Difference between revisions of "Build a Cat House"
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===Outdoor Cat House=== | ===Outdoor Cat House=== | ||
#Find building materials. Outdoor cats need shelter from wind, rain, and cold. Use sturdy building materials or repurpose an existing container. Try these: | #Find building materials. Outdoor cats need shelter from wind, rain, and cold. Use sturdy building materials or repurpose an existing container. Try these: | ||
| − | #*Plastic storage tub from a hardware store (about 35 gallons / 132 L)<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2010/07-08/simple_shelter_design.html?credit=web_id383254710</ref> (Easiest option) | + | #*Plastic storage tub from a hardware store (about 35 gallons / 132 L)<ref name="rf1">http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2010/07-08/simple_shelter_design.html?credit=web_id383254710</ref> (Easiest option) |
#*Old doghouse from a friend or neighbor | #*Old doghouse from a friend or neighbor | ||
| − | #*Plywood or lumber (one 4 x 8 ft sheet, or assorted scrap)<ref>http://www.fivercats.com/feral_cat_house_plans.pdf</ref> | + | #*Plywood or lumber (one 4 x 8 ft sheet, or assorted scrap)<ref name="rf2">http://www.fivercats.com/feral_cat_house_plans.pdf</ref> |
| − | #Size it for a snug fit. A cat's body heat can only warm up a small space.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/caring_feral_cats_winter.html</ref> There's no magic size to aim for, but the largest shelters top out at about 26" tall x 26" x 32" (66 x 66 x 81 cm).<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/publications/2010/julyaug2010/feral_cat_house_blueprints_pdf.pdf</ref> If you're using an existing container significantly larger than this, saw it apart or divide it using plywood. | + | #Size it for a snug fit. A cat's body heat can only warm up a small space.<ref name="rf3">http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/caring_feral_cats_winter.html</ref> There's no magic size to aim for, but the largest shelters top out at about 26" tall x 26" x 32" (66 x 66 x 81 cm).<ref name="rf4">http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/publications/2010/julyaug2010/feral_cat_house_blueprints_pdf.pdf</ref> If you're using an existing container significantly larger than this, saw it apart or divide it using plywood. |
#*[[Build-a-Dog-House|These dog house instructions]] will work for cats as well, with the modifications described below. Use these if you're building the house from lumber or plywood. | #*[[Build-a-Dog-House|These dog house instructions]] will work for cats as well, with the modifications described below. Use these if you're building the house from lumber or plywood. | ||
#Make the roof removable. A removable roof lets you easily change dirty bedding and check on an injured animal if it wanders in. If you're building the house yourself, attach the roof to the walls using a hinge. | #Make the roof removable. A removable roof lets you easily change dirty bedding and check on an injured animal if it wanders in. If you're building the house yourself, attach the roof to the walls using a hinge. | ||
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#*Keep the shelter on a covered, raised patio. | #*Keep the shelter on a covered, raised patio. | ||
#*Stack the shelter on stacks of scrap lumber, concrete blocks, or other objects. The stack must be completely flat and sturdy. Surround it with heavy objects if necessary to prevent collapse. | #*Stack the shelter on stacks of scrap lumber, concrete blocks, or other objects. The stack must be completely flat and sturdy. Surround it with heavy objects if necessary to prevent collapse. | ||
| − | #*Keep it on a sturdy plywood sheet, raised off the ground by four 2x4s (38 x 89mm) legs attached with coated deck screws.<ref | + | #*Keep it on a sturdy plywood sheet, raised off the ground by four 2x4s (38 x 89mm) legs attached with coated deck screws.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Create an entrance and exit. Cats prefer shelters with two entrances, so they can escape from predators sniffing in one.<ref>https://www.petfinder.com/helping-pets/feral-cats/building-feral-cat-shelters/</ref> Cut two 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm) doorways on different sides.<ref | + | #Create an entrance and exit. Cats prefer shelters with two entrances, so they can escape from predators sniffing in one.<ref name="rf5">https://www.petfinder.com/helping-pets/feral-cats/building-feral-cat-shelters/</ref> Cut two 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm) doorways on different sides.<ref name="rf1" /> If using plastic, cover the sharp edges with duct tape. |
