Houses for stray cats on the street - it's possible!

What can you do for your pet? People go to great lengths to make sure their pet feels comfortable. Cats have long been man's friend. We are all touched by how these cute creatures behave, eat, play, and so on. But for their life to be carefree, they require some care. As pets grow up, you have to think about their housing. After all, it’s good to spend the night on the street in the summer, but what to do when you have to survive the winter? Without proper housing, cats will feel uneasy.

For dogs, owners build a warm house or booth in which they while away the cold winters. Why not make a similar house for cats? They deserve it too. Even if they don’t bark, warning owners about unwanted guests, cats still protect their homes from rats, mice and other annoying rodents. Let's find out how to build an outdoor house for a cat for the winter. We will look at why it is needed, what design options exist and how to do it yourself.

Why do you need an outdoor cat house?

Perhaps this is the first logical question that comes to mind. And really, why is it so important to do it? After all, cats can survive well in different conditions and the cold is not a hindrance for them. But, in fact, there are many reasons that indicate that such houses for cats are simply necessary, especially in winter. Why can you say this? Here are 5 reasons that will help you decide to build a house for your cat outside:

1. There is such a moment that a cat that has strayed, or was simply found on the street, simply does not want to live indoors. Some breeds simply cannot tolerate being confined.
2. There is a contingent of people called cat lovers who love these animals so much that they cannot limit themselves to one or two pets. It is clear that keeping more than three cats in the house is quite problematic. And there are a lot of reasons for this that are not even worth talking about. Therefore, an outdoor house for a cat will come in handy.
3. The third situation is that the owners may dote on their pet. They would live in the house with him all their lives, but there is one problem - some of the family members are allergic to wool. Then the owners are simply forced to do something in order to remove the source of unpleasant sensations. It is not necessary to give the cat to one of your friends. It is enough to make a house for her on the street.

4. A winter house is needed for those owners who are constantly on the move. Such a house will serve as a staging area for the cat. You don’t need to think about where to take your pet, take it with you or leave it, how will it live without care. All these questions immediately disappear.
5. Whatever one may say, cats will run around in the yard. And if there is a warm house, their time there will be even more comfortable. After all, every organism needs a roof over its head.

All this tells us that a cat house is an integral part of a home with this pet. This will make life easier for both you and your cat.

Option from boxes

An insulated outdoor house can be made from ordinary cardboard boxes. You will need two, which can be nested one inside the other like a nesting doll. There must be a small space between them. Newspapers or foam plastic are placed at the bottom of a large box; this is a good insulation. At the bottom of the smaller one (in which the animal will be located) - soft fabric, old items of clothing.

It is important that they are natural (cotton, flannel, or even better, fleece), and not synthetic, since synthetics do not keep you warm in cold weather.

Natural wool could be ideal for bedding, since it is warm, but it has one drawback - when wet (and this can happen if a cat brings snow into the house on its paws), its fibers take too long to dry.

INTERESTING TO KNOW: How to stop a cat from shitting anywhere?

After the structure is insulated from the inside, the doors of the small (inner) box need to be closed, and an entrance must be cut out in its lid, in the corner. A convenient size is 14x14 cm. The edges of the inlet hole should be taped with tape so that they do not fray too quickly. The lid and walls of a large box will create a kind of canopy and protect the cat’s house from the wind along with its mustachioed and striped inhabitant.

Then you need to place the box in a thick plastic bag, press it against the walls of the large box, and seal the seams with wide tape.

Also use tape to secure the “canopy”. Then you will need to find a secluded place for the house, where rain, snow and wind do not reach. Do not place the structure directly on the ground, try to place it on boards or bricks, this will add reliability to it.

You can make a cat house from an old wooden box. One of the sides will become the base, and the open part will become the entrance. This “winter apartment” is placed on a tree, tightly screwed to the trunk and branches with twine, or on the ground. However, in the latter case, it is advisable to nail “legs” to the box - 10-20 cm bars. If they are stuck into the ground, the house will confidently stand on its “legs”.

If you have any unnecessary plastic container on hand, it is quite possible to build a house in it, providing insulation from the inside, as shown in the photo.

And also take a closer look at the body of an old unnecessary computer monitor or a large wicker basket - you can also use them to make a home for a cat.

Options for winter houses for cats

First of all, you can consider the features of designs that are intended for individual use of a domestic cat. Let's start with the fact that it is important to analyze how often the cat is in the yard. Is she there all the time or does she prefer to be at home? If your pet rarely goes outside, especially in winter, you don’t have to focus on building a large and expensive structure. You can get by with a small structure with foam rubber for insulation. There is only one caveat - you will need to raise it a little above the ground. As for the exterior finishing, it can be made of moisture-resistant fabric.

