How to Build a Cat Cage

You might be surprised by how often you could use a cat cage. A cat cage can provide protection to a new arrival or keep a cat temporarily contained for a veterinary appointment. A cat cage will come in handy to train a cat struggling with litter box issues or to confine a cat about to give birth or a cat recovering after surgery. How do you build a cat cage? Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 14-gauge woven wire: two pieces 36 inches by 48 inches
• 1/4-inch plywood: two pieces 48 inches by 30 inches
• 2 pieces1/4-inch plywood, 36 inches by 30 inches
• 100 1-1/2-inch nails
• 20 1/2-inch screws
• 3 1-inch hinges
• Two eyehooks
• 4 boards, 1-inch by 1-inch by 48-inches
• 4 boards, 1-inch by 1-inch by 34-inches
• 4 boards four, 1-inch by 1-inch by 28-inches
• Staple gun and staples
• Hammer
• Screwdriver

1. Assemble two frames using the 1-inch by 1-inch boards that are 48 inches long and the boards that are 34 inches long. Place two of the 48 inch boards parallel to each other, 34 inches apart. Place two of the 34 inch boards in between to create the frame that is 48 inches by 36 inches. Nail the boards at the corners using the 1 ½-inch nails through the 48 inch boards into the 34 inch boards. Repeat to make a second identical frame. These will provide the front and back of the cat cage.

2. Place one 1-inch by 1-inch by 28-inch board in between the corners of the two frames you just built and nail it into place from the outside of the finished frames. Repeat this step in each corner until you have built the entire frame for your cat cage.

3. Staple one piece of woven wire that is 36-inches by 48-inches over the frame that will become the front of the cage, and repeat for the back of the cage. Place a staple approximately every inch so that the cat cannot escape through any openings.

4. Nail the 1/4-inch sheet of plywood that is 36-inches by 30-inches to the bottom of the cage using the 1 ½-inch nails and securing it to the frame of the cube, and then nail the second piece to the top of the cage.

5. Nail the 1/4-inch sheet of plywood that is 48-inches by 30-inches to one side of the cage.

6. Attach the second piece of 1/4-inch plywood that is 48-inches by 30-inches to the other side of the cage frame using three one-inch hinges that you screw into the frame and then into the plywood, creating a door. Attach two eyehooks onto the other side so you can latch the door.

Tips & Warnings

• The cage will be tall enough to allow for a climbing area for your cat. You can reduce the height if you need your cat to rest. If you reduce the size, make sure the cage is large enough for a litter box and eating area.
• Make sure no points are exposed that can injure your cat.

Resources

• Provide shelter for free-roaming cats
• Building plans for Outdoor Cat Houses