Photo: dekormyhome.ru Your beloved pet probably needs its own place in the house - a small and cozy bed where you can warm up and hide. In search of a comfortable corner, cats go around upholstered furniture, cabinets and the most unexpected places in the apartment. But it’s much better and easier when your pet has its own place, carefully and lovingly made with your own hands. Moreover, it is not difficult at all!
A bed made from an old blanket or pillow
If you still have old unnecessary bedding with safe filling, you can use it to make the simplest and fastest cat bed. Fold the blanket in several layers or redistribute the filling in the pillow to make the middle softer and the sides higher. And make a few lines around the perimeter to secure the result, like quilting. It is advisable to choose synthetic material so that the bed can be easily washed without extra effort.
Photo: infoyar.ru
Photo: agrovetspb.ru
What fabrics to choose for sewing a bed
We already know how to sew a cat bed with our own hands, all that remains is to clarify the necessary points in the work. Cats love to use the bed as a scratching post.
Of course, they do this involuntarily, but the fact remains. Cats can stretch in the bed, trample on it, and sharpen their claws. That is why the material from which the cat bed is made must be wear-resistant.
Silk, satin and similar textures with a glossy surface are definitely not suitable, because they are the easiest to leave puffs on. Thin cotton fabrics that an adult cat can easily tear are not suitable.
For sewing, the golden mean in terms of strength and density is suitable, for example, satin, twill or flock. Cotton fabrics are also suitable.
Bed made from newspaper tubes
If your pet loves baskets and you like to experiment with your hands, combine the two. Weaving a real basket for your cat from old newspapers and waste paper is not difficult. Roll the sheets into thick tubes and assemble them into a snowflake frame on a thick cardboard bottom. And then braid it with a lattice around the perimeter until the walls reach the desired height.
Once you get the hang of the process, you can try different shapes and configurations. Fixing the entire structure and edges is as easy as shelling pears - just regular PVA glue is enough. And when weaving, insert the ends of the tubes into each other - this way you will be able to avoid joints and weak connections. Such a bed can be painted with hypoallergenic food dyes, decorated with fabric, and toys can be attached to it.
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Photo: pinterest.com
Photo: youtube.com
How to determine the size of a bed
A cat bed should be a comfortable size for the animal itself. To determine the size that will be individually suitable for your cat, you need to measure the length of his body (from the top of the head to the base of the tail) and add 5 centimeters to this figure.
Cats do not like huge beds; they are much more comfortable fitting into small spaces.
It’s not difficult to make a cat bed with your own hands. And most importantly, you can independently choose the color and design to fit this item into the interior of your home. In addition, giving such a gift to your beloved pet is a special pleasure for a caring owner.
Bed with sides
This is another simple option that does not require any special sewing skills. You will need dense and unpretentious fabric, synthetic filler and only two parts. To strengthen the bottom, cut it out of thick or corrugated cardboard, and calculate the side taking into account the required height and add a few centimeters in length.
Stitch the long sides of the border, turn it right side out and fill it with a long rectangle of foam rubber or a thin layer of filler. You can sew the edges by hand - it will be neater and less noticeable. After this, sew the side to the bottom already covered with fabric and put a pillow inside according to size.
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Photo: koffkindom.ru
More wool: pot and basket
Natural six as a material for a cat bed is good not only because it smells like the owners for a very long time. Wool in products perfectly removes static electricity from cat fur. A domestic cat, which does not get wet in the rain or roll around in the dust, is sometimes annoyed by injections of static micro-discharges no less than mosquitoes are to us. The best option for a woolen bed for a cat, incl. with kittens - a bed-pot made of natural felt, see picture. Once upon a time in village huts, cats and kittens were kept in worn-out peasant summer hats, and from the cat’s point of view, this is a luxury-elite bed.
Felt potty bed for a cat
Forming (drawing) felt is a rather labor-intensive process that requires certain skills. You need a solid block (in this case, a glass lampshade from a table lamp will do) and 70% alcohol. A piece of felt is gradually covered over the blockhead, starting from its top. During the covering process, the felt is also gradually moistened with alcohol starting from the middle of the piece.
