DIY cat bed - 11 ideas on how to make, instructions and master classes (photos)

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.

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Basic materials for work

Before sewing a cat bed with your own hands, prepare the fabric. Corduroy, cotton or knitted fabric, jeans, calico, knitted fabrics, plush are suitable. The main thing is that the texture is soft and resistant to wear.

For example, seamstresses do not recommend using boucle material to make a cat bed with your own hands, since cats will dig their claws into it. Because of this, clues will appear.

The filling can be any synthetic raw material. It is known that natural feather litter can harbor mites and other parasites. In addition to fabric and stuffing, you will need a simple pencil or chalk for drawing patterns, scissors, a needle, a skein of thread, an awl.

Additional materials are selected depending on the shape of the cat bed for the apartment.

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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Built into furniture

Enterprising owners can come up with anything they can, and often adapt existing furniture into a cozy pet’s refuge .

The following pieces of furniture can be turned into a cat house:

a cabinet or small cabinet (bedside), cutting out a passage in the door;
a sofa by attaching cardboard or fabric tunnels to it, or placing a shelf with a lounger on the side;
a bookcase with a ladder attached so that the cat could use it to get to the very top and hide there;
a table or chair with a soft fabric hammock secured under it;
table, making an additional lower shelf with a lounger, pillow;
open shelves of cabinets, placing beds or low baskets or boxes on them;
shelves for flowers, setting aside the bottom shelf for the pet and the top for flowers.

For such transformations you will need simple tools that can be found in any home:

scissors, needle and thread;
hammer, nails;
screwdriver, self-tapping screws;
jigsaw (manual or electric);
glue, stapler for furniture.

House for a cat from a chair

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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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.

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Select an option

Building a house for a cat will not be difficult; it is enough to take into account a number of factors that take into account the behavior of the animal. If you approach the problem formally, then you can make a house, but it will simply take up space and gather dust. First of all, you should observe the animal to determine where the cat likes to rest. Most cats prefer to climb to heights, hiding in a secluded place, although there are some that simply rest on the floor. In this case, a lot depends on the breed of the animal.

First you need to decide on the choice of design

Design approaches

Not all cats behave the same way, so the approach can be highly individual. It is typical for cats to have two passages into the house, which is associated with the evacuation of the offspring in case of danger, although many owners castrate or sterilize their animals in a timely manner. To build a house, you can use pipes or other similar structures. However, they do not like wide openings, as this leads to a feeling of danger. In this regard, the entrance to the house should be narrow enough so that the animal can crawl into it freely. Most cats prefer heights, and in houses on the floor they can live with their offspring. If cats do not have offspring, then they will choose a larger house located at some distance from the floor, although, as mentioned above, everything is purely individual.

Cats prefer upper floors

Cats will definitely choose a higher place with a good view, as they love to watch what is happening around them. They prefer to be on platforms and are rarely seen lying in the house. For a cat, it is important that there are many areas, and of such a size that the animal can lie on them at full length. Such areas do not need to be fenced, since cats feel comfortable at heights. If owners make fences, it’s more for their own peace of mind, but cats don’t need them.

Place for a cat

If the cat does not have offspring, then cats, no less than cats, love to be on sites and watch everything that happens from above. At the same time, one should not ignore the desire of a cat, like a male cat, to sometimes retire and relax so that no one disturbs them. At the same time, it should be noted that there are breeds that are not intrusive in their behavior and try to retire. Therefore, both cats and cats need a house.

Adding some elements

The term “cat house” should be understood as a whole complex of elements with platforms and other useful additions. As a rule, animals choose the areas they like, and appear on some of them quite rarely. It is quite difficult to determine in advance which of the areas the animal will like, which is why it is necessary to build a whole complex.

Additional, but very useful elements in the cat complex are scratching posts and climbing frames. Scratching posts are vertical surfaces wrapped in ropes made from natural ingredients, while climbing frames are horizontal and inclined surfaces designed to allow the animal to move between different levels of the complex. By the way, scratching posts are also used by animals to climb onto the upper tiers or platforms.

