Choosing a house for a cat: how to please your pet?

What will you learn from the article?

1. Houses for cats - types and their characteristics
2. How to choose the right house for your pet KotaM Gamma-2 - the best premium play complex with a house
3. Zoogourman "Empire" Peas" - the best budget house for a cat

Agree that every cat must have its own house - a place where your pet will be comfortable, warm and safe. Conventional baskets have been replaced by comfortable houses for cats, which can be purchased at pet supply stores. They satisfy a cat’s natural need – the desire to have personal space.

The choice of ready-made cat houses on the pet supply market is huge; take a closer look at the habits of your pet, listen to its desires in order to choose a model that is right for it.

What can be considered a cat house?

A cat house is a fairly broad concept. This is a completely closed container with a small entrance, and a whole labyrinth of several rooms and floors, and a special place under the ceiling, and a hammock that can be moved around the house, and a basket, and just a bed. In general, this is a place where the cat can rest peacefully.

The type of house depends on the nature of the animal and its preferences in choosing a place to rest. For example, if your cat usually chooses high places to sleep, it is unlikely that she will be happy with a simple floor house.

The best options for outdoor houses - photo gallery

Today, choosing the best option for a cat house is not a problem. We invite you to familiarize yourself with a photo gallery of beautiful outdoor houses for meowing pets.

Is it worth buying a cat house in a store?

Going to a pet store and buying a house for a cat is, of course, the easiest option, but not the best. Why?

Firstly, your cat may categorically not like the purchased house, and she will generally refuse to approach it. But it’s a pity for the money. And so begins the campaign to accustom the cat to your purchase. Maybe you will succeed, but the probability is low, especially if you already have an adult animal.

Secondly, kittens grow very quickly, so the house you buy may soon turn out to be too small for your grown-up cat.

For an older cat, the purchased house may be too small

Thirdly, the range of ready-made houses is quite monotonous.

Fourthly, the price of finished houses is also an important detail. Quality pet accessories don't come cheap.

Fifthly, almost all the models presented in the store can be made quite easily yourself (or even better). For example, the model shown in the photo costs from 800 to 1000 rubles in various online stores. But you can make it in an evening from waste materials at home. For this you need: soft fabric (old coats, plaid, blanket, etc.), a zipper (not a new one, but from some old thing, or even buttons can be replaced) and two twigs - flexible but durable, for example, plastic (there is definitely something similar on the farm). Sew twigs along the long edges, sew a zipper or buttons on the short edges, that’s all - the house is ready.

You don’t have to buy such a house at all, it’s very easy to make it yourself

What should a cat's house be like?

There are two main criteria when choosing a house for your pet: the cat must like it and be safe.

Cats have a well-developed sense of smell, so they will avoid a building that emits a strong chemical odor.

For the base you can use boxes, plywood, boards, clapboard, etc.

For external upholstery, for example, carpet with an antistatic effect is suitable. This is ideal - durable material that can be scratched with claws and will last a long time.

Durable natural fabrics are used for the inner surface and sleeping area, and synthetic padding, artificial and natural straw, and foam rubber are used for padding.

Often a cat house is combined with a scratching post. This is a good decision. A plastic sewer pipe and jute rope are best suited for this. If you use a wooden beam or board, then they also need to be wrapped, otherwise the cat may get splinters in its paws.

A plastic sewer pipe and jute rope are best suited for making a scratching post.

Nails and staples should not be used as fastenings - the cat may be injured. Glues, paints and varnishes must be water-based.

The size of the house, on the one hand, should not be very large so that the cat feels comfortable in it, and on the other hand, it should be able to sleep in it, not just curled up. Therefore, if you are making a house for a cat yourself, you can take into account the individual dimensions of your pet.

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

How to house train a cat

Of course, it is easier to train a small kitten. It’s enough to show him that the house is fun, you can not only sleep there, but also play. And soon he will get used to the new subject.

If you bought a house for an adult animal, then there is a risk that the cat will categorically refuse to live there. You can try to teach it, but if you insist too much, there is a chance of achieving the opposite result. They suggest putting catnip, favorite bedding, toys, etc. in the house. But this does not always work.

