[seablue]

I have been letting my two young cats out in the back yard. Well, they kept getting out and we thought we found where they were getting out and fixed it. But they're still getting out. We tried watching them so see where but they KNOW when they're being spied on and then they don't do anything. This morning, they were out again - in the front yard where all the traffic is. I'm DONE letting them out in the backyard. It's so sad because they have a couple of trees to play in and grass spots. But they are making me mad because they keep escaping.
We have a dog run -- it's probably an 8x12 maybe larger and it has a roof on it so that's good. Can someone give me some ideas on what I can do on the inside of it so they have something to do??
I wish I had the $$$ to just go buy the nice carpeted cat houses and put some of those in there. They're not going to like just a dog run - so small compared to their backyard but I'm DONE with their escaping.

[Advert]

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[sealhope]

Put some plants in there (if there is any sun) so the cats can hide or have some shade (anything in the mint family, lavender, rosemary, catnip, lemongrass, daisies (particularly good as they shrub right out and my cats love hiding in the shrub). Put some cardboard boxes about the place where they won't get wet for the same reason. Use the vertical space - perhaps drag in some windfall branches the cats can climb, or put some shelves in there. Make sure they have water and a litter tray - and perhaps food if you want. You'll find the cats will largely entertain themselves.

[CatsRU]

Yes Sealhope has given you good ideas. Definitely a tree branch and some shelves or old chairs for them to sit on. Some pots of cat grass which you can buy at Bunnings and other nurseries for them to munch on. And some toys. I have hung some feather things on plastic springs - don't use string as cats have been known to hurt themselves with string if they get caught up.

[seablue]

GREAT ideas. Then I got to thinking... the dogs use that kennel in the winter time and at night to sleep in the house that's attached to it. And my male dog will pee on everything! But.... we have another pad that used to have a dog run (the run is gone now but the floor is still there and the wood roof). I can maybe net the whole thing and put them in there - the dogs never use that one.
I put them in the backyard this morning because I thought we got it cat proof but NO.... they escaped. Took me 45 min. to find them!! They both were out front which is where the busy road is. I was so mad, I got them inside and told them, "You're not ever going outside again!!!" They knew I was mad too. Then I felt sorry for them.
They have a great backyard - trees, grass, even some tall weeds to hide in but nooooo.... they have to get out.

[CatsRU]

Yes you can net that area or use steel mesh - it is not very expensive and will be escape proof.