Wood also retains the human scent for a very long time, so even more often than from old hats, beds for village cats were made from baskets that had become unusable. How to weave a basket from a wicker is another topic, but that’s not the point here: the wood is saturated with the smell of a person for a very long time, and before that cats don’t like it. That is, for a wooden basket to be suitable for a cat, it must be used for a long time. However, there is an option that will acquire the sweet scent of the hostess even during the manufacturing process: a basket made of merino wool yarn intended for bulky knitting. A blanket like this will cost about $200, so it’s better to make it the cheaper way. But there’s nothing for a cat basket, and it’s not difficult to knit it, see next. plot.
Video: knitted basket for a cat
Hanging bed
Beds suspended from the ceiling or a hook in the wall look interesting and unusual: such swings delight most furry friends. Decide how many tiers you want and sew several mattresses of the same or different sizes for them. Connect them together with wide ribbons of thick, durable fabric, gathered at the top into a loop for hanging. Or build something like an Indian house and use several rings of different diameters - for example, a needlework hoop.
Photo: housejournal.ru
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Instructions for making a house for two cats
The family has two cats. The older cat is the aggressor and the younger one is more active. Therefore, the design was designed so that the youngest could hide on the highest platform, but the elder, due to his weight, could not get there. They decided to place the house high, since both cats prefer heights. They made it larger in size so that both individuals could be there at the same time.
Source material and results of labor
For this design, thick furniture plywood (12 mm) measuring 75*50 cm, timber posts 50*70 (4.2 m), jute-based carpet - 1*2.5 meters, 20 meters of rope were purchased. Fasteners - corners. For the house - 15 * 20 mm, for attaching platforms - 40 * 45 mm, 55 * 20 and 35 * 40 - for insurance, and a couple of large ones - for attaching to the wall.
We prepare the platforms and attach them to the poles
There are three pillars in the chosen design: one is 220 cm, the second is 120 cm and the third is 80 cm. They will be attached to a base made of plywood sheet. The pillars should be placed on the base so that the longest one is closest to the wall. To avoid confusion, when marking on a sheet of paper, using a ruler and pencil, we first drew a stencil on paper, on which the location of the pillars relative to each other was marked. The markings for installing the pillars were transferred from the finished layout. They were fastened with long nails through the base (4 pieces each), drilling holes of slightly smaller diameter in the plywood. Then they were secured on the outside with corners 55*20 for the large post and 35*40 for the smaller ones.
Markup is the most important thing
Using the same template, the location of the pillars was marked on the platforms, then holes were cut out for them according to the markings. To do this, we took a 12 mm feather drill and drilled holes in the corners marked for installing squares into which the jigsaw blade fits perfectly. From experience: it is better to make the slots for the posts a millimeter or two larger. The platforms are still held in place by the corners, and if the slot is made too small, it will take a long time to refine it with a file or sandpaper.
We fasten the prepared platforms
Before installing the platform, we “try it on”, adjusting the slots if necessary. Having placed the platform horizontally (using a building level) at the required level, mark with a pencil where the platform stands. Using this marking, we then install the corners, so that we make clear marks on all four sides. When all the platforms are installed normally, we cover them with carpet.
Assembling the house body
Two pieces of plywood 75*50 cm were cut into 4 rectangles. They made the roof, floor and two side walls. When making one of the shelves, there was a piece of plywood left with a semicircular hole in the side. It was decided to make it an “entrance”, and the back wall was cut out from one of the pieces. All that remains is to assemble the house, which is not difficult at all. Small metal corners were used, which were fastened with short self-tapping screws.
Preparing a “nest” for a cat
Before covering the house with a roof, it was upholstered from the inside, thus covering the fasteners and increasing comfort. Working inside the case is not so convenient, but you can manage. The roof was covered on both sides, after which it was secured using the same corners, but placed on the outside. Not very pretty, but not deadly. The finished house was secured in its designated place. The corners came to the rescue again, but larger ones - 35*40 mm.
