DIY cat houses are great for keeping your pet warm, dry, and safe during the cold winter. But with so many ideas for what goes into a DIY outdoor kitty house, it can take a lot of work to know where to start when you’re planning to make your own. So we’ve pulled together some of our favorite DIY outdoor cat house ideas from around the web that you can use as inspiration for creating the perfect structure. Whether you’re looking to outfit a massive structure like the one pictured above or something much smaller, there are tons of great ideas for you to try.
Creative DIY Outdoor Cat House Ideas
When the weather gets colder or warmer, many cat owners want to bring their feline friends outside to enjoy the great outdoors. The obvious and most common way to accomplish this is with a cat house. Whether it’s to provide shelter from wind, rain, or snow, or just a place for your feline friend to lounge in the sun, there are a variety of DIY outdoor cat houses you can make depending on your preferred materials and budget. Below are 17 DIY outdoor cat house ideas that range from simple cardboard boxes to elaborate structures made from wood planks. Ready to get started?
Benefits Of DIY Outdoor Cat House Ideas
The benefits of making your outdoor cat shelter are many:
- Costs less than store-bought shelters.
- It has no chemicals or fumes that can harm your cats.
- It allows you to customize it to fit your needs.
- It is easy to clean and maintain.
Warmer Cat House by Kristin Hitchcock
Get ready to make a little kitty happy! This DIY Warmer Cat House is super simple to make and very cheap. The best part? You can probably find everything you need in your own home. Skip the store run and save money on making this cat house warmer by using what you have around the House. This DIY Warmer Cat House will keep your cat warm and cozy when the weather gets cold for a fraction of store-bought heated cat houses. It’s super easy to make—and only takes about an hour!
Bin Cat House
This bin cat house is the perfect solution for your felines that live in or around bins or who love being up high. The cat house fits over any standard-sized household bin, is easy to construct, and is cheap! This simple DIY project is an easy way to create this cute cat home without spending much money. Follow this step-by-step tutorial to make this adorable cat home perfect for small spaces.
2×2 Cat House
Build your own custom cat home with this DIY 2×2 Cat House. This easy-to-follow tutorial will walk you through building your cat’s new abode. From gathering materials to taking a final look at your finished project, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy watching your kitty explore and use her new home. The House is pretty easy to make and takes only a few hours. You can customize it with different colour schemes or add window boxes for extra cuteness!
Plastic Container House
A Plastic Container House is one of the easiest DIY projects you can make. Cats love to be around their owners, giving them a safe place to go when needed. The perfect way for your pet cat to enjoy comfy new cat furniture and become closer to their owners. This is a fun DIY project that can complete in little time with products found at any local hardware store. This DIY project is a great way to save money and put it to good use!
Wooden Cat House
A beautiful cat house can help you keep your home safe for your precious feline and comforted by their designated space. This woodworking project is easy to do, with straightforward instructions and detailed illustrations explaining how to build the project from start to finish. Give your cat the living space they deserve with this simple DIY tutorial. This DIY Wooden Cat House is an easy cat project for the weekend. It makes an excellent gift for you or another cat lover. Once built, your furry feline friend can enjoy a cozy spot to lay their head, hide from the sun if needed, and scratch without worrying about carpeting.
Heated Container House
The perfect DIY Heated Container House for your cat. Includes free plans designed to be easy to build, with step-by-step instructions. This is an excellent project for the whole family! This House is a great and cheap way to keep your cat warm and cozy in winter. If your cat is a country cat, then you know how important it is to keep them warm during the cold months. This DIY project only takes 1 day to finish and is affordable to your pocket.
Fancy Cat House
Cats are cute and cuddly, but they think they should live outside. Fortunately, there’s now a way to house your cat while letting it enjoy the great outdoors, at least when it feels like it. This DIY Fancy Cat House provides a perfect home for your furry friends that blends into your yard while still giving them plenty of space to roam around. Just place this beauty in your backyard or garden corner, and watch as your kitty happily snoozes away.
