Representatives of the cat world not only love to walk on their own, but also prefer to have their own home on the street. In such a structure they will be happy to wait out the summer heat or hide from the winter cold. Housing for pets is not always necessary, but in some cases it is simply necessary. An outdoor cathouse in winter helps her hide from the frost and protects her from dogs.
Owners who have several cats at once should take special care of the house. Keeping everyone in the house at once is not very convenient, but a cat house will immediately solve the problem.
Or, for example, a child or even an adult is allergic to cat fur, but wants to have a pet. So let the cat live in his own house! This is a good way out.
If you want to do a good deed to take care of animals that do not have owners, a cat house for the winter will also come in handy. Although, in addition to the house, they will also need food and water. In any case, housing will not hurt, but will only be a plus in your help to our little brothers. We'll tell you how to do it.
Outdoor house for a cat - how to make a winter cathouse with your own hands (ideas and instructions with photos)
Representatives of the cat world not only love to walk on their own, but also prefer to have their own home on the street.
In such a structure they will be happy to wait out the summer heat or hide from the winter cold. Housing for pets is not always necessary, but in some cases it is simply necessary. An outdoor cathouse in winter helps her hide from the frost and protects her from dogs. Owners who have several cats at once should take special care of the house. Keeping everyone in the house at once is not very convenient, but a cat house will immediately solve the problem.
Or, for example, a child or even an adult is allergic to cat fur, but wants to have a pet. So let the cat live in his own house! This is a good way out.
If you want to do a good deed to take care of animals that do not have owners, a cat house for the winter will also come in handy. Although, in addition to the house, they will also need food and water. In any case, housing will not hurt, but will only be a plus in your help to our little brothers. We'll tell you how to do it.
Reviews and expert advice
As practice shows, cat houses are sometimes very helpful in difficult situations.
Rjavii writes that when they began to build a house on the site, a cat lived there, who was named Hitro-Eyes. Since the owners already had their own Persian cat, he did not allow a street cat into the house. Then we had to build him a house for an outdoor cat out of a box. The house was made of a box and insulated with mineral wool. To prevent condensation from accumulating under the roof, a canopy was also made. The cat liked the house so much that she slept in it not only in winter, but also in summer.
https://www.forumhouse.ru/threads/326992/
Vinsky , talking about his “shoals”, says that there were problems with the first house. Cats brought dirt and moisture on their paws. Therefore, the house must have a vestibule, and it is good to lay something in front of it so that there is less dirt in the room. In addition, cats love to sit on the roof during the daytime and scratch it with their claws. Therefore, if the house is made of cardboard, you need to put slate or other dense material on the roof.
https://forum.awd.ru/viewtopic.php?f=367&t=395952
DIY diagram of a cat house on the street. It is not difficult to change it at your discretion :
Cat house: what does it take to make an outdoor house for a cat?
Cats also want warmth and comfort. Therefore, when creating a house for a pet, several conditions must be met:
- Insulation . The aesthetics of the structure are not important for the cat. The main thing for her is that she can warm up. Therefore, you should insulate the cat box. Polystyrene foam, foam rubber and other similar materials are suitable for this purpose. Infrared film is often used for insulation. Experts say that the best option is 4 layers of film.
- Legs . The house should not stand on the ground. Firstly, there is a high probability that snow and melt water will get into it. Secondly, cat lovers love to “be on top” in the literal sense of the word. They enjoy looking at the world from above and feeling safe. The minimum for the structure will be to make legs 40 cm long. Sometimes cat mansions are even placed on trees, but they have a convenient approach.
- Types of structures. A cat's house is a booth for one cat, and a “teremok” for several mustachioed beauties. The latter can have 2-3 floors at once. Although a wintering house for outdoor cats does not have to be multi-story. Kitties will be able to live on one floor quite peacefully if an entrance is made for each one and the building is divided into several “apartments.”