I advise you not to rush into buying and building something serious. Take a closer look at your kitten - what places in the house does he like best? And make a house based on these preferences. In this case, the animal will probably like it. Also take advantage of cats' natural curiosity and desire to be involved in everything. While making the house, let the cat be nearby: looking, playing with scraps, trying to sit or lie in it. Then it will immediately take root in the finished product. Just do not forget about safety precautions so that the animal does not get hurt or swallow anything.

If a cat gets used to the house during the construction process, it will happily live in the finished product.

What to do if you don’t like the gift

This happens, regardless of any external factors - cats are still retrogrades. This is normal and necessary for the survival of a solitary predator. Do you really have to return your purchase to the store? There is no need to rush - there are many ways to present a house with a scratching post in a favorable light:

• let the foreign smell disappear . New things emit an unnatural smell that humans may not feel, but animals always pick up on it. Paint, glue, and various impregnations smell frighteningly of chemicals;
• lay out a cat mattress or master's sweater . Familiar smells calm you down and give you a feeling of security. This trick will speed up the process of getting used to the new house and scratching post. Interestingly, jealous cats are also accustomed to new family members;
• use liquid pheromones or catnip . The same effect is through the sense of smell, even more powerful. It doesn’t work with all cats, but if it works, it’s excellent! The aroma of mint or ferromones will lure a wary pet no worse than a favorite chicken;
• tempt with a treat . A tasty piece left on the roof of the house will surely make the pet come closer. The next step is to hide the treat inside the den, right at the entrance. And then deeper, at the far wall. Since nothing bad happens when trying to pick up the treat, the cat will no longer be afraid of the strange thing;
• play with the teaser, leave the mouse . It would be nice to buy a new interesting toy for a house with a scratching post. Running after the desired prey will push uncertainty into the background, because hunting is a cat’s favorite pastime after sleep;
• move to another place . Perhaps the complex is located on a passage or draft? Are there often noisy children playing nearby or a dog sleeping? Or is the entrance to the room not visible from the house, which makes your pet’s sleep uneasy?
• just wait . In a week or two, curiosity will prevail, and the complex standing peacefully in the corner will have time to win the trust of the cautious predator. This is often the best option.

The main thing is that all experiments fall within the warranty period and do not spoil the presentation of the house with a scratching post in case it still has to be returned. But this rarely happens, because it’s hard to resist exploring a mysterious cave and sharpening your claws on a convenient post. And having felt the coziness of a comfortable nest and the safety of its own den, the purr will certainly appreciate the care and gift.

The structure must be stable in order to withstand the active games of the tailed fidget. A wobbly or fallen house will scare away your pet for a long time, and in the worst case, it can injure it.

In our store we only have safe and high-quality houses with scratching posts of various designs. Everything for cats, which we love very much! They make our lives happier, and we simply return to them a piece of boundless warmth. If it's time for your cat to upgrade her den, we are pleased to offer many purring, comfortable and reliable houses.

How to make a cat house with your own hands

A house for a cat can be made from anything. The only limitation is your skill and imagination - you can sew, knit, weave, build, glue, cut, etc.

Houses made from boxes

The most commonly used and affordable material for building cat houses is cardboard boxes. It is a natural material and cats love it very much. The only negative is its fragility. But you can also find a positive in this - you can change house models quite often. And you won’t be bored and the cat will have something new.

Photo gallery: houses for cats made of cardboard boxes

Even the simplest house out of a box can be enlivened, for example, with a “tiled” roof

This is what the simplest version of a maze house for cats might look like

And here is a more complex version of a multi-story corner maze house

From boxes you can make an entire residential complex for a cat, which can also be used as a coffee table

Fantasy knows no bounds: here is a multi-storey house for a cat - either a castle or a dragon

“Figwamas” for cats are not only drawn, but also built from cardboard

If you cover the simplest box cat house with an old T-shirt, it will become much cozier

A box house can be decorated using acrylic paints

To make it, you will need the boxes themselves, a knife for cutting out various holes, PVA glue and/or tape for joining parts, textiles for interior decoration, acrylic paints or other materials of your choice for exterior decoration. The designs range from the simplest (take a box, cut a hole, put a mattress inside) to the most complex (multi-room and multi-story). You can only be limited by the availability of free space in your apartment.

