5 Amazing DIY Cat Birthing Box Plans You Can Create at Home
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Preparing for the birth of your pregnant cats’ kittens can be both daunting and exciting, and being part of this sacred process is a blessing.
Your cat will need a safe, warm, and quiet place to birth her kittens. The environment can make a big difference in your cat’s birth experience, and as the caregiver, it’s up to you to provide this space for your kitty.
Birth is also a beautiful natural process and doesn’t need to be daunting. If you are concerned about finding the right birthing box for your full-term cat that’s ready to give birth, you will be happy and relieved to know that you can easily DIY a birthing box at home that is safe, comfortable, and perfect for your cat to welcome her new litter of kittens. Let’s have a look at some DIY plans you can create at home.
The 5 Amazing DIY Cat Birthing Box Plans
1. Disposable Birth Box by Eileen Slovak
| Materials: | Thick cardboard |
| Tools: | Scissors, double-sided tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This very simple birthing box is a great option if you need something urgently and don’t have much time. It is also cheap and disposable. It can easily be constructed at home, and since it’s disposable, the clean-up is pretty simple. If cardboard is not ideal for you, you can follow this same plan using plastic or wood.
2. Customized Wood Birthing Box by Sphynx Kittens
| Materials: | Aspen wood, natural and non-toxic varnish, non-toxic paint, corner braces, tee nut, button head socket cap screws |
| Tools: | Screwdriver, table saw, drill press, wood bits, |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate to Difficult |
This birthing box made from plywood is great for an experienced or novice woodworker looking to make the most epic birthing box for their kitty. The plan is created as a whelping box. To suit your feline’s size, consider making it a bit shorter in the entrance for mama to be able to easily get in and out without issues. Once you get the right dimensions, it is easy to assemble, spacious, and sturdy. It can also be customized and decorated if you wish to make it more personal for your kitty. Please make sure you purchase non-toxic, natural varnish and non-toxic paint for this project. You also need to include a plastic cover, pee pads, and old towels to ensure your cat is comfortable and your clean up is easy.
3. DIY Cat Tent by Instructables
| Materials: | Old T-shirt, wire hangers, cardboard, tape, safety pins, |
| Tools: | Scissors, pliers |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
A cat tent is a cozy and safe place for your cat to birth her kittens, given that you can keep a good eye on them and reach your cat and see her during the birth. This cat tent is a simple plan that only requires an old shirt (the bigger, the better) and some wire. You can make the base extra comfy by using something softer or simply placing it on top of some towels or blankets. We would advise making the opening a little wider just to be sure that you can see and access your cat and her kittens.
4. Simple Cardboard Box Birthing Box
| Materials: | Cardboard box |
| Tools: | Scissors, glue, tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Most people have a cardboard box lying around from an appliance purchase or a recent move, and that can now be used to easily create a birthing box for your kitty. It provides a dark, cozy, and warm space for your cat to safely give birth, and you can easily dispose of it once it has been used. You can decorate it with patterned gift wrapping for a more appealing birthing box.
5. Birthing Pool by Timberidge Golden Doodles
| Materials: | Plastic kids pool, zip ties, pool noodles |
| Tools: | Drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
A birthing pool plan is so simple and effective and will provide a protected and cozy space for your cat to give birth. When looking for an ideal pool to create a birthing space with, make sure the size is suitable and use a round shape. The pool noodles will serve as a soft cushioned rail for a momma cat and her kittens, and the floor can be lined with blankets and training pads for extra softness and protection. You will need to make sure that your cat does not bite or scratch the soft foam. Luckily, most cats do not.
Preparing a Birthing Box
Your chosen birth box for your cat should be lined with newspaper or bed pads. Both are disposable and easy to clean up. Use towels or blankets underneath the pads to soften the floor for extra comfort.
Find a quiet and comfortable part of the house to place the birthing box, and then introduce your cat to it, so she is comfortable and familiar with the space, which will help her feel safer during delivery. You can allow her to sleep in the box and place her food and water close to it so she becomes familiar with it. Separate your cat from other cats in the house so that her birthing area is quiet. This will also allow you to keep track of how much water she is drinking and the food she is eating so you can watch her health closely.
Additional Items Needed for Birth
To be adequately prepared before your cat goes into labor, ensure you have these additional items: clean towels, bed pads, gauze pads, thermometer, surgical scissors, dental floss, syringe, and, most importantly, a contact number for your veterinarian.
The bed pads will line and protect the blankets and should be replaced daily. Newspapers can work too. Towels will be used to clean up the newly born kittens and the thermometer will help you keep track of your cat’s temperature. Her temperature will drop during birthing. The syringe may be used to clean any fluids from the kitten’s mouth.
What to Do After Your Cat Gives Birth
Once all the kittens have been delivered, replace the newspaper or bed pads with new ones. Make sure the box is at a comfortable temperature. Adding heating pads or hot water bottles next to or at the bottom of the box can work well. However, you should make sure they are covered with towels or blankets and at a safe temperature to avoid burn injuries for the queen and newborn kittens.
To keep an eye on their health, closely monitor them, especially during the first few days. Do not forget to make sure they stay warm. Keep an eye on how and how much they are nursing to ensure they get the nutrition they need.
Please consult your vet and do some research before the birth so you know what to expect and when it’s time to call for help. When in doubt, always give your vet a call.
Final Thoughts
Building a birthing box for your kitty is a great way to get involved and feel at ease that you and your cat are ready for the birth of her kittens. Whether it's disposable, cardboard, plastic, or non-toxic wood, there is always a chance your cat will decide not to use it. That’s okay! All that matters is that she is safe, comfortable, and warm. The process of creating the birthing box will be fun, and some plans can be used again for another expecting mother.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Alexas_fotos, Pixabay
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
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