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This is the review of the Aivituvin Extra Large Cat Enclosure. For the longest time, my husband and I wanted to give our cats a catio so they can enjoy the outdoors safely. But the idea of building one from scratch was intimidating because we’re not very handy. That’s why we decided to try a prefab catio because the simpler assembly process sounded much easier than building one from scratch.
First, we had to figure out where to put a catio. We ultimately decided to put it outside one of our back porch windows for the cats to enjoy the wooded scenery. The deck faces the woods, so they can see plenty of birds and squirrels from that view. Also, the spot is perfect because there’s a large tree that keeps the area shaded. Then it was time to get to work.
Unboxing the Catio
The catio came in two flat-packed boxes. When we opened them up, everything looked neatly packed and secured. After that, we spread the packing wrap on the ground that way the pieces wouldn’t get dirty as we worked. Then, we stacked the pieces in separate categories to make everything easy to find during the assembly process.
We are happy to report that the manual was pretty “dummy-proof” because it showed pictures of each piece and what to do step-by-step in order to complete the project. Each panel is labeled by a letter stamp which can be matched by the lettered pictures in the manual. Each page even tells you how many screws are needed from that section and from which labeled screw bag. There are also pre-drilled holes so you know exactly where to drill each screw. Simple enough, right? At the back of the manual, there is also the company’s contact info in case you have any questions. But we never needed to use that.
Assembling the Catio
Overall, the assembly process was pretty straightforward because it was simply a matter of screwing labeled pieces together. First, we connected the pieces for each wall and then we connected all 4 walls together. Lastly, we drilled the roof on top. If we ever got lost, we just referred to the manual and that quickly put us back on track. The pictorial manual was especially helpful for me because I tend to prefer visuals for how-tos.
With my husband and I together, and nothing more than just a drill, we were able to complete this catio in one afternoon. It really didn’t take that long compared to how long it would have been if we built it from scratch. It’s hard to say how long it took because, during the process, we were also filming for our YouTube Channel. But if you aren’t dealing with filming equipment, I would estimate the process to take about 1-2 hours, depending on your pace.
As a side note, we raised our catio on a platform because our porch is elevated. But this catio is designed for an average ground-to-window height, so normally you do not need to do this. And by the way, this platform is temporary until we get better quality materials. Right now, it is just made of stuff we already had around the property.
Catio Features
The catio itself is big enough for 3-5 cats. Personally, we have 3 cats that will be using this, which is why we got the Extra Large Enclosure. But Aivituvin does offer smaller sizes as well.
One of our cats, Sage, has always enjoyed looking out windows. So, needless to say, a catio was much needed for this guy. He’s also a very curious cat, so it’s no surprise that he took to the catio right away. When we introduced him, we simply left out a few small treats on the shelves and he went right in. Our other cat, Maggie, was a little hesitant at first. But after a few minutes, she got comfortable and laid down to admire the wooden scenery.
We like how this catio has plenty of platforms for our cats to use. And we especially like the middle platform because it helps the cats get from one side to the other very easily. It even has 2 hiding boxes where the cats can curl up and get cozy. My favorite thing about this particular model is the walk-through door, which a person can easily walk through if they have to get in for any reason. And we don’t have to worry about the cats getting out, because the door is secured with 2 latches. The catio also has a waterproof asphalt roof which is supposed to have weather protection against the sun and rain. Another notable feature is the grey color scheme because blends in with everything very well.
Catio shelves and hiding box (right) 
Catio shelves and hiding box (left) 
The catio walk-in door.
Pros and Cons
As mentioned earlier, one con was that some of the labeled letter stamps were faded. Since some pieces looked pretty similar, we had to rely on the pictures in the manual to avoid any confusion. Other than that, the only other con was that some pieces arrived with a few minor dings, which must have been from the shipping journey. So if you are looking for total perfection, that is something to keep in mind. But, once the catio was completely assembled, the imperfections were hidden.
I think the biggest pro was that this saved us time and a few headaches. As I was assembling it, I kept thinking how much more work it would have been to build a similar catio from scratch. So I think this is a great option for someone who doesn’t have the skill level, time, or money to build their own. Another pro is that it’s nicely-designed, as we showed you today. But, one thing to keep in mind is that this catio is currently the largest size that Avituvin offers. So if you want a SUPER extra-large catio, this might not be the one for you.
Final Thoughts
But overall, we are very happy with how this catio turned out, and recommend it to anyone who has multiple cats and limited building skills. So if you are interested in this catio, you can find the exact model HERE. Also, you can use our exclusive promo code to get 5% off your order: TPJ5
Thanks for reading about our new catio, and we hope this was helpful if you are considering this cat enclosure. If you would like to see the full unboxing, setup, tour, and review, feel free to check out our YouTube video below.
DISCLAIMER: Aivituvin gifted us this cat enclosure for our review. If you purchase through the above link, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). I only affiliate with products that I truly enjoy or find helpful for cat parents, and commissions help support this blog.
Disclaimer: The Purring Journal is not in the medical field. This post is made for entertainment purposes only. Use the information presented in this article at your own risk. Always seek medical advice from licensed veterinarians.