If there is already a booth in the yard, but it is not prepared for winter, then it will have to be insulated. To prevent drafts in the cat house, it is recommended to cover the opening (hole) with an overlapping cloth. There is another important nuance that concerns the design. The point is that cats will do their business inside. Even without this, you will have to clean the inside from time to time. But it is not possible to do this through a small hole. In this case, use the following tricks:

• one of the walls is created to open like a simple door;
• the bottom and walls of the structure are not nailed tightly, but sit on hinges so that it is possible to open and close the structure at the right time;
• the last option is a removable roof.

Thanks to such tricks, you can simplify the process of cleaning and airing your cat's house.

Note! Cats are, at their core, predators and hunters. They are used to tracking prey and observing what is happening on the street. Considering this, you can make something like a bed or observation point for your cat. There are two options: build it as part of a house, or place it near the structure.

Again, if we talk about the construction of such a temporary booth, any material that is at hand can be chosen. Some make cat houses from cardboard, insulating them with foam rubber, others use plastic, wood, old boxes of something, etc. Some examples of such boxes can be seen in these photos.

As for large structures, comfortable and convenient, which will become a real refuge for a cat, here you can already try to make a reliable structure that will serve for a long time and faithfully. In this case, you will have to try, make efforts and allocate time to create the booth. Typically, such products are made of wood and resemble doghouses. The photo shows an example of such a design.

Assembly and installation process

First, the frame of housing for cats is formed from slats. Then it is gradually filled with foam plastic or other insulation. Then they move on to covering the inner walls of the winter house with plywood. Lastly, the side surfaces are decorated from the outside with clapboard boards.

Having connected the walls of the winter house using metal corners, they proceed to forming a floor from a tongue-and-groove board, and then a roof. The finished structure for cats is installed on a spacious platform in the form of a podium and securely fixed to it.

Comment! The winter house must be raised 10-15 cm above ground level - this will promote better air circulation in it, and in winter it will protect the floor from freezing. Concrete cubes are used as supporting elements, which are separated from wooden structures by a layer of roofing material.

The color scheme of a winter cat house should be calm tones. Desirable colors of natural wood, which is covered with a layer of clear varnish or Pinotex. This coating protects the wood from rotting and leaves its natural texture visible. A platform is set up on a tree nearby where cats can lie freely, dozing in the sun. A similar balcony area is located on the second floor level. Cats love to watch what is happening from above.

The proposed design for a winter house for a cat can be modified if desired. Galvanized iron coated with plastisol is sometimes used to finish the roof, and instead of a frame made of slats, wooden panels are immediately formed, which are insulated with penofol.

Some craftsmen, when in a harsh climate the insulation of a winter house is not enough for a comfortable stay for a cat, additionally install infrared heating. Of course, here you will need to take care of the wiring, and the costs of maintaining the house will increase significantly, but the cat’s health will be safe.

Types of ready-made houses for cats

Cats, unlike dogs, have a very independent character. This means that not all of them will be happy to exchange freedom for a limited confined space. Although, if you think about it, a house on the street also has its positive sides. After all, some people never manage to train their wayward cat to use the litter box. The good news is that nowadays many companies are developing their own line of houses for pets that can be placed outdoors. During production, many factors can be taken into account: the size of the cat, the number of pets that will live inside, the climate that prevails in the region and the requests of owners who want to have a special decorative finish.

Models of winter houses are very different, so it would be nice to consider their types:

1. Simple, small options that are suitable for keeping a pet outside for some time while the owners are not at home.
2. A one-story building, larger, more spacious. You can put food in it.
3. Two-story structures, insulated, made to all standards, which are ideal for a cat to stay outside in winter.

It is also worth paying attention to the materials from which cat houses can be made. Most often, structures are made from the following materials:

• lining suitable for external walls. With it, the cat's house will look more solid;
• plywood, which is used for interior decoration of the house;
• tongue and groove board, the thickness of which is more than 30 mm, as a floor covering.

In addition, each house must have a manhole and a window. And if a window is not necessary, then you simply cannot do without a manhole. It is worth considering the roof separately. Ideally, make it removable or hinged. Then it will be much easier for the owner to clean the structure and ventilate it. The roofing material that is most often chosen is wood covered with soft tiles or corrugated sheets.

