External Dimensions: 42cm (H) x 52cm (L) x 39cm (W) (internal dimensions are a few mm smaller)
Dimensions of the recess around the opening: 21.5cm (H) x 19cm (W)
Dimensions of the opening: 20cm (H) x 18cm (W)
FAQ
- What size are Kitty Cabins?
- Can you fit a catflap?
- Are they big enough for two cats?
- Are Kitty Cabins big enough for a very large cat (eg Maine Coon)?
- Are they suitable for a hot patio?
- Are they weatherproof?
- Do you sell accessories such as a cat flap or cushion to fit the Kitty Cabin?
- What if my pet doesn't like the Kitty Cabin?
- Is the Kitty Cabin suitable for rabbits?
- How do you help cats in need/cat charities?
- Why do you charge more for the Eco Kitty Cabin?
- How can I encourage feral cats to use my Kitty Cabin?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Where is my refund?
- Can I place an order without creating an account?
- How do I cancel my order?
- When will my order arrive?
- What countries do you ship to?
- How much is shipping?
- Can I track my order?
- Can I return or exchange an item?
- How do I return an item?
- Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House suitable for two hedgehogs? (asked by Jamie)
- Where should I place my NestGuest to make sure it is appealing to Hedgehogs?
- Does the NestGuest Hedgehog House suffer from condensation?
- I've heard wooden houses are better for hedgehogs, is that true?
- Will hedgehogs be safe from predators inside the NestGuest?
- Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House big enough for a mum and hoglets?
- Can I use the NestGuest as a feeding station for hedgehogs?
- How do I know what size pod to buy?
Kitty Cabins
- What size are Kitty Cabins?
- Can you fit a catflap?
- Are they big enough for two cats?
- Are Kitty Cabins big enough for a very large cat (eg Maine Coon)?
- Are they suitable for a hot patio?
- Are they weatherproof?
- Do you sell accessories such as a cat flap or cushion to fit the Kitty Cabin?
- What if my pet doesn't like the Kitty Cabin?
- Is the Kitty Cabin suitable for rabbits?
- How do you help cats in need/cat charities?
- Why do you charge more for the Eco Kitty Cabin?
- How can I encourage feral cats to use my Kitty Cabin?
What size are Kitty Cabins?
Can you fit a catflap?
Yes! And we have provided a recess for this purpose. Please measure your chosen catflap carefully.
The dimensions are:
Dimensions of the recess around the opening: 21.5cm (H) x 19cm (W)
Dimensions of the opening: 20cm (H) x 18cm (W)
We send a card with every Kitty Cabin that has the dimensions printed on it in case you want to take it to a pet store.
Are they big enough for two cats?
Two friendly cats will be fine inside one Kitty Cabin.
Are Kitty Cabins big enough for a very large cat (eg Maine Coon)?
To be honest we would have said no as the opening is probably a squeeze. But one of our Facebook fans has posted that his feral Maine Coon loves it. However we can't guarantee your very large cat will find it comfortable!
Are they suitable for a hot patio?
We would recommend moving the Kitty Cabin to a shady spot in summer. They are made of plastic and can get warm inside if placed in full sun. A good shady spot where your cat has a clear view of the space around is perfect.
Are they weatherproof?
Absolutely! This is one of the key selling points of the Kitty Cabin. They are made from one single moulded piece of plastic with no seams or joins so are completely weatherproof. The opening is sheltered with an overhang to protect pets from driving rain as much as possible.
Do you sell accessories such as a cat flap or cushion to fit the Kitty Cabin?
Yes! You can buy a Kitty Cabin with a self-heating mat for a £5 discount on the bundle.
Or we now supply Kitty Cabins with a factory fitted cat flap for extra protection from the weather.
What if my pet doesn't like the Kitty Cabin?
No problem at all. We know that pets - cats in particular - are very fussy about where they sleep or shelter. So if your pet just doesn't like it, won't go in, then you can return to us within 30 days for a full refund - no questions asked.
We do recommend that you try putting a comforting item inside such as a blanket or cushion they are familar with or even one of your own old jumpers. Pets are very sensitive to smells so something that comes from their home may help them enjoy their new shelter.
Please also check out our handy tips for making sure your pet enjoys their new cosy retreat.
Is the Kitty Cabin suitable for rabbits?
