DIY Insulated Cat House

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/ chanyatafarm
With the cold weather setting in, we wanted to give our outdoor cats somewhere to escape the elements!

[@hzamp824]

While it's wonderful everything you did, rugs or materials inside a feral cathouse is usually a no, no. They get damp and actually do the reverse of what you are goaling for - warmth. They lose body heat instead of insulating. That is why straw (not hay) is ideal. They burrow in it or use it to sleep comfortably in/on and it stays dry.

[@ChanyataFarm]

That makes a lot of sense!

[@EdurtreG]

Hay works fine also, as long as it stays dry.

[@amigos4erin]

@@EdurtreGit’s much easier for hay to get moldy, so straw is best.

[@Norunormii]

I agree and they will love that too.

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

I’ve learned cats like houses with two doors to escape if a predictor reaches in and a door that’s round and only large enough for a cat not a raccoon that can fit though a square door that’s not round pvc that’s safer with a small wind blocker wall leaving enough room to lay in the middle making paws unable to reach the cat also

[@Elmospiece]

If someone hasn’t already suggested it or you haven’t done it, id definitely insulate the underside of the first floor as elevating the house allows air to flow underneath which isn’t ideal. Think of a bridge and why they get slippery sooner in winter.

[@donnaleveron6511]

The doors need plastic flaps to keep out wind and blowing rain and help keep inside heat. Wash rugs and blankets often to help kill fleas and eggs.

[@kenbrown5449]

Great project! May I suggest hanging a couple of thicker plastic sheets in the doors to block a bit of the wind?, They will figure them out quickly. Also, re: the Straw comment, you might want to throw up an edge around the top opening so it all doesn't fall thru as the cats move around, plus it gives them something to grab onto when jumping up. Great little woodshop btw. Take care! (lol! I just saw the date on this vid. I'm sure you're saying to yourself: They survived just fine all last winter dummy! ;) Still laughing!

[@donnaleveron5711]

Insulation is great but it won't do much good if you don't have a door/flap to keep out the wind and keep in body heat.

[@cynthiacasey6631]

I think what you're doing for the cats is a wonderful idea but I also have seen other people who make houses and wonder why you didn't add say a window this can make sure the cats can see predators like those coyotes that you mentioned in the video and as well as installing a cat door or even a backup exit if the cats have to escape I've also seen people use heating mats as well to heat up the area but you are doing a great job I'm just trying to figure out how the cats are going to get to the second floor without some type of stairs or walkway but you are doing a great job it's very nice and relaxing to watch and hope that you build stairs as well as Windows and escape hatch if the cats ever run into problems and also a side railing so that maybe you could put food I'm not quite sure just wondering I've seen other people do it and it's also interesting that they have been able to take scraps of wood and get really wild with the ideal and still keep it part of the interior of the house

[@Uncl3_Ry]

This was made from scrap material from multiple different projects. Buying a window or material that the cat could see through and keep the building insulated would cost more money I'm sure.

[@laurabarrerablas1831]

Luis gatitos te agradecerían unas puertas de plástico o hule cristal en tiras para evitar se escape el calor!

[@ldr4278]

Great video. Veterinarian on the radio suggests to use Straw. Not Hay. Not Blankets. If your four legged furry friend gets his fur coat wet or if rain gets inside of the Cat House the Straw will breathe and dry. Blankets will stay wet and get rock hard and Frozen in the Winter. Straw is the way to go !

[@midwestbrickdoctor6670]

Awesome video! turned out great

[@karengriffin853]

Love it. Wish I had one.

[@Bones1220]

Great production on this video! It turned out so cute too.

[@ChanyataFarm]

We were really happy with the way it turned out

[@stuartpplace6502]

Use straw, not hay or blankets in winter, they cause hypothermia when wet in winter.

[@paulbusby7653]

Well done awesome cat hotel

[@invaderzim_8833]

AWESOME !!!

[@victormartiny7599]

Excellent.

[@dadyarusski4594]

Ooooooh, very nice😸💕

[@wayneleamon3186]

Great video. My oldest son loved using the multi tool. He will do anything to use it. I tell him, we have a jigsaw. He says, I'll just use the multi tool dad.

[@ChanyataFarm]

It is great for certain things!

[@satchmothewerewolf]

Nice build man!

[@ChanyataFarm]

Appreciate that!

[@maureen14]

You should insulate the roof because heat rises. Otherwise it looks beautiful! 🏡

[@charleysturbos7320]

Awesome video. But built the holes way to big for coyotes to be able to get too the cats or racoons and such possibly. Maybe think about attaching it up high on wall or something safer and with holes on different sides so if creatures can get in the cats can get out other side. Could also do what others do and add a low wattage light bulb inside for super heat and comfort. I guess you say the catß are safe on the porch but yea I'd like to create a house protected against crazy animals wanting to harm them for a safe place to hide and be comfortable. Great video though.