We wrap the pillars
The last stage is to wrap the poles, making a scratching post. The easiest way to secure a rope to a pole is with staples. A few staples and you're done. Next, tightly pressing one turn to the other, we wrap the pillars in a spiral. We reach the obstacle, secure the rope with brackets again and continue on the next section.
As it turns out, the rope needs to be hammered...
From experience, I must say that no matter how hard we tried, the turns of the rope did not fit one to the other very tightly; over time, they “got soft” and began to “move” up/down a little. After working through the mistakes, we found a way: after laying several turns, we knock them out with a hammer. Everything is simple, but if I had known in advance... That's all, we made a house for the cat with our own hands. It took about 6 hours.
A similar design is discussed in the video below.
Bed from an old suitcase
If you still have an unnecessary suitcase or a hard bag of a similar shape, you can make a beautiful and cozy bed out of it in literally 15 minutes. Remove or trim the top, place a pillow inside, and you're ready for a luxurious pet bed. Even a large cat can easily fit into a suitcase, you just need a thinner pillow.
The design is easy to modernize: screw the legs to it or glue them with construction glue. You can make an upper tier from the lid by assembling a support for it from old boards. Even a pillow or mattress can be easily sewn from any natural fabric and a piece of foam rubber.
Photo: magnat-home.ru
A few more options for cat beds
- For observant pets who spend hours looking out the window, sew a bed in the form of a mattress or a pillow for the windowsill. To prevent the “crib” from falling on the floor, we attach it to the windowsill using double-sided tape. It can also be fixed with two clamps (this is suitable for narrow window sills);
- If the “mustache” likes to be alone, a bed-house with a roof is perfect for him. In it he can relax calmly and hide from prying eyes. If there are small children in the family, it is better to place such a cat’s home in a hard-to-reach place. If a cat has kittens, then they will feel great in such a cozy house, and the “mommy” will be grateful to her owner for this;
- In a vintage-style apartment, an old suitcase would be a good choice for a four-legged friend's sleeping place. One has only to put a soft, comfortable pillow there, and the purring sissy will immediately appreciate the new comfort zone;
- A kitten's bed can be made in a shoebox (without a lid). Or you can cut a circle-shaped window in a large closed box. The baby will sleep in perfect twilight. A frame, wicker or plastic carrier is also suitable for resting a kitten. In both cases, be sure to provide the fluffy with soft bedding for a sweet sleep.
A cat is a full member of the family and deserves a suitable resting place. Make the perfect “nest” for your furry pet, and he will certainly appreciate it.
Knitted round bed
If you still have unnecessary sweaters, but have free time, you can use them on a cheesecake bed for your cat. You don’t even have to knit everything yourself: the base of the work is already ready. Cut off the collar of the sweater, sew up the neckline with strong thread and lay a stitch over the chest at the same width as the sleeves - these are the future sides of the couch.
Fill the sleeves and the resulting hole with holofiber or padding polyester in a circle, monitoring the even distribution of the filler. To strengthen the bottom, cut out a shape from thick cardboard or thin plywood. It will be more comfortable for the cat if you put a thin layer of litter or an old towel inside.
Sew all the edges and then loop the tightly stuffed sleeves around the bottom to make an impromptu cheesecake. Make sure that there are no sloppy folds or seals anywhere. You can sew all the details directly on a machine or even manually using strong nylon or silk thread.
Photo: whitebirdmed.ru
How to make a cat house out of a box
You may have already learned how to make a cat house out of a box. But one more idea deserves your attention.
For one cardboard box you need to cut off the bottom and top, leaving one frame.
Paint these pieces as well as the inside of the second box.
Place the cup against the wall of the house. Place another object of a similar shape, but larger in size, where you want to make an arch. Trace with a pencil and cut out these structural details.
Using tape, connect the first two elements to form the roof of the house. Also, using this adhesive tape, you need to attach it in place.
To decorate the roof, cut out identical tile elements from colored paper using a template, glue them onto the roof, starting from the bottom, gradually moving up to the ridge. Arrange these parts in a checkerboard pattern.
Today you learned about houses for cats that you can make with your own hands. Of course, there are many more ideas and materials for making a cozy home. For example, the following.
