Building a cat house indoors allows you to give your feline friend a designated space of their own while keeping them safe inside. An indoor cat house provides a cozy shelter where your cat can sleep, play, and relax in comfort and privacy. With some simple materials and basic DIY skills, you can create a customized indoor cat house suited to your cat’s personality and preferences.
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Benefits of an Indoor Cat House
An indoor cat house offers many benefits for both you and your cat:
- Gives your cat a personal space – Cats are territorial and like having “their” space.
- Provides security and comfort – A cat house gives them a place to retreat for sleep and solitude.
- Limits damage to furniture – Redirects scratching and climbing from your furniture to the cat house.
- Easy to clean – You can move and clean the house as needed, unlike a permanent cat tower.
- Fun DIY project – Building it yourself lets you customize the design.
- Protects your cat – Keeps your cat safe indoors away from outdoor dangers.
- Portable – You can move an indoor cat house between rooms or take it along when traveling.
Having their own little home within your home brings cats comfort and security. The enclosed, cozy space appeals to their natural instinct to seek shelter and privacy. Your cat can nap, play with toys, or just hang out in their own personal domain.
Choosing a Theme and Size
When deciding how to build your cat house, first consider any theme or style you want for the house. For instance, you could make it look like a miniature log cabin, beach cottage, or fancy Victorian mansion. Pick a theme that fits your cat’s personality – some ideas include:
- Modern and sleek
- Cozy cottage or cabin
- Fancy manor home
- Beach bungalow
- Treehouse, cave, or other natural themes
Also think about what size cat house to make. Measure your cat in both standing and lying down positions to determine ideal dimensions. Add a few extra inches in each direction to give them space to move around. An average-sized indoor cat house ranges from 2 to 3 feet on each side. Large breed cats may need bigger houses.
Consider making the ceiling tall enough for your cat to stand fully upright inside.Include a few windows or openings so your cat can look out from their house.
DIY House Frame Options
The frame provides the underlying structure to build upon when making an indoor cat house. Be sure to make the frame sturdy and stable so the house does not tip or slide. Here are some frame options to consider:
Wooden Frame
A simple wooden frame is easy to construct from 2×2 boards or other lumber. Cut pieces to size and join in a box shape with screws or nails. Paint or stain the wood before decorating further. Consider adding carpet or foam padding to floor pieces for comfort.
PVC Pipe Frame
For a low-cost option, use PVC pipes and connectors to form the frame. PVC is lightweight yet strong. Cut the pipes to size and join with elbow and T-connectors. Add glue for permanence. Padding and fabric can disguise the plastic pipe frame.
Cardboard Boxes
Upcycling large cardboard boxes is an easy frame option. Use the lids/flaps to form a front entrance or windows. Tape boxes together to make a larger connected house. Ensure heavy duty cardboard that will support your cat’s weight.
Repurposed Furniture
Converting an old cabinet, dresser, nightstand or table into a cat house adds character. Look for sturdy used furniture at thrift stores or online classifieds. Add a doorway by cutting an opening in one side.
Tent Frame
For a flexible frame, bend and connect PVC pipes to form a dome tent shape. The pipes act like tent poles to create a rounded ceiling. Drape fabric over the tent frame secured by clamps. Add a floor mat or pad inside for comfort.
Outer Shell Materials
Once you construct the inner frame, the next step is adding an outer shell around it. Use materials that are durable, attractive, and cat-friendly:
Carpeting
For a cozy feel, wrap carpet remnants around the frame stapling or tacking in place. Use carpet scraps or buy inexpensive remnants. Low pile is best to avoid snags from cat claws.
Cardboard
Thick cardboard attached with tape creates a sturdy shell. Choose heavy duty shipping boxes or panels from appliance boxes. Paint and decorate the cardboard surface.
Wood
Use thin plywood, lattice, or faux wood paneling to create a wood-sided house. Attach panels with finishing nails for a snug fit. Sand corners smooth. Paint or stain the wood.
Fabric
Draping cotton, fleece, or other soft fabric over the frame makes a colorful cat house. Use quilted fabric for extra thickness and to prevent sagging. Or wrap batting around first before adding the fabric layer.
Straw or Branches
For a natural look, affix straw or branches around the frame. Apply strips of straw in overlapping rows using hot glue. Or intertwine sticks and branches for an earthy treehouse vibe.
Interior Accessories
Finish your indoor cat house by adding creature comforts inside:
- Cushions – Cover foam pads with soft fabric to make cushions
- Dangling toys – Hang or string fun toys inside for playtime
- Carpet – Affix scraps of carpet remnants for cozy flooring
- Blanket – Include a soft blanket or bed for napping
- Scratch pad – Install a vertical scratch pad for claw conditioning
- Litter box – If space allows, add a small litter box inside
Make sure accessories are securely fastened and not loose or dangling where your cat could become tangled or trapped. Check for sharp edges to avoid injuries.
Exterior Decorating Ideas
Once your cat house frame is constructed, get creative decorating the outside:
- Paint exterior with pet-safe paints
- Stencil or paint whimsical designs
- Glue or nail wood appliqués
- Attach faux greenery and flowers
- Add trim, lattice, or roof accents
- Create fabric curtains for windows
- Hang a personalized name plaque
Apply non-toxic paints or finishes and allow proper drying time before letting your cat use the house. Supervise your cat to ensure they do not chew or ingest any decorations.
Best Placement for the Cat House
Look for a suitable spot to position your DIY indoor cat house. Ideal placement includes:
- Against a wall or corner – offers security with protected backs
- Near a sunny window – for cat napping and bird watching
- Near people activity – so your cat does not feel isolated
- Elevated on a table or shelf – cats enjoy high perches
- Away from noisy appliances – provides peaceful ambiance
Try relocating the house to different areas to determine where your cat spends the most time. This can help find their preferred house location.
Avoid positioning the cat house near drafty doors, loud electronics, or high traffic pathways through your home. Place it in a quiet, warm, and secure spot.
Tips for Success
Follow these tips to increase the chances your cat will actually use and enjoy their new indoor cat house:
- rub catnip or treats inside to attract them initially
- keep food and water nearby at first to acclimate them
- start with bedding and toys from around your home so scents are familiar
- spend time petting your cat inside the house when they first explore it
- use furniture spray formulated for cats to deter scratching
- be patient – full acceptance could take a few weeks
Reward your cat with praise and treats when they use their new house to reinforce the behavior. Your cat may first view the new structure with suspicion – be patient during this adjustment phase.
Safety Precautions
Take the following safety precautions when building and using your indoor cat house:
- Use non-toxic paints and materials in case of chewing
- Sand smooth any rough edges or hardware
- Avoid loose decorations that could fall on cats
- Secure house to prevent tipping if wall-mounted
- Do not add dangling strings that could cause choking
- Ensure openings are not too small to avoid trapped cats
- Monitor house temperature to avoid overheating
- Never force an unwilling cat into the house
Check the house frequently for signs of wear, sharp edges, or instability issues and make repairs right away. Removing potential hazards keeps your DIY cat house safe.
Conclusion
Building your own indoor cat house is an easy and fun project for cat owners. Choose a theme and size suited for your feline, craft a sturdy frame, decorate the exterior, add comfy interior furnishings, and pick a secure location. With patience and the right materials, you can create a custom house where your cat feels relaxed and at home. Just be sure to include safety checks along the way. Soon you will have a purrfect indoor cat habitat for your kitty to enjoy!