How to make a simple cat shelter out of a cooler

I needed a warm place for my outdoor kitty to sleep, but I didn't love what I found on Amazon - they were either overpriced or looked flimsy. It occurred to me that a cheap, insulated cooler would do the trick. I added a small heating pad made specifically for pets and she is happy as can be! Let me know if you found this helpful!
Here are the materials I used:
Cooler:
www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-48-Q...
Pet-specific heating pad:
www.amazon.com/dp/B001AZSR68?...
Inline electrical switch:
www.amazon.com/dp/B091HXK6NR?...

[@croweviolinist]

NOTE: Be sure to use a heating pad that is MADE FOR ANIMALS. A regular heating pad will get too hot. There are multiple options on Amazon. The one shown in the video cost $20 and has worked out great. Thanks for the comments, everyone!

[@jennapitts8373]

Hi, what is the attachment on your Dremel? Thank you

[@croweviolinist]

@@jennapitts8373 My Dremel came with the circle cutting tool, but here it is for reference: a.co/d/j8oCmpn However, the material on my cooler was very thin. I think you could cut it with box knife and a steady hand and get a perfectly decent result. Let me know what she's up working for you! Thanks for the question.

[@jennapitts8373]

Thank you. I used a box cutter yesterday to cut the opening for a shelter . I was too lazy to look for my dremel.

[@croweviolinist]

@@jennapitts8373 Awesome! I thought that would work but I wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for confirming!

[@vanessabarnett7193]

You should use straw instead of blankets or any kind of fabric. Fabric gets as cold as the air and the animals can freeze to death. Having the heating pad with it might be ok but when not using a pad don't use fabric

[@pbaug259]

I know there is a heating pad in there but it's important to know that towels and blankets regardless of the material they are made from, even wool, will absorb moisture and can also absorb heat from the animal inside. It doesn't matter if it's protected from the elements, moisture collects with the morning dew, changes in temperature etc... So in the case that the heating pad may not be on or stops working this can actually make the cat colder to the point of it being life threatening. Always, always use straw, not hay but straw. There is plenty of info on this online. Good luck!

[@croweviolinist]

Thank you.

[@David-dvr]

One of the best things about coolers is that people often throw them out. I found three in my alley that I converted to shelters. You do need some tools to cut the hole. I used a drill and jigsaw to cut an square opening. Another great thing is that they are well-insulated and water resistant. Still another good thing is they are usually small enough for one or two cat's body heat to provide additional warming. I also added some reflective bubble wrap to help trap this heat.

[@michaelgarza7549]

THX FOR THE VIDEO... IVE GOT ABOUT 7 STRAY CATS THAT I FEED EVERYDAY. I THINK A HARD WINTER IS COMING. I WILL PREPARE SHELTER FOR THEM...

[@nalinihurry8249]

OMG....I take them for surgery feed them and protect from rain and cold in Florida..Love this idea.

[@nandi123]

Your cat has a good Dad. 🙂 I recommend a 6" plastic grommet, weatherproof switch, $5 each.😻

[@blamshiza]

Thumbs up for that cutting jig! Got the same cooler repurposed for a cat shelter too

[@croweviolinist]

Amazing! I hope it works out for your kitty as well as it has for mine. 😁

[@princessluvvsg1967]

I use body warmers for my yard feral cats. Body warmers last 18 hrs, I would put 2 fresh ones daily sewn into small piece of fleece blanket. Each night while eating i blow dry inside with hair dryer heating the straw, then put a piece of blanket inside with 2 sewn in body warmers not hand warmers. Body warmers are bigger plus last 18 hrs. Note my 2 yard ferals also didnt like the regular totes they like cardboard boxes. I lined inside.boxes with pee pads first before adding straw. The outside is covered with black trash bag, black tape and clear tape over it. And I always wear gloves they like to smell their own scent, don't wash blankets blow dry only keeps their scent on it or rub mulch dirt or grass scent on it never use your plain hands. I discovered that one year when I would wash the blankets. Each year after winter I was blankets or get new pieces but rubbed them on ground first to get the outdoors smell on the pieces of blankets...notice I wrote pieces not a whole blanket. This worked for me for 5 years with my yard feral cats. 👍🏽 I made it work for them what they liked. These 2 cats did not like to sleep in totes. One like the Styrofoam but one didnt. I covered that with a black trash bag as well and they loved it!❤ THIS LASTS ALL WINTER!😊🐈❤ They love it! I redo new box every year. They didnt like the totes or Styrofoam boxes. I had to think of what cats like and some cats like cardboard boxes. I always left a few uncovered pueces of box for them to smell, feel or hear the box noise they like. To secure boxes with weight I taped Smart water 33 oz bottles on each side, 1 behind and one in front close to bottom to secure so cats wouldn't tip over boxes or strong winds wont blow them. My cats didnt like the round holes so I made theirs square and larger. Then i made extra covering on top like a awning of a house and 2 side flaps on each side to block out cold wind. I had 1 feral cat that stayed in my yard for years then a 2nd cat. Other cats pass through to eat only. I spoil my ferals they get kibble, can cat food, can Mackerel or salmon, can tuna, boiled or rotisserie chicken...They love my boiled or baked chicken made with water and salt only for electrolytes no box stuff. They need electrolytes. I always give them warm food in the fall and winter plus other areas I drive to. The cats know me and my car when I pull up. Sometimes I blow my horn and they come running. I love to see them eat..winters they need more food protein. Yes I take and put warm water in the bowls. All the feral cat spots has 2 or more feeders.❤

[@nalinihurry8249]

Genius cutting tech mon.....best post ever,

[@croweviolinist]

Thanks! 😎 Kitty is very happy that's the most important. ☺

[@rosenegrete9780]

Awesome, 2 holes are needed for escape, dont want to be trapped inside if a predator comes.

