Your cat needs careful care for the benefit of you and your pet. A comfortable space will create better spirits for cats. Therefore, instead of choosing expensive hammocks, a homemade hammock will suit your cat's needs.
For an easy, no-sew option, all you need is some warm fleece and a cardboard box. If making a hammock that can be spread over a cage or under a table, add loops to a comfortable fabric. Stretch out the hammock and watch the cat relax. To understand better, let's take a look at the explanation of how to make a kitty hammock.
1. Cardboard unstitched hammock
1.1 Raw materials from cardboard boxes
Find a medium-sized cardboard box that is not bent or damaged. Then use the hard cardboard you can find like corrugated cardboard. Close the box and glue or tape the ends.
Corrugated cardboard has smooth outer layers and a solid wavy layer in the middle. If thin or single-layer cardboard is used, it will not support the weight of your cat or kitten.
If the cat is overweight, build a light wooden box frame so you can wrap the fleece hammock around. In this way, the structure can hold the weight of the cat.
1.2 Draw a 2-inch (5.1 cm) line from each side of the box
Hold a long ruler 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the edge of the box and draw a line along the edge of the ruler. Then, move the ruler to another edge of the box and draw another line 2 inches (5.1 cm) from that edge. Continue doing this for every edge and face of the box.
Once the drawing is complete, you need to outline a smaller box on each side of the cardboard box. Make all the lines parallel to the sides of the box.
1.3 Use a box cutter to cut the lines and push out the squares in the middle of the cardboard
Be careful when using a box cutter or a craft knife to cut along each of the lines outlined. Once along each line, press in the center of the cardboard so that the square falls out. Repeat this for each side of the cardboard box and set it aside.
Recycle or discard 4 cardboard squares that are left over because you don't need them for the hammock tower.
If making a wooden frame, hammer 4 vertical pieces of wood into the corners of a flat, wooden base. Then place a suitable piece of wood on top and nail each corner to complete the wooden frame.
1.4 Get a fleece or fleece blanket larger than the bottom of the box
Find a fleece blanket or cut a piece of fleece fabric so it's larger than the box size. Cut the fleece so that each side is more than 4 inches (10 cm) wide. As the box measures 18 x 24 inches (46 cm × 61 cm), cut the fleece fabric or blanket to measure 26 x 32 inches (66 cm × 81 cm).
1.5 Make a 4-inch (10 cm) diagonal incision in each corner of the fleece
Flatten the fleece fabric and cut an incision from each corner towards the center of the fabric. Cut each slit 4 inches (10 cm) long so that you have enough fastening material in the corners of the box.
If you want a guideline, place the ruler diagonally in the corner and draw a line with a marker or some chalk.
1.6 Make 2 small holes in each corner of the box near the top
Take the sealed sharp awl or scissors and carefully punch a hole through one side of the box. Make holes about one-half to two-thirds into the box. Then you should push another hole on the other side of the corner so that it is at the same level. Repeat this operation for each corner of the box.
From there you can easily make a total of 8 holes around the 4 corners of the box. These are the holes that will let the fleece corners in.
1.7 Push the fleece slits through each hole and tie them around the corners
Take one corner of the fleece and thread 1 of the slots through the hole created. Push the other slot into the side hole. Then, pull tight and tie the fleece slits together into a knot on the outside corner of the box. Repeat this for each fleece corner so that the fabric is in the center of the box. Place another piece of fleece at the bottom of the hammock tower to give the cat another cozy resting spot.
2. Fabric hammock with hook
2.1 Cut 2 pieces of soft fabric into 19 1⁄2 inch (50 cm) squares
Choose from 2⁄3 yards (0.61 m) of tightly woven cotton or fleece in any color or style. From there, you can feel the fabric to know it's soft enough for cats. Then, use scissors or a rotary cutter to make 2 squares of equal size.
To customize the size of the hammock, cut the fabric so that each side is 1 3⁄4 inches (4.4 cm) wider than the desired size for the finished hammock.
If you're making a hammock for an adult, heavy cat, choose the strongest, thickest cotton or fleece you can find.
2.2 Iron a 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) hem along each side of both squares
Place the squares with the wrong side of the fabric facing up and fold each edge towards the center 3⁄4 inches (1.9 cm). Then iron the edges to keep the hem flat until it can be sewn again.
If you want a thicker hammock, cut a small piece of cotton fabric about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from each side. Then, pin it to the reverse side of a fabric square.
It is advisable to understand the nature of the fabric to choose the right material.
2.3 Cut the ribbon into four strips 6 inches (15 cm) long
Unfold the 24-inch (61 cm) long roll of fabric ribbon and measure 6 inches (15 cm) from the top with a ruler. Cut the ribbon for making a strip. Then, cut 3 more strips 15 cm long.
Do not use decorative ribbon as it is not as strong as fabric ribbon, which is tightly woven and durable.
2.4 Fold each strip in half and pin each loop to the corner of 1 fabric square
Break the fabric ribbon in half and lay it diagonally through an angle. Arrange the loop so that the bottom edge is 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the corner point. Then, thread the sewing needle through the loop and into the fabric before repeating this operation for each corner.
It is important to place 1-inch (2.5 cm) loops on the square so that the stitches can be fixed. If you put the loop on the edge of the square, it will be difficult to sew.
2. 5. Sew through each loop several times to sew into the square
Set the sewing machine to make straight and back stitches at the end of each loop. In particular, you have to sew several rows of stitches on the hoop so it doesn't tear when the cat gets into the hammock. Moreover, you also need to switch to a large-capacity sewing needle because the machine will sew through 2 layers of fabric ribbon, cotton fabric.
2.6 Stack the fabric tiles so that the wrong sides touch and pin the edges in place
Once you've sewn the loops onto the wrong side of the square, place its reverse side up. Then place the remaining fabric square on top so that the wrong sides touch and the edges line up. Insert sewing pins along the edge every few inches to keep the layers in place. If you don't want to use sewing pins, use fabric clips to hold the edges together.
2.7 Sew twice around the edge of the hammock
Keep the machine set to make straight stitches and sew as close to the edge of the square as possible. Sew around each side once. Then, move the needle over 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) and sew around the square.
Although the hammock can be sewn by hand, the machine stitches are sturdier so the hammock will withstand the weight of the cat well.
2.8 Clip 2 inch × 2 inches (5.1 cm × 5.1 cm) carabiner hooks to each ring to hang the hammock
Fasten the metal carabiner hook through each loop and hook each carabiner to the wall hook or the sides of the metal cat cage.
Carabiners are great for fixing hammocks because they have metal latches that can be closed. Do not use plastic hooks or clips that do not close as they can loosen or break under the weight of the cat.
Conclusion
If you do not intend to cut the union and you don't want to cut the cardboard box, turn a small table upside down so the legs are up in the air. Tie a fleece blanket to each leg to secure the hammock. Moreover, you can also attach a bungee cord to the carabiner if you want to pull the hammock further. We are happy to provide some useful information about how to make a kitty hammock.