Felt house? This is another fashion trend that goes deep into the past. See, our ancestors also made felt boots and various household items from wool. Now this craft is very profitable, so you can make houses for cats from felt for sale. We invite you to watch a video that tells you how to make such a home for a pet using the wet felting technique.
The next review will tell you how to make a scratching post house.
Sofa bed for cats
If your furry pet has long been in love with sofas and armchairs, you can make her your own sofa in miniature. To do this, you only need fabric, foam rubber and foam plastic with a simple set of tools. Cut foam sheets into several blocks, from which you can assemble an impromptu sofa according to the size of the cat.
Glue all the elements together, put foam pillows on top and cover them with fabric. If you want to disassemble and wash the bed from time to time, sew a cover with a zipper or ties - then it will be easy to remove. At the same time, you can change the foam layer as needed.
Photo: moscow-oblast.sm-news.ru
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Plywood houses
Such houses are a little more difficult to make than those made from a T-shirt, but it is still possible
A plywood cat house looks presentable and will decorate any interior, and, most importantly, the pet will like it
Important! Such houses require the initial creation of a project indicating the dimensions. To create such a structure, you will need to cut out from a single piece of plywood those parts that will make up the structure and fasten them together
The connection is made using corner profiles. For the comfort of the cat, all parts are covered with carpet on both sides. For this purpose, foam rubber can also be used, which is placed between plywood and carpet. It is definitely worth remembering that a hole must be made in one of the walls so that the cat can get in and get out unhindered.
To create such a structure, you will need to cut out from a single piece of plywood the parts that will make up the structure and fasten them together. The connection is made using corner profiles. For the comfort of the cat, all parts are covered with carpet on both sides. For this purpose, foam rubber can also be used, which is placed between plywood and carpet. It is definitely worth remembering that a hole must be made in one of the walls so that the cat can get inside and get out unhindered.
The house can be left in its original form, or you can install it on a beam and mount a shelf underneath so that the pet can jump or sit on it freely. The beam itself is wrapped in thick jute rope. Once created, you get a full-fledged complex for cat games.
Bed for battery
It’s no secret that cats are constantly looking for shelter in the warmth, and especially in winter, when they settle down under or on the radiator. To make your pet more comfortable, softer and warmer, you can make a small hanging bed. For example, from a piece of PVC pipe of sufficiently large diameter, and from several hooks for hanging.
To make the lounger beautiful on the outside and comfortable on the inside, cover the plastic with soft fabric and a thin layer of foam rubber or other filler. Keep in mind that the pipe is smooth and slippery, so it is better to secure the edges inconspicuously inside with construction glue. Make sure that the filler does not bunch up, otherwise it will be uncomfortable for the cat.
If you want to remove and wash the upholstery, secure it with Velcro. You don’t have to buy fabric specially: old towels, bathrobes, an unnecessary blanket—anything will do. Hooks and rings can be of any shape and configuration - study the assortment of your nearest hardware store and choose something that fits the size of your battery.
Photo: paralleli.if.ua
Photo: zooregion.ru
Types of sun loungers
To sew the right type of bed for your cat, it is important to study the character of your pet, its activity and habits.
Based on appearance, the following types of beds are distinguished:
- houses with a roof;
- sunbeds with sides;
- bedding;
- beds on the radiator;
- hanging hammocks.
Sleeping place on a radiator for cats that love warmth
Interesting! Installing cat beds on windows near glass is gaining popularity. Pets like to look down on what is happening on the street.
Bed on the windowsill
To do this, you will need a sheet of plywood, a regular decorative pillow or foam rubber with a piece of fabric, and corner supports for wall shelves. Place the frame in a pillow or cover it with foam rubber and soft fabric or fur, and place the entire structure on one side on the windowsill. And from below - screw or glue the supporting corners. You can even make a folding bed - according to the same principle that folding tables are made on balconies or small kitchens.
Photo: barbos.club
Photo: zen.yandex.ru
Her or him?
