So that your pet can finally have a favorite place in the house, you can buy him an interesting cat house. After all, cats love to huddle in secluded places that look like minks, and are sometimes ready to spend hours even in an ordinary cardboard box. If you choose the right cat house, it can become the best place for the animal to play and relax.
Decide which type to prefer
For a cat, you can buy an open bed or an enclosed house. Beds are universal - not all cats like houses.
There are different types of sun loungers: there are standard baskets with high sides and mattresses. The base can be anything, for example plastic or wood. Wicker baskets look especially beautiful and cozy. They are also good because the cat can chew the twigs - many animals like this.
There are completely soft loungers filled with padding polyester or holofiber. These are classic pillows and mattresses. Most cats like them. The main thing is to place such loungers on a raised surface, for example on a windowsill, chest of drawers or cabinet. To feel comfortable, cats need a good view.
There are high and soft sunbeds with a small recess inside. Many cats like them, but cleaning such beds is not very convenient.
A good option is a hammock. Hammocks can be attached in different ways, and one of the universal types is with a battery attachment. Cats like warmth, and they lie in such a hammock very willingly.
Houses are an option for not very sociable cats who value their personal space. If your pet likes to hide, the house is perfect.
- Sunbeds
- Pillows
- Houses
“Climbing frame” for a cat – what is it for?
A climbing frame for a cat is relevant when the cat is always at home, indoors. A cat that goes outside for a walk can climb trees, run, and hide. The cat, who is forced to be a recluse, also wants to run and climb.
Therefore, so that the cat does not choose a bedspread, favorite curtains and thin tulle as a “climbing area”, take care to provide the animal with the necessary equipment.
Ready-made climbing devices are sold in pet stores. They consist of posts, stands, hammocks, hanging toys, placed at different height levels, covered with thick fabric or jute cord, so that it is convenient for the cat to climb on them and play.
Materials, like designs, can be anything: from designer and complex to homemade simple ones.
Find the right size
The bed should be large enough for the cat to stretch, stretch out its paws, and lie down in any position. For most cats, a bed with a diameter or length of up to 45–50 cm will be enough. For larger cats - for example Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest, Siberian, British - larger beds are needed. You should focus on models with a diameter of 60–65 cm.
The shape doesn't matter much - rectangular, oval and round are equally good. Many cats like beds with sides because they give them a feeling of security.
- With sides
- Round
- Oval
- Rectangular
Main selection criteria
When choosing a home for a cat, you should pay attention to several important factors.
The material from which the dwelling is made must be sufficiently reliable and durable. Many cats like to sit on top of the house, so the frame of the structure should not sag under the weight of the animal.
The product must have a safety , since cheap copies are often made from material hazardous to animal and human health.
Find out in more detail whether your cat’s claws need to be trimmed and whether your cat needs a scratching post.
The middle of the enclosed home should be
spacious and comfortable for the cat to lie on its side and stretch freely.
However, you should not choose prohibitively large products. The height of the home is another significant criterion. It is advisable to give preference to specimens that rise above the floor at the level of an armchair or stool.
Important! Cats really like to be on high ground. The height gives them the opportunity to better view the room and contemplate what is happening around them. It is recommended that the house be located one meter higher from the floor. If it is located downstairs, then cats often use it as a toilet.
Special attention should be paid to the stability of the structure if it is multi-tiered. The complex must stand securely and not tip over under the weight of the animal. Light items will constantly wobble and fall, making the cat feel uncomfortable and avoid the area.
The new device should not have a strong odor. If there is any foreign smell, the cat will refuse such a house or they will mark it regularly until it smells only of its smell.
You can choose any color of the design Cats are completely indifferent to the color scheme, since they do not distinguish colors well.
In caring for your pet, an important place is occupied by litter box training, grooming, bathing, grooming, and whisker care.
Pay attention to materials
It is best to choose soft and warm fabrics that will not electrify the animal’s fur. Most common furniture fabrics work well, such as flock or faux suede. The fabric should be dense, resistant to cat claws and withstand frequent washing.
Many cat owners prefer to buy beds with removable covers - they are easy to care for. Loungers quickly absorb odors, so washing should be done regularly.
- With removable covers
Soak with a special product
There are special means designed to attract the cat's attention to places where they play and sharpen their claws, as well as old toys that the cat has already forgotten about. The same places that your cat gets into the habit of spoiling can be treated with another spray designed to discourage her from doing this on your favorite furniture or wallpaper.
Spray Mr. Fresh to protect furniture from scratching, RUR 149. Photo: obi.ru
Pay attention to additional features
Owners of short-haired and hairless cats should choose heated beds. These pillows always keep cats warm. Heating may also appeal to very mature animals, but many young cats will also appreciate this feature.
Read also: Which dry dog food is best to buy?
Some houses and hammocks are equipped with toys - most often they simply hang a soft ball. Playful cats will definitely like this option.
