In this article we will share ideas, methods and current tips on how to make a cat house with your own hands. Step-by-step instructions with photos, detailed explanations production process and master classes will help you quickly and easily create an original cat house. Choose the option that fits perfectly into your interior.
Set for cats with scratching posts, bed and hanging toy
For games, sleep and relaxation, as well as for sharpening claws, you can build a cozy cat house with your own hands, which will not only decorate the room, but also bring benefits. This ideal complex for a cat will not take up much space. A spacious house is suitable for a large fluffy or pregnant cat. A vertical scratching post, a soft bed and a dangling toy will be great entertainment for adult animals. A cozy house and an inclined scratching post will be a favorite place for curious little kittens.
Materials required for the base of the structure and the house:
- Fibreboard (hardboard) 40x122 cm (for the base);
- Chipboard 44x61 cm (for the roof of the house);
- Chipboard 55x44cm (for walls);
- 7 slats 3x4x37 cm (spacers for walls);
- pipe with a diameter of 11 mm, length 60 cm;
- 2 bars (for pipe stability);
For the bed:
- Chipboard 44x30 cm;
- Fibreboard 44x30 cm;
- foam rubber measuring 44x30 cm;
For scratching posts:
- rope made of cotton materials or jute, about 110 mm thick, 15 m (for a vertical scratching post);
- rope or fabric (for an inclined scratching post);
- toy;
- board 18x41 cm;
Additional materials and tools:
- fabric or fur for covering;
- saw, hand or electric jigsaw;
- drill, screwdriver;
- knife, scissors, sandpaper;
- stapler for furniture, hot glue gun;
- tape measure, pencil, chalk, marker.
The process of making a cat house with your own hands
The first step is to cut out chipboard and fibreboard from existing materials rectangles: for the base of the house, walls and beds. The required sizes are listed above, but you can independently determine the size that suits you and is comfortable for your pet. On both rectangles for the walls of the house you need to draw circle from radii of about 27 cm. The most convenient way to do this is with a compass, but not from the center of the rectangle, but just below. You can use a marker if you attach a rope to it and hold it in the center of the future truncated circle.
One wall of the house will be solid, and on the second wall you need to draw circle-holes for entrance and several windows. It's original to make them look like a cat's footprint. We will make the large circle 22 cm in diameter, and the small ones 5.5 cm.
DIY cat house step by step instructions Photo
Small side circles should be placed at a symmetrical distance from the large circle (equal to 17.5 cm). And the central small circle should be positioned a little further.
The next step in building a cat house with your own hands will be sawing out. Carefully, using a drill, jigsaw or other suitable tools, you need to cut out alternately small and large circles.
Next, we combine both walls of the future house and mark the places where we plan to fasten them with slats. In our example, these are 7 points. They are most conveniently made by drilling through so that the marks are visible on both panels.
At all marked points we drill holes for self-tapping screws. This is where the slats will be attached.
Preparing the slats: plan, smooth the edges, remove roughness. For stability, the bottom slats can be made thicker.
We fasten both parts at seven points using prepared slats and self-tapping screws.
DIY cat house step by step instructions. Photo
Let's prepare fabric for walls house. It should be slightly larger than the walls themselves. For the safety and comfort of the cat, it is better to choose fabrics with cut pile so that the animal does not get caught in its claws. You can use faux fur or other materials.
Pieces of fabric using a hot glue gun glue it to preparing the house. It is best to use glue without a strong odor; the cat will probably not like it.
On the front side of the house, we cut holes in the fabric in the right places, bend it and carefully fasten it along the edges.
We place and glue on the base for the complex (in the place where the house will stand) foam rubber. Its size should correspond to the distance between the two side bottom slats of the house. This will be the first bed; next to it we mark with a circle the place for the vertical pipe.
We completely cover the entire base of the structure. cloth.
To keep the fabric firmly in place, it is better to secure it with staples using a furniture stapler. If there is fabric on the sides that begins to fray, it needs to be wrapped. Next, we secure the structure on top using a sheet of fiberboard.
Let's prepare roof house. We mark the allowances on the fabric with chalk and paste it over a sheet of fiberboard.
We take two narrow pieces of fabric and glue them to the inside of the two lower ribs. If you are using colored fabrics, you need to use the base color here. 
Connecting house with foundation. At this stage, it is important to choose self-tapping screws of the optimal length. They should hold the house firmly, but not protrude beyond the base. 
We hide the slats under the fabric. 
We place the fiberboard rectangle on the roof of the house and fix it with a furniture stapler. 
Using small scissors, we hide the staples in the fabric. 
We ennoble inner part house. Glue the fabric of the corresponding color. 
The DIY cat house is almost ready. There are only parts left: scratching posts and a bed. 
Let's prepare pipe made of cardboard, plastic or wood and two bars of slightly smaller diameter. This guarantees the stability of the structure. In our example, a plastic pipe and wooden blocks are used. 
We firmly insert and secure the bars in the pipe; this can be done with glue or self-tapping screws (depending on the materials used). 
From rectangular sheets of chipboard and fiberboard we cut out identical semicircular parts for beds.
We string a piece of fiberboard onto a pipe, having previously made a hole. This part will cover the glued fabric underneath. 
On the underside of the bed we prepare holes for self-tapping screws. We connect the bench and the block fixed in the pipe. 
