Building a cat house can be incredibly complex or simple depending on the cat house plans you’re following. When selecting the right plans you want to make sure you have a clear vision of how you’re going to create the house and where it will be located. An indoor and outdoor cat house will be very different from one another due to the fact that outdoor cat houses will typically need to be constructed out of more durable materials. Here are some tips to help you decide which cat house plans are right for you.
Cat House Plans
Simple Indoor Cat Houses
Some cat houses don’t even really need cat house plans. In fact, there are many cases in which you can take a cardboard box, cut a hole in it for the cat to enter and exit out of and you’ve got yourself an instant cat house. While this is definitely the cheap and easy way to do it you can also spruce up your card board cat house a bit if you want.
One way to enhance a simple indoor cat house is to create bedding for it. This can be as easy as tossing in an old shirt, pillow or other soft items from around the house. If you do go this rout make sure the items have your scent on them as cats typically take comfort in the scent of their owners. Also be mindful of the materials you choose. Some fabrics tend to retain heat better than others and are especially effective if you tend to keep your home on the cool side.
Take special care when choosing where to place the cat house inside. Cats typically don’t like to sleep anywhere near their litter box and if the cat house is located in your room it could cause problems when the cat wakes up at night and wants to go out of the room. Good locations for indoor cat houses offer 24 hour access to the cat’s litter box and water without inconveniencing you.
Complex Indoor Cat Houses
If you’ve got the carpentry skills you can create a more complex cat house if you want. This usually requires having very specific cat house plans to follow but there is always room for creative interpretation. In cases such as these you will usually use a material such as plywood that can be cut and assembled easily. These cat houses can have multiple sections, entrances and even “windows” if you’d like. Some of these are even multi-layered allowing your cat to climb and play on them.
If you don’t have the carpentry skills to pull something like this off and don’t want to hire someone else to do it for you there are other alternatives if you want to design a really neat cat house for your pet. Most pet shops sell little “cat houses.” These are usually very basic just by themselves but different sizes can be combined with one another and other cat play objects to create a veritable castle for your cat. This can include climbing poles, platforms and other fun kitty objects to keep your cat occupied. There usually aren’t any cat house plans for something like this and you may just have to rely upon your creativity or looking up pictures online for ideas.
Outdoor House Cats
When it comes to cat house plans outdoor cat houses are typically quite different from indoor varieties. The first thing is that rain is always an issue so cardboard and most varieties of cat houses aren’t going to work. Using wood can work but it is advised that you treat it with a water seal so that it doesn’t soak up water and grow mold which can be harmful to humans and cats alike. While many outdoor cat house plans do use wood there are other options as well and some of them are not only more cost effective but also better for your cat in general.
If you live in cold climates and have a strictly outdoor cat you can really do a lot for your pet if you follow the right cat house plans. Plans involving insulated cat houses are great for cold climate and can make the frigged winter months a bit easier on your cat. These insulated cat houses can be made very easily using plastic containers. It will take some work on your part though as you will need to create an opening and preferably install a kitty door so that the cold air is kept out.
It is also important to purchase insulated material and glue it to the inside of the container. Do be careful as to what type of glue you use, you don’t want deadly fumes to build up in your cat house. In addition to adding bedding you can really go above and beyond for your pet by adding a heating device. Just ensure that the device has a temperature control mechanism so it isn’t a fire hazard. Also ensure that it complies with all fire hazard laws in your area.
Your Cat’s Needs
As you can tell there is a great variety of different styles of cat houses that you can create for your pet. Take into consideration the needs of your cat when choosing which cat house plans to follow so that you can create a house that your cat will not only love but also be of use to him or her. It would be annoying to create a cat house for your pet only to have it be not interested in it.
Cat House Plans – The Conclusion
Another thing to keep in mind is that these plans are more of a guide line rather than something that must be followed to the letter. There is nothing saying you can’t deviate from the plans and personalize your cat house. There are tons of ways you can add accessories and really give your cat house a sense of personality like adding a custom made name plate above the entrance. In the end cat house plans can help you create an amazing cat house but it’s up to you to make that cat house something special for your pet.
