Okay, let’s get started! I’ve always wanted a cozy little spot for my cat, Mittens. So, the other day, I thought, “Why not build her a nesting box?” Here’s how it all went down:
Gathering My Stuff
First things first, I needed to grab all my materials. I raided my garage and found a sturdy cardboard box – not too big, not too small, just the right size for Mittens to curl up in. Think Goldilocks, but for cats.
Then I collected:
- An old, soft blanket that I didn’t mind cutting up
- A pair of scissors (the heavy-duty kind)
- Some strong tape (duct tape works wonders)
- A box cutter (for making a doorway, had to be careful with this!)
- A marker to draw before cutting.
Prepping the Box
I started by making sure the box was clean. I wiped it down and removed any old tape or labels. No one wants a dusty, sticky cat bed, am I right?
Next, I checked all the flaps. I decided to keep the top flaps open because Mittens likes to peek out, but I taped the bottom flaps securely shut with the duct tape. Gotta make sure it’s solid!
Making an Entrance
This was the tricky part. I grabbed my marker and drew a nice, rounded doorway on one side of the box. It needed to be big enough for Mittens to get in and out easily, but not so big that it would lose that cozy, den-like feel.
Then, very, very carefully, I used the box cutter to cut along the lines I drew. Slow and steady wins the race here, folks. I really didn’t want to mess it up and have to start all over again.
I am not an expert in using tools, so at first, I was a little nervous and worried about cutting crooked, so I used a round bowl to trace an arc. Then I found that scissors worked great, too.
Adding the Comfort Factor
Now for the soft, snuggly part! I took that old blanket and cut it into a few pieces. One large piece to line the bottom of the box, and a couple of smaller pieces to kind of drape along the sides. Think of it as building a little nest within the box.
I didn’t tape or glue the blanket pieces down because I wanted to be able to take them out and wash them easily. Cat hair, you know? It gets everywhere.
The Finishing Touches
I folded over the edges of the doorway a bit and taped them down, just to make sure there weren’t any sharp cardboard edges that Mittens could scratch herself on. Safety first!
The Big Reveal!
Finally, it was time to introduce Mittens to her new creation. I placed the box in her favorite corner of the living room, sprinkled a little catnip inside (because, why not?), and waited. It took her a few minutes, but curiosity won out, and she cautiously poked her head inside. Then, success! She curled right up and started purring. Mission accomplished!
It was super simple, really. And the best part? I made it myself, with stuff I already had. Plus, seeing Mittens so happy in her new little hideaway? Totally worth it.