Turn the house horizontally. We place the pipe parallel to the floor, place any objects under it to determine a suitable place to attach the scratching post. 
We make marks on the bottom of the base, make holes for the screws, and screw the pipe. In our version, we made four holes for better fastening. 
The very bottom of the pipe can be cover with cloth. Cats usually sharpen their claws by extending their paws upward. 
We cut the foam rubber to the required size and glue it to the bed. 
Take a rope and attach it to one end toy, and we fix the other side with a furniture stapler on the side to the base of the bed. 
We completely cover the top of the bed with fabric, making allowances for bending it. We glue the fiberboard part so as to beautifully hide the edges of the fabric.
We deceive the pipe with a rope, periodically securing it with glue. 
Cooking inclined scratching post. We trim the lower part so that it touches the base. Cover both ends of the board with fabric. 
The DIY cat house is almost ready. We wrap the central part of the inclined scratching post, on which the cat can sharpen its claws, with rope or cloth. We place the board on the base of the complex and secure it to one of the slats between the walls of the house. 
Using our master class, you can independently complement and complicate the design, increasing its size and number of components. 
Scheme of a cat house in the form of a castle
Standard playgrounds for cats usually take up a lot of space in the apartment. It is not always possible to allocate an area to install such a structure at home. But if the desire to make your pet happy haunts you, then we suggest doinglean-to housefor a cat with your own hands. And not just a house, but a whole castle! It is convenient to place it anywhere on the wall. You can make any number of towers and connect them together with ladders.
If there are small children in the house or there is a dog in addition to the cat, then such a hanging complex with a scratching post will be the mustachioed purr’s favorite place. There the cat can sleep peacefully without being disturbed.
Materials required for the construction of towers:
In addition, you will need construction tools, such as a saw, a hand or electric jigsaw, a drill, a screwdriver or screwdriver, a furniture stapler, a stationery knife or scissors, a pencil (marker) and a tape measure.
Planning and preparation stage
In our example, the dimensions of the turrets have a base of 34x34 cm, a wall height of 45.5 cm, the upper tier begins at a height of 30 cm from the lower base of the wall. Therefore, to build the turrets we will need: a base, a side wall (size 34x44 cm), two small side walls (size 30.5x44), a shelf 30.5x30.5 cm, two slats 5.5x44 cm, two slats 5.5x23 cm. The chipboard sheet is about 1.5 cm thick.
To make a cat house beautiful, comfortable and functional, you need to think about the size of the turrets. They should look harmonious in the room and be high enough for the cat to stretch and move around inside. If the cat play structure will include two-tier towers, then the size of the upper base should allow the cat to curl up in a ball and feel safe due to sides.
DIY cat house step by step instructions
From chipboard sheet cut out 9 rectangular parts according to the previously indicated dimensions.
Let's draw outlines of the tower: battlements, three pieces, 6.5 cm high and recesses.
We take a large side wall, divide its side into 5 equal segments and put marks. (A side is 34 cm, divide it by 5, we get 6.8 cm). We take smaller side walls, place them on top of the first wall, and place thin side slats at the edges. Then we transfer the marks from the bottom wall to smaller walls. This is necessary to ensure that all the teeth are the same size.
We transfer the marks from the ends of the wall to its horizontal line, draw a line of 6.5 cm. By connecting the dots, we get a ready-made drawing of the teeth.
Carefully along the lines cut out the teeth jigsaw
Next we do it at the tower entrance, its width will be 20 cm, height 25 cm. We measure the same distance from the center up and down, mark the required dimensions with dots. If desired, you can round the top line. In this case, you can set aside a segment of 12.5 cm from it. Draw an arc.
Let's do jigsaw entrance according to the drawing.
We connect the side wall with the front wall with self-tapping screws.
We attach the second side wall in a similar way. For convenience, you can put between them shelf.
We turn the tower over and add a base, which is also secured with self-tapping screws.
At a height of 30 cm from the base, we make marks, recesses for screws and attach the shelf.
We fix two side horizontal and two vertical slats on the side, covering the sections of the walls.
Cutting off a piece fabrics a little more than the height and width of the tower, try it on and adjust the size.
We secure the fabric with glue or a furniture stapler, carefully shaping and folding the edges. In the area of the teeth, leave about 1.5 cm for the hem. It is important that the glue does not have a strong, repulsive odor.
Using a narrow long piece of fabric (about 6.5 cm high) we glue the teeth on the inside. Carefully seal the ends.
For side entrances We prepare the fabric with a reserve, try it on and cut it, then glue it.
We formalize ends at the entrance, and finally we fix another piece of fabric from the bottom of the tower.
We select foam rubber parts for the beds, wrap them with fabric on the top side, fasten them with glue.
We fix the lower part of the foam bed with glue on the shelf, Special attention paying attention to the edges.
We put fasteners on the back of the tower and hang it on the wall. We add at will scratching post ladder, which can be created similarly to the first method by wrapping a rope around a board or pipe.
To make it convenient for a cat to climb into its house and crawl along the turrets, you need to come up with bridges between the towers. This could be a piece of wood covered with fabric. Using both a scratching post and bridges in the design, it is important that there is a gap for the cat against the wall.
This is how easy it is to make an unusual cat house with your own hands. If desired, you can build several towers of different sizes, hang them near the floor or high near the ceiling. If you place the structure around the entire perimeter of the house, then it is better to make entrances to the turrets on three sides.