Let's start with the latter, because they need to be taken into account first. Cats climb trees as well as cats, but in general they are terrestrial animals. After all, they need to find a safe place for a defenseless brood and feed it without being seen. Therefore, the cat bed should be located lower; perhaps on the floor itself. Or on the sofa, but there must be reliable support under it (the lounger). A roof over your head, but not blocking your view to the sides, is also highly desirable. There is also a soft, body-caressing lining on which you can safely leave tiny, gentle kittens.
The cat is another matter. Among wild cats, the most likely ancestors of domestic cats, the male is the ruler of the area. It is small, smaller than some decorative breeds (Siberian, American tiger), but unusually strong and ferocious. Neither a wolf, nor a bear, nor a goshawk will attack a wild cat themselves. When resting, such a dictator sits higher, but in such a way that at any moment he can jump down and join the fight. Or, during the mating season, take the next lady of your heart. Therefore, the cat bed should be located higher and be sufficiently hard and stable in itself to provide solid support for the paws for jumping. But the quality of the pavement does not matter much: wild cats set up their guard posts on the branches of trees.
Hammock bed
The hammock is convenient because it allows air to pass through from below, and the cat will always be comfortable. Fastenings can be very different: from two hooks or supports to a rectangular frame made of metal rods or wood. Select the size of the frame taking into account the size of your pet, but take extra fabric for the hammock so that it lies freely.
Photo: hu.gardendecorgalore.com
Photo: rockymountaindiner.com
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Choosing a suitable location
Cats love warmth and comfort. The choice of location depends on the pet's preferences. You can put a lounger in the place where the cat likes to sleep, or you can place several places to rest in different parts of the apartment.
Comfortable place for games and relaxation
Important! When attaching suspended structures, you need to take into account the additional load that is created by the cat when jumping.
It is not recommended to place sleeping places:
- near noisy and vibrating devices;
- on the aisle, in cold corners and in drafts;
- next to an open fire.
"Royal" bed
If you want to give your cat a real royal bed or make a bed that will fit into the most complex classic interior, you will need an old table or stool with legs. Carefully sand and paint the furniture in the desired color, use wooden decorations and varnish the structure. Turn it upside down, put a mattress made of beautiful fabric inside, and if you want, hang a canopy on top.
Photo: koffkindom.ru
How to and how not to
The second thing you need to know to properly make a cat bed is the animal’s habits. All cats, even openly living lions, are typical ambush predators, for whom the issue of survival is the ability to hide. If a wolf is fed by its legs, then a cat is fed by camouflage (cryptic) coloring and the ability to find shelter. Everyone knows that a cat can fit in a space where, it would seem, its tail would not fit.
Therefore, firstly, a cat bed should not be of such a color or pattern that you won’t get lost with any color, pos. 1 and 2 in Fig.:
Correctly and incorrectly made beds for cats
Dim neutral colors (item 3) are acceptable if they fit into the interior, and then the cat will be able to adapt. In the end, the savages successfully hide in the green foliage. But a bed of cryptic colors, but not matching the color of the animal (item 4), will be suitable for a young cat before the first mating. With kittens, she will get worried and may abandon the litter. The ideal sleeping place for a cat is neutral tones with a medium-sized pattern (pos. 5), and for a cat - slightly warm (like a tree stripped by claws) and with a smaller pattern, pos. 6, so that the animal could, when it wants, melt into the background, but could also stand up in full view to declare itself.
Lodge or refuge?
Cats are individualists who walk on their own even when they sleep. On the bed, the cat may be bothered by the lack of protection on top. We’ll look further at how to help her, but for now let’s figure out whether a shelter bed is needed for this, and if so, what kind.
A quiet shelter bed, and also reliably protected from behind, from the cat’s point of view (so that a large animal cannot get close), pos. 7, will give the cat a feeling of complete security. Remnants of wild habits may prevail over acquired domestic habits, and the cat will cease to recognize its owners, and then the house. It is expressed something like this: “Well, it was so lovely! And now? He steals, marks corners, tears up walls, scratches himself, and generally doesn’t let anyone get his hands on him.”