Yes we think it is perfect for rabbits as part of a larger run outdoors. Find out more.
Rabbits need plenty of space to run about, hide, dig and play but they must also have somewhere safe and dry to hide from anything that scares them and to sleep.
So as long as you place the Kitty Cabin within a secure run they will love it.
Line it with straw for extra warmth at night. And it's so easy to wash out - just remove the straw and hose it down.
How do you help cats in need/cat charities?
We have a charity policy which covers all the ways we support animal welfare and rehoming charities and groups. Please read the policy to find out more and apply if relevant.
We raise the profile of feral cats and the people that support them through our social media and champion the efforts of cat lovers across the UK.
Why do you charge more for the Eco Kitty Cabin?
The manufacturing process for making the Eco Kitty Cabin from 100% recycled waste plastic adds to our costs because of the following:
- we have to collect all of our waste plastic
- we send it away to be ground into a fine powder which is returned to us
We have to cover the cost of sending the plastic away to be processed. Our processor is in the UK but not close to us. If we find a processor close to us in Cornwall we may be able to bring the price down.
How can I encourage feral cats to use my Kitty Cabin?
Kitty Cabins are great for feral cats. According to Cats Protection: "All cats who spend any time outdoors would benefit from having an easy-to-access place to hide and stay warm and dry. For those who would benefit from a readymade shelter, Kitty Cabins are a great option."
We have the following tips which may help any cats who visit your garden to make use of the Kitty Cabin for shelter:
- Place the Kitty Cabin in a sheltered place, somewhere they can creep in and out without feeling watched and where they can quickly escape if they want to.
- When you first get your Kitty Cabin, try placing a small amount of dry food inside. Though we don't recommend feeding pets inside Kitty Cabins, this can help a feral cat give the cabin a good sniff before deciding if they want to try it out.
- Give them time. They are wild creatures and will need to get used to something new before they will trust it. You have 30 days to try it out and can return it any time before 30 days for a full refund.
Check out these tips for more.
Payment
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Where is my refund?
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards through the secure Shopify payment system plus you can pay with Shop (Shopify's own payment processor) if you have created an account perhaps with another store; Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
Where is my refund?
We aim to process refunds within three days of an item being returned to us. Please note, however, that your bank may take several days to process the payment back into your account. With that said, please allow up to ten working days after posting the item back to us before getting in touch about your refund. We’ll contact you by email to let you know when your refund has been processed.
Ordering and delivery
- Can I place an order without creating an account?
- How do I cancel my order?
- When will my order arrive?
- What countries do you ship to?
- How much is shipping?
- Can I track my order?
Can I place an order without creating an account?
Yes. You can place an order as a guest with no obligation to create an account. You can check your order status at any time by visiting the store and clicking the chat button which will enable you to select 'check my order' - you will receive an immediate update on where we are with your order.
How do I cancel my order?
There is only a short amount of time between when you place your order and when we start processing it. If you contact us straight away after ordering, via hello@poly-pet.co.uk, we may be able to cancel your order before it’s processed. If not, we’ll despatch your order and then you can return it to us if you wish upon receiving it. If you have purchased via the Shop app, you may have other options to cancel.
When will my order arrive?
Standard shipping usually takes between 2 and 4 working days. If you would like expedited shipping please contact us for a quote hello@poly-pet.co.uk
Please note that we are not open at weekends so if you place your order after 4pm on a Friday or any time on Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays, we will not be able to process it until the next working day.
Additionally, shipments are collected at 2pm the day we process the order, so if your order is placed after this time, processing may not start until the following day.
What countries do you ship to?
At the moment we only ship to mainland UK. If you would like a shipping quote to non-mainland UK, please contact us at hello@poly-pet.co.uk
How much is shipping?
Shipping is free to mainland UK. If you require shipping to a UK island, please contact us for a quote hello@poly-pet.co.uk. At present we do not ship outside the UK.
Can I track my order?
Yes. We’ll provide updates at every stage of your order, from the moment you place it, through to despatch and delivery. In your delivery confirmation emails, you’ll receive a tracking reference which you can use to check the progress of your order online. You can also check the status of your order at any time by visiting the store and clicking on the chat button and there you will see the option to ask about the status of your order, click that and you will be given an immediate response.
Returns
- Can I return or exchange an item?
- How do I return an item?
