How to Build a Cat Cage for a Balcony

Cats are inquisitive creatures, and they often want to explore the outside. No matter where you and your cat live, cages provide an indoor cat the freedom to have his own slice of the outdoors without the risks. Living in a confined space, such as an apartment, need not preclude this option, especially if your apartment also opens to a balcony. Here's how you can build a cat cage for a balcony or patio.

Things You'll Need

  • Several pieces of ready-made wire shelving
  • Plastic cable ties
  • Latch clips
  • Tape measure
  • Indoor-outdoor carpet
Show More

Instructions

  1. Building Your Cat Cage

    • 1

      Measure and plan out the size and makeup of the balcony cage or enclosure you want to build. This blueprint will allow you to obtain the right materials and serve as your guide as you build the cage.

    • 2

      Purchase some ventilated, white wire shelving. Sizes range from 12 to 20 inches deep. These can be cut to any size and may be customized to either larger or smaller-sized pieces to accommodate the size of your balcony area.

    • 3

      Build each of the walls by attaching two wire shelf pieces together (with the lipped sides interlocked) and facing the lipped pieces toward the inside of the cage. Attach each shelf piece to each other with plastic cable ties all up and down the interlocked sides.

    • 4

      Attach the roof (made with the same technique as the walls) by latching the pieces adjoining the door to the roof. Assure that you leave some room or ̶0;play̶1; in the cable ties used until you are done so that adjustments can be easily made.

    • 5

      Put the back wall of the cage on first, then the middle and front pieces, with the lip of each of these pieces facing downward to secure the fit.

    • 6

      Plan so that the front doors open like French doors and secure a door to the roof of the cage with a latch clip to stop your cat from escaping or getting loose. Stagger any shelf placement in the cage so your cat has many different places and heights at which to play while in the cage.

    • 7

      Cut all cable ties so that they are short to decrease the chance of injury to your cat as he moves about in the cage. Line the bottom of the enclosure with indoor-outdoor carpet to help make the cat comfortable and happy.