Hammocks and claw pads

A hammock is another element that will not interfere with a cat’s complex. It is a rectangular piece of fabric that is attached to two crossbars. You can make the frame rigid and hem fabric to it, after which the frame is attached to the base at 4 corners.

As an option, it is permissible to hang toys on strings that animals simply adore and can play with for hours.

Cats simply love pipes that are made of fabric. To make the structure rigid, wire is inserted around the perimeter into the ends of the pipe. One end of the pipe should be raised to a certain height, and the second should be left on the floor. There must be a gap at the end of the pipe, otherwise the cat will ignore such an element. Animals can spend a lot of time in pipes because they feel like hunters in ambush.

Fabric pipes

Few people know that cats really like it if you take clothing brushes and attach them to a vertical surface, somewhere at the level of the animal’s back. Cats simply love to scratch themselves on these surfaces, which are made of medium-hard artificial bristles.

At what altitude

For any cat, the higher the resting place is located, the better, since in such conditions they feel safe. Therefore, in such cases, the cat house can be located even under the ceiling itself. Regardless of how many tiers there are in this complex, the top one will be mostly occupied. If there are several cats, then the leader will be located on the top “floor,” but despite this, this “floor” will remain controversial for the animals and each of the cats will want to be the first to occupy it.

Place right under the ceiling

It is believed that the smallest height of a cat's corner is one meter. A low height appears to be safe even for small kittens, but as they age, they will still move to higher tiers when they feel that they are capable of it.

Options for walls

The best option is to place a seating area on the wall, since it can take up about 1 square meter on the floor. Considering our apartments, where every square meter counts, a place for a cat on the floor is quite problematic, but placing it on the wall is not a problem at all, just secure it properly. Several platforms can be secured and connected by transitions from boards, placing them at different angles. As an option, you can use rope ladders, which the animals will certainly enjoy. In other words, there is a huge field for imagination, but at the same time you also need to have desire.

Wall options

Such elements are also called shelves for cats, since they are quite similar to shelves for books, since their fastening is identical. Cats and cats happily exploit such feline complexes.

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

DIY wigwam

The house in the form of a wigwam looks fresh and provocative . At home, you can quickly and easily build it from cardboard or fabric.

Wigwam for a cat made of cardboard

The following materials will be required:

6 twigs or branches - the basis of the frame. The upper ends are fastened together, the lower parts are widely spaced in different directions for stability.
Scotch tape or rope - to secure the rods.
Cardboard is the bottom of the wigwam. A hexagon is cut out and covered with fabric (preferably water-repellent).
Glue or needle and thread - for holding fabric together.
The fabric is cut into 6 isosceles triangles, in one of which a slot is made for the entrance.

The parts of the material are sewn together in such a way that rods can be inserted into the seam between the pieces of fabric. The frame is inserted into the stitched tent, and the bottom edges of the material are sewn to the bottom of the cardboard base.

Wigwam for cats made of fabric

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.

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Household items

Bowls

To make it more convenient for your cat to eat, choose shallow, wide bowls for her. Pet dishes should be heavy enough to prevent your cat from moving them around the kitchen while eating. Some owners give their pets some distinctive dishes from their dishes or buy them in a regular store. We used to do this too, until one day at the dacha, when everyone was busy preparing barbecue, a visiting relative served us chopped onions and herbs... in cat's plates! This is not surprising: our cats ate from charming flowered plates, which we usually put away on the chest of drawers. It would never have occurred to an outsider that these dishes were not for people. There was a lot of laughter then, but we made a clear conclusion for ourselves: situations in life are different, so it should be clear to any person (not just us) at first glance that these are dishes for animals.

Automatic feeders and drinkers

These wonderful devices make it possible to go away for a few days and safely leave your cat at home with a large supply of water, food and several clean trays. Automatic feeders and automatic drinking bowls come in a variety of designs - from simple and cheap to complex expensive models with automatic modes.

Toilets

Toilets for cats are available for sale in a wide range: from ordinary trays to mysterious houses in which your pet will feel especially comfortable and safe. Cats are very clean and will not go into a used toilet: if you do not have the opportunity to immediately clean it, then you need to have at least 2 toilets per animal, so as not to find unpleasant “surprises” in the most unexpected places.