- Heated
- With toys
Tent made from an old T-shirt
The sizes can be arbitrary. The most important thing is that the animal does not feel too cramped in it. A similar structure with a wire frame can be easily moved and placed in another place.
Cozy T-shirt tent
1Make the bottom of the tent from a piece of thick cardboard or plywood. To prevent the cardboard base from bending, glue or tape 2-3 sheets together.
2To make the frame you will need two pieces of thick wire. They will need to be bent into arcs.
3We connect them together so that the ends are located in the same plane. Secure the upper part of the frame, in the area of the crosshairs, with tape.
4To attach the frame to the bottom of the house, we make four holes in the corners of the cardboard or plywood blank. It is necessary to retreat 3.5 cm from the edges.
5After pushing the wire into the holes, its ends must be bent on the back side of the bottom and secured with tape.
6The entrance hole of the house will be the neck of the T-shirt. We turn up the lower part and sleeves. You can simply sew it on by hand, but since the T-shirt will need to be washed periodically, it is better to secure the bottom with pins under the bottom of the house.
7A soft tent for a pet can also be sewn from felt, knitted or other types of fabric. Make a pattern from newspaper, attaching it to a wire frame. When cutting, be sure to leave seam allowances.
How to choose a cat bed
- Decide which type to prefer - an open lounger or a house. Most cats are quite comfortable on open and soft beds with small sides. This is a universal option.
- Choose by size. Medium-sized cats are comfortable on beds with a diameter of 45–50 cm. If the bed is rectangular, it should be at least 45 cm in length. Large cats need larger beds - from 60 cm in diameter.
- It is better to give preference to dense furniture fabrics. They will last longer. It is convenient if the cover of the lounger can be removed for washing.
- You should choose models with synthetic filler. They are considered more hygienic.
- Check to see if there is heating. This feature will appeal to many cats, especially hairless ones.
DIY cat complex
You can make a cat house with your own hands; you don’t have to spend large sums on expensive ready-made complexes. The easiest option is to take a box of suitable size, wrap it in soft cloth and put any pillow on the bottom.
See if your pet likes the house. If so, consider a more complex option. You can take a larger box, cut out a hole for the entrance, windows and arrange a bed inside.
You can hang toys on the outside. Having strengthened the top of the box, arrange a place for games or an additional bed.
A popular option is a hanging multi-tiered hammock. It is easy to sew from pillows or just thick fabric. The trapezoidal shape of the house should expand towards the bottom. That is, pillows of a larger diameter or size are needed on the lower tier, and smaller ones on the upper tier.
Wide ribbons made of durable fabric are sewn onto the sides of the product and connected into a hanging loop. The hammock can be hung in any convenient place and moved as needed.
A hammock is the simplest version of a house; it is convenient for mobility. What other options for cat shelters can be made - in the final section.
Rating of the best houses for porridge 2021
If your cat loves peace and quiet, a house would be the best option for her to relax. It allows the pet privacy, especially if there are small children in the house who pay increased attention to the animal.
Native places Cradle No. 1 Cucumbers
Soft house-lounger in exclusive colors for dogs and cats. All fabrics and materials are hypoallergenic and do not cause allergic reactions. Very stable dye and high fabric density. The house has a removable pillow, which is stuffed with very soft fiber - holofiber, which does not turn into a lump after washing. Withstands up to 100 washes. Composition: 100% cotton matting, 100% cotton calico, furniture foam rubber, spandbond, holofiber. Size: 38x35x27 cm.
Use experience: less than a month
Pros: Nice house. Within a week he completely recovered. Excellent for a 2 kg cat!
Disadvantages: It’s cramped for a 3.5 kg cat) but it fits)
Comment: The material is good, not cheap from alika. Get it at a discount! Without a discount you can find better for this price. Overall, excellent for RUR 800!
Daria
TRIXIE Minou Cuddly Cave
A cozy house that can be used not only for cats, but also for small dogs. It is very soft, but always maintains a stable shape due to the foam filler. It has a pleasant beige color and faux fur trim.
Experience of use: several months
Advantages: The house is large, there is a mattress and the cat seems cozy in it..
Disadvantages: The mattress is somehow a little small and when sewing it was not sewn very evenly.. the house is slightly crooked..
Comment: The cat immediately climbed in! And she began to lick herself there.. She often sleeps there! Especially if the room is cool! Although the house is too big for our KITTY, she is small, only 2.5 kg..
Marina
Midwest Curious Cat Cube
The house is designed for your animal to play and relax. The house has a cozy, comfortable and compact building. Upholstered in soft chocolate-colored faux suede. The animal can choose one of two rest areas - a secluded place to sleep inside and a viewing area outside, covered with white artificial sheepskin. The sides of the cube have cutouts with attached plush toys with jingling bells. The house is easy to assemble and fold for storage.
