Not all felines take to lounging around in a cat hammock, but a lot of them do. You can buy these as separate pieces of furniture that can match your interior decorating, make your own if you have a sewing machine and simple materials, or buy a cat tree that has one hanging from its posts.

Cat Furniture Hammock

If you don’t know if your pet will like it or not, you might want to avoid large pieces of cat furniture hammock. This is because not all pets will like to lay in it. While some people have more money than they can spend, you probably have a budget and don’t want to buy something if it will not be used.

There are some cheaper pieces that you can get for under $20, but others will cost close to $100. If you have a multiple feline home, you won’t risk much if you buy one, because chances are good that at least one of your cats will love it.

Cat Hammock Beds in a Shelter

I came across a great site the other day while I was looking for cat hammock beds. It is from a lady who makes them herself and donates them to local shelters. What a good idea! The cats who are kept in a cage have a soft and cozy bed that is higher up than the floor of their cage. They don’t have to worry if they spill water because their bed will always be dry. And they are easy to clean, which is nice when you have one kitty but is essential if you are caring for a full shelter of them.

Get the instructions on making them by clicking here.

It is really affordable to make your own as long as you already have a sewing machine. It is a fairly easy project, so it works well for people who are new to sewing and want to practice something. The only materials you need (in addition to standard sewing supplies) are pillow cases, batting, and key ring hooks. If you currently volunteer at a shelter and want to try this out, ask them if they get donated pillow cases that you can turn into cat hammock beds.

If you don’t sew, you can also buy these premade from the same person who put up the instruction manual. They are for sale at http://www.kittyhammocks.com/index.htm. I haven’t purchased one so this is not a testimonial nor am I being compensated for linking to this seller.

Cat Tree Hammock

Many felines first experience to lounging around is in a cat tree hammock. If you don’t own a cat tree, this is a good investment because it will give your cat a place to scratch (the posts are typically made of sisal rope) and all felines love to sit up high and look down on the world. Not all of these will have hammocks, but many of them do. The first tree we bought was from Armarkat and it had a removable hammock that you could put on the bottom. The model we chose was a little over $100, but they also have less expensive models.

Cat grass is a tasty treat for your kitty. By having this in your home, you can encourage them to eat a safe plant rather than munch on your flowers. It may even aid in digestion, though vets agree that it isn’t necessary for cat health. By having a planter in your home, you’ll be able to provide a fun and safe activity. My current cat loves to rip up paper, so that is why I first got interested in growing cat grass. While it might not work for every feline, you can get most to direct their attention to this instead of whatever they were chewing on before.

Cat Grass Information

Some people think that cat grass is a way to let indoor kitties experience the outdoors. But if you have read any cat grass information, you probably know that it is not the same as what is growing in yard. So you may want to grow it even if you have a pet that goes outside.

So, what is cat grass? It can come from several different cereal grains, such as oats, rye, barley, or wheat. You can buy this at a pet store or grow your own. Some people think that it aids in digestion and reduces furballs, but I don’t think any studies have been done on this. Cats are carnivores, so it isn’t essential but it may still be beneficial. In the wild, felines might be eating these plants naturally when they eat the digestive track of their prey.

Even if it isn’t healthy, it is safe for consumption. If you have houseplants, they might be dangerous to your pets. You can discourage them from chewing on these houseplants (even if they aren’t poisonous you probably don’t want your flowers dying from kitty antics), by spraying them with diluted lemon juice or another scent that your cat finds unappealing. This will be especially effective if you can redirect their attention to their own plants that they can chew on.

Cat Grass Growing

Cat grass growing is fairly simple and most people prefer it to buying already grown plants. The first thing you want is a planter. Many kits come with a planter, but not all of them are nice. There are a couple of different things you should look for in your planters. You want one that is short and wide rather than tall and narrow. You also want one that is heavy enough that it won’t be knocked over by an excited kitty. Cats don’t have grazing teeth, so they will frequently pull out the grass. A short and heavy planter will prevent this from happening.

If you are using a kit, follow the instructions on the package for best results. If you are growing it from wheat berries, you’ll need to first soak the seeds overnight. Then sprinkle the seeds in damp soil and cover with another 1/4 inch of soil. Water again, cover the seedlings, and store in a cool dry place. Keep the soil moist. Once you seek the grass poking through the soil, it is time to give it some sunlight. Let it grow for a few days in the sun until you introduce it to your pet.

Cat Grass Seeds

So, now that you know more about it, you want to buy some cat grass seeds. If you are just starting out, I recommend going with a kit. You’ll find it easier and you can read customer reviews to see if other kitties approve of the brand. Kits are pretty cheap and since the grass should last you a couple of weeks it isn’t a large investment. If you want to grow your own from scratch, however, you can always find wheat berries at your local health food store.

