Instructions on How to Build a Cat House

There are many fine houses for cats available online, but the budget conscious pet-owner may not be able to afford them or they may simply not suit the needs of you, your pet or the feral population you are attempting to shelter. Building your own cat house can solve all of these problems. Cats like multi-level spaces, so you may want to make a taller structure that incorporates room to climb and a sleeping platform. However, a simple one room, one level structure, with food and sanitary facilities outside is also adequate; the cat can jump on the roof to get higher.

Things You'll Need

  • Table Saw
  • Circular Saw
  • Saber Saw
  • Straight edge
  • Carpenter's pencil
  • Graph paper
  • 1/4-inch plywood
  • Econostuds
  • Asphalt roll roofing
  • Vinyl flooring, scrap
  • Bathroom shower siding
  • Nails or screws
  • White or carpenter's glue
  • Straw
  • 2 sturdy hinges
  • Flashing
  • Carpet scrap
  • Sturdy cord
  • Cat toys
Show More

Instructions

  1. Building a Home for a Cat

    • 1

      Plan out the house on a piece of graph paper. The finished floor space should be at least 3 feet by 4 feet, and the standing room, about 2.5 feet high. Plan to cut one floor piece, four side wall pieces (2.5 feet tall at the back wall, 3 feet tall at the front wall, and 3 feet long on either side), two back wall pieces (2.5 feet tall by 4 feet long) and two front wall pieces (3 feet tall by 4 feet long). The roof (3.5 feet by 4.5 feet) will be hinged on the back wall, with a lip that will fit inside the front and side walls. Use 2-inch by 2-inch wood stock split from the econostuds for the framework to save space, lumber and weight.

      The foundation for the floor should be a 3-foot by 4-foot rectangle, with braces running short-wise between the four foot rails. The top frame will be similarly structured using 2-inch by 2-inch wood stock. Plan a door on the tall side of the structure. Plan an interior wall to help keep the wind out beside the door, leaving approximately a 10-inch entry space toward the back of the interior. If desired, a second wall and door may be installed on the other side.

    • 2

      Cut out all the pieces. Use a table saw to split the econostuds into 2-inch by 2-inch wood stock. Cut eight 4-foot lengths, six 3-foot lengths, four 2.5 lengths. Lay out the side pieces. Place a long 2-inch by 2-inch board across the tops of the side wall. Mark the angle for the roof, and also mark the length and angle for the top rail for the side walls. Cut those pieces. Draw the floor, back, front, sides and roof pieces on the plywood, using the dimensions indicated on the graph paper. Use a saber saw or circular saw to cut out the pieces; or cut them on the table saw. Use a saber saw to cut matching holes in the front piece for a door.

    • 3

      Assemble the pieces. Put the floor 2 by 2's together, and nail on the floor plywood. Then tack the wall pieces together the same way you would frame up a house. Nail the wall frameworks to the floor assembly and to each other. Measure and cut a framework for the roof that will fit loosely inside the wall dimensions. (Do not fit too snugly. If it is too tight the front lip will stick when opening and closing the roof.) Tack the roof piece onto the framework. Screw the hinges onto the top rail of the back wall and the underside of the roof plywood just back of the frame. Trim down the interior walls, sides and front and fit them on the inside of the house framework. Use flakes of straw to insulate the wall spaces, then tack on the back, sides and front. Use small scrap blocks of 2-inch by 2-inch wood to fill in the spaces between the inside and outside wood layers around the door way.

    • 4

      Line the floor with the scrap of vinyl flooring, and line the interior walls with vinyl shower wall material or more flooring. Cover the outside of the house with asphalt roll roofing material. Finish the top of the walls with metal flashing, bent over the tops and tacked down. This will help keep all the layers together and allow the roof-lid to operate smoothly. Finally, add the roof.

    • 5

      Add cozy touches inside such as a carpet scrap, old rug or quilt or a nice layer of clean straw for a warm bed. Entice your feline friend's interest with a favorite toy.