How to Build a Cat House

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Last Updated: July 29, 2024 Approved

A small, warm house can save a feral cat's life in winter. These are easy to construct from a plastic storage container, or from scrap lumber if you have a little carpentry experience. The indoor version is even easier and will entertain you and your cat as they scamper through cardboard boxes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Outdoor Cat House

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1
Find building materials. Outdoor cats need shelter from wind, rain, and cold. Use sturdy building materials or repurpose an existing container. Try these:
- Plastic storage tub from a hardware store (about 35 gallons / 132 L) (Easiest option)
- Old doghouse from a friend or neighbor
- Plywood or lumber (one 4 x 8 ft sheet, or assorted scrap)
2
Size it for a snug fit. A cat's body heat can only warm up a small space.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

Go to source} There's no magic size to aim for, but the largest shelters top out at about 26" tall x 26" x 32" (66 x 66 x 81 cm). If you're using an existing container significantly larger than this, saw it apart or divide it using plywood.
- These dog house instructions will work for cats as well, with the modifications described below. Use these if you're building the house from lumber or plywood.
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3
Make the roof removable. A removable roof lets you easily change dirty bedding and check on an injured animal if it wanders in. If you're building the house yourself, attach the roof to the walls using a hinge.
- If you're using a plastic storage tub, use the lid as a roof. Once complete, you can weigh down the roof using rocks or other heavy objects.
4
Raise the house off the ground (if necessary). The shelter must be raised if you expect snowdrifts or floods in your area. 18 inches (46 cm) is enough for most areas, but 12" (30 cm) or less will work in areas with less severe weather. There are several solutions possible:
- Keep the shelter on a covered, raised patio.
- Stack the shelter on stacks of scrap lumber, concrete blocks, or other objects. The stack must be completely flat and sturdy. Surround it with heavy objects if necessary to prevent collapse.
- Keep it on a sturdy plywood sheet raised off the ground by four 2x4s (38 x 89mm) legs attached with coated deck screws.
5
Create an entrance and exit. Cats prefer shelters with two entrances, so they can escape from predators sniffing in one.^{[2]
X
Research source} Cut two 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm) doorways on different sides. If using plastic, cover the sharp edges with duct tape.
- If the house is not raised, start cutting the doorway about 2" (5 cm) above the ground to prevent flooding from rain.
- If the house is raised, cut the entrance on a side with a ledge in front of it (from the plywood or stacked objects) so the cat can jump up to it. Cut the exit somewhere with no ledge beneath it, so predators can't easily access it.
- For added warmth, staple or glue canvas drop cloth over the interior of each doorway.
6
Waterproof the shelter (if necessary). The plastic storage tub is already waterproof, letting you skip this step. If you are using plywood or lumber, or a doghouse, sand and paint it to protect it from rain.
- For serious protection and further insulation, cover the roof with roofing material.
7
Insulate the walls and roof. A lumber cat house may be warm enough without this step, but any other material requires insulation. Line each wall by gluing on 1" (2.5 cm) thick foam insulation board from a home improvement store. Leave a 3" (7.5 cm) gap at the top of the walls. rest an additional piece of foam on top of the walls, to insulate the roof.
- In areas with severe winter, consider using Mylar instead, which will reflect the cat's body heat.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  
  Go to source} You may line the floor with Mylar as well.
- Cut the foam with a utility knife.
8
Fill the house with burrowing materials. Put in plenty of straw, without blocking the doorways, for cats to burrow in for additional warmth. If you don't have a straw, use pillowcases loosely stuffed with packing peanuts or shredded newspaper.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source

The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

Go to source}
- Do not use hay, which absorbs moisture and can cause allergies.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Do not use blankets, towels, or loose newspaper. These can absorb body heat and chill the cat.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  
  Go to source}
- Some cats will eat packing peanuts, which can cause intestinal blockage.^{[7]
  X
  Research source} Double-bag them with pillowcases to minimize this risk.
9
Provide food and water. You can keep food inside the shelter, but water should be left outside to avoid spilling. Keep the water dish nearby.
- In temperatures below freezing, use an electrically heated water dish. If you can't afford one, use a ceramic or thick plastic dish and surround it with styrofoam.
Invite feral cats into the shelter with a small amount of catnip just inside the entrance.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Indoor Cat House

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1
Find several cardboard boxes. For an indoor playhouse, a cardboard or Styrofoam box makes an especially easy house. You can build your own from corrugated cardboard, poster board, or any other lightweight material, but an existing box will be much sturdier. If the box is smaller than 2 x 3 feet (60 x 90 cm), you'll need multiple boxes to make the house big enough.
- Cats may chew the cardboard or Styrofoam, so don't use anything you want to reuse.
2
Cut a couple of doors. Use a utility knife to cut through one of the cardboard boxes. Each doorway should be 6 inches (15 cm) high to fit the cat comfortably.
- Cut a couple of small windows or viewing strips if you want to watch the cat while it plays inside.
- Glue rags or spare fabric over the doors and windows so you can give your cat some alone time.
3
Tape on additional boxes. Add a couple of rooms to your cat's home with the additional boxes. To make a second story, cut a 6" (15 cm) hole in the ceiling and tape another box upside-down over it. There should be enough of a floor left for the cat to walk on.
- Use packing tape, duct tape, or another sturdy tape.
4
Make it cozy and fun. Add a small blanket or a cat bed inside. A scratching post or rough towel gives your cat something to scratch. And of course, what cat doesn't like a cat toy?
- If you have a multistory cat house put an extra-fun toy on the highest level, so the cat has fun working out how to reach it.
Keeping them in the house usually leads to a mess, which might even collapse the cardboard. You can move them nearby, but show your cat their new location to make sure he doesn't return to his old bathroom spot.

Community Q&A

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Question

Is cut up yarn or string inside pillowcases okay to put in the cat house?

Community Answer

Materials made of fabric will retain moisture and freeze, pulling heat away from the cat and making them colder. It is also likely to mold if some moisture gets in. Straw (not hay) and shredded newspaper would be cheaper than yarn/string, and allow the cat to burrow into it. String and yarn can be dangerous. If the cat gets into the pillowcase while trying to burrow and swallows some, it can kill them by getting twisted in their intestines. Newspaper will also hold water if moisture gets in, but is a second-best alternative to straw if you check it regularly after snow/rain.

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Question

How can I convince a stray to get in the bag?

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A bag is not as good as a box. Try a box.

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Why do cat need a house if they're indoors?

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If they're indoors, they don't really need one, but you can still give them one just for fun. They will enjoy having their own little place to play and hide away.

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Things You'll Need

Outdoor House

plastic storage container
or small doghouse
or scrap lumber and plywood (roughly 4 x 8 sheet)
raised patio or plywood table or cinder blocks (in areas with snow or floods)
foam board or Mylar
straw
utility knife
saw, drill, and coated deck screws (if using lumber)

Indoor House

several cardboard boxes
packing tape
utility knife
white glue or hot glue
strips of fabric

Tips

Most cats have trouble adjusting to change. Check your outdoor shelter for annual repairs and maintenance before it gets cold, so you don't have to change it once a cat's found it.

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If you find a stray cat and it is staying around you, build an outdoor house but make sure it has additional warmth so she/he will stay warm. Also, refill and clean bowls every day.

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Warnings

If you paint the box let it dry before letting the cat in. You don't want paw prints all over your house.

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If you Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) in winter, make sure the shelters are extra well-insulated. Cats recovering from surgery need extra protection.^{[8]
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National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

Go to source}

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