- Dimensions of the structure . It is advisable to create an insulated house for a cat on the street in a small size. Let there be room for 4-5 animals in the “teremka”. This is quite enough for the cats to warm him with their warmth.
- Small entrance. Mustached pets will be satisfied with a hole of fifteen centimeters in diameter. They don't need anything too big, as they need to feel like they have a safe shelter. Cats are shy animals and must know that they will run away from the danger that threatens them at any moment. It is advisable to make the manhole yourself, since those available for sale are not always suitable for animals, especially outdoor ones. If the house for cats for the winter is two-story, it is good to supplement it with a ladder or ramp.
- Window. Cats love to watch everything that happens and feel completely safe. To make them like the house, it’s a good idea to also cut a window in it. Considering that the house is being built for winter, it should be closed.
- Access for cleaning . When creating a house, it is better to immediately think about how to put things in order. There are two options here: a folding roof or an opening in one of the walls.
- Drainage . There are usually a couple of drainage holes in the floor of the booth. Thanks to them, moisture will leave the room.
If everything is clear with the rules for creating a house, then take care of the materials. What will you need to create a booth? It is made from thermal boxes, sandwich panels, boards, lining, plywood. There are enough options to create a warm and cozy “nest” for your pets. In addition, insulation, foam plastic, infrared film, possibly carpet or other material that will cover the floor will be useful. Depending on the material from which you will make the house, prepare the tools: hammer and nails, jigsaw, knife and glue. How to calculate what an outdoor house for a cat should be like? Typically the width is 1m. 20 cm, length 1 m. 50 cm and height 0.5 meters. But don't get hung up on these sizes. A cat house made on the street in winter, made with your own hands, will be the one you yourself want to create for your pet. The main thing is that the animal is comfortable in it, that is, there is enough space to stretch, walk back and forth, and sharpen its claws.
Even the most unexpected materials will come in handy to create a winter cat house. For example, an old canvas mitten will help close the entrance to an outdoor cat house: minimum effort for you, but maximum comfort for the four-legged inhabitant.
Tools
In addition to the traditional hammer and saw, it would be nice to use such modern tools as staplers (for nails and staples), a pneumatic hammer - the work will go faster and bring more pleasure. You will also need good scissors.
Winter house for a cat outside: interesting ideas
Simple cat mansions are made according to the principle of a doghouse, but certain nuances are possible.
a warm cat house with your own hands in the country from reliable materials - plywood, boards, lining. It is important to ensure good heating, for which a heater must be installed on one of the walls of the house. If you can get by with a heating pad, that’s great, but an almost ideal option is an infrared film controlled by a thermostat. For a small booth, an eighth of a square meter will be enough. It is placed on the floor or mounted on the wall. A substrate is placed on top, which is placed under the laminate. Such winter houses for cats in the country will be a reliable shelter in the cold. Pets and street pranksters will love them.
How to make an outdoor cat house (step by step instructions)
Cat houses are now sold in any pet store and on the Internet, from the simplest designs to complex multi-story ones. But their prices are quite high, and not everyone can afford them. But it’s not difficult to make an outdoor cat house with your own hands, which will be much cheaper, and you can choose the design yourself.
No house is made without a design, including a cat house. If you only have one cat, then a small home will be enough for her. However, it is possible that after some time she will have offspring and will need a larger house. Therefore, it may be better to immediately design a large house for several “family members”.
When designing a house for domestic and stray cats, you should take into account the length and width of the walls, which should not exceed one and a half meters. But it’s also not worth making it less than 1.2 meters.
a window in the house in the form of portholes. They are closed on frosty days and opened when it gets warm.
The entrance to the second floor is made in the form of a staircase inside the house, or like a ramp. If the house is on legs, a ramp is also installed on the first floor.
A bed is installed in an insulated house for a cat on the street . The optimal place is near the porthole on the top floor.
the roof so that it is possible to open it and restore order in the room.