Houses made of cardboard rings

If you decide to use boxes to build a cat house, but you want to make something special, we suggest creating it from cardboard rings.

A cat house made from cardboard rings looks original

1. Rings five centimeters wide are cut out of the boxes. If you choose a simple cone shape, then each subsequent ring should be one centimeter smaller in diameter.
2. Then the rings are carefully glued together with PVA glue.
3. Let the structure dry thoroughly.
4. Carefully cut out the hole.
5. Glue the bottom and the small circle onto the roof and let them stick completely.
6. If you want, you can varnish with a water-based varnish.

Not only pyramids can be made from rings, but also other structures, only in this case the difference between the rings should be less - only half a centimeter.

You can make houses of different designs from cardboard rings, for example, in the form of a snail shell

House for a cat made of two basins

If you want to make a simple but durable cat house, use the two-basin option. Plastic basins must be the same diameter. Cut out the future entrance to the house, drill holes along the edges and fasten the basins. The house is ready. By the way, this design is very easy to clean.

From two plastic basins you can make a cozy house that is easy to clean

Houses for cats from old monitors

Good houses are made from completely waste material - cases from old monitors. The most important thing is to carefully remove all the insides from them, rinse them well, especially inside, and decorate them to your liking. When disassembling the monitor, be careful to ensure that your cat does not swallow small parts and get injured.

Old monitor and TV cases make great homes for cats.

Hanging houses for cats and play complexes

If your cat likes to rest at heights, you can build him hanging structures. This option is especially suitable for small apartments, as it does not take up floor space. For such structures, plywood, lining, boards, chipboard, bars, etc. are used. Skills in working with a drill, saw, jigsaw and other tools are also required. Here is an example of such a complex.

A hanging house for a cat can be combined with a climbing frame and an open bed

There is a staircase with steps, a hanging bridge, a closed house and a separate high bed that you need to specifically jump onto. This design can also be used as shelves for various small items. Please note: all horizontal surfaces must be non-slippery; it is best to stick pieces of carpet on them to prevent the cat from slipping.

Very important! If you are going to use hanging houses and multi-story play complexes for your cat, do not cut her claws under any circumstances.

If you want to make a vertical multi-level complex with a house, then it is better to use a beam as a base, which should be wrapped with jute rope, at the same time you will get claws.

Video: how to make a vertical complex with a house for a cat

House from an old bedside table

If your cat prefers to sleep in large closed objects, for example, in a closet, then you can use some unnecessary furniture for her house. An old bedside table is quite suitable for these purposes. Inside you can leave or specially attach several shelves at different heights, or hang a hammock. A hole is cut out on the side, preferably round. You can use the top of the bedside table for your own purposes or arrange a cat bed there.

An old bedside table can also serve as a cat house

Hammocks for cats

Hammocks for cats can be considered as an independent house for a cat, or as an addition to it. In particular, a hammock can be hung inside a cat house.

If you go to the country in the summer and take your cat with you, then the massive or rigidly fixed house will remain at home, but the hammock will go with you. By the way, it will help your pet get comfortable in a new place, as it will be a familiar thing in a foreign environment.

A cat hammock can be attached under a chair

Hammocks, like houses, are sold in stores, but making them yourself is also very easy. The hammock can be triangular, square or rectangular. To make it, you need to choose thick fabric with antistatic properties. You can use a thin quilted mattress.

A cat can sleep on a hammock even in a cardboard house

A cat hammock can be attached to any piece of furniture, for example, to the legs of a chair, a wall or inside the house using Velcro, ties or carabiners.

Look at a very interesting combination of two hammocks that are attached to the wall.

A double wall-mounted hammock gives your cat a choice of places to rest.

The upper part is a hammock-shelf, the loosely stretched fabric is attached to two fairly wide bases on which the cat can sit if it wants.