DIY entertainment complex for cats
Another option to allocate a place for your pet is to create an interior detail in your home that is interesting for the cat and unusual for you. WITH entertainment corner your pet will always be busy, even in your absence. We will show you how to make a three-tier complex for a cat.
Required tools:
- two tables of different sizes on low legs;
- rope, fabric or fur;
- stapler, glue;
- toys and decorative items;
- screw and screws;
- dye.
Step-by-step instructions for an entertaining corner for your pet
The first step will be table preparation. They should be disassembled, legs, shelves (if any), tabletops should be unscrewed to decorate and improve. In our case, we use a fur piece - a large piece of fur. We want to use it to completely cover the shelf from the table. To fix the fur should be folded down.
We also decorate a small tabletop using this method, securing the fur underneath with a stapler.
Table legs make great scratching posts, you just have to wrap them with tight ropes. You can wrap all the legs, or only part of them. To secure the rope during the winding process, you can fasten it with staples.
We suggest painting the remaining legs and other parts of the tables a different color with safe paint.
After the paint has dried, you can assemble all the parts.
We will place our smaller table on a large table, taking into account where the scratching posts are facing, so that it is convenient for the cat to use them. The top table can be glued, secured with screws or self-tapping screws.
The final touch to decorating a cat bed with your own hands is to add toys and entertainment accessories. These could be hanging toys on ropes, a glued flower pot, or a piece of carpet for claws. Fantasy is limitless.
Do-it-yourself multi-story cat house
Building a multi-storey complex for a cat will require a little more time and patience, but the beauty that will result in the end will delight the little resident of the house and its builder. In such a complex you can sleep, pamper yourself, and sharpen your claws.
To make such a complex you will need:
- chipboards;
- electric jigsaw;
- fabric and rope;
- tape measure, pencil, scissors;
- entrance/window templates;
- glue;
- pipes made of plastic or cardboard;
- self-tapping screws, door hinges, screws, corners.
Do-it-yourself multifunctional six-level cat house step-by-step instructions
The very first step is to prepare base complex, house And lower compartment with an entrance that can be of any shape (circle, oval, rectangle).
We chose a figurine in the form of a cat's head, traced it on a sheet of chipboard, and then cut it out jigsaw
We assemble five rectangles of any size box house, in our version its length is 80 cm, height 30 cm, width 55 cm. The main thing is that the cat is comfortable.
We hang it on the remaining side part loops for the future door.
We attach the door to the house on screws.
We will have pipes between the floors, so we attach furniture corners to their base, with the help of which it is easy to attach the pipe to the base.
Thus, using pipes and chipboard panels, you can build several floors of different shapes and sizes. At the same time, holes should be left in them for the cat. The layout of the cat house depends on your imagination.
From the side or between levels, a multi-storey cat house can be attached stairs. You can simply make it from ordinary boards. The ladder can be placed at an angle by turning the legs from below at an angle of 45 degrees. This element can be attached to the house using furniture corners.
On the top of the house a house with gable roof. Its base will rest on several pipes, it is better if they are symmetrically located for balance.
We cut out pieces of suitable size from chipboard boards, form them into a structure, and secure them with screws and furniture corners.
One side of the house or roof can be placed on hinges, not only for the cat's entertainment, but also for the convenience of opening and cleaning the home.
In our version, we made a house with a side entrance and a door on the roof.
The top floor (that is, the attic) can be located right under the ceiling or you can make a kind of step from it to the closet.
Using another pipe and a mini chipboard panel, we connect the cat complex to the top of the cabinet.
Decorative finishing
When completing the construction of a cat house with your own hands, it is important to decorate it beautifully and make it a beautiful interior accessory.
We wrap all the pipes with rope or rope, secure them at the bases and at the tops with glue.
Roofs, walls, side and internal sides paste over carpet.
We measure each detail, make the necessary holes in the carpet, try it on and fix it.
It is convenient to use a furniture stapler at corners and in places that are difficult to reach for gluing.
If you wish, you can trim all the parts in one color or use several different ones. We painted the roof of the house in green.
Particular attention should be paid to corners, ends and joints. At the ends in the area of the holes it is good to use a furniture strip. It is smooth, bends easily and takes the desired shape.
The master class on building such a complex is very simple. Anyone can do it. Your cat will appreciate such a gift.
DIY soft bed for a cat
Cats love to sleep, they always look for the softest, calmest and most comfortable place in the house. Give your mustachioed beast his own place to sleep and relax. You can make a cat bed with your own hands in just a couple of hours. This method does not require male skills; there are no complex details in the master class.
Materials for making a bed:
You can choose any size and shape for the bed. This method is also suitable for making a dog bed.
Step-by-step instructions on how to make a cat bed
Choosing a place Where the bed will be located affects its shape. You can place the future structure in a corner, on a window or under a table. We will make a classic oval shape. For a regular cat, a size of 40 or 50 cm in length is suitable.
An important step is choice of fabric. It should be pleasant, easy to clean and safe for your cat's claws. You can choose a color that matches the main shade in the interior.
We're drawing oval shape on a sheet of fiberboard. This can be done in two ways.
The first method is without using a compass. Draw a straight line and divide it in half with segments.