So, for the house you will need:
- slats 20 by 40 cm (the frame is made from them);
- lining for making walls,
- tongue and groove board (it is placed on the floor);
- plywood;
- foam plastic for internal insulation of housing;
- roofing felt or tiles for the roof.
- paint and varnish for decorative finishing and protection of materials.
In order for the work to proceed at the planned pace, you need to purchase a pneumatic hammer for 50 mm nails, a stapler, and also a furniture stapler for 16 mm staples. When all the tools and materials are available, we will assemble the house step by step.
DIY cat house in the yard
- We make a frame from slats.
- We fill the frame with insulation - polystyrene foam.
- We cover the interior walls with plywood.
- External walls are made of lining.
- We connect all the walls with metal corners.
- We make the floor by laying boards.
- We assemble the roof and lay roofing felt or tiles on it.
- We cover the outer surface with varnish or Pinotex. They also use paint, but in discreet tones, closer to wood.
Another project for a wintering house for an outdoor cat:
Heated outdoor cat house
For this design you will need a box. It is chosen depending on what kind of “mansion” you want to make for your pet. Materials needed: lining, infrared film, carpet, polystyrene foam, corrugated sheet for the roof. How to heat a cat's house for the winter?
- We install a partition in the box, having previously cut out a hole for the cat using an electric jigsaw.
- We fasten the roof using hinges.
- To reduce heat loss, insulation is used which is placed under the laminate.
- We lay an infrared film floor on top (preferably 3-4 layers, because in cold weather one will not be enough).
- The layers are soldered or assembled using clamps and packaged in cellophane.
- We take the wire out of the room, cover the prepared film with a rubberized carpet and place plastic corners at the edges, which are used for the bathroom.
- We make an additional area taking into account the fact that cats get hot on such a warm floor at above-zero temperatures.
- We make insulation in the polystyrene foam booth in the main section.
- We put corrugated sheets or slate on the roof.
- We make a curtain at the entrance to prevent water from entering the booth.
A do-it-yourself winter house for a cat outside with heated floors is ready and it’s time to move the mustachioed inhabitants into it. For other options, watch the video:
Do-it-yourself warm winter house for a cat, see drawings with dimensions:
Design nuances
The construction process is impossible without preliminary design, even if it is a miniature house. If there is only one animal in the yard, a one-story structure with an internal partition is quite suitable for it. But no one is immune from adding to the cat family, so it is better to initially draw up a project for a spacious two-tier house, similar to the one shown in the following photo:
Things to consider when planning:
- It is optimal that the width and length of its side walls vary within 1.2-1.5 m.
- The cat house must be raised above the ground to ensure better thermal insulation.
- It is mandatory to have porthole windows open during the warm season. During the winter cold they are sure to close. This is especially important if the house is intended for several cats.
- The entrance to the second tier is accessible in two ways: through a hole located inside and by moving along the stairs in the form of a ramp.
- On the second floor in front of the window, it is advisable to install a cat bed. An additional resting place is also equipped next to the winter house. It is better to make it among the branches of a tree in such a way that the cat can get onto the bed directly from the second tier. If there is no suitable tree nearby, you can be creative and make an interesting structure on a tall snag.
Attention! Be sure to think through the cleaning process. There should be no places in the winter house that are difficult for human hands to reach.
How to make an outdoor house for a cat with your own hands so that it is always warm and cozy?
Our furry pets need warmth and comfort no less than we do. Cats love to walk on their land, exploring the vast areas around the house. Therefore, it is so important for owners of private plots and summer cottages (and sometimes just kind people who decide to take care of homeless animals) to have an idea of what exactly housing should be like for a furry pet on the street.
In addition, such beautiful apartments will serve as an excellent decorative element of the garden. To do this, it is important to choose the right design and style of the project in which you would like to make your dream come true.
Options
Finished goods
Ready-made products sold in stores are an excellent option if you do not have time to build a house with your own hands. However, it is worth considering that this will be somewhat more expensive than making a house yourself from scrap materials. But such buildings also have their advantages.
