Searching for some great DIY cat window box plans that you can make when you’re looking for a creative project to sink your teeth into? You’ve come to the right place!
If you don’t have the space to invest in one of the best outdoor cat enclosures but still want to give your feline friend the ability to see what’s going on in nature’s backyard, a window box can be a brilliant solution.
Cats are naturally curious creatures and most of them love heights, so a window box gives them a place to relax while also enabling them to keep an eye on what’s going on in the world around them. They’re a particularly big hit with highly social breeds who want to get their beauty sleep but don’t want to feel like they’re missing out on anything.
A window box is also a wonderful idea if you want to give your kitty a glimpse of the outside world without letting them roam free. It’s a well known fact that outdoor cats have a shorter lifespan than indoor cat breeds and are at a greater risk of injury and illness, not to mention the threat they pose to wildlife. A window box will give your kitty some of the benefits of the outdoors with none of the risks, which is a win-win.
You’ll find that the designs below come in a range of shapes and sizes, with some great compact options for smaller spaces plus larger models that will easily accommodate a comfortable cat bed and scratching post. While some of the cat window box plans we’ve chosen are more involved than others, they all come with comprehensive and easy-to-follow instructions that will have your feline friend watching the world go by before you know it.
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1. Easy DIY window box for cats
If you’re like us and the thought of building something makes you break out in a cold sweat, then this easy to follow tutorial by Cat Toy Lady uses an Amazon box and some tape to create a perfectly functional window box is a great place to start. It takes around 10 minutes to make and at the end of it you can decorate the box with contact paper and anything else that takes your fancy.
2. Outdoor cat patio
While it may be time consuming to build, the results speak for themselves when it comes to this beautiful catio. The tutorial from Michelle Tech walks you through how to build the main box, how to add the exterior access door and trim, cutting the floor and paw-friendly carpet, painting the window box and how to attach it to your house. The end result is a stylish, safe and secure catio that really looks the part. A labor of love for sure, but well worth it!
3. Budget DIY cat window basket
If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful window box, this one is going to be hard to beat. For less than $2 you can quickly and easily put together a sleep spot that your kitty will love. Once you’ve fixed the box in place, furnish it with a cozy blanket to create the ultimate cozy and comfortable chill-out spot.
4. IKEA outdoor cat enclosure
You’ve got to love a good IKEA hack! We’re particularly loving this tutorial by Daniela Carmela which uses an IKEA bookshelf along with rope, wire fencing and grass turf to create a spacious and functional cat window box that will easily accommodate a bed, scratching post and toys.
While it will take a bit of time to put this catio together, it’s not complicated so it’s a great choice for those of us who aren’t very confident when it comes to DIY.
5. Cat window balcony
This is a fantastic window box if you’re looking for something nice and compact. It’s nowhere near as big as some of the other designs out there so it won’t look in any way obtrusive when you attach it to your window.
We love the addition of a cat flap which will let your kitty come and go as they please, and even though it’s small, there’s still room for a bed or blanket.