We fix the side points with pushpins or pins, and put a thread on them, tied at both ends. Using a pencil, pull the thread to the left side to form a triangle. Let's put an end to it.
Using the same tension, draw a line around the buttons to get a nice oval.
Another way to get an oval shape is to draw it using compass.
We draw a segment, divide it into equal parts, put points A and B at the end of it. Using a compass, draw two circles with centers at the end of the segment, with a diameter up to points A and B, respectively.
Above the intersection of the circles we draw arcs from the top points of the circles to each other. We get an oval.
We transfer it to the fiberboard panel and cut out This shape has 2 identical figures.
We measure and design the sides. For this we take foam rubber. Its length is equal to the length of our oval (135 cm), and its width will be 10 cm.
From a piece foam rubber we form a side. We fold a piece of foam rubber along its entire length in half and secure it with glue.
Let's prepare textile, with which we will cover the foam rubber. The fabric should be a few cm wider in order to make it convenient to glue the structure to the bottom of the base of the bed. We chose a width of 14 cm.
Glue the foam side and a piece of fabric together.
We fix the resulting side to the bed, leaving a free edge of the fabric on the outside.
We complete the semicircle by connecting the two ends of the side.
At the bottom of the bed we fasten the fabric from the side.
To hide this part of the structure, we cover it with a previously prepared fiberboard part.
We issue in the inside of the bed. Cut out the foam rubber to shape. We apply and try on the size, it should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bed.
We wrap the foam rubber with fabric, making allowances. We fasten them from the bottom.
Apply glue to the remaining part of the foam rubber that is not covered with fabric and place the soft part in the center of the structure. You can do without glue, then the foam rubber should be completely wrapped in fabric and sewn up with thread.
A compact and soft place for the cat is ready!
Master class: house for a cat out of a box
One of the most favorite pastimes for cats is searching for secluded corners or containers where they can sit comfortably. Even the simplest small shoe boxes instantly attract the attention of cats. What a joy they will be to receive a house from a large cardboard box!
You can make a house for a cat from one large cardboard box (from under equipment) or from several small boxes. For this you will need:
- scissors or stationery knife;
- hot glue gun;
- ruler or stencils (for windows);
- self-adhesive paper, paint or fabric (for decoration);
On the walls of the box you need to draw and then cut out windows and entrances; they can be of any shape and size. For stability, it is important to reinforce the corners, bottom and side walls with tape.
To make the house look like a real one, it is better to make its roof gable. To do this, you need to work with the top of the box, consisting of 4 rectangular parts (a continuation of the walls). The two wide parts will become slopes, and the two narrower parts will become pediments (triangular parts of the walls). It is most convenient to secure the collapse of the house hot glue.
Using this method of building a house for a cat with your own hands, you can make one house or entire tunnels, if the territory allows. The structure can be painted or covered with colored paper or wallpaper on top. If desired, you can insulate it inside and out with various materials: foam rubber, carpet or fabric, and add a pillow for softness.
From an old T-shirt
One of the most elementary ways To make a house for a cat at home is to build it from wire and an ordinary men's T-shirt.
For this you will need:
- cardboard or piece of plastic;
- 2 metal hangers made of thin wire;
- pliers;
- T-shirt or other clothing with sleeves and collar;
- pillow or foam rubber;
- pins or glue.
Let's prepare house frame. Using pliers, we straighten out ordinary clothes hangers and install them on a cardboard base crosswise in the form of arcs. At the top, both wires need to be connected with tape. We will pay special attention to securing the arcs at all four points at the base. You can pierce the cardboard, slightly bend the wire on the back side and secure it with tape. You can glue fabric to the base, put foam rubber or a pillow for softness.
We put the T-shirt on the frame, stretch the fabric on top, fold it down and pin it. The T-shirt should be positioned so that the opening for the collar forms an entrance. If desired, it is easy to leave windows on the sides of the house from the sleeves or make additional holes.
Other ideas for creating houses for cats with your own hands
You can make original cat houses with your own hands from wicker basket. Two baskets will make a cozy bed in the shape of a pearl, and you can put a soft pillow on the bottom.
A house in the shape of a cat with sewn on ears, eyes, tail and a hole resembling a yawning mouth. It is better to sew such a house from dense fabric that holds its shape.
For a children's room or hallway, a cat house made from colored wooden cubes. You can make several inputs in the form geometric shapes and positively decorate the outside of the cubes.
A noticeable detail of the interior will be a cat house - wigwam with shelves. You can assemble it from wooden or cardboard boards fastened horizontally and vertically, lay a soft blanket inside, and hang fabric instead of walls.
The easiest way to do wigwam for cat- connect several sticks in the form of a cone, fasten them well at the top and at the base. Then cover the house with fabric, make an entrance and windows.
You can make a cozy house for a cat with your own hands if you felt it or created it from fabric (carpet) round mini house. Then make a cutout and decorate it along the edge with a knitted scarf.
The cat will like it hanging fabric house in the shape of a cone with one or more inputs. The main thing is to make a soft bottom. This composition can be hung anywhere.
Decorate the apartment with a laconic home for a cat in the shape of an egg. Smooth and hard on the outside, but soft due to the bedding on the inside, the house and its owner will take center stage on a window or shelf.
Vertical house with scratching posts and a cylinder in the center very compact and functional. The cat will be able to hide inside or frivolously lie down on the top bed, watching what is happening around.