The latest achievement of progress can be considered automatic toilets , which independently clean up everything after the pet in a special bag in the rear compartment, which must be thrown out periodically. The most advanced models even connect to sewerage, cold water supply and electricity. Such devices automatically clean a special washable filler and then dry it with hot air.

Another type of automatic toilets is toilets for animals , which are installed in the bathroom or kitchen with a mandatory connection to cold water and sewerage. Using a battery-powered sensor, the device automatically flushes all your pet's waste 15 seconds after it leaves the toilet.

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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How to choose a house type

When choosing a home, you need to pay attention to the age of the pet. Kittens are active and mobile. They need large buildings with various tunnels, stairs, toys. At the same time, it is important to monitor the safety of children during games.

As a pet ages, its character and behavior patterns develop. Animals that do not like strangers will feel comfortable in a kennel.

Hammocks, loungers, and miniature furniture are suitable for sociable cats. For pets who love heights, it is recommended to build a two-story home.

Some cats are afraid of enclosed spaces. Open rest areas (loungers, hammocks) are suitable for them. You can make several holes in a closed house, then the animal will not be afraid of it.

For heat-loving pets, it is advisable to line the inside of the home with plush.

The dimensions of the building must correspond to the size and breed characteristics of the animal. For example, large species prefer small resting spaces.

Before making a cat house, you need to observe the animal’s habits. In the place where the structure will be placed, you can put objects that will later be in the home. For example, a bed, a scratching post. This will help you understand whether your pet likes them.

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.

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Room neighbours

There is no need to make excuses if you allow your cat to sleep in her favorite place - your bed. Pets love to cuddle in a cozy bed with their best friend, and often the feeling is mutual.

Proponents of this method say it strengthens the bond between human and cat, not to mention the comfort and warmth that a warm, purring sleep companion can provide. This is an adult version of a teddy bear.

But before you bless this seemingly innocent habit, consider the following:

Cats rarely sleep through the night and often wake up too early for most people, usually around 4-5 am. At this point they want to be fed and they may also want to play.
Cats are fascinated by anything that moves, and if the nearest thing is your hand or foot, you may experience a traumatic awakening.
Even though cats are known to be picky about cleanliness, they do use the litter box.

You may have allergies and may need to spend time away from your kitten, especially while sleeping. However, most behavioral problems can be managed, and training is always worth the effort.

Your cat may learn to be quiet when she wakes up, or she may leave the room on her own. A few times a firm “no” can stop the kicking game. And you can help her keep her paws clean if that's a problem, or cover your antique blanket with a towel or blanket.

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.

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Where it's quiet

Cats love to be close to you when you sit or sleep, but if the house is busy and noisy, your kitten will likely want to sleep in a quiet and private place.

Bedrooms are a great place to place your cat's bed to sleep during the day because bedrooms typically don't get as much daytime use as other parts of your home. Even a quiet corner in the kitchen or home office can offer your kitty privacy for an afternoon cat nap.

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.

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"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

Requirements

The building for cats must meet the following requirements:

The height of the structure is as close as possible to the level where the animal spends the most time (bedside table, chair, bed, etc.), but should not be less than 40 centimeters.
There is no unpleasant smell of chemicals in the house, otherwise the pet simply will not accept it.
The home is suitable for the size of the pet, it should be comfortable in it (the size for an average cat is at least 40*40 centimeters).
The structure must be strong, safe and stable.
The circumference of the entrance to the structure is at least 15-20 centimeters.
The cleanliness of the house must be carefully monitored.
To make the building, only high-quality, environmentally friendly materials are used so as not to harm the health of its occupant (plywood, cardboard, concrete, cotton).
It is recommended to build a playground in the home.
If a scratching post is installed in the structure, access to it should be free. Otherwise, the pet will sharpen its claws on walls, wallpaper, etc.
In a multi-tiered house it is necessary to make an additional exit. This is how animals arrange their homes in the wild.

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!

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