Designing a garden, we should take into consideration not only climate, humidity, amount of sun, style and functionality but also who’s gonna use the space. Besides you yourself, your family and your pets are going to show up there, and you should keep them all in mind, too, creating maximal comfort for everybody. Today’s roundup is dedicated to designing a garden for your little cuties, your adorable cats, here are the best ideas for you, cat dads and moms!
Choose Cat-Friendly Garden Plants
When planning your garden, pick safe and interesting plants that are set up in a way your cat will enjoy. A super tidy garden won’t give your cat fun places to sit, hide, or play. Having a patch of dirt is a good start because your cat can roll around in it when it’s warm. A grassy area can be a nice, cool place for your cat to sit and scratch.
Tall, trailing, and leafy plants are great because they let your cat feel like they are hunting. Plants with hanging leaves and branches can be kept in big pots with enough space for your cat to move between them. Plants like maidenhair ferns, spider plants, areca palms, and ponytail palms create fun textures and movements for your curious cat.
Btw, we have an extensive list of garden plants safe for cats for you to check.
Cat love higher spots for sleeping and observing to keep control, so an old bird bath will be a perfect one.
If you have a water feature, make a bridge over it to let your kitty check it out carefully.
Choose plants that are non-toxic for cats or keep toxic plants out of reach.
Make sure that all the plants you have at hand won't harm your lovely pet.
Prefer natural and non-harmful materials for hardscaping in a gardne where your cat will be.
Water sources are a must for cats, they should have some spots for drinking, and it can be an old bird bath.
If you don't have any water sources, place some usual bowls with fresh water.
Cats love hiding somewhere to stalk everything carefully, so make some non-polished spots for that.
Find out if your flowers are toxic or not and keep your cat away from them if they are.
Create some spots for your cat to hide, in greenery, blooms or some other spaces.
Create Cat Chill-Out Zones
Cats love to play, but they also love cozy, safe places to relax. Cats often feel safer when they are higher up. Rocks, tables, pedestals, statues, bird baths, stumps, and bollards can be perfect for cats to climb on. Adding ropes and ladders to trees can help cats get down safely. A cat tree or two in the garden is also a great idea that your cats will love.
Ensure your garden has sunny spots for your cat to lounge in and shady areas for when they need a break from the sun.
Cats also like hiding in rocky nooks and small shelters. They prefer places where they won’t be easily surprised, so look for spots with some height and depth. If you can’t create an actual cave, clusters of shade plants and small clearings between bushes will work too.
Cats often sit in doorways or hallways indoors to watch what’s going on. Outside, create spots where your cat can hide but still see what’s happening in the garden. Sometimes, a chair, bench, or cardboard box placed in the right spot is all they need. Don’t forget to leave bowls of clean water to keep your cat hydrated, especially on hot days.
Don’t forget to place some bowls with clean water to prevent dehydration, this is especially important during hot days.
Cats love their little secret garden spots, so avoid polished and manicured garden designs and let your fluffs hide.
Your cat will check out everything, so make sure it's safe for them everywhere.
A hidden spot in the plants is a great one to check out the territory and observe.
Your usual garden furniture may be nice for your cats to rest on.
Cats will reach a lot of spaces unlike dogs, so you won't hide anything from them.
A cat can sit on a garden bed edge to check everything and can check your plants in it, too.
A small bench like this one is a nice furniture piece for a cat to have a rest - it's high enough and there's enough space.
Cats love sitting high, so if you don't make such spots, they will found their own ones.
A gate can be also used by your cat to sit on, cat prefer staying higher.
An old bird bath can become a tall bed or a water bowl if you want.
Prepare Damage Control
Wanna protect your veggie garden? Put up a barrier like chicken wire. This will also keep out other animals like mice, rabbits, moles, voles, and birds.
You can set up special spots in the garden where your cat can go to the bathroom and mark its territory. Bury a little bit of dirty litter in these areas to help your cat know where to go. Make sure these spots have some shelter and privacy so your cat feels safe.
A small fountain or a pond is a good idea. Cats are fascinated by running water and might enjoy watching or drinking from it.
If you have a birdbath, make sure there are no plants nearby that your cat can use to sneak up on birds. Bird feeders should be placed high up and away from things your cat could climb on. You might also want to plant some deterrent plants nearby.
Setting up garden’s perimeter isn’t really necessary. It won’t help much to prevent your cat from wandering too far.
A special cat tree is always a good idea, your pets will be happy having high and safe spots that are comfortable for reaching.
One cat hiding under the table, the other one sleeping on the chair.
Make a cat bowl with water more garden-like surrounding it with pebbles, rocks and succulents or some non-harmful plants.
A garden bench is perfect for sleeping, place some pillows to make your kitty happy.
Consider if everything is safe - from plants and blooms to furniture and other stuff.
A large cat tree with suspended plants and a swing is a cool idea if you have several cats.
A large cat tree is a nice fit even for a small garden or patio, it will make your cats happy.
A rock can be used as a seat and observation spot by your cat, leave some for them and as part of the landscape.
Staying in the shade is natural for cats, so a shady garden will always be a nice space for them.
Build a simple cat tree that will match your outdoor design and make your kitties happy with it giving them both beds and observation spots.
Your usual furniture will be loved by cats, especially if it's not tall. So if you don't want a cat tree, just place usual furniture.
Tree stumps can be also loved by cats, they are soft and warm, natural and great for sleeping and not only.
Make your landscape interesting for your fluffy babies, they love checking out shady spaces with lots of greenery, foliage and other elements.
Leave some garden furniture here and there to let your cats have a rest peacefully.
An old bird house can be used by your cat to observe everything and hide there if needed. Decorate it with cat-friendly plants.
Cats love hiding in plants and blooms, be ready for your cats using your flower beds.
Leave some space between the plants when planting, otherwise your fluffy babe will lie on the plants.
Make sure you aren't growing dangerous and toxic plants.
If you have trees, be ready that your cat will climb them, make sure you can help them go down.
If you are growing catnip, make a cage, otherwise your fluffs will eat it for sure.
A cat checking the garden and controlling everything.
Gravel paths are ok as hardscaping if you have cats and dogs.
More natural pathway materials will be always loved by cats more and they will lie on such paths.
Btw, including toys in the garden for mental and physical stimulation, such as balls, wands, or hanging strings, isn’t a bad idea either. Don’t forget: do not use any harmful chemicals in your garden!
Building a cat enclosure or “catio” to let your cat enjoy the outdoors safely is also a great idea. We have a whole post about smartly organized outdoor cat areas.