DIY Plastic Cat House Outdoor: A Simple Winter Shelter Guide
Community cats are resourceful, but harsh winter weather presents significant challenges. Providing a safe, warm retreat can make a crucial difference for their comfort and survival. You can easily help by building a simple Plastic Cat House Outdoor shelter. This DIY project is inexpensive, quick to assemble, and provides a vital haven where outdoor cats can rest, stay warm, and feel secure away from the elements.
Materials You’ll Need for Your Outdoor Cat Shelter
- One large plastic storage tub with lid (approx. 30 gallons)
- One smaller plastic storage tub with lid (approx. 20 gallons, must fit inside the larger one)
- Box cutter or utility knife
- Straw (Important: Use straw, NOT hay, as hay absorbs moisture and can mold)
- Permanent marker
- Scissors
- Hair dryer (optional, but helpful for softening plastic)
- One thin slab of Styrofoam insulation (cut to fit the bottom of the large tub)
- One plastic flowerpot (choose one that doesn’t taper too much, roughly 6-8 inches diameter)
Building Your Plastic Cat House: Step-by-Step
Follow these instructions to create a durable and insulated weatherproof cat house.
Prepare the Tubs and Entrance Markings
Tracing a flowerpot outline onto a large plastic storage tub for a cat house entrance.
Position the plastic flowerpot low on one of the short sides of the large tub. Using the permanent marker, trace around the flowerpot to mark the entrance hole. Keep the entrance size just big enough for a cat (around 6 inches diameter) to conserve heat and deter larger animals.
Cut the Entrance Holes
Using a hairdryer to soften the plastic outline on a tub before cutting an entrance for a DIY cat shelter.
Warm the plastic along the marked circle with a hairdryer to make cutting easier and safer.
Carefully cutting an entrance hole in a plastic tub using a box cutter for an outdoor cat house.
Carefully use the box cutter to cut out the circular entrance on the large tub. Exercise caution during this step.
Placing a smaller plastic tub inside a larger one with styrofoam insulation on the bottom for a DIY cat shelter.
Place the cut Styrofoam slab inside the large tub. Then, place the smaller tub inside the larger one, resting on the Styrofoam base.
Marking the entrance position on the smaller inner tub, aligned with the outer tub's hole for a plastic cat house.
Align the tubs and, looking through the entrance hole you already cut, trace the corresponding entrance circle onto the side of the smaller tub.
Cutting the entrance hole in the smaller inner plastic tub for a weatherproof cat house build.
Repeat the softening (optional) and cutting process to create the entrance hole in the smaller tub. Ensure the holes align perfectly between the two tubs.
Insulate and Add Bedding
Insulating the space between two plastic tubs with straw for a warm outdoor cat shelter.
Firmly pack straw into the gap between the large outer tub and the small inner tub. Fill this space completely on all sides and up to the top for maximum insulation. Remember, straw repels moisture and provides excellent insulation, unlike hay which gets damp and moldy.
Filling the inner tub of a DIY cat house generously with straw bedding for insulation.
Fill the smaller inner tub loosely with a generous amount of straw. This provides soft, warm bedding for the cats to burrow into. Do not overpack the bedding area.
Final Touches
Inserting a cut plastic flowerpot to create an entrance tunnel for the double-tub cat shelter.
Cut the bottom off the plastic flowerpot using scissors or the box cutter. Slide this trimmed pot through the aligned entrance holes of both tubs, creating an entrance tunnel. This helps keep wind and rain out. You might need to slightly trim the tub entrances for a snug fit.
Completed DIY plastic cat house outdoor shelter with lids secured, ready for use by community cats.
Place the lid securely on the small inner tub, then place the lid securely on the large outer tub. Your insulated plastic cat house is now complete and ready to be placed in a safe, accessible outdoor location for community cats.
Conclusion
Building a simple Plastic Cat House Outdoor shelter is a practical and compassionate way to help community cats endure cold weather. This easy DIY project, using readily available materials like storage tubs and straw, provides essential warmth and protection. Resources and guides like this one, often shared by animal welfare organizations such as Alley Cat Allies, empower individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of outdoor cats in their neighborhoods. Consider building one today to offer a cozy refuge for your local feline residents.
