Would your pet cat or dog like being outside some of the time? Would you prefer they were safely enclosed while enjoying the fresh air, plant life, and scents of nature? You can easily create a protected outdoor haven for your pets, while insuring your own peace of mind. This article will tell you how to plan and build a private protected pet yard from start to finish. Sections include choosing location, size, roof cover, furnishings, supplies, and construction of the enclosure.
LOCATION
Begin by choosing the best spot for your pet's private bit of nature. Consider an existing patio or corner of your traditional yard. In our own case, my husband and I built our cats' yard over a partially covered patio located next to the back of the house. The end result provided protection on rainy days as well as a lattice-roofed section open to the sky. You might also consider adding a pet door leading to your home. Pets really like the freedom of going "outside" whenever in the mood. Our cats enjoy middle of the night watches for roaming wildlife such as raccoons and possums - all from the safety of their own protected yard!
SIZE
Determine how large of an area is practical for you to enclose. Take your pets' size and needs into consideration. While your cats or dogs won't be able to romp as freely as those on the loose, they will enjoy having enough space to prowl around their own little yard. In our case, an enclosure of 14' x 16' provided enough room for many hours of cat snooping enjoyment plus space for batting twigs, hunting insects and other fun.
ROOF COVER
If your enclosure will be for cats, you will definitely want to cover it with a lattice roof. This will keep your pets inside their private yard where you want them, and other wandering animals out. An enclosure built for small dogs, on the other hand, might not require roofing.
FURNISHINGS
All kinds of natural and other furnishings of your pet's private yard will enhance their enjoyment. Including a section of lawn is good, or adding pots of grasses and nibbling greens. Flowerbeds and plants provide necessary bathroom spaces. Other ideas are pet beds, outdoor chairs or survey perches. Toys are fun for pets outside as well as inside, and there will be a steady stream of crawling bugs and flying insects provided by nature to observe.
SUPPLIES
You will need the following supplies to build your pet enclosure:
Vertical wood supports - 4x4s work will
Vinyl or wood lattice panels - 4'x8's work well
Small trim board - 1x2 works well
Wood support boards for roof - 2x__ rafters
Cap board - 2x4
Pre-made gate or one constructed from the same materials as the enclosure
CONSTRUCTION
Follow these steps to build your protected pet yard:
1. Put up vertical supports, determining spacing distance by width of lattice panels
2. Place lattice trim boards between 4x4 supports
3. Put up lattice panels against trim boards, and sandwich in with additional trim boards
4. Continue building process until enclosure is complete
5. Add gate
6. Run a cap across top of 4x4s
7. Attach 2x__ rafters 24" apart to cap board and to house or other side if free standing
8. Attach lattice or other roofing material to top of enclosure
Once construction is complete, introduce your pet cats or dogs to their new private yard. They will soon be enjoying their own outdoor turf, and you the protection that it provides.
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