9 DIY Cat Feeding Stations You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
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Establishing feeding stations for cats comes with several benefits. First, feeding stations can give cats a sense of security and predictability because they’ll know exactly where to expect their food to be. Feeding stations can also provide a cleaner and more organized look to your living space. They can also serve other functions, such as keeping other dogs and pets out of your cat’s food.
Pre-made and manufactured feeding stations can be expensive, and they might not always have all the features that you want. If you’re interested in building a completely customized and special feeding station for your cat, here are several DIY plans that you can follow today.
The 9 DIY Cat Feeding Stations
1. Outdoor Plastic Bin Feeding Station by Cats and Pats
| Materials: | Large plastic bin with a lid, wooden planks, duct tape |
| Tools: | Hairdryer, drill, permanent marker, boxcutter |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Outdoor cats and feral cats need special feeding stations that can protect their food from inclement weather. A good outdoor feeding station will have a cover that prevents rain and snow from getting into the food and a drainage system that keeps water out.
This DIY project is very cost-efficient and easy to follow. It uses affordable materials and takes very little time to set up. You should be able to have a box ready to use within a couple of hours.
2. Wooden Outdoor Cat Feeding Station by The joy of Cats
| Materials: | Four flat wooden panels, wooden planks, nails, shower curtain, wood glue |
| Tools: | Hammer, saw |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The instructions for this outdoor cat feeding station are pretty general. The only thing you have to pay special attention to is the height of all your wooden panels and planks. You just have to make sure that the height of your panels and planks match each other.
Start by aligning two wooden panels perpendicular to one wooden panel. These panels should be placed on each end to create a “U” shape. Use wood glue to hold the panels in place. Then, all you have to do is glue the last wooden panel on top to create a roof. You can use nails to secure all the panels in place.
If the structure feels flimsy, glue or nail down the wooden planks as columns to provide additional support.
If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow or rain, you can add shower curtains to the opening of the feeding station to protect the food from water.
3. The Simplest DIY Wooden Pet Feeder by The Inspired Hive
| Materials: | 1-inch and 2-inch boards, pine board, wood stain, spray paint, pet food bowls |
| Tools: | circular saw, jigsaw, brad nailer |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This wooden pet feeder has a very clean and natural appearance, making it blend in well in different kitchens. We like the idea of using wood stain to make the cutting board look more luxurious and stand out.
The spray paint is used for the feeder’s bottom panel. However, using it is an optional step, and choosing to leave the panel unfinished actually achieves a nice natural look.
When looking for pet bowls, stainless steel bowls with an outer rim around them will work best. They’re lightweight and will be suspended once you put them through the holes you make in the cutting board.
4. Floating Shelf Cat Feeder by Pets the Nest
| Materials: | Wooden shelves, shelf brackets, carpet, screws |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, stud finder, electric screwdriver |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This feeding station is a great option if you live in a tight living space or have a dog that likes to get into your cat’s food. You can use as many wooden shelves as you’d like. Just make sure that they’re placed at distances where your cat can easily jump onto them.
The carpet is used to help your cat have a good grip and prevent them from slipping when they land on a shelf. If you have dogs, make sure to place the highest shelf at a height where they can’t reach, and place your cat’s food bowl on that shelf.
5. Feeding Station With Electronic Door by Path With Paws
| Materials: | Plastic bin with lid, electronic cat door |
| Tools: | Drill, boxcutter, hairdryer |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This feeding station is a clever solution for cats that steal food from each other. It uses an electronic cat door that comes with magnets that you place on your cat’s collar. The door will only open for the cat wearing the magnet.
Modifying the plastic bin is relatively easy because all you really need to do is cut out an entrance big enough for the electronic door and drill air holes. Setting up the electronic door may be challenging depending on its installation instructions.
6. Bookshelf Feeding Station by Ikea Hackers
| Materials: | Bookshelf, carpet, or other types of grips |
| Tools: | Epoxy |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This feeding station recommends a specific bookshelf, but you can use any open bookshelf that allows your cat to jump from platform to platform. If you have a bookshelf that’s already assembled, then this project is extremely easy. All you have to do is glue carpeting or other material that your cats can use as grips as they jump and leap.
If your bookshelf has poles, you can even wind sisal around a section to create a DIY scratching post. You can easily transform this feeding station into a fun cat condo that your furry friend will appreciate.
7. Dog-Proof Feeding Station by Got Chernose
| Materials: | Wooden ottoman or outdoor storage bench |
| Tools: | Drill |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
You can easily transform a wooden ottoman or outdoor storage bench into a private feeding station that keeps your dog out of your cat’s food. This project is a great option if you don’t have a lot of space for a cat condo or bookshelf.
The project has a recommended wooden ottoman, but you can use any kind and drill holes to create ventilation and viewing spaces.
Once you’ve made the modifications to the ottoman, all you have to do is lift the lid and place your cat’s food inside. This feeding station is ideal for cats that are on a fixed feeding schedule because all you have to do is open the ottoman whenever it’s mealtime, and your cat will go right in.
8. Cat and Dog Feeding Station by Runs for Cookies
| Materials: | Cabinet, pet food bowls, carpet, wood glue |
| Tools: | jigsaw |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The basic instructions for this feeding station are pretty easy. All you need to do is use a jigsaw to create holes big enough for your pet food bowls. After that, you just glue some carpeting onto the edge of the top shelf so that your cat doesn’t slip when it jumps up.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can sand down the cabinet and paint it a different color. If your cat has trouble jumping up to the top shelf, you can nail down a wooden panel on the side of the cabinet so that your cat can use it as a platform to jump onto the top shelf.
Overall, this project is a great solution for keeping your dog and cat’s food in one place without having your dog get into your cat’s food.
9. Temporary Feeding Station With Wire Fence
| Materials: | Wire cooling rack, side table, zip tie |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you’re really strapped on time, this makeshift feeding station is a great quick fix for cats that need space to eat without getting interrupted by other pets. All you need is a wire cooling rack and a small side table.
Use the zip ties to secure the wire rack in between two table legs. Then, place the table in a corner of a room and create an entrance that’s small enough for just your cat to enter. You can stack cans or books to adjust the entrance space.
This feeding station is an effective temporary solution while you either work on a more thorough DIY feeding station project or are waiting for a manufactured one to arrive in the mail.
Alternatively, you can opt for a bowl that is practical and modern and was designed to improve your cats' eating habits and benefit their overall health. Our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl was created with both pet parents and their feline companions in mind. The shallow stainless steel bowls protect your kitty from whisker fatigue and the elevated base brings their food to a height that's comfortable for them to eat. The wrap-around tray ensures that your floors are always clean of mealtime mess. Cleaning is a breeze since the NomNom is entirely dishwasher-safe.
Conclusion
Routine is important for cats, so establishing a feeding station for them is crucial for their happiness. After all, cats aren’t fans of change, and we want them at their happiest with minimal stretch. Hopefully these DIY feeding station plans have inspired you. Better yet, you might’ve even found one that you just know your cat will love. Happy DIYing!
Featured Image Credit: sweetlouise, Pixabay