Can I return or exchange an item?
You can absolutely return your item to us, within 30 days after receiving it, as long as it’s undamaged, unused and contained in its original packaging. Please see our returns and refunds policy for more information on this.
How do I return an item?
Please contact our customer service team via hello@poly-pet.co.uk. Please check our returns policy to ensure your return is eligible first.
Hedgehogs
- Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House suitable for two hedgehogs? (asked by Jamie)
- Where should I place my NestGuest to make sure it is appealing to Hedgehogs?
- Does the NestGuest Hedgehog House suffer from condensation?
- I've heard wooden houses are better for hedgehogs, is that true?
- Will hedgehogs be safe from predators inside the NestGuest?
- Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House big enough for a mum and hoglets?
- Can I use the NestGuest as a feeding station for hedgehogs?
Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House suitable for two hedgehogs? (asked by Jamie)
Our hogs expert Nick says:
Hedgehogs do not bond after mating. The male will mate with other female hedgehogs - even on the same night. After mating, the female nests and rears the young.
Can two hedgehogs occupy the same house? Yes. It is big enough.
Will two adult hedgehogs choose to occupy the same house? No.
Where should I place my NestGuest to make sure it is appealing to Hedgehogs?
Siting is very important, both for encouraging guests and for their safety. Please download and print the siting instructions for more information. These instructions are also sent out with all orders of the NestGuest.
Does the NestGuest Hedgehog House suffer from condensation?
Many people ask this because they assume that plastic does not breathe in the way that wood does.
The answer is, no!
The NestGuest has been very carefully designed and recently improved with even more ventilation slots. There are 12, each 1cm x 4.5cm and live testing from multiple hedgehog rescuers has proven this is more than adequate.
What is very important though is to site the house as per the included instructions. Choose a shady corner of your garden and cover the house with twigs and leaves.
The reason we build this house from 100% recycled waste plastic is to ensure it is durable and easy to clean. Too many houses simply rot after a couple of seasons. Find out the full story of the design of the NestGuest.
I've heard wooden houses are better for hedgehogs, is that true?
Some people think so but usually this is because they are considered to be more aesthetically pleasing as an item to have in the garden.
Our view is that hedgehogs don't give a monkeys what their house looks like as long as it is safe from predators and keeps them and their brood cosy and warm. The NestGuest will do both.
We provide detailed siting instructions to ensure that customers choose the best place to put their hedgehog house for the safety of the hogs.
Will hedgehogs be safe from predators inside the NestGuest?
Yes! This was one of the most important design elements in fact.
The original designer, Nick Fairburn, designed the house with a very small entrance and a curving tunnel - it's impossible for large predators such as badgers or foxes to get inside the house and it is very tough plastic so cannot be bitten through. We're confident that nesting mums and their hoglets are completely safe inside.
Is the NestGuest Hedgehog House big enough for a mum and hoglets?
Yes it definitely is. It has been very carefully designed in consultation with Vale Wildlife Hospital and Wild Hogs Rescue Centre to ensure it will meet all of the needs of nesting female hedgehogs and their brood.
We have been advised that a good way to test the size is by using loaves of bread - see the image.
Can I use the NestGuest as a feeding station for hedgehogs?
No - this is absolutely not recommended. Please only use the NestGuest as per the siting instructions which are included with every purchase.
Dog and puppy pods
- How do I know what size pod to buy?
How do I know what size pod to buy?
Puppy Pods
When buying for a puppy, you need to ensure the pod will be large enough for them as they grow. You can estimate this by taking into account their breed, paw size and the size of their parents.
This advice from the Dogs Trust may be helpful.
Dog Pods
Add 3 cm to the length and height of your dog to ensure they have enough space to move around inside the pod. Length is measured from tip of their nose to the base of their tail. Height is measured while they are sitting, from the floor to the top of their head.
Any dog den or crate should be large enough to allow the dog to stand, turn around normally while standing up, sit erect and lie down in a natural position.
Sizes
Medium: 80cm w x 74cm d x 68cm h
Maximum recommended length of dog: 71cm from nose to base of tail
Maximum recommended height of dog: 65cm when sitting
Large: 95cm w x 91cm d x 79cm h
Maximum recommended length of dog: 88cm from nose to base of tail
Maximum recommended height of dog: 76cm when sitting