We won’t go into deep thought, but let’s just say one thing: your beloved cat definitely needs its own small home. If you do not provide the four-legged dog with its own home, then it will do it for you, arranging a place to sleep and rest in the closet, under the sofa, in the washing machine, and even in any convenient corner. We will tell you how to make a cat house with your own hands in this article.
No artificial materials!
Cats, like people, are very sensitive to various materials. And it is especially unpleasant for them if the material emits a sharp, unpleasant odor, because they have a heightened sense of smell. That is why give preference only to natural materials: replace plastic with wood, read the composition of pillows, and buy all fabrics only with a natural composition such as cotton. Synthetics can not only smell unpleasant, but also have poor air permeability and often become electrified, which will be very, very unpleasant for a cat with thick hair. So arm yourself with the most natural ingredients possible to create a home.
Glue? Only classic PVA or any other water-based one!
The glue used should not emit a terrible unpleasant odor after drying, and preference should be given to glue that is as safe as possible for the animal, i.e. PVA and its analogues. The fact is that the cat may try to chew the glued element, which is why the glue can get inside with saliva. Pay attention to this.
When making a house, use PVA glue
Don't skimp on sizes!
Of course, there is no need to overdo it either, but houses for cats should be designed so that the pet can sleep both curled up and stretched out along its entire length. And, of course, when designing a house, take into account the size of your individual.
We secure the home to the floor
Don't want to spoil expensive laminate or parquet? Think of some other mounting option, for example, to the wall. The cat will run into its little house and jump on it, so the structure must be more or less firmly fixed. And when designing, be sure to take into account the weight of the animal: the larger it is, the stronger the base should be.
fasten new house pet
Option No. 1 - from a regular T-shirt
For this simple masterpiece we will need a square piece of thick cardboard or plywood, two pieces of wire about 5-7 mm thick, as well as a pillow, a T-shirt and something for fixing.
Cardboard box house
You can also take a low stepladder (about a meter high), wrap the vertical beams with twine, and lay sheets of plywood between the steps, having previously covered them with some soft material. And on the leaves that will lie on the lower steps, you can make a full-fledged house. So you get three in one: a do-it-yourself cat house, a scratching post, and shelves on which the pet can lie down and enjoy peace.
Many needlewomen and needlewomen are familiar with this technique. Its essence is simple: you take sheets of paper (newspapers), an object whose shape you want to repeat (for example, sculpt a large fish from plasticine), and then gradually cover the object with paper using PVA glue. As a result, you will get a durable multi-layer structure of the desired shape.
How to make a cat house using this technique? Very simple! We take a fairly large bag that needs to be filled with towels and rags (don’t take big ones, let there be a lot, just small ones). Next, give the bag the desired shape (for example, a large stone) and start covering it with newspapers. We advise you to do this: soak the first layer with a little newspaper and just cover the bag without applying glue. And then immediately glue the second layer onto the wet newspapers. And each subsequent layer, just coat the newspapers with PVA glue and glue, glue.
When all this is dry, cut a hole for the cat on one side with a knife. Under the newspaper, of course, you will find that same bag, cut it and take out all the rags from inside one by one. Finally, take out the bag itself, you can get it out without any problems, because the first layer was not glued with water, not glue. Next, let the cat’s future home dry a little, then cover the space inside with several more layers.
House made of papier-mâché. All that remains is to decorate
Our frame is completely ready, now you can decorate it, make a stand if you wish, and put a pillow inside. We advise you to make an imitation of stone, in combination with the papier-mâché technique it will look very beautiful, it will create the feeling that you have carved a house for your pet in stone.
We take regular corrugated cardboard and cut out rings from it. Then the rings are glued one to one, after which we get a shell house, like a snail. You can find photographs of similar structures to better see what it all looks like. To work, you only need glue and cardboard itself, and the result is very original and interesting.
Corrugated cardboard house
Option No. 5 – triangle made of plywood and carpet
It is extremely easy to make such a house for a cat with your own hands; you only need a corner profile, self-tapping screws, carpet and plywood. Take three rectangles of plywood, make them into a triangle shape, fasten them with a profile and screws, and then make back wall made of plywood in the shape of a triangle.
After this, cover the resulting structure with carpet - and you’re done, you can hand over the work to your pet and let him evaluate it.
Cat house-toilet
Well, then modify it to your taste. You can attach a scoop inside to the wall, you can screw wheels on the bottom, cover this entire structure with colored fabric, make a soft seat, so that you end up with something like a pouf or banquette. In general, there are a lot of ideas here. By the way, the same closed tray can be assembled from an old cabinet with an opening door. Just cut a hole in the door with a jigsaw, place the tray inside - and you're done!
Do-it-yourself cat houses with a scratching post - also necessary thing, because Over time, many felines begin to tear at everything that falls under their claws. Making scratching posts with your own hands is very easy: take a wooden or plastic pole, which is simply wrapped tightly with twine or other thick rope. Just don’t secure the coils with nails!
How to combine a scratching post with a home? Yes, in absolutely any combination! We take a sheet of plywood, install the house itself on it, next to it is a post with a scratching post, and nail a soft bed onto the post. That's it, the simplest design is ready! You can simply attach the sharpener to the dwelling itself, build a complex multi-level structure, place the scratching post under the dwelling, above it - as your heart desires!
