How to Make Inexpensive Cat Houses

We take dog houses for granted, but when it comes to curious and independent cats, they're often left out in the cold. Whether for outdoor shelter or an indoor playhouse, it can be easy and inexpensive to design and make your cat its very own house. You may even find that your cat enjoys its "cat house" more than a dog.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 large, plastic storage tubs with lids (one slightly smaller than the other)
  • Marker
  • 8-inch bowl
  • Hobby knife
  • Insulation/foam
  • Duct tape
  • Towel or blanket
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Hot glue
  • Hot glue gun
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Instructions

  1. Outdoor Cat Shelter

    • 1

      Remove the lids from the two tubs. Fill the bottom of the larger tub with insulating material such as packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or pink fiberglass insulation.

    • 2

      Place the smaller tub inside of the larger one. Fill the extra space on either side between the two tubs with more insulation.

    • 3

      Trace two, round entrance holes on the front (short end) of both tubs. Make sure that the two holes will line up to create a clear entryway.

    • 4

      Using your knife, cut the two holes out. Tape around the edges of the holes to create a seamless entryway.

    • 5

      Place a towel or blanket on the floor of the smaller tub and replace its lid.

    • 6

      Replace the lid on the larger tub. Secure the lid by wrapping duct tape around the structure two times.

    • 7

      Place the shelter in a place where you normally see the cat sleeping outside.

    Indoor Kitty Condo

    • 8

      Gather three different size boxes that you can stack on top of one another from largest to smallest.

    • 9

      Use an 8-inch bowl as a guide to draw the exit holes on the boxes. Create two exit holes on either side of the bottom box, as well as one through the top of the bottom box. Create a matching hole through the bottom and the top of middle box, which is the second floor. Create one hole in the bottom of the top box (third floor) and one exit hole out the side.

    • 10

      Cut out all of the holes with a hobby knife. Make sure that the holes from floor to floor line up with each other so that the cat can easily move from one level to the next.

    • 11

      Use hot glue to secure the boxes, one on top of the other, from largest to smallest.