DIY Outdoor Cat House Plans: Building a Cozy Shelter
Many of us who care for outdoor or feral cats worry about their safety and comfort, especially during harsh weather. Providing a warm, dry refuge can make a significant difference. This guide details the journey of building a sturdy, insulated shelter, offering practical Outdoor Cat House Plans and inspiration drawn from a real-life project aimed at helping a local feral cat. If you’ve considered building a shelter, this step-by-step account shares insights and techniques to help you create a safe haven for feline friends.
Inspiration and Design Concept
The project began after a feral cat became a regular visitor, eventually having kittens nearby. While the kittens were adopted, the mother cat remained feral and happiest outdoors. To ensure her well-being through colder months (even mild Southern NC winters can see freezing temperatures), the decision was made to build a dedicated shelter.
Inspiration came from an online image of a “double-decker” cat house. This design was appealing because it offered sheltered space underneath the main house – perfect for placing food and water bowls away from rain and preventing accidental spills from soaking the sleeping area. The elevated house design also provides better protection from ground dampness and potential pests.
Materials and Initial Planning
Planning started by studying the inspiration photo and measuring the intended location. Based on the desired size, a rough estimate of lumber was calculated. Much of the wood for the base and platforms utilized scrap pieces already on hand, promoting resourcefulness. Key purchased materials included:
- 4×4 pressure-treated posts for the corner supports.
- 2×4 lumber for the horizontal supports connecting the posts.
- Plywood sheets for the house walls, base, and roof sheathing.
- 2×2 lumber for the house framing and roof structure.
- Reflective insulation.
- Cedar shingles for the roof.
- Outdoor screws (specifically Power Pro screws were chosen for their no-predrill, star-head design).
- Outdoor paint and stain for weather protection.
The dimensions were determined by the available space and the need to provide adequate room for a cat while keeping the enclosed space small enough to retain body heat.
Building the Base Frame and Platforms
The construction began with the base frame. The 4×4 posts were cut to size and positioned, ensuring they were as level as possible. The 2x4s were then attached horizontally between the posts using the Power Pro screws. Screws were preferred over nails for easier assembly and the potential for future disassembly if the shelter needed to be moved.
Starting the base frame for the DIY outdoor cat house using 4×4 posts.
Assembling the lower frame structure for the elevated cat shelter.
Once the main frame was built, planks (using scrap wood) were cut and screwed down to create the lower and upper platforms. Slight gaps were intentionally left between the boards to allow for wood expansion and contraction due to weather changes, preventing buckling.
Laying down wooden planks for the lower platform of the outdoor cat house.
View of the completed lower platform on the DIY cat shelter frame.
An additional 2×4 support was added running down the middle of the upper platform frame, underneath where the house would sit, to ensure extra sturdiness. Although perhaps overkill, this provided peace of mind regarding the structure’s integrity.
Adding a central 2×4 support beam to the upper platform structure.
Top view showing the completed upper platform for the cat house.
Side view of the sturdy two-level frame for the outdoor cat shelter build.
Constructing the Insulated House
After a brief pause, work commenced on the house section. The house was designed to occupy the full length of the top platform but only about half the width, leaving an open, covered porch area. A solid sheet of plywood was laid down first as the base for the house, covering the gaps in the platform wood below to prevent drafts.
The walls were framed using 2x2s, cut based on the plywood base dimensions and an estimated suitable height. Each wall frame was screwed securely into the plywood base and then attached to the adjacent wall frames for stability.
Building the 2×2 wall frame for the insulated cat house compartment.
Plywood sheets were then screwed to the outside of the 2×2 wall frames. Before attaching the interior walls (or in this case, preparing the front panel), reflective insulation was cut to size using scissors and stapled to the inside surface of the exterior plywood walls (back and sides). This type of insulation was chosen because it’s not itchy like fiberglass and theoretically helps reflect the cat’s body heat back into the space.
Attaching plywood siding to the outdoor cat house frame.
Installing reflective insulation inside the walls of the winter cat shelter.
Finally, a piece of plywood was cut for the front wall, incorporating an entrance hole. The hole was sized large enough for a cat but hopefully small enough to deter larger animals like raccoons.
Building the Angled Roof
Creating the roof presented the biggest challenge, particularly calculating the correct angles for the slanted design. An angled roof is crucial for water runoff and contributes to a more traditional “house” look. After some trial and error (and help with the geometry), the process involved:
- Placing a flat sheet of plywood on top of the house walls to create a ceiling. This fully enclosed the insulated space, helping to keep it warm.
- Building the roof frame using 2x2s, screwing them into the plywood ceiling and to each other to form the angled structure.
Framing the angled roof structure using 2x2s for the DIY cat house plans.
- Attaching plywood sheathing over the roof frame to create a solid surface.
Adding plywood sheathing to enclose the roof of the outdoor cat shelter.
- Applying cedar shingles over the plywood sheathing for weatherproofing and aesthetics.
Applying cedar shingles to the roof for a weatherproof finish.
Finishing Touches
With the main construction complete, the final steps involved protection and decoration. Leftover outdoor paint was used to paint the house section, adding color and an extra layer of weather resistance. The rest of the wooden structure (posts, frame, platforms) was treated with an outdoor stain already on hand to protect the wood.
Painting the exterior of the newly built insulated cat house.
To add a personal and “homey” touch, decorative elements like a cat silhouette, whiskers, and a paw print were painted onto the house using white paint.
Adding cute painted details like whiskers to the finished outdoor cat house.
Conclusion
This DIY outdoor cat house project successfully transformed inspiration and basic materials into a functional, attractive, and insulated shelter. Building it provided valuable learning experiences and resulted in a sturdy, weatherproof haven for the resident feral cat. The double-decker design offers both enclosed sleeping quarters and a covered feeding area, addressing key needs for outdoor cat care.
Front view of the completed two-story DIY outdoor cat house.
Side angle of the finished wooden cat shelter with elevated house.
Hopefully, these Outdoor Cat House Plans and the documented process offer helpful guidance and encourage others to undertake similar projects. Creating a safe space for outdoor felines is a rewarding endeavor, contributing significantly to their well-being through changing seasons.