House for a cat with a scratching post
Option No. 10 – a whole cat complex with your own hands!
If you have a lot of time and energy, and you adore your pet, you can build a huge complex! Here you can provide stairs, hanging structures under the ceiling, soft pipes that go around the sofa, and houses in the walls. Set up multi-tiered cottages, decorate it all with artificial or live plants and much, much more. There are a lot of ideas on the Internet, both how to make a cat house with your own hands, and how to build huge complexes in which you can even get lost! And the most interesting thing is that there are no restrictions: you can take on work of the most impressive scale.
We showed you cat houses, and also gave you ten options on how to equip a cat’s home on your own. We tried to tell you how to do it beautiful house with your own hands, starting from the simplest options, and ending with complex cottages for the real cat elite!
We hope that you liked it and that you have found a solution for yourself that will allow you to turn all your ideas into reality. Modify our proposed solutions as you please, creating non-standard and creative cottages for your pets.
For comfortable living in an apartment for a cat, it is recommended to build personal apartments. The design must take into account all the needs of the animal. The construction is not universal, since each pet has its own temperament and habits. You can make a cat house with your own hands.
There are many ideas and sketches for building a cat house. When making a structure, it is necessary to take into account the availability of free space in the apartment, the preferences of the pet, and the design of the room where the house will be installed. If you choose the right fabric for decoration and the shape of the structure, it will decorate any interior.
Loungers and hammocks
A lounger is the simplest and easiest type of house to build. It is made in the form of a basket, box, stand with soft bedding.
Depending on where you want to place the future bed, you can choose its shape. It can be angular (if placed in a corner), rectangular (if you want to place it on a window). Here we describe an option for making a regular oval bed. For adult cat the optimal diameter is 40 or 50 cm. But of course, look at your cat, if you or just a cat is quite large, then it is better to make the size larger. We recommend trying on your cat.
Choose fabric that is pleasant to the touch and safe for the cat. You can take any color you like.
We will need:
- a sheet of fiberboard (you will need 2 pieces 36x48 cm), you can take thick cardboard;
- foam rubber (for the side - length 135 cm, width 10 cm, for the inside 36x48 cm);
- fabric or carpet;
- heat gun;
- stationery knife or scissors;
- tape measure or ruler;
- compass;
- threads, needles and pins.
Step-by-step instruction:
- First, let's draw an oval on a piece of paper. You can use a compass for this. We draw a segment of 48 cm and divide it into three equal parts, denoting two points as A and B. From both points we draw circles with a compass so that the edge of the circle is at adjacent points. We draw arcs above and below the intersection of the circles, and we get an oval. Let's cut it out.
- We take our fiberboard sheet or cardboard, put our oval on it and trace it. Cut out 2 identical shapes.
- Next we make the sides from foam rubber. We bend it in half along its entire length and glue it together.
- Afterwards we cover the foam rubber with fabric, its width should be slightly larger, you can take 14 cm. Glue it together.
- On the outside we leave a free edge of the fabric and fix the side to the bed, again with glue. We connect the ends of the side.
- Glue the loose fabric to the bottom of the oval. To make our bed look good from below, we cover it with the second oval prepared earlier.
- Next, take the foam rubber and cut it into an oval shape. We cut it a little along the entire length, since the inner part should be a little smaller. Afterwards we wrap it in fabric, making allowances and securing them on the bottom side.
- Apply glue to the part of the foam rubber without fabric and glue it inside the bed. Alternatively, you can sew two parts.
Another option Hammocks are comfortable loungers. The pet can sit comfortably and relax on them.
A special feature of the design is the presence of mounts on which it is suspended in various places. It is recommended to make the base of the hammock rigid so that the animal is comfortable and comfortable.
You can even make a cat bed out of your old sweater. To do this, sew up its neck from the wrong side. Then sew at the same height as the sleeve openings to create a single border. It needs to be filled with insulation, and then the cuffs must be sewn up. Also put insulation inside, or better yet, a soft pillow, and sew it up. Here are the step-by-step photos:
Booth houses
This is a closed type design. The dwelling has a roof, upholstered soft cloth. In such a house, the pet can take a break from other inhabitants of the apartment. If the size of the building allows, you can place a scratching post in it.
Step-by-step manufacturing instructions are in front of you in the photo:
Miniature furniture
A resting place for a cat can be made in the form of a sofa, armchair and other pieces of furniture. The decor includes miniature bedspreads and pillows. The pet gets used to such a sleeping place very quickly.
Option for making a luxury sofa for your cat:
You can make a sofa simpler:
You don’t have to rack your brains and build a home for your pet out of a cardboard box. Having previously cut an entrance and windows in it, put bedding inside. However, such a house will quickly become unusable (the animal will tear it or gnaw it during games).
It is better to make a building with walls made of several layers of cardboard. If you do this carefully, your homemade home will look no worse than a store-bought one.
How to make a similar house step by step:
Multi-storey houses or play complexes
The manufacture of such a design will take more time than those previously listed. There is enough space for everything: stairs, scratching post, toys, etc. In such a house, the pet will always find something to do, even in the absence of the owner.
