

Those poor babies are prob desperate to get out & explore!

[@AskRemy]

2 person job, heavy (lift with knees), watch your fingers, don't scratch the rv, can fall and hit you during setup, and you finish it with a bungee cord? What's next? Sealing the edges with duct tape? This is not easy at all and has limited applications. Build something simpler, universal application and we will buy from you.