Easy to make cat shelter idea

Last week before the bitter bitter cold arrived, I needed another shelter since my MIA of 9 months, feral, Patches had returned.  he was coming late at night and had wandered into the other cats shelter, but I could tell he felt uncomfortable.  I decided to make one with a rubbermaid like container and place it under a table I have on my deck.  Of course my other 2 ferals checked it out and appeared to really like it.  When the first round of cold weather arrived last week, I moved it into the shelter and put something else out for Patches.  Shadow and Stellar were constantly fighting over using it.  When I went outside one night to pick up the food, I was shocked how warm it was inside.  So here is what I did.  I went to Target and bought a Hefty Stack Smart 66qt 23.9wx16.8dx13h clear container with lock tight lid.  The hard part was cutting this type of plastic, but I managed to do so with an sharp tool knife.  I cut one hole in the front 5"x5" and secured the sharp edges with duct tape.  I cut another smaller hole (4"x4") on one of the side.  I then lined the sides, top and bottom with a foil like insulator called Reflectix (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-25-ft-Staple-Tab-Insulation-ST16025/100012574?N=19n#).  I secured it with duct tape, but you could hot glue it down too.  I then covered the reflectix with old baby blankets as it was kind of crinkly sounding.  I also cut a hole in one of the back corners to allow for the heat pad cord to get out.  I then placed the heat pad on the bottom and secured the lid tight.  The microwave heat discs would work well inside too.  Besides the heat pad it was under $20 to make.  My cats like the clear box as it provides a bit of natural light.  There is also room to place another heat pad on one of the sides to add extra warmth.

Hope this helps someone out with the fierce weather still in place.  I am breathing a small sigh of relief as the worst of our cold snap is coming to an end.  Tonight is (only!) to be 6 with wind chills around -7- -10.  So much better than the wind chills of -39 last night.  The temp will also rise tonight and be in the mid 20's tomorrow.

Keep warm little kitties.

The clear plastic is an excellent idea.  The ones I make use two totes, one nested inside the other, surrounded by insulation.  Some cats won't use them even with two entrances cut into them.

I'll have to think about this.  Thanks!

I had used the two totes in the past with styrofoam insulation in between.  My cats never cared for them.  I didn't think they would like this either and it wasn't intended for them.  But they found it to be the perfect height.  I love the snapping lock down lids too.  The Reflectix insulation is just da bomb!!  I cannot believe how warm it feels inside of these containers.  At first I forgot to put insulation on the lid and I noticed a huge difference once the reflectix was on the lid, bottom and all sides.  The only down fall is that only one cat can comfortably fit inside.  They have both tried to fit in one container, but it's hard to move around. 

When I brought it inside the other day to add the top insulation, one of my inside boys, Jake climbed right inside.  You can see the duct taped reflectix, heat pad and baby blankets I tried covering it up with. 

Awww, what a cutie patootie!

That's awesome! I love the clear plastic idea.

We have several of the nested boxes with insulation between them and straw inside. Only one, to our knowledge, has been used. Of course, we're in a rural area with woods, so I'm sure there's a lot of natural shelter available.

My one concern with using clear plastic is that some cats might not always feel safe in them.  They could be seen by predators, and predators can see them.  My experience is that when they can't see out they tend to feel a bit safer.

Perhaps a shelter that is partially or half covered and half clear so the cat can go into the side that  they are most comfortable with at the moment might be considered.  You'd still get the benefit of the sun warming the space.

Maybe just painting one section of the bin with some waterproof plastic paint, which would also add a bit of insulation as well.

deborahlee said:

 
My one concern with using clear plastic is that some cats might not always feel safe in them.  They could be seen by predators, and predators can see them.  My experience is that when they can't see out they tend to feel a bit safer.

Perhaps a shelter that is partially or half covered and half clear so the cat can go into the side that  they are most comfortable with at the moment might be considered.  You'd still get the benefit of the sun warming the space.

Maybe just painting one section of the bin with some waterproof plastic paint, which would also add a bit of insulation as well.

Click to expand...

My two ferals are the exact opposite and it is why I built it using clear plastic.  They must see out or they feel trapped.  Neither one would go inside any of the dark colored rubbermaids.  With the insulation inside, the can't see out of the sides any way.  They only can see out of the front hole.  This shelter is kept inside another larger shelter that keeps them out of the rain and elements.  I have two of them side by side so they can go between them if necessary.  They sometimes like to snuggle and other times want their own space.  My reason for using the clear plastic was to make it less dark inside as well as it was the perfect sizing.  My cats want to see out at all times.  They have an exit and an entrance for quick escapes if needed. 

Certainly a dark rubbermaid would work too, but my guys are a bit different and really need to see out and just love their new space.  I cannot believe how warm they stay with one heat pad and the insulation.  I put my hand inside and it is so warm and toasty in there.