Original houses
Any interior will be decorated with such original structures for pets:
- from two captive baskets connected in the form of a pearl;
- sewn from thick fabric in the shape of a cat: with ears, a tail, and a hole in the shape of a yawning mouth;
- from wooden cubes (the walls can be decorated with colored paper);
- mini wigwam;
- in the form of a ball made of carpet (the opening of the home can be decorated around the edges with a knitted scarf);
- hanging fabric with a soft bottom, hanging anywhere;
- egg-shaped with smooth and hard walls, thanks to the bedding on the inside;
- a vertical house with scratching posts on the sides and a sleeping place in the form of a cylinder in the center.
Built into furniture/cabinet
A home can be built on a shelf of a chest of drawers, a closet, or an unnecessary bedside table. The inside of the furniture is covered with fabric, and bedding is placed in the middle. It is better to install the house in a quiet place, not in the corridor. You can place it in the room where your pet is most often.
For small apartments
In small apartments, you can build a hammock for a cat from a T-shirt, towel or thick fabric. It can be placed in any free space, including under furniture. It is convenient to clean and wash.
Houses built into furniture are also an ideal option for small apartments. For several animals, a design with two or three floors, with a dedicated sleeping area for each pet, is suitable. Such a structure will help save space.
You can place a corner house in the free space. It will not take up useful space in the room. This design is made according to individual drawings. It can be installed in an obtuse or acute angle.
Why does a cat need a house?
An animal needs its own apartment to rest from being surrounded by people, other pets, and to hide from an annoying child. If the pet does not have its own secluded place, it will sleep anywhere: on the sofa, table, bed, etc. Having your own corner will make the life of the owners easier; the pet will not disturb or leave its fur in undesirable places.
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 (size for average cat- 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 do additional output. This is how animals arrange their homes in the wild.
Differences between houses for cats and cats
Cats and cats have different needs. Therefore, their housing should be different. The male will be comfortable on the roof of the house, which has only one entrance. It is enough for the animal to have a safe shelter with a good view.
The cat will be comfortable in a design with an emergency exit. It is better to make a viewing platform not on the roof, but on a separate rack. Such preferences are due to the fact that the female’s house is also a shelter for the offspring. Children should be kept away from the “observation deck”. An additional move is necessary so that the kittens can escape in the event of an attack on their home.
Material
The upholstery is made of plush, carpet, suede, velor. You can sew pillows and bedding from the same materials. Sintepon or foam rubber are used as filler.
Pet stores also sell artificial materials for stuffing recreational items. They are produced in the form of granules and retain heat well.
Fastenings are made of reinforcement. This material will ensure the strength and stability of the structure. All parts of the structure are connected with odorless glue and nails. For soft material, a stapler is used.
Other materials are also used. The most important thing is that they do not become electrified. This will cause discomfort to the pet.
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, and 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. Suitable for them open spaces recreation (loungers, hammocks). 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.
A few more ideas
You can build a house from scrap materials with your own hands. You will need:
- two wires of fifty centimeters each;
- T-shirt or sweater;
- cardboard sheet;
- scotch.
The manufacturing procedure is simple: the wires are crossed, the joints are covered with tape, the ends are insulated so that the cat does not get hurt. The base is made of cardboard. Four holes are cut in the corners of the sheet, and wire arcs are inserted into them. The ends of the wire are bent to the inside of the cardboard and secured with adhesive tape. T-shirt and sweater sleeves are cut off and their necklines are sewn together. The resulting material is stretched onto the frame so that the neck serves as the entrance.
Step-by-step instructions for making a warm outdoor dwelling:
- take two carton boxes different sizes and nest one inside the other;
- newspaper or polystyrene foam is placed on the bottom of a large one for insulation;
- a bedding, mattress, soft fabric or old towels are placed at the bottom of the smaller one (the material is natural, synthetics do not retain heat);
- the doors of the small box are closed, an entrance is cut into its roof (in the corner);
- the optimal size for the hole is 14*14, its edges are covered with tape;
- the lid and walls of the large box serve as a canopy and protect the home from gusts of wind;
- the structure is placed in a dense polyethylene bag, the seams are taped.
In such a house the animal will not freeze even in winter.
A wigwam house will decorate any interior. The frame is constructed from metal rods, which are tied together with a strong rope. The structure is covered on all sides, except one, with a fabric pattern. Foam rubber or bedding is placed on the floor of the home.
Your pet will feel comfortable in the ottoman house. Furniture usually consists of wooden and MDF parts. The fabric is removed from the bottom side and a round entrance is cut out with a jigsaw. The wood is treated with latex paint, and soft bedding is placed inside the home.
The stores offer a huge number of cat “shelters”; their cost can reach several tens of thousands of rubles.
The size of a cat's house can be completely different, and the appearance sometimes does not even remotely resemble the animal's place:
- Cat hammocks. They are soft loungers with various options fastenings (loops, Velcro, carabiners). They can be hung anywhere, secured on four sides. There are products that are sold with rigid bases - they can be secured, for example, between the crossbars of a table. It’s not difficult to create such a cozy place yourself.
- Beds. Another simple one inexpensive option home for a pet. They come in a variety of forms: in the form of boxes and baskets, in the shape of hearts, rectangles and circles. A minimalist bed can consist of two parts - a small stand and a thick mattress, made in a single color.
- A house in the shape of a booth. Conventional design with a roof, upholstered in soft fabric, such as plush. You can do it yourself. Often, kennel-shaped houses can be sold together with a scratching post mounted on the same platform as the house.
