Outdoor Cat Tunnels are a type of outdoor cat enclosure, in the form of a tunnel, which enable your cat to explore and get around your garden in safety.
They come in a couple of different formats:
- Walkway between cat enclosures: this style of outdoor tunnel is used for joining up an outdoor cat enclosure with the inside of your house (or potentially another outdoor enclosure), providing a safe passage between the two protected spaces.
- Tunnel shaped play enclosure: although similar, the purpose of these tunnels is not to get from A to B, but rather that the tunnel itself is the enclosure in which your cat plays and explores your garden.
In this article we’ll take a look at some examples of these different types of outdoor cat tunnels and help you decide which option might be best for you.
1) Cat Tunnel Walkways
This style of cat tunnel tends to be a custom design made to measure for the exact space and situation of joining two enclosed spaces together.
For example, you may have a freestanding catio outside in your garden and decide that you’d like to join it up with a door or window entrance from your house.
This enables your cat to come and go to their outdoor cat enclosure whenever they like.
Check out this setup for example:
Depending on where the existing enclosure is, your tunnel might be just a couple of meters or it may be much longer if for example your enclosure is the other end of your garden.
Some people will also use cat tunnels to join up multiple different enclosed spaces around different parts of their garden, creating a network of play spaces.
2) Tunnel Shaped Play Enclosures
This style of outdoor cat tunnel is more suited as a play space in itself, similar to the way indoor cat tunnels are often used.
They are often made with durable, industrial strength fishnet, steel wickets and rip stop netting and they are ideal for the garden, backyard patio, decking, porch or apartment balcony.
Open end play tunnels
Some designs have open ends, allowing your cat to roam the garden and go into the tunnel for play, like this one:
- Unique design: This big 4 way tunnel provides large room to hold more pets, and bring more fun to your cats(s). In your pets eyes, it seems like a castle, maze or amusement park.
- Durable Premium Construction: Made of ultra-strong, tear-resistant polyester wrapped around a sprung-steel frame with protective ends (for safety), this not only keep it intact from scratching but holds strong while your pets are playing.
- Interactive: Our tunnel of fun features crakle paper, a ball toy, 4 connected tunnels and a peephole giving your cat plenty of entertainment.
- Portable and easy store: This tunnnel could be foldable and It comes with a storage bag, which makes you easy to store or take.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Enclosed play tunnels
There are also other styles which incorporate an enclosed space at the end of a section of tunnel, or simply are a tunnel with doors on either end.
This style of cat tunnel is basically a cheap and simple form of cat enclosure, providing a space in your garden for your cat can go in and play in safety – similar to a standard cat run or pen.
Check out these 2 examples:
- Large Space:Square tent size:31.5x31.5x31.5,Hexagon tent size:39.5x39.5x35.5,Triangle tent size:47x28x28,3-Way Tunnel size:63x19.6.With our compound large pet play home,your pets can run in the tunel,and rest/eat in the tents.
- Portable & Adjustable:Pop up design,easy to carry around for camping,beaching,picnic,or motor home traveling,carry bag is included.Each tent/tunnel can be attach or detach by zipper so that you can adjust by the available space you have.
- Safety Indoor/Outdoor:A breath of fresh air for indoor pets,also safely use outdoors so small pets can also enjoy sun bath without worry about bird attacks or getting lost.People can also put climbing post,food tray and bed inside the tent.
- Bundle of Fun:Fun for you and your pets when watching them play.Provides your pets with hours of fun.Totally interactive.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- COLLAPSIBLE MESH PLAY TUNNEL FOR INDOOR CAT, Diameter is 17 with 59 length, this perfect tunnel is light weight, can be taken with you anywhere , your indoor cat will be happy to play inside the tunnel. This will be a great toy for playing the hide and seek game for your kitties.
- KEEP YOU INDOOR PET SAFE, For some little kitty or rabbit they are afraid to go wild directly because of big dog nearby or complicate traffic outside of garden, this perfect tunnel would keep your pets safe, and make it easy for them to see outside.
- EASY TO CONNECT WITH CAT PLAY TENT, with our unique design, you can easily connect to either side of the play tent ( with diameter 17 ). Since it has mesh covers on both sides, you can bring just one tunnel to keep them safe.
- HANDY CARRY BAG IS PROVIDED, so you wont have to worry what is the time to travel, you can easily bring the habitat without hesitate, Camping with your lovely pet is a great pleasure.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Tunnel enclosure kits
Similarly you can also get pre-made outdoor cat tunnels that allow you to create your own design by linking different sections together.
Kittywalk make a series of section that can be joined together like this to create a network of play space for your cat.
- Outdoor enclosure gives kitty a safe, secure spot to sleep and play
- Made of solid steel, nylon rip-stop netting, and weather-resistant canvas
- Offers 3 comfortable levels for multiple cats
- Can be used without mesh in secure areas
- Includes travel bag for easy transport
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Outdoor net enclosure for cats; great for backyards, decks, patios, and balconies
- Open net construction for maximum visibility and ventilation
- Completely enclosed with 2 doors; solid steel wickets and rip-stop netting
- Weather resistant for all seasons; handy travel and storage bag included
- Can be teamed up with Kittywalk deck and patio version (sold separately)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Why Get A Cat Tunnel?
Outdoor Cat Tunnels are perfect for cats to play, do some bird watching, or just generally chill out in!
They provide your cat with an enriched environment, full of fresh air, space and smells that they wouldn’t otherwise get in the house.
Having a varied environment is really important for cats to stay mentally and physically healthy, so any additional space you can offer your little friend will be of great benefit.
Of course, it’s also really fun to sit out in your garden and watch your cat jump about trying to chase butterflies too! 🙂
Outdoor Cat Tunnels For Sale
If you’re looking for a outdoor cat tunnel walkway to link up an enclosure, then you have 2 options to choose from when it comes to buying one:
- Do It Yourself: buy the wood, wire mesh and fixings from your local hardware store and make it yourself (ie. a DIY cat tunnel)
- Order a custom designed cat tunnel from a specialist cat enclosure company. You can choose from pre-made standard designs which fit together in sections, or you can opt to have a custom design to fit your exact situation.
One of the leading companies that designs pre-made cat tunnel enclosures and also offers custom designs is Habitat Haven.
If you’re looking for more of a play tunnel, then check out the examples above or follow this link to see the full range of outdoor cat tunnels available on Amazon.