A small, warm cat house can save the life of a stray cat on a cold day. These houses are easy to make from plastic storage containers, or sawn pieces of wood if you have a little experience in carpentry. An indoor cat house is even easier to make, and will entertain both the cat and yourself as she runs around the cardboard box.
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Method 1 of 2: Outdoor Cat House
Step 1. Look for building materials
Outdoor cats need shelter to protect them from wind, rain, and cold. Use sturdy construction materials or reuse storage containers you have. Try the following ingredients:
- Plastic storage box from a hardware store (about 132 L volume). (Easiest option)
- Used dog house from friends or neighbors
- Plywood or sawn wood (one sheet measuring 1.2 x 2, 4 m, or mixed pieces of wood)
Step 2. Measure so that the cat house fits comfortably
A cat's body heat can only warm a small place. There's no specific size that you need to get, but the largest shelter measures approximately 66 x 66 x 81 cm. If you are using your own larger container, cut it with a saw or line it with plywood.
These instructions for building a doghouse can also be used for cats, with the adjustments described below. Use these instructions if you want to build a house using sawn or withered wood
Step 3. Make a removable roof
The removable roof allows you to change soiled bedding and check for an injured animal if it gets inside. If you are building a cat house yourself, attach the roof to the walls using hinges.
If you are using a plastic storage box, use the lid as a roof. Once finished, you can put a stone or other heavy object as a ballast on it
Step 4. Elevate the cat house off the ground (if necessary)
Shelters should be elevated if you think there will be flooding in your home area. A distance of 46 cm is sufficient for most areas, but a distance of 30 cm or less can be applied to areas with less severe weather. There are several possible solutions:
- Keep the shelter on a terrace that is higher than the ground and covered.
- Place the shelter on top of a pile of sawn wood, brick, or other objects. The pile must be perfectly flat and solid. If necessary, surround it with heavy objects to prevent the shelter from collapsing.
- Place on a sturdy sheet of plywood, raised off the ground by four 38 x 89 mm feet that are attached using screws containing the lining.
Step 5. Make the entrance and exit
Cats prefer shelters that have two doors so they can quickly escape from predators sniffing at one door. Make two 15 x 15 cm driveways on different sides. If you are using plastic, cover the edges of the door with adhesive tape.
- If the cat's house is not elevated, make the driveway about 5 cm from the ground to prevent the cat's house from being flooded by rain.
- If the cat's house is elevated, build an entrance on the side that has a footing in front of it (made of plywood or other pile of objects) so the cat can jump up. Make your way out somewhere with no footholds underneath, so predators don't easily reach them.
- For added warmth, hang canvas fabric on each door using staples or glue.
Step 6. Create a waterproof shelter (if necessary)
The plastic storage box is already waterproof, which means you can skip this step. But if you're using plywood, sawn lumber, or a doghouse, sand it down and then paint the cat's house to protect it from rain.
For heavy protection and additional insulation, cover the roof with a roofing material
Step 7. Give insulation to the walls and roof
A cat house made of sawn wood may be warm enough without this step, but other materials require insulation. Using glue, glue the walls with a 2.5 cm thick foam insulating board that can be purchased from a home improvement store. Leave a 7.5 cm gap at the top of the wall. Place an extra piece of foam at the top of the wall, to insulate the roof.
- In areas where the weather is very cold, consider using Mylar material, which will reflect heat back from the cat's body. You can also cover the floor with Mylar.
- Cut the foam using a cutter.
Step 8. Fill the cat's house with cage stuffing material
Put in plenty of hay, without blocking the door, so the cat can snuggle up for extra warmth. If you don't have hay, use a pillowcase filled with small pieces of Styrofoam, or torn newsprint.
- Do not use green hay, which absorbs moisture and can cause allergies.
- Do not use blankets, towels, or soft newsprint. These materials can absorb body heat and make the cat feel cold.
- Some cats will eat small pieces of Styrofoam, which can lead to blockages in the intestines. Wrap it in two layers of pillowcases to minimize the risk.
Step 9. Provide food and water
You can put food in the shelter, but water must be placed outside to avoid spilling. Place the water container close to the shelter.
In very cold temperatures, use an electrically heatable water container. If you can't afford one, use a ceramic or thick plastic container and cover it with Styrofoam all around
Step 10. Lure the cat with catnip
Invite stray cats into the shelter with a small amount of catnip placed at the entrance.
Method 2 of 2: Indoor Cat House
Step 1. Find some cardboard boxes
To make an indoor playhouse, cardboard boxes or Styrofoam can be used. You can build your own cat house out of corrugated cardboard, poster cardboard, or other lightweight materials, but the finished box will be more sturdy. If the box is smaller than 60 x 90 cm, you will need a lot of boxes to make a house that is large enough.
Cats may chew on cardboard or Styrofoam, so don't use anything you want to reuse later
Step 2. Make some doors
Use a cutter to punch a hole in one of the cardboard boxes. Each door should be 15 cm high for the cat to enter comfortably.
- Make some small windows or paths for viewing, if you want to see the cat while playing inside.
- Glue rags or rags on doors and windows so you can give your cat some alone time.
Step 3. Glue the additional squares
Add some room to your cat's house using a number of extra boxes. To make the top floor, make a 15 cm hole in the roof and glue the inverted square on top again. That way there will be enough floor for the cat to walk around.
Use adhesive tape for cardboard, duct tape, or other strong adhesive tape
Step 4. Make the house comfortable and pleasant
Add a small blanket or cat bedding inside. Scratches or a rough towel will allow your cat to scratch. And of course, what cat doesn't love cat toys?
If your cat's house has multiple floors. Add more fun toys on the top floor, so the cat can have fun figuring out how to reach them
Step 5. Keep food, water, litter box outside the cat's house
Keeping them indoors will usually make the house messy, which can make cardboard boxes topple over. You can move him somewhere nearby, but show your cat the new spot to make sure he doesn't go back to his old litter.
