Has anyone made an outdoor car box for their cat in Winter?

[Bill2bill]

To be clear he isn't forced to sleep outside but he doesn't always come back when he's called.
Last night for example, I spent the whole evening going and checking if he was at the back door. I didn't go to bed till 11pm because he wasn't there.

I heard my son checking at 1am.

Then at 7am, in minus 7 temp, he was at the back door.

I was thinking about those warm boxes people make for cats, so that if he does end up locked out when everyone's asleep he at least has somewhere warm to go?

Have no idea where to start though.

I’ve been looking at buying one because I was up and down until gone 1am trying to get mine in recently. I figured it would be cheaper -and less hassle- to buy one and put a self heating pad or even straw in it. there are plans online to build one but I’m sure I’d be unable to buy just the amount of wood/roof felt needed.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Weatherproof-Wooden-Rabbit-Indoor-PVC/dp/B0BSF5WTM4/ref=asc_df_B0BSF5WTM4/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=641867011811&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8037717009201606488&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045255&hvtargid=pla-1970816016892&psc=1&mcid=34a61e5146d2337bb7fec5efb14b3d32

I’ve got a Katden with a self heating pad for mine. Same situation, cat prefers outside than in for some stupid reason.

Oh that's perfect and probably not much dearer than making one after all the materials! Thanks.

We have an outdoor litter tray which would be easy to insulate

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/catlitterrlitterboxes/outdoorrcat_trays/588901?origin=hopps&q=outdoor%20litter%20tray&i=1&ro=10

On US sites people convert those old fashioned plastic cool boxes by cutting a hole in.

I know I have read guidance on a cat charity page to use straw instead of towels/cushions etc as if they get wet and freeze the cat can freeze to it. Straw is a much safer insulator.

I have the same problem with my 2.. refuse to come in!
I have set up a rudimentary cat bed in the shed which has a small hole in its side wall.
I used big pieces of polystyrene for the base and sides and filled it with straw.
It's only been in a few days and I can see that someone ( could be any of the local cats!) has been nesting in it.

If you can stretch…https://homeandroost.co.uk/product/microchip-cat-house/?attribute_would-you-like-to-add-a-rain-cover=No+Rain+Cover&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtaOtBhCwARIsAN_x-3L36Wp4HfcLHWALcQbyZ0w-42fdzoInuVtIssPEHNqSauyoTgQMZ4EaAg1REALw_wcB

I used to have one and it’s great. Also means they can safely hide if they’ve been in a scrap without fear of four-legged intruders!

My parents cat had a cat house. He used it occasionally. But was never out overnight. It was more shelter during the day, if they erected out. Although I think. He spent quite a lot of time at a neighbours house!

You can buy the one I have with a cat flap fitted. I didn’t bother but I think it is great, I just wash it a couple of times a year and wash the pad now and then.

Link

Cat man Chris on Facebook/ YouTube runs a cat rescue in America. He does some wonderful cat shelter videos. He recommends using straw as blankets get wet and stay damp. My lot mainly stay inside but we have an old cat basket outside if they insist on staying out. Good luck 🍀❤️

We don't have anything like that at the moment, but in our previous shed we installed a cat flap in the side wall, so they could go in there if they wanted to.

I stayed up till 1 this morning waiting for one of my furry bastards to come home

We bought one of these but my cat doesn't like it! The 'click' of the microchip detector scared him. Plus one of my kids was a bit too enthusiastic trying to get him into it.

So now it's just a very expensive sunbathing platform...

Can I recommend this microwave heat pad, you put it in the microwave for 5 mins and it stays warm for 10 hours. (We bought one a few years ago and put it in an outside box when we had a feral cat living in our garden). It’s quite hard so needs straw or something soft over the top but it is nice and warm.

Can I ask OP, do you have a catflap into your house? Wouldn't that be easier than calling him in the early hours of the morning. We have a Sureflap microchip one and I wouldn't be without it. If I've misunderstood the post please forgive me!

That's not a bad price. The microchip cat flap alone is about £80

I rent. I've asked and they've refused to let me install one.

Thanks everyone. Some great ideas.

That Amazon one isn't insulated though. Probably easier to make your own rather than attempt to insulate that, unless you want it to look like a little house!

Ours can be buggers to get in on cold nights too so we leave closed cardboard boxes with newspapers and cushions and one small opening somewhere in the garage for them.

Following

We have an outdoor cat and do have the microchip cat flap house as above - cat is scared of the flap though, so it was a bit of a waste of money as we have to prop it open...
DH added insulation on all sides including the roof and we use the snugglesafe heat pads and fleece blankets. This will be the third winter it's been used and cat seems very content. I think it's nice and warm as he often comes out to greet me from his house and if I pick him up he's toasty warm and has warm feet!

@Justicebieber I'm looking at these but wondering how the cat gets in through the cat flap when the house is on its legs?

@LightenUpTheRideIsShort
I have one of these, they are good as can use in summer as roof lifts up or they can lay on it.

In Winter my garden swing is covered with a garden zip up cover so I place the hut on the swing seat with a blanket in and the cat is all nice and snug from rain /cold etc.
Can get different sizes .

She can get in/ out easy as the garden seat cover has gaps at bottom Or where the side zips are.

Although my cats come in quickly in the winter now, summer they often stay out much later. I'm a night owl often bed 2pm but if I'm.really tired she has a warm covered place to stay on rare occasions she won't come in.

I have used one of these types of things before- bear in mind you'll have other cats coming to use it.