- Cardboard houses. A creative, but not functional option that quickly becomes unusable. Cardboard products can be very different: in the form of mansions, wigwams, huts.
- Beds and sofas. Miniature imitation home furniture designed specifically for cats.
- Built-in houses. Usually these are cabinets and ottomans that perform two tasks at once. For example, the owner puts personal belongings on the bedside table, and the cat sleeps inside it. Such mini-houses are upholstered inside with plush or other soft material, often complemented by a special cushion-bed for the animal.
- Game complexes. Large structures that have everything for full life animals: houses, hammocks, shelves, hanging toys, loopholes and stairs. Such complexes take up a lot of space.
There are even designer houses and beds that are made in a single copy and are expensive.
Most of the products described above can be created with your own hands.
But not every mini-house will appeal to one cat or another, so you need to know the specifics of choosing a future shelter.
What are the houses made of?
The most common materials for a mini-house for cats can be divided into several groups:
- Frame. Complexes and booths are made of plywood, chipboard, MDF. You can make a cat house with your own hands from a variety of boards. The main condition is the absence of a pungent odor, because the cat is unlikely to spend time in such an “odorous” shelter. A variety of materials are used for baskets and beds - from artificial straw to plastic.
- Upholstery. The houses are lined with soft plush (short-haired faux fur) or carpet. The same materials can be used for sewing bedding and pillows. In large play complexes, almost all elements, except scratching posts, are covered with soft fabric. When making a cat house, you can use a variety of materials, except those that are highly electrified.
- Fillers . Most often, padding polyester and foam rubber are used. There are also artificial fillers in the form of granules that retain heat.
- Scratching posts. Wrapped with jute rope. The frame of the scratching post is made of metal or PVC pipes.
- Connecting elements of complexes. The metal pipes on which the houses and other elements of the play complex are supported will not only extend the service life of the product, but also add stability to it.
- Fasteners and other elements. When making cat houses, glues without a strong odor are used. To ensure that the upholstery holds firmly, it is glued, fixed with a stapler and even nailed. In gaming complexes, it is important to use metal fittings, as they are the most reliable. All boards are secured with metal or plastic corners.
Some models of houses are made using materials such as artificial leather, velor, suede, and special semi-synthetic fabrics (according to manufacturers, completely safe for animals).
Which house to choose?
You can buy a house for a pet at any age and for different breeds and sizes, whether they are large cats like , and , or medium-sized pets like and .
If the cat is already an adult, then some factors should be taken into account:
- Modest and unsociable cats that do not like strangers and prefer to rest in secluded places will most likely love closed houses from which they will not be visible. If the cat is social, is not afraid of people and rests in open areas, for example, on a chair in the middle of the room or on a sofa in the living room, then he will quite like an open bed.
Rounded shapes appeal to the cat's inner instinct to seek a protected place to rest and relax
- The height of the house is one more important factor. It is better to choose an option that rises above the ground at the level of a sofa or chair if the animal prefers to rest in these places. For pets who prefer different locations and heights, a shelter with several levels is perfect (a small play complex is a great option!).
Luxurious play area for pets
- The size of the closed house should be such that the animal can lie freely on its side in it. But you should not choose too large products.
Wooden version in the shape of a fish
- Large play complexes are suitable for owners of an entire cat family.
- You should remember the smell of a new product - it should not be strong.
- Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the structure if it has several levels or elements. Light structures will constantly fall and move, this will make the cat feel discomfort and try to avoid such a place.
Products made of cardboard and cylindrical fabric
Advice: additionally can be purchased. With its help, you can quickly accustom the animal to a new house.
DIY cat house
A unique complex for pets is a special trapeze.
It consists of 1, 2 or 3 pillows connected to each other by durable strips of fabric. You can hang a homemade hammock from below.
This is the most mobile version of a mini-house, combining versatility and compactness. How to make a house for a cat of this type?
Materials: the required number of sofa cushions (they can be made specifically for the trapezoid from faux fur or other fabric, stuffed with synthetic padding), durable fabric ribbons or belts for connecting the cushions (width from 10 cm), a homemade hammock.
Advice: the pillows can be stuffed with any old towels or rags to keep them firm.
Manufacturing process:
- The pillows are connected to each other in the shape of a pyramid with fabric ribbons. The ribbons are sewn on four sides, leaving a distance between the pillows of 30-40 cm (if the cat is large, then the distance is increased).
- A homemade or purchased hammock is secured under the first pillow from below; for this, it must have 4 loops, each of which consists of two parts that are tied together.
- Above the last pillow on top, all four ribbons are sewn together. Additionally, they can be connected with a strong rope, creating a large loop for hanging the trapeze.
You can hang the trapeze on a prepared reliable hook in the wall, protruding 20-30 cm (5 cm more than the diameter of the largest pillow).
You can also use other mounts that are in the house, for example, for a punching bag or a swing.
A cat house, selected in accordance with its character and habits, will become a favorite place for your pet.
And you shouldn’t neglect even the smallest homemade shelter, because these animals value personal space so much!
And designs with scratching posts will protect furniture from sharp claws.
Houses for cats: all the subtleties of the right choice
Various houses for cats: how to choose what your pet will like, what you should pay special attention to. And also a master class on making an unusual trapezoid house.