Note! To make a winter house for a cat outside comfortable, warm and cozy, you can resort to two methods. The first is to insulate the walls, ceiling and floor using polystyrene foam. This is a cheap material, but it will help reduce heat loss. The second option is to install a heating system. It is clear that this will cost more, and you will also have to pay for electricity.

If we talk about buying a ready-made two-story house for a pet, then its cost will vary, starting from 10 thousand rubles. Despite the fact that the standard size of the structure will be 1.5x1.2x0.5 m. You can also find an exclusive house made of larch for sale, the dimensions of which are 1.3x0.8x1.5 m. The houses have decorative finishing in the Schindel style, they are quite durable and reliable and durable. Larch is one of the best species when it comes to all its characteristics. The fact that St. Petersburg and Venice stand on larch stilts already speaks volumes. Such a house will cost about 17 thousand rubles.

Important! It is recommended to install a pet house immediately after purchasing it. Don't wait until it's cold outside. If you install it immediately after purchase, the cat will be able to get used to the new mansion and will not be forced to look for another shelter.

But not everyone wants to spend money on buying a cat house. Especially if they have some skills in the construction industry and some extra material. After all, everyone knows that making it yourself is much cheaper. How exactly to do everything yourself? This is what we will look at next.

Stage 1 – designing a finished cat house

Every builder knows that it is simply impossible to build anything without a preliminary design. Even if we talk about a miniature house, the drawing is also important. You need to think about the type of construction, dimensions and materials that will be used. For example, for one pet a one-story house will be quite enough, but if there are several of them, then you need to build a two-story structure. If you plan to breed cats, then the house should also be large.

Here is a list of some of the nuances taken into account when planning a cat house:

1. Dimensions. For a cat to live comfortably, it is important to ensure the length and width of the side walls of the structure are approximately 1.2-1.5 m.
2. To keep the cat warmer in winter, the structure is raised above ground level. Then the thermal insulation will be much better.
3. It would be useful to add porthole windows to the design, which open in the summer season and close in the winter. Thanks to them, it will be possible to control the optimal temperature in summer. In addition, they will be a source of natural light for the structure.
4. If there is a second tier, then it is important to enter it in two ways: through the hole in the tier itself and through the stairs inside in the form of a ramp.
5. In front of the window on the second floor you need to make a bed for your pet. There the cat will rest, watching what is happening outside.

In the photo you can see an approximate design of a cat house. It will be much easier to do the work with it. All you need is to draw the design, indicate the dimensions and paint the necessary materials.

Stage 2 – choosing materials for the cat house

When the dimensions and layout of the winter house are ready, you can proceed to the selection of material, its calculation and purchase. We have already said above which materials are most often used for construction. But this is not a law, you can choose any other suitable material. However, wood is a natural and environmentally friendly material, which is not only useful, but also quite warm. Living in a structure outside in winter will be much more comfortable.

For insulation, it is customary to choose polystyrene foam. It has excellent insulating qualities, which is even better than mineral wool. In addition, it is not afraid of moisture; under its influence it does not deteriorate and does not lose its properties. And this is very important for a building that will be located outside.

Naturally, if you work with wood, you need to remember one thing - it does not like dampness and high moisture very much. To level out this feature, it is important to treat the wood with special impregnations against rotting, moisture and fire. In this way, the service life of the building can be increased.

To speed up and simplify the process of creating a winter house for a cat, you need to stock up on the following tools:

• a furniture stapler designed for 16 mm staples;
• stapler for nails;
• jigsaw or simple saw;
• tape measure, level and marker.

Note! It is equally important to choose a suitable place for your pet's booth. She shouldn't be far from home. The pet must be able to get to its home easily and quickly.

Stage 3 – assembly and installation of the cat house

If all the previous conditions are met, then the further process will not be too difficult. Everything, as they say, is a matter of technique. To begin with, a frame is made from slats, according to the plan. Since the house will be insulated, foam plastic should be installed in the space between the walls and sheathed on both sides. The inner part of the structure is sheathed with plywood, and the outer part with clapboard. Alternatively, use regular boards. It's cheaper, but not as beautiful.

The walls of the house are connected to each other using metal corners. The floor is made almost identical to the walls: a layer of tongue-and-groove boards, polystyrene foam, plywood. The last thing to do is create the roof. It can be flat or gable. It is important to remember that your cat's house can be cleaned. This means that the roof does not need to be fixed tightly. Ideally, make it removable or fix it with hinges. At the end, the roof is sheathed with roofing material according to desire and capabilities.

