Housecats tend to behave in many of the same ways as their less-than-domesticated cousins. Even the most dedicated lap cat will most likely prefer exploring around dusk and dawn, even if all they’re doing is moving from one side of the couch or bed to the other. Similarly, kitties tend to crouch when they eat, and it’s much easier for cats, particularly older cats, to eat in a more upright position, leading some veterinarians to recommend raised bowls for their feline patients. While there are plenty of raised cat dishes you can purchase, you can also design and build one at home. Read on for more information on eight raised cat bowls you can make at home!
8 DIY Raised Cat Bowl Plans
1. Sleek Raised Cat Feeder
| Materials: | Wooden plank, two bowls with lips, legs, stain, finish, adhesive, sandpaper |
| Tools: | Hole saw |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This raised cat bowl is not that difficult to complete, provided you have the right equipment, including a hole saw for wood. But once you create the holes, it’s as easy as putting the bowls on the plank and letting them drop through. The bowl lips will catch the edge of the plank and the receptacles in place. The added benefit of this particular design is that it provides flexibility regarding height; it’s easy to customize and an excellent option for larger breeds like Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats.
2. Small Raised Pet Feeder
| Materials: | Wooden planks, stainless steel bowls, screws, wood glue, paint |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, tape measure, Kreg jig, drill, miter saw |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This beautiful raised feeder creates an enclosed space where your pet’s bowls rest, making it difficult for your four-legged friend to play with their food. It’s a fun project for woodworkers and requires a few specific tools you might not have on hand. Unless you already know what a Kreg jig is and how to use a miter saw safely, this might not be the most suitable project. It’s a great project if you’re into woodworking and already have the tools on hand.
3. Wooden Raised Feeder
| Materials: | Wood, screws, pencil, paint, wood stain, bowls |
| Tools: | Jigsaw, Drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
This cute raised feeder is relatively easy to put together. It was originally created for dogs, but the design works just as well as a cat feeder. The instructions are adaptable; they don’t call for you to purchase a specific length of wood but to base your measurements on the size of the food and water bowls you plan to use. The actual construction will probably take around 30 minutes. Add a bit of extra time if you’re planning on painting or staining your feeder.
4. Simple Wooden Raised Cat Bowl Station
| Materials: | 1″x2″ boards, pine board, wood stain, two pet food bowls, wood glue |
| Tools: | Circular saw, jig saw, brad nailer, sander |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This simple raised feeding station is relatively easy to put together, provided you have the right materials and tools on hand and feel relatively comfortable working with circular saws and jig saws. Since the project is a raised feeding station designed for cats, you can rest assured it’s just the right height for your feline friend. The bowls nestle in the top plank, which holds them securely so your cat can’t overturn their bowl and make a mess. Properly constructed, the feeder will also keep your cat’s food far enough off the floor to discourage ants and other unwanted visitors from investigating the contents.
5. Super Easy Planter Raised Bowl Holder
| Materials: | Planters, bowls |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you’re looking for an easy way to create raised feeding bowls for your kitty, search no further! This ingenious idea takes minutes to get together, and there’s a good chance you won’t even need to head to the store for supplies. Just drop your kitty’s bowl into a round decorative planter. Your biggest challenge will be finding the right-sized planter; the bowl’s edge needs to rest on the edge of the planter. Make sure to use a bowl and planter wide enough to keep your cat from knocking over your new creation!
6. Simple Raised Pet Bowl Hack
| Materials: | Plastic planter, bowls |
| Tools: | Utility knife, sandpaper |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
You’ll have an elevated feeder on your hands in no time, thanks to this innovative design that repurposes old plastic planters. You don’t need to worry that much about sizing since you’ll be cutting the planter to fit the bowl’s dimension. While it’s a super easy project, you’ll need to use a super sharp utility knife to essentially take the bottom off the planter, making this a distinctly kid-unfriendly project. You can head to the store and purchase new planters or simply re-use old ones you have lying around the house after giving them a good clean.
7. Flower Pot Bracket Hack
| Materials: | Flowerpot wall mounting brackets, bowls |
| Tools: | Drill, leveler, tape measure |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
It doesn’t get any simpler than this flower pot bracket raised feeder hack. Head to the hardware store and buy two sturdy ring flower pot wall brackets and mount them at the appropriate height wherever your kitty likes to dine. Drop the bowl through the bracket until the lip catches on the edge of the ring, and then voila, you’re done. Because the bowls essentially rest on the top edge of the ring, just like a flower pot would, the bowls are easy to remove, making it convenient for you to wash your cat’s bowl immediately after use.
8. Modern Wooden Elevated Cat Feeding Station
| Materials: | Bowls, wooden dowels, wood screws, wood glue |
| Tools: | Clamps, sandpaper, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
This attractive, modern-looking elevated feeding station requires a bit of drilling, but it’s far simpler to construct than some of the options on this list requiring specialized tools. You’ll need a few tools, but nothing too outrageous. It’s secure enough that your cat won’t be able to make a mess out of the dining area, and the design features room for three bowls, giving you a place (other than the floor) to put cat treats!
Final Thoughts
Raised feeders are a great option for cats, particularly older felines that have difficulty crouching down to get close enough to their food and larger cats that benefit from higher bowls. Whether you’re interested in tackling a serious woodworking project or just looking for a quick hack to get your kitty’s food and water bowls off the floor, there are tons of suitable options in styles ranging from quirky to elegant.
Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock
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