Here are the three top selling cat grass seeds and cat grass kits on Amazon.

Smart Cat Planter

This is a nice little planter and is a best seller on Amazon.

It has over 50 customer reviews and a 4 star rating.

Comes with organic wheat, oats, rye, and barley.

SmartCat Refills

Use to refill the above planter or just use your own planter.

Comes with organic oats, what, barley, and rye.

Grows quickly.

Pet Greens Garden Cat Grass Kit

Wheat grass growing kit.

Less than 20 reviews, but has a 5 star rating.

Cheaper than the kits with multiple kinds of seeds.

Depending on your needs, an indoor cat gate can save you a lot of time and effort. But if you are hoping to keep cats out of a room, you should realize that most cat gates do very little to prevent felines from going wherever they please. Depending on the cat and the model of your indoor cat gate, you’ll find your kitty squeezing through the bars, jumping over them, or climbing up them. If your kitten is young or in good health, they’re even more likely to make it through the obstacle. They might even think that it is a game.

So if your only purpose is to keep your pet confined to certain sections of the house, you might want to rethink your plans. Since gates are see through, cats have no issue trying to jump them to get on the other side. Something opaque, such as a piece of plywood, is likely to work much better. Otherwise you might find yourself needing to stack three gates on top of one another. And if your kitty is an escape artist (you probably already know if you have one of those), even that wouldn’t stop them for long.

But there are other reasons to be looking for cat gates. And, like I said, these are definitely worth the cost. These are meant to give your cat freedom of the house and protection against others that they might wish to avoid. This includes large dogs, babies, and toddlers.

Now, felines and canines can peacefully coexist. I grew up with both a cat and a dog in the house (and my beagle was always deferential to the (somewhat mean) feline. But dogs can be rambunctious and scare cats, so it is always good to have a safe place for them to go. The same is true with babies. While many kitties love the company of younger humans, children younger than school age can unintentionally hurt your pet and your pet might need a peaceful place where they can go when they want to take a nap. Indoor cat gates allow this to happen. While they might be listed in a pet supply section, they may be listed under baby gates or dog gates.

Baby Gate With Cat Door

A baby gate with a cat door is a good investment for any new parents who have felines. It gives your pet free roam of the house and gives them a place they can run to if the noise and excitement of a new child is too much for them. These are normal sized baby gates that have small doors in them that you can open for your pet to get through. If you are trying to keep a pet out of a room, you can keep the door closed but you might still what to keep an eye on them. Cats may try to squeeze through the bars or jump over them if the door is closed but they want to get in a room.

While many companies make baby gates, few actually make them with pets in mind. The most popular manufacturer of baby gates with cat doors is Carlson. Their best-selling model is the Carlson 0930PW Extra-Wide Gate with Door. It has over 100 customer reviews and maintains a rating of four stars, so most people who buy it are satisfied with it. Its list price is around $70, but I’ve seen it sell for under $40 so it isn’t that big of an investment to make.

Of course it has all of the construction essentials, such as being non-toxic and lead-free. It is made from steel. It is fairly easy to setup and it has a handle so you can quickly open it up. It has an average width but comes with two extensions to make it longer. With the extensions it is 44 inches wide. The pet door is 10-by-7-inches, which lets any cats through and smaller dogs will also be able to squeeze through. If you are looking for something to keep the dogs out of the cat rooms, you might want to look for something with a smaller door.

Dog Gate with Cat Door

Keeping dogs out of the kitty litter boxes can be a challenge. Many people look into using dog gates with cat doors. These dog gates are the same as baby gates, but you might need something taller than average if your dog is a jumper. The Carlson 0941PW Extra-Tall Gate with Door is one of the most popular ones. It sells for around $50. With over 100 customer reviews it has a four star rating.

Like the first one I listed on this page, this is made from chewproof steel and is free of lead. It has a one touch handle so that humans don’t have to spend a lot of time opening and closing the door. The pet door is 10-by-7-inches so it is perfect for cats but might also let small dogs get through. It is 41 inches tall when the extension is used. The extension is good if you have larger dogs or dogs that like to jump. The extension isn’t as sturdy as the rest of the gate, however, so rambunctious pups might not be deterred by it.

Cat condos are great for your feline because they allow her to exercise, scratch, sleep, and look down on the world. The best ones will usually have multiple levels and may have cat hammocks or hiding holes where your pet can relax in peace. While smaller ones may suffice for single cat households, people who have multiple cats will usually need something a bit larger. It isn’t uncommon for all the cats to decide to nap on it at the same time, so you want to make sure you have enough room for everyone.