[@suexiong1259]

Loved how you built this cat house! God blessed! Love to see more

[@croweviolinist]

Thank you so much!

[@andreeamoon]

Thank you❤🏡🐈🐈🐈🐈...

[@markymark8665]

Thought of doing this with an old cooler for a couple of ferals who come by for food but aren’t always here. I think they’re being provided shelter somewhere else in the neighborhood. Before I go through the effort I’m going to do a trial run with something more primitive and quick like a cardboard box or styrofoam cooler to see if they use it. Thanks for the video.

[@ghostcat5303]

Not a good idea to use blankets they absorb moisture, straw is best

[@croweviolinist]

Perhaps. But in my case, the shelter is under a carport so it's not directly exposed to the elements. Also, it's made of wool so it has natural wicking properties, unlike cotton which, as you mentioned, is very good at retaining moisture. I feel certain that, with an occasional washing of the blanket, there will be no problems. Besides, kitty loves the blanket! Thanks for the comment!

[@romankatz982]

@@croweviolinist Kitty looks nice and toasty. Great job! I'm going to get a used cooler on Facebook marketplace. How long was your cooler? I don't want it to be too small.

[@croweviolinist]

@@romankatz982 My cooler is roughly 22"(L) x 13"(H) x 12"(W), and my cat is medium sized. She has PLENTY of extra room. A slightly smaller cooler would be just fine (or a huge cat)😆. I wondered the same thing when I built it - "Will she be able to turn around in there?" But cats are so nimble that it is no problem! I like the size of my cooler but I think there's plenty of wiggle room so don't overthink it! A used cooler is a great idea - save some money! Thanks for the comment!

[@monicalopez8634]

You should attach some kind of cover over the hole in case it rains

[@ASMRwithyourfavoritestar]

so cute!

[@graceglass678]

Maybe plastic so cold doesnt enter the opening I like lg box and 2 entries for kitty safty

[@croweviolinist]

Yes! During the coldest months I drape a little curtain-like flap over the entry. She can still get in and out but it helps keep the warmth in. Thanks!

[@rose.gianno4508]

What kind of a tool is that to cut the round hole? I joke u respond as I'm in terrible need of many shelters. Thanks. NYC

[@rose.gianno4508]

I read further and found the answer. Ty

[@graceglass678]

Keep heat pad on low

[@croweviolinist]

It's a heating pad specifically designed for animals, so it doesn't get too hot, and it's thermostatically controlled so it stays regulated. Thanks!

[@susanwhite6761]

I cant find hay anywhere- no pet stores have it.

[@croweviolinist]

You might try a local hardware store or especially a farm supply store like Tractor Supply or Farm & Fleet (depending where you live).

[@susanwhite6761]

Since I can't find that anywhere I'm using small animal bedding...like sawdust.Thats gonna have to do.

[@darwyncreations3700]

Thank you for caring for your outdoor kitty friends. Just wanted to drop in for a friendly helpful tip I've learned over the TNR feral cat loving years: you're not supposed to ever use hay for bedding, because after it gets wet it will mold and cause kitty friends more respiratory health issues in the winter, or actually whatever season! Believe it or not, there's a HUGE difference between HAY, which is typically more of a greener tint with a subtly sweet smell; and STRAW, which looks a bit similar to HAY, but is usually more of a golden/tan color; NO green tint. Straw does NOT mold, won't freeze, and wicks moisture for your little meow- meow friends to stay dry when they seek refuge from a cold, wet, windy, blizzard of a day in their new kitty house that their loving human ally built for them :) Oh, and one more thing is, whomever commented above about not using blankets in the shelter was correct about that. While it's natural to humanize the kitties and try to get them warm the same way we do, they don't have a dryer or a heater or anything and so they might feel comfy on the blanket at first, but when it gets wet and freezes they can easily freeze to death as well and blankets also absorb heat making kitty feel cooler. A different idea if you absolutely can't find straw to line shelter with is to line inside walls with that heat reflective emergency blanket material a.k.a. mylar, and then straw - but if no straw then mylar blanket lined walls and SHREDDED, again SHREDDED newspaper, NOT folded newspaper. Def not as good as straw, but will do in a pinch. Happy biscuit making, fellow feline lovers! ❤

[@darwyncreations3700]

​@@croweviolinistalso in some areas there are farm stores where you can find STRAW - not HAY, but STRAW (plz see comment below) called Murdochs, Country General, and/or Big R.

[@croweviolinist]

@@darwyncreations3700 You are absolutely right about straw versus hay. I often slip and say 'hay' when I mean 'straw.' Hay is for eating and ideally has high nutrient value, a decent bit of moisture, and more complex organic matter that, yes, is prone to decomposing and molding. Straw is mostly just the dried fibers and "roughage" (as my dad would call it) of some form of grass so it doesn't have much moisture or organic complexity. Hay is for eating. Straw is for bedding, absorbing moisture, wicking, etc. Thank you for the clarification! I'm sure it will be helpful to others reading this thread!