How to Make a Cat Hammock

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References Tested

Your furry friend deserves a comfortable place to hang out. Instead of buying an expensive cat hammock, create your own with items you probably have at home. For an easy, no-sew option, all you need is some cozy fleece and a cardboard box. If you'd like a hammock that you can spread across a cage or under a table, add loops to comfy fabric. Stretch out either hammock and watch your cat relax.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

No-Sew Hammock with Cardboard

1
Choose a sturdy cardboard box that's larger than your cat. Find a medium-sized cardboard box that's not bent or damaged. Try to use the strongest cardboard you can find like corrugated cardboard. Close up the box and glue or tape the ends shut.^{[1]
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- Corrugated cardboard has smooth outer layers and a strong, wavy layer in between. If you use thin or single-layer cardboard, it won't support your cat or kitten's weight.
- If your cat is overweight, build a lightweight wooden box frame that you can wrap the fleece hammock around. This way, the structure can hold your cat's weight.
2
Trace a straight line 2 in (5.1 cm) from each edge of the box on every side. Hold a long ruler 2 inches (5.1 cm) from an edge of the box and draw a straight line along the side of the ruler. Then, move your ruler to another edge of the box and trace another line 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the edge. Keep doing this for every edge and side of the box.^{[2]
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- Once you finish, you'll have traced a smaller box on each side of your cardboard box.
- Make all of your lines parallel with the sides of the box.
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3
Use a box cutter to cut the lines and push out the center cardboard squares. Be really careful when use a box cutter or craft knife to slice along each guideline that you traced. Once you've along each line, push the center of the cardboard so the square falls out. Repeat this for each side of your cardboard box and set it aside.^{[3]
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- Recycle or discard the 4 cardboard squares that you're left with since you don't need them for the hammock-tower.
- If you're making a wooden frame, nail 4 vertical wooden pieces to the corners of a flat, wooden base. Then, lay a matching wooden base piece on top and hammer a nail into each corner to complete the wooden frame.
4
Get out fleece or a fleece blanket that's larger than the bottom of your box. Find a fleece blanket or cut a piece of fleece material so it's bigger than your box dimensions. Cut the fleece so it's 4 inches (10 cm) wider on each side.^{[4]
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- For example, if your box measures 18 by 24 inches (46 cm × 61 cm), cut the fleece fabric or blanket so it's 26 by 32 inches (66 cm × 81 cm).
5
Make a 4 in (10 cm) diagonal slit in each corner of the fleece. Spread the fleece flat and cut a slit from each corner towards the center of the fabric. Cut each slit 4 inches (10 cm) long so you have enough material to tie to the corners of the box.^{[5]
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- If you want a guideline, place your ruler diagonally in the corner and draw a line with a fabric marker or bit of chalk.
6
Make 2 small holes on each corner of the box near the top. Take an awl or closed pair of sharp scissors and carefully punch it through 1 side of the box. Make the hole about halfway to two-thirds up the side of the box. Then, push another hole on the other side of the corner so it's at the same level. Repeat this for each corner of the box.^{[6]
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- You'll make a total of 8 holes around the 4 corners of the box. These are the holes that you'll feed the fleece corners into.
7
Push the fleece slits through each of the holes and tie them around the corners. Take a corner of the fleece and feed 1 of the slits through a hole you made. Push the other slit into the hole that's next to it. Then, pull tightly and tie the fleece slits together in a knot on the outside of the box corner. Repeat this for each fleece corner so the fabric hangs in the middle of the box.^{[7]
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- Lay another piece of fleece in the bottom of the hammock-tower o give your cat another cozy spot to rest.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Fabric Hammock with Hooks

1
Cut 2 pieces of soft fabric into 19 ¹⁄₂ in (50 cm) squares. Pick out ²⁄₃ yard (0.61 m) of tightly woven cotton or fleece in any color or design. Feel the fabric so you know it's soft enough for your cat. Then, use scissors or a rotary cutter to make 2 equal-sized squares.^{[8]
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- To customize the size of your hammock, cut the fabric so it's 1 ³⁄₄ inches (4.4 cm) larger on each side than the size you want the finished hammock to be.
- If you're making a hammock for a heavy, adult cat, choose the strongest, thickest cotton or fleece you can find.
2
Iron a ³⁄₄ inch (1.9 cm) hem along each side of both squares. Lay the squares so the wrong side of the fabric faces up and fold each edge over towards the center by ³⁄₄ inch (1.9 cm). Then, iron over the edges to keep the hemline flat until you can sew it.^{[9]
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- If you want to make the hammock thicker, cut a piece of batting that's about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) smaller than each side of your fabric. Then, pin it to the wrong side of 1 fabric square.
- Read the care instructions for your fabric so you know what temperature to heat your iron to.
3
Cut webbing ribbon into four 6 in (15 cm) strips. Unroll a 24 in (61 cm) length of webbing ribbon and use your ruler to measure 6 inches (15 cm) from the end. Cut the ribbon to make a strip. Then, cut 3 more strips that are each 6 inches (15 cm) long.^{[10]
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- Don't use decorative ribbon since it's not as strong as webbing ribbon, which is tightly woven and durable.
4
Fold each strip in half and pin each loop onto the corner of 1 fabric square. Bend a webbing ribbon strip in half and lay it diagonally across a corner. Arrange the loop so the bottom edge is 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the point of the corner. Then, push a sewing pin through the loop and into the fabric before you repeat this for each corner.^{[11]
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- It's important to place the loops 1 inch (2.5 cm) onto the square so you're able to sew it in place. If you put the loop on the very edge of the square, it would be tricky to sew.
5
Sew over each loop several times to stitch it to the square. Set your sewing machine to make straight stitches and sew back and forth across the end of each loop. It's important to sew a few rows of stitches on the loop so it doesn't tear off when your cat gets into the hammock.^{[12]
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- You might need to switch to a heavy-duty sewing needle since your machine will be sewing through 2 layers of webbing ribbon, fabric, and possibly batting.
6
Stack the fabric squares so the wrong sides touch and pin the edges in place. Once you've sewed the loops to the wrong side of a square, lay it wrong side up. Then, place the other fabric square on it so the wrong sides touch and the edges line up. Insert sewing pins every few inches along the edge to hold the layers in place.^{[13]
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- If you don't want to use sewing pins, use fabric clips to keep the edges together.
7
Sew around the edges of the hammock 2 times. Keep your machine set to make straight stitches and sew as close to the edge of the square as you can. Sew around each side once. Then, move your needle over by ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) and sew around the square again.^{[14]
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- Although you could sew the hammock by hand, machine stitches are stronger so your hammock will hold up better under your cat's weight.
8
Clip a 2 in × 2 in (5.1 cm × 5.1 cm) carabiner onto each loop to hang the hammock. Fasten a metal carabiner clip through each loop and hook each carabiner onto wall hooks or the sides of your cat's metal cage.^{[15]
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- Carabiners are great for securing the hammock since they have metal latches that snap closed. Don't use plastic hooks or clips that don't close since these may loosen or break under the weight of your cat.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I build a bottom step with stones?

Community Answer

It is best not to use steps, but instead make the hammock low enough for the cat to jump on.
Question

Can I use a normal hammock that I use when I go camping?

CraftyKitten

Community Answer

Yes, I think you could. However, you would have to cut it quite a bit so it would be suitable for your cat to rest in.
Question

Could I use an old shirt for the hammock?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of the cat and the size of the shirt, but most likely, yes. Just make sure to use a shirt you don't plan on wearing again, as it will likely get stretched out.