[@Adele.N]

You just need straw to put in the box because blankets get wet, and can't dry out well.

[@zachadams6897]

That’s great but how much did it cost?

[@ChanyataFarm]

I built this with all materials I had on hand, so exact cost is a little difficult. I think you could build something very similar for around $150

[@beckys8240]

what is the brand of the 2nd multitool that you used to cut the hole on the second floor of the cat house? It looks smaller than the first one that you used. Am I mistaken? I'm looking for one for smaller hands (mine!) Any suggestions? Thank you so much!!

[@ChanyataFarm]

It was the same DeWalt brand one. Must’ve just been a trick of the angle. All my battery tools are DeWalt

[@beckys8240]

@@ChanyataFarm okeedokee! I found it on Amazon by observing yours! Thank you again!

[@ugonz84]

That’s what’s up

[@MarcBridie]

I know you built it off of the ground for it to stay dry but it will be extra cold with no ground warmth.

[@ChanyataFarm]

There isn’t much ground warmth here in the winter

[@MarcBridie]

@ChanyataFarm The ground is much warmer than the cold air above it. And the warmth from the cats won't be lost to the air, their warmth would warm the ground. Try sleeping on a cot when it is twenty degrees outside, you'll be painfully cold. But sleeping on the ground is much warmer.

[@taylord2hunt]

That Dewalt Finish Nailer though... What Model # is it?

[@ChanyataFarm]

It’s the DCN680 18 gauge Brad nailer. And it is awesome.

[@sharionmcclamy4833]

How much would you charge to make one of these? I have outside cats and I would love for them to have a warm place to be for the winter. They really not my cats, I adopted them as they was left when my neighbors moved🤬😔

[@ChanyataFarm]

While this was “free” because I built it with all material I had on hand, there is probably close to $100 in material here, if not a little bit over that, especially when you consider the price of plywood these days.

[@sharionmcclamy4833]

@@ChanyataFarm so with labor I’m probably looking at $200

[@nyneeveanya8861]

My parents always kept any extra wood from projects. When my mother got to where she couldn’t step up or down we had plenty to make three ramps in the house as that was how many places had one step from the main house to the additions they made as the family grew. Now with the scooter you can easily go from living room to main house to both enclosed porches and we only had to buy materials for the long ramp from the far porch to the back yard. This is emergency ramp in case of fire as her rooms are at the back end of the house.

[@Lonelyone1111]

Dogs n Cats are Coyotes food. You have a nice house n warm n safe funny it took you long to make a Cat house. They are on the porch because Hungry n Fear. Hope you can put some more shelters n food. I feed 28 homeless cats I give them everything I have be nice is humans would help these suffering animals more. If Kitty's are there they Chose you. Please help. Hunger n fear hurts human n Animal

[@taylorc1019]

With that logic, why aren’t you taking the 28 homeless cats into your home?

[@dizazz970]

A beautiful Cat showed up in my backyard who was very friendly so I fed it everyday for months. One day a huge Coyote was spotted over the fence near my backyard so I grabbed the cat and put it in my house in my den. Then I realized how severely allergic I was to the cat. So I wore a mask to help with my allergies. I grew to become so in love with her and needed to know if she could survive and be warm enough outside in an insulated house with a secure fencing so she can be outdoors but safe from Coyotes. You made a great comment that when a Cat comes to you its meant to be with you. I heard its also good luck. I cannot give her up and are in the process of finding someone to build my dream home for her. Any suggestions are welcomed.

[@Bones1220]

What! No plan! I never..

[@SummerofKittyLove]

No I cannot do this myself😢

[@farm_in_themiddleofthewood3339]

Sorry, nothing to do with the great cat build..... but are you getting excited about Maple Syrup season????

[@charlesmisiak4926]

Cats produce an un-Godly amount of heat.

[@Meenadevidasi]

Not sure carpeting is a good idea. If the cat gets wet and then gets the carpeting wet.... The carpeting won't dry out very easily. Mostly I see people use straw on the floor.... Evidently it absorbs moisture and yet stays dry on top.

[@cwbutler47591]

That not "duct tape" That the cheap plastic stuff they try to pass off as "duct tape" True Duct work tape is aluminum and has a back tape you have to peal off That crap there wouldn't last long on metal Duct Work

[@saveamerica2896]

Fancy😀❤❤❤❤