As for installation, the house is installed at a height of 10-15 cm above the ground. Then the floor will not freeze in winter, and the air circulation in the house will be much better. The supports can be concrete cubes or other supports that are at hand. It is advisable to install the house on a concrete base using several layers of roofing material.

If we talk about finishing, the color scheme of the structure is chosen in soothing colors. The priority is the color of natural wood, which can be emphasized by covering it with varnish or stain. This way you can protect the wood from moisture and subsequent rotting and emphasize the noble structure of the material. A platform located near the house will help complete the composition. Cats can relax on it, enjoying the sun's rays.

In this video you can see detailed instructions on how to make a winter house for a cat with your own hands. It will make it much easier to create a structure.

Selection of materials

Having decided on the size and layout of the winter structure, we move on to calculating the consumption of materials and their purchase. Typically used for these purposes:

• the external walls of the winter house are made of clapboard;
• interior upholstery is made of plywood;
• polystyrene foam is suitable as insulation for a winter house;
• metal corners are used to connect walls;
• A tongue and groove board is laid on the floor.
• the gable roof of the cat structure is decorated with metal tiles, ondulin or roofing felt;
• 20x40 mm slats are suitable for forming the frame.

In addition, you will need means to protect the wood of the winter house from fungal attack and final decorative finishing.

Modern tools will greatly facilitate and speed up the process of creating a winter structure for a cat:

• furniture stapler designed for 16 mm staples;
• stapler for nails;
• pneumatic hammer designed for 50 mm nails.

Of course, in their absence, it is possible to assemble a cat house using a regular hammer, but it will take much more effort and time.

Useful tips and ideas

A house designed for not one, but two inhabitants should be either two-room or two-story. By the way, a building with internal partitions is much warmer than a one-room option.

Be prepared for the fact that the house needs to be cleaned from time to time. To simplify the process, you can open one of the walls like a door. Another option is a removable roof or a folding roof equipped with hinges.

The door of such a home should conveniently open from the inside and slam shut when the owner goes for a walk.

A cat in any circumstances, and especially when it finds itself in nature, begins to hunt. It is more convenient to observe the prey from a height, so a convenient observation post can be provided on the roof.

Don't try to make your cat's home too bright. Your pet will like his home more if it looks natural - just coat the boards with varnish and complete the exterior decoration.

* * *

A warm winter house for a cat is your opportunity to give a gift to your pet or help a mustachioed tabby who, by the will of fate, finds himself without a “permanent place of residence.”

The topic is actively discussed on the Internet, it also has opponents, but most of the participants in the discussion agree: if it is not yet possible to resolve the issue of placing all ownerless animals in nurseries, we need to help at least in this way - by building housing for cats and dogs. After all, they are our brothers. Smaller ones.

Types of animal houses

House for a cat made of boards

There are many ideas for making cat houses. It all depends on the amount of free space in the room and your taste.

You can build:

• cardboard house
• soft foam construction covered with fabric
• cat housing made of plywood, fiberboard, chipboard or hardboard
• a product made from old furniture boards, boards and wooden blocks

Housing for two cats

You will also need to choose the shape of the home.

A cat's house may look like:

• a simple house in the form of a booth with several windows
• house with an attached shelf-ladder, scratching post and hanging toys
• multi-storey gaming complex
• a house with a climbing tree attached to it
• a product built into furniture with a separate opening
• wall-mounted dwelling
• street house
• home for two cats at once
• maternity hospital for an animal awaiting replenishment
• a bed with a wire frame covered with an old T-shirt
• sofa
• bed
• hammock, etc.

When making a home for your pet, do not forget about the overall interior of the room. If you choose the right fabric for decoration and the shape of the house, it will become a true decoration of the room and fit perfectly into the interior.

Insulation for cat kennels

An insulated cat box can be not only factory-made, but also made independently . For this, a large cardboard box or an old furniture box is often used.

Cat houses are usually insulated with one of the following materials:

• Grooved board. It is strong, reliable, and the convenient tongue-and-groove connection leaves no gaps.
• Mineral wool. Non-toxic insulation with low thermal conductivity. However, it has one significant drawback - it absorbs moisture, so when using it it is necessary to additionally install waterproofing.
• Styrofoam. A universal material for insulating surfaces from floor to ceiling. Holds heat well and is not afraid of water.
• Expanded polystyrene. Has good insulation characteristics. It is not afraid of moisture, does not deteriorate under the influence of water, has low thermal conductivity and a high strength coefficient.
• The water-repellent film acts as waterproofing.

For the insulation process, you should also stock up on tools: a furniture stapler, a nail stapler, a jigsaw and a tape measure. This matter cannot be done without them.