Maya Ellison
With winter around the corner, it's important to ensure that cats, especially those that are stray or feral, have a warm place to go. One way to help them is by building an insulated cat house using plastic containers. This involves placing a smaller container inside a larger one and installing insulation material in the gaps between them. The entrance should be cut out to be around 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, ensuring it's not too big for potential intruders. To insulate the container, you can use straw, which cats can burrow into, or styrofoam sheets. Additionally, consider waterproofing the exterior with a tarp or garbage bag, and elevating the shelter to keep it dry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of containers | 2 |
| Container material | Plastic |
| Container size | Mismatched; one slightly smaller than the other |
| Container volume | 30 gallons (large) and 18 gallons (small) |
| Entrance size | 6-inch square or circle |
| Insulation material | Styrofoam, straw, shredded newspaper |
| Waterproofing | Plastic tarp or large garbage bag |
| Drainage | Drill small holes in the bottom of the container |
| Location | Shelter should be elevated and face away from prevailing winds |
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What You'll Learn
Use two plastic containers of different sizes
The simplest way to make an insulated cat house is to use two plastic containers of different sizes. You can purchase a large plastic storage container and a slightly smaller one. The containers don't have to be any specific size, but a good standard pairing is around 30 gallons (110 L) for the larger container and about 18 gallons (68 L) for the smaller one.
To begin constructing the shelter, cut a 6-inch (15 cm) square or circular door in the larger container. This can be done by tracing the dimensions with a ruler and pencil and then cutting through the material with a utility knife. Make sure the doorway is a few inches above the bottom of the container to prevent flooding.
Once the door is cut out, place the smaller container inside the larger one, ensuring the openings line up. Cut a door in the smaller container that matches the size and position of the opening in the larger container. Now, it's time to insulate! You can use straw, styrofoam, or even shredded newspaper as insulation. Fill the bottom of the inner container with your chosen insulation material, creating a cosy bed for the cats. Next, fill the space between the two containers with insulation, ensuring a nice thick layer all around but being careful not to overstuff.
Finally, cover the top of the cat house with another sheet of insulation, such as styrofoam, and then place the lid on the larger container. You can also add a layer of straw over the bottom of the cat house for extra warmth. If you live in an area with a lot of precipitation, consider draping a plastic tarp or large garbage bag over the shelter to waterproof it further. Remember to place the shelter in a location where the door faces away from prevailing winds or faces a wall.
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Cut a hole in each container for the entrance
To create an entrance for your cat's insulated container, you will need to cut a hole in both the larger outer container and the smaller inner container. First, purchase a large plastic storage container and a slightly smaller one. The containers should be mismatched in size, with the smaller one fitting inside the larger one. A good standard pairing is a 30-gallon (110-litre) larger container and an 18-gallon (68-litre) smaller one.
Before cutting, decide where you want the entrance to be located on the side of the large container. Use a ruler and pencil to trace a 6-inch (15 cm) square onto the outside of the container. This will be your guide for cutting. You can use a utility knife to cut through the plastic. Alternatively, you can use a hole saw attached to a power drill set at low speed. If you are cutting a square hole, you can also use a jigsaw or a single-ended hacksaw. To prevent cracking, ensure your cutter is not too coarse and is not taking too large a bite with each tooth.
After cutting the entrance in the large container, repeat the process for the small container, making sure the holes line up with each other. Now you have a completed entrance for your insulated cat container! The next step would be to install insulation in the gap between the two containers.
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Insulate the gap between the containers
To insulate the gap between the containers, you will need to use materials that will keep the cat warm and cosy. Straw is a great insulator as it is dry and warm, and cats can burrow into it. It is important to avoid using anything moist that could cause bacteria to form. Towels and blankets should be avoided as they can draw away body heat.
If you are using straw, fill the bottom of the inner container with straw first, so the cats can snuggle into it. Then, fill the space between the two containers with straw insulation. Make sure to get a nice thick layer between the two containers, but do not overstuff it. If you are using styrofoam, slide thin sheets of styrofoam into the gaps between the sides of the boxes.
Other materials that can be used for insulation include shredded newspaper, cardboard, vinyl or rubber mats, and wool. Cardboard is a good insulator, and shredded newspaper can be used to fill the inside of the shelter to add warmth. A thick piece of vinyl or rubber mat can be used to cover the doorway to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
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Line the interior with insulating material
First, cut a doorway into both containers, making sure the holes line up. The doorway should be large enough for a cat to fit through, but not so big that larger intruders can get in. A good size is a 6-inch square or circle, about 4-6 inches from the ground to prevent flooding.
Now, you can start insulating. If using straw, fill the bottom of the inner bin with straw, and then fill the space between the two bins with straw insulation. Make sure to get a nice thick layer of straw all around, but don't overstuff, as this will cause the outer bin to bend. If using styrofoam, cut the sheets to fit the gaps between the sides of the boxes and the lid, and then slide them into place. You can also add a layer of straw to the bottom of the shelter for extra warmth.
If you're using wool to insulate, you can try felting the wool first and then lining the container with it. Alternatively, you could try stuffing the wool into the space between the two containers, but this may be more difficult to get a snug fit.
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Waterproof the exterior
To waterproof the exterior of your cat house, you can use a plastic tarp or a large garbage bag. Drape this over the top of the cat house to protect it from the elements. You could also use a plastic drop cloth or a contractor trash bag, wrapping the box in this material and securing it with duct tape.
If you are handy with tools, you could also waterproof your cat house by drilling small holes in the bottom of the container to drain any rain or melted snow that collects inside.
Another option for waterproofing is to use a thick piece of vinyl or rubber mat as a cover over the doorway. This will keep the warmth inside and the cold out, as well as providing a waterproof barrier. Use VELCRO, strong glue, or plastic nuts and bolts to attach the flap.
If you are using cardboard as the base of your cat house, you can waterproof it by wrapping it in a plastic drop cloth or a contractor trash bag, then sealing the material with duct tape.
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Frequently asked questions
The simplest way is to use two plastic storage containers of different sizes. Insert the smaller container into the larger one, then install insulation material in the gaps between the walls of both containers.
Straw is the best material for insulation inside the shelter as it repels water and keeps the shelter dry. You can also use styrofoam. Avoid using anything that's moist as it can cause bacteria to form.
A good standard pairing is around 30 gallons (110 L) for the larger container and about 18 gallons (68 L) for the smaller one. Small shelters are preferable to large ones because it's easier for a cat to warm a tight space with its body heat.
Cut a 6-inch (15 cm) square or circle in the side of the large storage container. Trace the dimensions with a ruler and pencil, then cut through the material using a utility knife. Make sure the doorway is large enough for cats to get in but not for larger intruders.
To waterproof the exterior, drape a plastic tarp or large garbage bag over the top of the cat house. You can also drill small holes in the bottom of the container to drain any water that collects inside.
