If you’re a cat lover, then you know how important it is to have a place for your feline friend to call home. But what if you don’t have the space or the budget for a store-bought cat house? Never fear! With a little creativity and some basic supplies, you can easily make a cat house out of a tote.
Read on for a step by step guide on how to make a cat house out of a tote:
How To Make A Cat House Out Of A Tote
Get 2 Plastic Totes
Buy a large and a small plastic tote. The easiest way to make a cat house out of a tote is to use two matching plastic totes. To summarize, you’ll nest the smaller container inside the larger one and then add insulation in the gap between the two containers’ walls. There is no need for your tote to have a specific size.
The larger container should be approximately 30 gallons (110 L), and the smaller one should be around 18 gallons (68 L). It may seem contradictory, but smaller shelters are preferable to larger ones since a cat’s body heat can easily warm a small space.
Create The Designs For The Outdoor Cat Shelter
To start, remove the lids from each of the totes and put them aside; you’ll need them later. After that, form a circle large enough for a cat to go through without difficulty on the larger tote. The circle’s center should be in the middle of one of the tote’s ends after you’re finished.
Insert the smaller tote inside the larger. Cut out the shape of the hole you created on the larger tote to create a cutout. Separate the small tote from the larger tote by drawing a circle of the same dimension on the smaller tote.
Make Holes In The Lids, Then Add Insulation
Use a razor blade and cut both holes, ensuring that the openings for every tote lineup as you go. Fill the space between the two totes with protective coatings, making sure everything fits as securely as possible because the cats’ outdoor shelter will not be exposed to wet or cold air. The idea is to have as little air space as possible so the cats can stay warm.
If you’re using stakes to secure the outdoor cat house to the ground, punch or drill holes in the bottom of the bigger tote. This will let you anchor the unit with stakes by tying rope through the holes. Place the smaller container’s lid on the larger tote. Place another layer of insulating material between the bottom of the smaller tote and the area where the larger tote will be inserted. Cover the lid of the larger tote.
Place The Cat Food
Place a bowl of cat food in one of the corners. The cats who make their way into your shelter may be both hungry and cold. Pour some nice quality dry cat food into a dish and place it inside the shelter, where it won’t be rained on or eaten by other animals.
Dry food is the best feeding solution for cats. It will last much longer than other types of food because it does not spoil or dry out.
Add Blankets And Bedding For Your Cat
Add bedding and blankets for your cat so that it does not feel cold or uncomfortable. You should try to wash the bedding at least once a week if you can do it. If you don’t put any food or water near the shelter, it’ll be much easier to prevent any water from getting into the shelter or any food scraps from getting inside the shelter.
Avoid Exposure And Secure The Cat House
During strong winds, it’s a great idea to secure the DIY cat shelter plastic container so that it doesn’t toss over. You can lock it down with straps or ropes, which will most likely require drilling or punching holes in the bottom of the larger tote so the ropes may pass through. Tie the ropes to ground stakes similar to those used for tents.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to make an outdoor cat shelter out of a tote, it’s time to finish the job and give your feline friend a warm and comfortable place to stay. These types of shelters are ideal for cats who don’t have access to a home or live in cold climates. With a little bit of effort, you can provide them with a safe haven from the elements.