Experience of use: several months
Pros: Good item for two cats
Disadvantages: No
Comment: Suitable for playing and sleeping cats
Olga
Gamma Journey
The cave lounger from the German brand Gamma will be especially appreciated by playful cats. A rectangular product with folding sides and dimensions of 48x40 cm, if necessary, turns into a flat and compact bedding, convenient for transportation. The model is equipped with a pillow made of plush and artificial sheep wool. The fluffy couch potato will appreciate its softness.
ADVANTAGES: convenient both at home and when transporting an animal, less hair in the apartment, interesting to watch the animal DISADVANTAGES: there is a chance that the cat will ignore the house
I bought a house for my cat by accident. There was no great need. Rather, I wanted to please myself: this is how interesting it will be for me to watch the cat in this house. And I was not mistaken! I was very curious to watch what was happening in this small house. But this is due to the fact that my favorite also really liked it.
By the way, after purchasing this simple cat miracle house, while walking home from the pet store, I thought about how I would accustom my furry animal to this home. And in general, how to convey to a cat that this is exactly for her. And I couldn’t figure out where to put it. After all, it is necessary that it fits into the environment, and that it is comfortable for the cat, and at the same time does not lie underfoot... In short, there was something to think about after the purchase.
Olesya
TRIXIE Jorge Cat Tower
Representatives of the feline family, whether adult cats or kittens, value comfort very much, and to provide it to them, it is necessary to buy a wide range of products. But now you don’t have to look for them in different stores: everything you need to keep these four-legged animals can be found on our website. 44957 Trixie Jorge cat house gray is one of the popular items in the catalog. We guarantee the safety and high quality of the model. These are certified products that have undergone thorough testing. It is sold on favorable terms for both retail and wholesale customers.
Experience of use: several months
Pros: Workmanship
Disadvantages: No disadvantages
Comment: Everything is exactly as in the photo. Very high quality made, all pillows are removable and washable
Igor
Nobby Takla
The cat house from the Nobby brand will delight both the pet and its owner. The highlight of the model is its original shape in the form of a wicker cat face with ears. There is a large hole in the center, thanks to which the cat will always be aware of the events happening around him.
Read also: Rating of the best harnesses and collars for dogs for 2021
The product has a metal frame and is covered with woven textiles on the outside. There is a removable pad inside that can easily withstand dry and wet cleaning. Dimensions 40x40x33 cm make this model suitable for cats of all breeds.
By purchasing such a house, you will not only please your pet with a new comfortable place to sleep, but will also become the owner of a stylish and original interior element.
Use experience: less than a month
Pros: Very cute cat bed. The pillow is removable, the frame is metal inside.
Disadvantages: There are a lot of fibers sticking out inside, this may not be safe for your pet, so I advise you to line the inside with something.
Denis
Scruffs Knightsbridge Cat Bed
The Knightsbridge Bed provides a safe and comfortable environment for your feline friend with its eco-leather design, covered exterior and super-soft deep plush fabric. The inner pillow can only be machine washed at 30 degrees.
Use experience: less than a month
Pros: Cool cat bed. The pillow is removable, soft suede.
Disadvantages: none.
TRIXIE Samuel Cat Tower
Don't know where to place your two cats living with you? Buy a house for them from TRIXIE. The barrel-shaped product with a base made of chipboard is covered with hard, embossed furniture fabric, on which pets will grind their claws.
The model is represented by two sectors with windows, where there are cozy beige plush pillows on which pets can comfortably lie down. The soft base of the barrel plays the role of an observation point. The light brown house has small dimensions of 36x36x70 cm and will definitely become your pets’ favorite habitat.
Use experience: less than a month
Pros: High quality house
Disadvantages: none
Alexei
ZOOexpress Empire
The transformable stage house for cats and dogs “Empire” is a stylish, comfortable and very cool bed. Made from furniture fabric. Pets love to sit in their shelters, as they feel protected there, so buying this house will be a great decision. Also, the original model makes it possible to use the product in two modifications: a house and a bed.
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The author's premium collection "Empire" is exceptional comfort for your pet, high quality materials and modern design. The collection is made of modern furniture fabric - Enigma microvelor. This is a wear-resistant material, reminiscent of delicate velvet in its texture. Thanks to its special structure, microvelor is easily cleaned of wool and dust. The filler of the bed is polyurethane foam, which is characterized by high elasticity, good resilience and environmental safety.
The collection is presented in three color combinations: lilac/eggplant, olive/green, burgundy/gray.
Advantages Fabric, shape, filler
Disadvantages No
Comment It took me a long time to choose the bed. This bed is perfect in my opinion! This one has quite high sides, but at the same time they bend perfectly, the cat can lean on its elbows or hide. The fabric is pleasant to the touch, high quality. In general, I bought two different colors, for the dacha and for the apartment. Our French girl fell in love with her at first sight
