How To Build a Winter Cat Shelter in 5 Easy Steps

In this article you will learn how to build a DIY winter cat shelter quickly, easily, and inexpensively with only a few necessary supplies!

Have you ever seen a stray cat, wandering around outside trying to hide from the blistering winter cold? Unfortunately I have, and it’s always heartbreaking. Homeless cats are often defenseless from the elements, and sadly, many do not survive the harsh winter. This really bothered me so I started to think about what I can do to help them. Short of going out and attempting to capture these kitties and get them to a shelter like Kitten Angels, I wasn’t sure about what I could do that would be practical yet meaningful.

I was scouring the internet for ideas one day, and I saw a few things about building DIY winter cat shelters. I decided this might be a perfect way to do something proactive for the kitties, so I built one before the cold winter set in. It came out great and based on the bedding when i opened it, it seems to get a lot of use.

While I was cleaning it, I decided to take it apart and do a quick little tutorial to teach you how to build your own shelter and help save the kitties!

SUPPLIES For the Cat Shelter

This project is fun, inexpensive, and only requires a few supplies. You probably even have some of this stuff lying around your home or barn!

To build a cat shelter, you’ll need:

-2 storage bins with lids.

(One bin needs to be able to fit into the other) I used a 30 gallon, and an 18 gallon Sterilite bin. These sizes worked perfectly, because the 18 gallon bin provides just enough room for the cats to feel comfortable and secure, with more than one cat able to fit, but not big enough for cold air to circulate through it. You can use any 2 bins though as long as one can fit comfortably inside the other.

-A bail of straw.

Straw will be used for insulating your cat shelter. Straw works well because it repels water and will keep the shelter nice and dry. (Don’t use hay. Hay is more expensive, will absorb water, and tends to mold. Don’t use towels or blankets for insulation either.) If you don’t have any straw laying around, you can get a bail at your local Tractor Supply, or gardening store.

-A sharp knife or box-cutter.

This will be used to cut a door into the shelter.

-A Hair Dryer.

This will make it easier to cut the plastic bin.

-A Permenant Marker.

For tracing the doorways

How to Build a Cat Shelter

STEP 1- Trace the Doorway.

Trace a circle into the same end of both containers to make a doorway.

I used a dinner plate to trace with and it worked great, but if you think you are good enough to free hand a circle, go for it!

The hole should be just large enough for cats to get in (about 6-8 inches in diameter), but not big enough for larger intruders.

Use a ruler to make sure the tracings are about 4-6 inches from the ground, so water can’t get in.

Step 2- Cut the doorway out.

One bin at a time, you will carefully cut the circle out. To do this, turn the hairdryer to the highest setting and slowly pass it over the traced circle for a few minutes so the plastic becomes warm and soft.

Now, carefully cut along the marker tracing. The blade should slide through the plastic very smoothly and easily. If it doesn’t, simply heat the plastic more with the hairdryer.

Once the circle is cut out of the first bin, repeat the process on the second bin. When both circles are cut out, place the smaller bin inside the larger bin so the circles line up.

Step 3- Insulate the shelter.

Now, it’s time to insulate! Fill the bottom of the inner bin with straw, so the cats can cozy in and bed down when the weather is bad.

Next, fill the space between the two bins with straw insulation. Make sure to get a nice thick layer in between the two bins all around, but don’t over stuff the straw. This will cause the outer bin to bend out and you won’t be able to get the lid on.

Step 4-Time to put the roof on!

Put the small lid on the inner bin, and add some straw insulation on top.

Finally, take the larger lid and secure it onto the outer bin. Make sure it is sealed tight to prevent moisture from getting in.

Step 5- Put it someplace safe.

Place your cat shelter somewhere that will protect it, and it’s occupants. We chose to put our shelter against an in-set garage door where it will have a little protection from the wind and rain.

Sadly, I’ve heard reports of people purposely destroying cat shelters because they don’t like stray cats. If you live in an area where undesirables may have access to your shelter, it is a good idea to camouflage it somehow or put it somewhere less conspicuous.

Bonus Step-

If you want to make your shelter more inviting to the kitties, sprinkle a little catnip in and around it. If the kitties are going to deal with the cold, they might as well have a good time while they’re at it!

CONCLUSION

That’s pretty much it guys, a fun and inexpensive way to help save a kitty from the cold winter nights! If you enjoyed this little tutorial, make sure to subscribe to our blog below! We have a lot more DIY activities and content in the works and we are really excited to be able to share it with you!

Thanks for visiting Thistle Downs!

Cheers!