DIY cat shelter
Plans for building it yourself with dimensions, a cut list and steps. Each model shows the tools it needs, how demanding it is and what is calculated versus assumed.
- An entrance about 15 cm wide (sources give a range of 5.5 to 8 inches), with a sill above the floor.
- A roof falling to the rear so water does not run toward the entrance.
- Foam always behind a lining: cats scratch and chew unprotected insulation.
- A service roof makes cleaning and straw changes easier.
21 catalog models
Foam Shipping Box Shelter
A clean foam shipping box (fishmongers, pharmacies, labs) with an entrance, straw and film over the roof. ASPCApro mentions coolers about 2 inches thick as an inexpensive waterproof option.
- Build
- No skill needed
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 15 min–40 min
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
EPS Core in Plastic Shell
A foam box placed inside a larger tote: the plastic protects the foam from rain, sun and outside scratching while the foam insulates. The entrance is cut through both, aligned.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 30 min–60 min
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Single Plastic Tote
The simplest rain and wind cover: a lidded tote with an entrance and a little straw. Without insulation it is not a winter solution; it is a starting point to upgrade later.
- Build
- No skill needed
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 15 min–30 min
- Insulation
- no insulation
Tote with Straw
A tote raised off the ground, with a high entrance sill and loose straw up to half the height. An inexpensive winter option for one cat until an insulated shelter is built.
- Build
- No skill needed
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 20 min–40 min
- Insulation
- no insulation
Tote + EPS Lining
A tote lined inside with 30 mm EPS on every side and under the lid. The foam must be covered by straw and checked for scratching.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Tote + XPS Lining
The same tote as the EPS variant but with XPS boards that tolerate moisture and pressure better. Useful when you have XPS offcuts from construction.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Tote-in-Tote + Straw
The Alley Cat Allies method: a large tote of about 30 gallons, a foam slab on the bottom, a smaller tote of about 20 gallons inside and straw, with one entrance through both.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 45 min–90 min
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Double Tote Insulated
A tote-in-tote with foam panels also in the gap between walls, not only on the bottom. More work and material than the basic version, with a more complete insulation layer.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Wooden Crate Shelter
A checked wooden crate with insulation fitted outside and a waterproof wrap, so the cat touches wood inside rather than foam.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Utility knife, Hand saw
- Time estimate
- 60 min–2 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Scrap Wood Cat Box
A box of checked old boards with EPS and a thin interior lining. Boards of unknown origin, with oil or old preservative treatment, are rejected.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 3 h–6 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Pallet Mini Cat Shelter
Three checked pallets cut into a floor and walls, with EPS in the cavities, boards over the gaps and an interior lining. The pallet itself raises the floor off the ground.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Drill
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
OSB Economy Cat
An OSB/3 box with EPS and a thin lining, roofing felt and a roof falling to the rear. Sealing the OSB edges is mandatory.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Plywood Economy Cat
Exterior plywood, 30 mm XPS and an interior lining. For two cats that get along, without the framing and hardware of the engineered models.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Compact Single Cat Winter
Small interior volume, 50 mm XPS, a hinged service roof and bituminous membrane. A simplified DIY version without a compiled frame.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- XPS 50 mm
Two Cat Budget Winter
An OSB box with 50 mm EPS, one entrance and enough room for two cats to curl up together.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 4 h–7 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Double Chamber Budget
Two separate chambers, each with one entrance, for cats that do not share a space or to keep an escape option per entrance.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Four Cat Modular Budget
Two chambers for two cats each in one OSB box, close to the Alley Cat Allies suggestion of about 2 × 3 ft for a small group.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 6 h–10 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Six Cat Colony Budget
Three chambers with one entrance each and a service roof for cleaning. A budget alternative to the engineered Alpine Colony Six.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 8 h–12 h
- Insulation
- EPS 50 mm
Stackable Colony Module
The same module built in batches and stacked at most two high when secured. A small 20 mm roof fall still sends water to the rear.
- Build
- Intermediate
- Tools
- Circular saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 5 h–8 h
- Insulation
- XPS 30 mm
Covered Porch Cat Shelter
A lighter insulated box without roof covering, only for a porch, shed or garage with no rain. It must not stand outside without a roof.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 3 h–5 h
- Insulation
- EPS 30 mm
Summer Cross-Vent Shelter
An uninsulated box with an entrance at the front and a second opening at the rear so hot air can move through, as Alley Cat Allies recommends for summer. It must stand in full shade.
- Build
- Beginner
- Tools
- Hand saw, Jigsaw +1
- Time estimate
- 3 h–5 h
- Insulation
- no insulation