There’s much to love about having a well-designed, peaceful cat friendly backyard.
And it’s not only humans that think that way. Cats do — or can — too. For you, having a well-put-together outdoor space allows you to spend quality time outside with your friends and family, relax, and can even increase the value of your property. For your cat, it can provide mental stimulation and exercise.
You’ll have your own objectives for your outdoor space. The good news is that those objectives can align with what your cat would like, too. You may be separate species, but what you both want and need from the space are pretty similar!
In this post, we’ll run through a few tried and true strategies that can help ensure that your backyard is beneficial for everyone in your household, regardless of how many legs they walk on.
Install a Pergola (That Your Cat Can Climb)
In our view, pergolas remain pretty underrated. They’re brilliant for creating established dining and relaxation zones, and they also add extra privacy to the cat friendly backyard, which makes it easier to feel completely at ease while unwinding.
And your cat can love them too, especially if you add shelves or a climbing vine to the side. You and your friends will be able to enjoy the coziness of an outdoor living area, while your cat will be able to climb high and survey their kingdom.
Opt for Electric Tools
You’ll need some tools to keep your cat friendly backyard in tip-top condition. Wherever possible, opt for electric tools. They’re generally considered better for humans because they’re significantly lighter and quieter than petrol-powered tools, allowing you to work in your backyard without straining your body or impacting your hearing health.
And your cat? They’ll much prefer the tranquility of an electric mower, hedge trimmer, or pruner. Noisy garden tools can startle cats, activating their flight response, and it’s also possible that they could ingest some of the toxic substances, such as fuel residue, produced by petrol-powered tools. Electric tools eliminate this threat without compromising functionality.
Keep the Grass Short
For you, having a lawn of tight, neat grass can provide satisfaction that you’re looking after your cat friendly backyard exactly as you should. It can also keep your outdoor space in host-ready mode, since shorter grass dries more quickly and provides a more stable surface for foot traffic and furniture.
And you’re not the only one who will benefit from shorter grass. Your healthy cat can, too. A lot of creatures that would like to live in your cat’s fur, such as ticks and fleas, are found in long grass. Keeping it short reduces the risk. Invest in the electric-powered motor that we mentioned above, and give your lawn a quick tidy up every week or so.
Plant Fragrant Herbs
Planting fragrant herbs is an underrated way to boost the sensory experience of your cat friendly backyard. Most homeowners focus on creating a space that’s visually engaging, but there can be a lot of value in ensuring that your garden is aromatically engaging, too. Plus, aside from making your garden smell lovely, some herbs — such as rosemary and mint — can also be used in the kitchen.
It’s easy to see what you’ll get out of planting herbs, but what about your cat? Well, if you know anything about cats, you’ll know that they have a phenomenal sense of smell that could be up to 14 times stronger than humans. Planting cat friendly fragrances (which are often the same as human-friendly ones!) really can provide them with a sensory-rich experience. Lavender is the obvious one, since it’s calming for both humans and cats. If you want to give a special treat to your cat, then look at planting catmint and valerian, which are similar to catnip.
Add a Birdfeeder
A birdfeeder helps to attract birds to your cat friendly backyard. For you, that’ll serve as a natural stress-buster. Studies have shown that watching birds can help to lower stress and anxiety, while listening to birdsong serves as a connection to the natural world.
For your cat, well, those benefits will be pretty obvious if you’ve ever seen Tom and Jerry. Cats become highly engaged when they’re birdwatching, making it a great way to keep both outdoor and indoor cats entertained.
Just be sure to keep the birds safe. The birdfeeder should be well away from anywhere that a cat can reach.
And a Water Feature
Ever wondered why your cat doesn’t seem that interested in the water in the bowl that you put out for them, but suddenly becomes highly interested in drinking when you start running a tap? It all comes down to evolution. Cats associate sitting water with bacteria, which could spell danger. While they’ll drink in when they need to, many cats will avoid it — and that can leave them majorly dehydrated.
Installing a water feature in your cat friendly backyard will produce running water that the cat is much more likely to drink. And for you? Studies have repeatedly linked running water with increased levels of relaxation. Plus, it can also help to make your backyard feel more like a quiet oasis, since the sound of running water can mask external sounds that could disturb the peace, such as passing cars.
Opt for Cool Surfaces — and Provide Shade
Everyone loves the sunshine and the warmth that it brings, but it’s also possible to have too much of a good thing. On those extra hot days, surfaces can become so hot that walking barefoot can be painful for you, outright dangerous for your cat.
You can’t control the sunshine, but you can control the materials you use outside your home. Light-colored pavers or composite decking offer plenty of functionality without bringing the heat. It’s also recommended to create shady areas in your backyard, since this will allow both you and your cat to stay outside without being in direct sunlight.
And there we have it! Take those tips on board, and it won’t be long before your cat friendly backyard is the preferred hangout space for both you and your four-legged friend.