The lower part is a free-sagging square sheet with four straps in the corners, which is attached to the bases using carabiners and rings.

Hammock with battery

In the cold season, cats like to sleep on radiators or, if it is not possible from above, near them. You can make a special cat hammock for the battery.

Recommended dimensions for a battery-operated hammock

To do this, you will need to make a rigid frame with hooks so that it can be hung on the battery. The structure must be able to support the weight of your cat. By the way, for the frame you can use tubes from an old baby stroller, it will turn out very reliable, it can even withstand more than one cat.

To make a battery-powered cat hammock, you will need a rigid frame.

The fabric for the hammock is put on the base with a bag. The cat will be happy, as it will now be able to bask comfortably near the radiator.

Video: a hammock on a radiator made from a carpet

The best play complexes for cats

When a cat is bored alone, waiting for its owners to get home from work, the gaming complex will brighten up the pet’s melancholy, allow it to release energy, sharpen its claws and enjoy a fun and active pastime.

TRIOL Play complex for cats

5

★★★★★

editorial assessment

100%

buyers recommend this product

An ideal option for those who have several cats living in their home. The multi-storey playground, made of MDF with plush and sisal covering, is suitable for sleeping, active games, cat “manicure” and simple observation of the owners.

In the lower part of the complex there is a soft bedding made of bulk material with an applique in the form of a cat's paw. There is also a staircase leading to the second floor, where there are 2 houses and a hanging hammock. The third tier is represented by a ladder and a massive claw post. At the top of the complex there is a hammock that acts as an observation point for a curious pet.

The overall dimensions of the site are 166x80x61 cm. The complex is available in beige, leopard and brown colors. It will definitely become your pets' favorite place.

Advantages:

• Durable and functional multi-tier house;
• Ideal for several cats;
• Several colors to choose from;
• Safe for animals;
• Optimal cost.

Flaws:

• Bulky.

The play complex from Triol is optimal for large apartments and houses that contain at least two active cats. It will protect furniture, wallpaper and your nerves, making your pets happy.

HUNNKATT "Duderhof Heights"

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

95%

buyers recommend this product

Are you the happy owner of a young, playful cat who doesn’t sit still for a minute, wreaking havoc in the house? The Duderhof Heights complex will direct the energy of a hyperactive animal in the right direction. The wall-mounted sports ground saves space and is very functional.

The system is represented by 4 tiers, attached to the wall using dowels. It includes a scratching post, a bed, a bridge and a hammock. The complex is made from birch plywood, jute, carpet and microfiber, which are not capable of harming even allergic cats.

The product, measuring 21x61x61 cm, is made in a laconic design and beige-brown tones. It will fit well into any room, bring a lot of pleasure to the pet and restore peace of mind to the owner.

Advantages:

• Wall mounting and compactness allow you to save space in the room;
• Functionality;
• Safe manufacturing materials;
• Universal design;
• Suitable for relaxation and active cat play.

Flaws:

• Not suitable for older cats.

The gaming complex from Hunnkatt is an ideal solution for small apartments where a young cat lives that needs regular active pastime.

KANO PLUS Playground for cats

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

The three-level playground from the German brand Kano Plus is a place for relaxation, a scratching post, a play complex and a sports exercise machine for a cat. A beige product measuring 106x50x50 cm is made of plywood, plush and sisal fabric.

On the ground floor there is a comfortable sun lounger with a window, a slide and a scratching post. The middle tier is represented by an open round compartment - in it it will be convenient for the pet to observe the outside world and you can also sharpen its claws on a post wrapped in linen. The upper compartment contains a soft hammock.

On each floor there are hanging pom-poms, games with which will bring a lot of pleasure to the furry fidget. The playground is made in beige-brown color and has a laconic design, thanks to which it will easily fit into any interior.

Advantages:

• Multifunctionality;
• Optimal dimensions;
• Softness;
• Made from safe materials;
• Universal design;
• High quality.

Flaws:

• Problematic care.

This playground from Kano Plus is ideal for small apartments, because with its compact size it is suitable not only for games, but also for sharpening claws, as well as sleeping.