They have a reliable design and are impregnated with a special agent to protect against adverse weather conditions and insects. In addition, such homes come with heated floors, magnetic doors, or even backlighting.
Price issue
From 5,000 thousand rubles for modest small dwellings, to 40,000 for luxurious penthouses for the whole family with playgrounds.
How to choose an outdoor house?
What to look for when choosing?
Choice
Secluded, closed places. Cats love to hide their lives from prying eyes.
That is why it is so important that the home is closed with a door and a roof. But at the same time very cozy and soft inside. Multi-level buildings. A variety of stairs and ramps will allow the cat to walk around the den, exploring it anywhere.
Since cats are very playful and inquisitive creatures, they will enjoy this way of exploring the territory. Various trapezes and climbs will only stimulate her curiosity, making the house any habitat.
Large play complexes for a large family. The structures can be made not only single-story, but also multi-story, so that the animal can climb from the first floor to the second and third.
In addition, cats prefer to be on the upper tiers, observing the territory from above.
Self-production
- Box with a bed.
- Game trapeze.
- Hanging options.
- From newspaper tubes.
- Made from foam rubber.
pros
If you decide to make housing for your cat with your own hands, then this option also has its advantages. First of all, you can choose the design option that you like best by selecting the building design yourself. Here you can use your imagination and imagine yourself as Leonardo Da Vinci and design an entire castle for your pet. Choose the style that you are most comfortable with for your site.
You can paint the finished product, for example, with patterns of flowers that grow in your garden. In addition, it will be much cheaper than buying a finished product in a store.
Design nuances
Doors
The door of the building can be made of plastic, so it will let sunlight inside and close the home, protecting it from drafts.
If the door is made not with conventional fasteners, but with special magnetic latches, then it will open vertically and absolutely silently. Your cat will not be disturbed by anything even during strong gusts of wind. The inside of your home will always be warm and comfortable. Using the latch, the door can be tightly secured if necessary.
At other times, the cat can easily open it with his paw. Getting inside.
Area
A platform located under the structure would be a good option.
Thus, you can not only equip an additional place for the cat to rest and play in the warm season, but also free up space inside the den by placing bowls with food and water on the site. Since they will be under a canopy, you won’t have to worry about rainwater and dirt getting into the bowls. When everything you need is placed in one place, it is very convenient not only for the pet, but also for the owner. The animal may not come home for several days, walking on its own, and the owner will know that she is always full and satisfied.
Insulation with foam tiles
It is convenient to insulate a cardboard house with polystyrene boards. They are fastened with wide adhesive tape; it is very important to fix the parts well so that the structure does not “shake.” It is also important to design the entrance well: polystyrene foam should cover the cardboard completely (so that water does not get on it). The visor above it can be made of plexiglass or rubber.
The entire structure, as in the first option, must be tightly covered with a thick film or a piece of waterproof tablecloth. The seams must be taped in the same way.
How to accustom a cat to a new home
If the house turns out to be warm and cozy, it has a place to hide and several tiers for choosing where to place the animal, then the cat will not have problems getting used to the house. However, to make the process more familiar, it is best to put some of your pet’s favorite toys into the new home.
The ideal option would be his old bedding on which he slept. But under no circumstances should you wash it; a cat cares about its smell. Feeling it in a new place, she will adapt faster, considering the new home her own.
It would be a good idea to spend the first time with your pet close to home, but without violating its boundaries. For example, using a fun game. Outdoor games will help her relax in an unfamiliar environment. Giving your pet a treat in its new home is another good way to provide positive motivation.
Comments3 comments
- Irina:
10/17/2017 at 01:33Hello! Thanks for the good advice. The house was built, everyone was accommodated (3 abandoned kittens), but trouble happened to one, the dog tore it to pieces and the others were scared and did not stay in the house for a long time. What to do, because winter is coming?
- Love:
10.24.2017 at 12:48
Thank you, useful information!
- Elena:
04/01/2018 at 22:31
Cool! Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely use it.