You can idolize a cat - your choice. But in order for her to remain at home, she must understand that without her owners she will not be completely protected. This will not interfere with mutual love. Was Bagheera afraid of Mowgli, who killed the tiger Shere Khan and commanded the elephant Hathi with his three sons? And achieving a positive balance in the relationship with a cat who owns a shelter in the house is very simple: you need to make it easily accessible to both owner’s hands and positions. 8. But keep in mind: if the closed space in the shelter is such that the cat can find a place in it where no one can immediately reach it with both hands (pos. 9), then it will begin to run wild. A stick or something like that will help - under no circumstances! The master's hands, even if they spank you, are their own and alive, and when they poke you with a dead object, this is an intolerable insult.
Cat bed – photos and ideas
There are many more ways to make a comfortable and cozy cat bed than meets the eye. For ideas and inspiration, we offer you an even larger selection of photos!
Photo: vseizlechimo.ru
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Photo: fishki.net
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Photo: livemaster.ru
Photo: dogcatdog.ru
Photo: livemaster.ru
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Photo: pinterest.ru
Photo: dudley.ru
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Photo: koffkindom.ru
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Photo: popularne.pl
Video: Original do-it-yourself cat bed
It is known that a cat can be in a state of dozing for up to 22 hours a day. She chooses sofas, armchairs and beds for sleeping, leaving a lot of wool. Cat six then sticks to clothes, causing unpleasant troubles for the owners. In this case, a special sleeping place for the pet becomes indispensable. And if your pet doesn’t have one yet, then you should definitely buy it. Pet stores offer a wide range of cat beds, but it’s much more pleasant to make one yourself.
Everyone has a sweater in their closet that you can’t wear anymore, but it’s a shame to throw it away. We’ll use it to build a cat bed, and at the same time give a second life to an old thing. Note that a place with a homemade scent is more attractive to your pet than a store-bought one brought from a pet store.
Choosing material
Your cat will thank you for a bed made from natural materials. Natural cotton or wool are considered ideal for making cat beds. But you can also use synthetic materials.
Suede fabric for furniture is an artificial material that has a velvety pile on the front side.
There are several criteria that should be taken into account when choosing fabric for a bed:
- It is better if the color of the fabric matches (or almost matches) the color of your pet. In this case, the fallen hair will not be very noticeable, and the bed will always look decent.
- Try not to use metal fittings to eliminate the possibility of static electricity.
- The material should not have a strong odor. Cats have a wonderful sense of smell, and if the cat doesn’t like the smell of the bed, you won’t be able to force her to sleep in that place. Therefore, to prevent your efforts from being in vain, carefully consider the choice of fabric for the bed.
- It is not always worth purchasing new canvases. Many people successfully use old clothes made of natural wool, felt or foam rubber - both economically and practically.
- Finally, the material should be easy to wash, not accumulate dust, please your pet and be safe for him.
Microfiber is a pleasant fabric.
In addition to the above aspects, there is one more condition - the bed must complement the interior of the room in which it will be located. This applies to both color and style.
Basic mistakes
When making beds for cats, beginners make many mistakes. The main one is the choice of materials. Under no circumstances should you choose synthetic fabrics, as they will wear out quickly, are difficult to wash, and may be harmful in their composition to your cat. It is best to give preference to proven and chemically safe materials, such as cotton or linen. If you still decide to use synthetic fabric, then you need to wash it well first. It is also very important to measure the size of your cat before you make the bed. If the sleeping place is small, then the cat simply will not rest there, as it will be uncomfortable for her.
Recommendations for beginners
There are a number of tips that will help any beginner make a good cat bed from fabric or any other material the first time. Here are some of them:
- When choosing the type of bed, be guided not by the degree of complexity of its manufacture, but by the character of your pet. Observe the places where he rests most often. If he likes dark and quiet places, then it is better to make the bed closed. If the cat prefers to sleep on a window or at a certain height, then the bed must also be made high.
- If the cat does not accept the new sleeping place the first time and ignores it, then put your pet’s favorite toys or his previous bedding there. Familiar smells will attract attention, and soon he will get used to the new bed.
- Be careful with calculations. Small errors in measurements can ruin the entire product.
Attention, accuracy and the desire to make a comfortable sleeping place for your pet will help you in the successful production of this product!