While most people opt to buy these, cat condo plans are popular with DIYers for a couple of different reasons. The main one is the cost. Expect to spend over $100 to get a medium sized kitty playground. Shopping online might help you find a good deal, but they are very heavy and the discount is often eaten by shipping. Another reason to make your own is that it is a fun experience and it’s great to see that your kitty loves something that you worked hard on. Although some people might be able to make one up as they go along, most people will find cat tree condo plans helpful.

When you are looking at plans for a cat condo, you need to decide a couple of different things. What materials you want to use, how experienced you are at making things, and how much space you have for the finished product are all things you want to think about before you get started. You should also consider your budget.

Cat tree condo plans should come with a list of required materials. If you don’t know where you can get these materials cheaply, you might not save much money. Talking to others who have made their own kitty jungle gyms is invaluable, so visit some pet forums Experienced users will have tips to help you save time and money. You may choose to purchase plans for a cat condo, but there are several free ones available online.

And don’t forget Youtube! While I need written instructions before I do anything, my husband is a more visual learner. Watching someone construct one can help you get ideas even if you decide to not follow the same path. Here’s a video that I thought was pretty helpful (but there are a tons more).

Free Cat Condo Plans

Below are some websites where you can get free cat condo plans. I haven’t tried them (don’t have that many cats!), but they all seem very helpful. I suggest looking at multiple ones and maybe combining ideas if you are comfortable building things.

http://feline-furniture.tripod.com/
Nice and clear instructions

http://www.orecatay.com/catcondo.pdf
This is a PDF so it might take a little while to load, but great plans.

http://www.instructables.com/id/5-Minute-Recycled-Cardboard-Kitty-Condo/
Intimidated by wood? Make your cat a cardboard condo.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cat-Condo/
Step-by-step instructions with photos. Can comment and ask questions.

http://cfhs.ca/athome/build_your_own_cat_tree/%20Cat%20house%20plan
Three perch condo.

http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-animals/how-to-make-a-sisal-rope-cat-scratching-post
Not a full condo plan, but an important read if you are using sisal rope.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35516793.tip.html
Not as step-by-step as other plans, but it’s really nice looking.

Tips to Keep in Mind

The taller, the better. Cats love climbing.

Make the base sturdy. You don’t want it to wobble when the cat climbs it.

Sisal rope is the best for scratching posts.

Window placement is ideal. Indoor kitties love to watch birds fly by.

Figure out if your cat prefers horizontal or vertical scratching so you know what kind of scratching surface to make.

There are many cats out there who can benefit from a heated cat bed. Before you buy one you want to make sure it is the right size for your feline. You’ll also want to consider whether or not they will benefit from these. There are several different reasons these are good to buy. If you have an elderly or sick cat they’ll appreciate it, as will any short-haired cat in the winter time.

Heated cat beds come in several different sizes. Most of them range in price from $40-$60, though it is always possible to find cheaper or more expensive varieties. They look like a regular cat bed. Most are just ovals, but some have tops on them. The majority of them are for indoor use. It is possible to get some pads that are also good for outdoor use. While we recommend that cats be kept inside, we know that this can’t always happen. If you have cats that are staying in your barn or garage, you might want to keep them warm when the weather is bad.

The most popular and well rated brand is the K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed. This comes in a couple of different sizes, but I’ve linked to the 16 inch one. This is good for both small and medium sized kitties. Some of your larger guys might find it too small, but as felines are known for getting into spaces too small for them, I’m sure most won’t mind. But you’ll want to check the return policy if you aren’t sure if it will be right for you. This is a round shape and measures 16 x 16 x 6 inches. Out of over 70 reviews it maintains a four and a half star rating. It plugs into an outlet and can be used year round. Its heater is four watts. When not in use, it stays about 12 to 15 degrees warmer than room temperature. With a cat present, it heats to 102 degrees.

A fancier heated cat bed is the K&H Thermo-Kitty Cabin. This will definitely keep your cat cozy. It uses two thermometers to regulate the temperature, and it keeps the temperature the same as the regular bed. This condo can actually transform into three different shapes. The cabin is the coziest option and is good for shy cats who like hiding away. It also has an open cove struction and a walled platform that provides some privacy.

If you want to keep an outdoor cat warm in the winter time, K&H also makes the 1070 Lectro-Soft Heated Outdoor Bed. This comes in small, medium, and large and can be used for cats or dogs, indoors or out. Its exterior is soft PVC so it won’t absorb water. It is good for basements, porches, garages, or doghouses.