#*If the house is not raised, start cutting the doorway about 2" (5 cm) above the ground to prevent flooding from rain. | #*If the house is not raised, start cutting the doorway about 2" (5 cm) above the ground to prevent flooding from rain. | ||
#*If the house is raised, cut the entrance on a side with a ledge in front of it (from the plywood or stacked objects) so the cat can jump up to it. Cut the exit somewhere with no ledge beneath it, so predators can't easily access it. | #*If the house is raised, cut the entrance on a side with a ledge in front of it (from the plywood or stacked objects) so the cat can jump up to it. Cut the exit somewhere with no ledge beneath it, so predators can't easily access it. | ||
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#*For serious protection and further insulation, cover the roof with roofing material. | #*For serious protection and further insulation, cover the roof with roofing material. | ||
#Insulate the walls and roof. A lumber cat house may be warm enough without this step, but any other material requires insulation. Line each wall by gluing on 1" (2.5 cm) thick foam insulation board from a home improvement store. Leave a 3" (7.5 cm) gap at the top of the walls. rest an additional piece of foam on top of the walls, to insulate the roof. | #Insulate the walls and roof. A lumber cat house may be warm enough without this step, but any other material requires insulation. Line each wall by gluing on 1" (2.5 cm) thick foam insulation board from a home improvement store. Leave a 3" (7.5 cm) gap at the top of the walls. rest an additional piece of foam on top of the walls, to insulate the roof. | ||
| − | #*In areas with severe winter, consider using Mylar instead, which will reflect the cat's body heat.<ref | + | #*In areas with severe winter, consider using Mylar instead, which will reflect the cat's body heat.<ref name="rf3" /> You may line the floor with Mylar as well. |
#*Cut the foam with a utility knife. | #*Cut the foam with a utility knife. | ||
| − | #Fill the house with burrowing materials. Put in plenty of straw, without blocking the doorways, for cats to burrow in for additional warmth. If you don't have straw, use pillowcases loosely stuffed with packing peanuts or shredded newspaper.<ref | + | #Fill the house with burrowing materials. Put in plenty of straw, without blocking the doorways, for cats to burrow in for additional warmth. If you don't have straw, use pillowcases loosely stuffed with packing peanuts or shredded newspaper.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*Do not use hay, which absorbs moisture and can cause allergies.<ref | + | #*Do not use hay, which absorbs moisture and can cause allergies.<ref name="rf5" /> |
| − | #*Do not use blankets, towels, or loose newspaper. These can absorb body heat and chill the cat.<ref | + | #*Do not use blankets, towels, or loose newspaper. These can absorb body heat and chill the cat.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*Some cats will eat packing peanuts, which can cause intestinal blockage.<ref>http://pets.thenest.com/packing-peanuts-cats-10930.html</ref> Double-bag them with pillowcases to minimize this risk. | + | #*Some cats will eat packing peanuts, which can cause intestinal blockage.<ref name="rf6">http://pets.thenest.com/packing-peanuts-cats-10930.html</ref> Double-bag them with pillowcases to minimize this risk. |
#Provide food and water. You can keep food inside the shelter, but water should be left outside to avoid spilling. Keep the water dish nearby. | #Provide food and water. You can keep food inside the shelter, but water should be left outside to avoid spilling. Keep the water dish nearby. | ||
#*In temperatures below freezing, use an electrically heated water dish. If you can't afford one, use a ceramic or thick plastic dish and surround it with styrofoam. | #*In temperatures below freezing, use an electrically heated water dish. If you can't afford one, use a ceramic or thick plastic dish and surround it with styrofoam. | ||
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== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
*If you paint the box let it dry before letting the cat in. You don't want paw prints all over your house. | *If you paint the box let it dry before letting the cat in. You don't want paw prints all over your house. | ||
| − | *If you Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) in winter, make sure the shelters are extra well-insulated. Cats recovering from surgery need extra protection.<ref | + | *If you Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) in winter, make sure the shelters are extra well-insulated. Cats recovering from surgery need extra protection.<ref name="rf3" /> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
