Homemade Outdoor Cat Shelter - For Those Free Spirited Kitties

 I have 2 cats.  One is perfectly happy indoors 24/7 but the other one, we inherited as he just showed up at our back patio door one day and has adopted us!

He comes in the house, is litter trained, and neutered, but he still loves to go out at night no matter how hard we try otherwise.  It is either he goes out or none of the household sleeps!  But with our Ontario winters, it is super cold outside.

I found this awesome cat shelter that you can make yourself.  After a recent move we had those inexpensive foam coolers to move the refrigerator contents and now are simply sitting under the stairs.

Check out this video to see just how quickly you can make them.

It really doesn't take much to make these.  

I am making the foam one, and just need to get straw from my local pet supply outlet.  Remember, NO pillows, blankets, newspaper or other bedding as the cat will make it wet and then it will freeze.  Straw wicks away moisture.

PUT A WEIGHT ONTOP

If like me, this will sit somewhere where the wind could take it away, especially the foam ones, find some bricks to keep it weighed down, or a more sheltered area.

YOU CAN ALSO GET PRE-MADE CAT SHELTERS ONLINE IF YOU PREFER BELOW:

These do look cuter, and do a wonderful job of keeping kitty out of the weather.  I also find by keeping the shelter close to the house, you will deter other critters.  

I hope this gives you some inspiration to keep your "free spirited" kitty warm this winter.