How to Build a Backyard Cat Cage

A backyard cat cage can keep your cat safe when it wants to be outside. You may also want to keep a feral cat safe in a backyard cage instead of releasing it to fend for itself. You will want the cat cage large enough to allow your cat to exercise, lie in the sun and be protected from bad weather.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 pieces of 40-inch by 48-inch, 14-gauge woven wire for sides 3 pieces of 30-inch by 72-inch, 14-gauge woven wire for end, top and bottom 5 pieces of 48-inch by 30-inch, 1/4-inch treated plywood for top, ends and sides 2 pieces 36-inch by 30-inch, 1/4-inch treated plywood 100 2-1/2-inch nails 20 1/2-inch screws 6 1-inch hinges 4 eye hooks 6 2-inch by 4-inch by 46-inch treated boards 8 2-inch by 4-inch by 26-inch treated boards 4 1-inch by 2-inch by 72-inch treated boards Staple gun and staples Hammer Screwdriver Saw

1. Assemble two frames using the 2-inch by 4-inch by 46-inch treated boards and the 1-inch by 2-inch by 48-inches boards . Place three of the 46-inch boards parallel to each other; the first two boards should be 22 inches apart, spanning 30 inches at the outside of both boards. Lay the third board so that from the third board to the first board, the span measures 72 inches, including the boards. Place one of the treated 1-inch by 2-inch by 72-inch boards on top of the three and one at the bottom, and nail them in place. Build the second wall the same way, creating two side walls for your outside cat cage.

2. Place one 2-inch by 4-inch by 26-inch treated board at the base and top of each 46-inch board, thus connecting the two frames together, and nail these in place. Nail the two additional 26-inch boards in the center of the two 46-inch boards that are 22 inches apart. These will provide a shelf for the protective housing area. The frame of your outdoor cat cage should be complete.

3. Nail one piece of plywood 48 inches by 30 inches onto the end of the cat cage frame covering the entire back of the shelter you just made. Nail a second onto one side of the 48-inch tall frame so that it covers the side of the cat shelter and covers the 30-inch span created by the 2-inch by 4-inch treated boards. Attach the third piece to the other side of the frame, covering the boards that are 30 inches apart again, only use three 1-inch hinges to attach it to the corner and two eye hooks to lock it into place on the center 46-inch board. Attach the fourth piece to the open end of the frame, again using three 1-inch hinges and two eye hooks. This gives you access to the pen area and the cat house area. Nail the fifth piece to the top, completely covering the cat house and offering a little shade to the outside area of the pen.

4. Staple one piece of woven wire 72 inches by 48 inches to each side of the frame, placing a staple about every inch to avoid leaving an opening for escape. Staple one piece of woven wire 30 inches by 72 inches across the top of the cage and across the bottom of the cage.

5. Secure the outdoor cat cage to an outbuilding, garage or tree by hammering nails through one of the 46-inch boards, or attach to a post cemented into the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Insulate the cat house if your cat will be outside in cold weather.
• Check carefully for sharp points inside the pen before putting your cat inside.

Resources

• Provide Shelter for Free-Roaming cats
• Building Plans for Outdoor Cat Houses
• How to Make Newspaper Cat Litter
• How to Make a Cat Scratcher