Winter Cat Shelter
The DIY Winter Cat Shelter is a fully-furnished winter house for cats and small dogs. Homemade winter cat shelters are a great way to keep your outdoor feline friends safe during the cold winter. During wintertime, the cat shelter keeps your pet warm and comfortable. If you have several such shelters throughout your House, your cats can enjoy a more comfortable life during cold days. They’re easy to make, inexpensive, and, most importantly, effective at keeping your kitty warm and cosy!
Quick and Easy Modern Cat House
This DIY cat house is easy to make and is an attractive decorating piece. Cats love their privacy, and a small comfortable place to rest that is tucked away can be the perfect hideaway. This modern design looks great in any room or outdoors if you’re lucky enough to have a yard with a patio or deck. Build this quick and easy modern cat house in just one weekend. With step-by-step instructions and unique photos, you’ll have a finished product your friends will ask about.
DIY Heated Outdoor Cat House
This easy DIY project will take your cat outside and make it far more comfortable than the average outdoor kitty shelter. It’s also great to teach kids how to use a drill. This heated outdoor cat house is perfect for any outdoor environment and is especially recommended if you live in cold climates. The cost of buying a heated outdoor cat house can be expensive! This tutorial will show you how to create this beautiful space for your fur baby for less than $40.
Weatherproof Insulated Cat House / Outdoor Cat Shelter
This DIY Cat House is perfectly sized for your pet and lasts in harsh weather conditions. It’s made with a durable resin floor, which won’t absorb water and will provide a non-slip surface. Your cat will love taking shelter in this stylishly designed structure that is ideal for any home. This is a DIY project that anyone can make on the weekend. It is good for keeping the cat warm in winter and cool in summer. It would also look great in any garden, yard, and covered porch.
You can also see: DIY Dog House Plans
Outdoor Cat House for Winter
This DIY Outdoor Cat House offers your cat the perfect place to spend their time outdoors during winter and summer days. You don’t have to travel to find the perfect cat house. You can make one yourself, using materials at home or your local hardware store. This project should take only a few hours and much less time than it would take to drive around; hoping you can find something right for your outdoor kitty!
DIY Outside Cat House for Feral Cats
If you want to help feed and care for feral cats in your neighborhood but don’t want them to take up residence in your home or yard, this DIY outside cat house is a great solution. It’s easy to create and completely open on all sides, perfect for sheltering feral cats during the winter and giving them a place to hang out all year round. All you need are some basic materials and a little time. Check out this DIY guide that is easy to make and inexpensive!
Homemade Outdoor Cat House
An outdoor cat house is an excellent gift for your kitty. It is better to keep an outdoor cat in a shelter during the winter, especially if temperatures are cold and the ground is covered with snow. Outdoor shelters keep cats warm and dry, protect them from predators, and even give them a place to hide if they feel threatened. A homemade outdoor cat house is also helpful because cats will be less likely to scratch or remove it if they don’t like it. With a waterproof roof and floor, this cat house can withstand the elements, so you don’t have to worry about its weatherproof abilities.
Wooden Cube Cat House
Make your own DIY Wooden Cube Cat House! It’s easy to do with this step-by-step tutorial for a cat house that’s sure to last. Assemble the pieces using wood glue and nails, paint them, and add a roof. Make your cat the king or queen of their kingdom with this DIY wooden cube cat house! It is constructed from recycled wood and can be stained to match your furniture. This guide will show you the complete step-by-step instructions and follow-up steps.
DIY Disco Outdoor Cat House
This fun DIY cat house can be set up outside, and your cat will love it. It comes with a disco ball which will light up at night and make your cat feel like it’s in a club. Your cat will love sitting inside the windows and looking out at the world; no more need for a lamp on the window sill! This Disco Cat House is a fun way to engage your cat and keep them safe. All materials necessary for assembly can be found at any hardware store. Use this guide that will show you the complete procedure.
How to Build an Outdoor Cat Shelter
This DIY cat shelter will provide a safe space for your cat in the backyard, and it’s fun to build. The structure is raised off the ground so it can be used year-round and decorated however you please. If you want to give your cat the option of being outdoors but want to ensure he is kept safe and warm (and not affected when you’re not home), then this DIY outdoor shelter could be the perfect solution. Here’s how.
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