Build This Simple DIY Outdoor Cat Shelter for Your Cat or Stray Animals
Winter and even a rainy spring can be tough on outdoor cats. If you have a cat that spends most of its time outdoors, or want to provide a warm, dry place for stray neighbors, here is a simple DIY hideaway you can do with just a couple of accessories and an hour of your time.
You can make several variations of this cozy hideaway, depending on what you already have in the house or what you can afford to buy, but here’s what you need.
- Two nested containers : whether they are plastic boxes, cardboard boxes wrapped with duct tape, or a plastic box and styrofoam, one container should be small enough to fit inside the other. You will also need access to the inside of both containers.
- Insulation : You can use shredded paper, old clothes or bedding or mylar blankets. You need materials that fit in the space between the two containers and keep the cat warm.
- Bed linen : Blanket or towel as bedding for the cat. You can turn it off over time so it doesn’t get too dirty or moldy.
- Platform : An optional addition is to create a platform that will lift the shelter from the cold and damp ground to keep the cat warmer and prevent water from seeping in. You can do this with scraps of wood, large rocks, or even an old welcome mat or foam mat. Whatever you use, you want it to be a flat, stable surface to rest on.
Cut a cat-sized hole in the side of both containers, making sure they match. Use duct tape to secure the two containers at the entrance. Insulating tape should also reinforce the opening. Place an even layer of insulation on the bottom of the larger container and place the smaller container inside. Add insulation around the smaller container until the gap between the sides of the two containers is filled. Place the bedding in a smaller container and close it. Close the larger container. Watch the video above for step-by-step visual instructions.
DIY open shelter for cats | What have we done (YouTube)