Having a pet certainly forces us to create a place where he can take a break from us, and we from him. Like most pets, our cats also need a private place where they can feel safe, relax and unwind.
In stores you can purchase various ready-made housing options for a pet, but you can make them yourself; anyone without special sewing skills can do this. If you don't want your pet to take up space on the sofa, using scrap materials, you can make a cozy house from an old T-shirt or tank top. Your pet will be happy with its new home. We will tell you how to make such a simple tent in this article. This article will help you make a home for your pets using affordable items and tools without spending a penny.
Necessary materials
Usually, owners of four-legged animals think that housing for cats is only an element of apartment decor, and the cat can sleep wherever he wants. But with a clearly defined area, your cat can be more disciplined and have her own corner. It is very simple to make such housing and it will not require any financial expenses from you.
To make a tent with your own hands from a T-shirt and a hanger, you can use available materials that are available in every home:
- old T-shirt;
- 2 wire clothes hangers;
- scissors;
- a piece of cardboard for the base measuring 40-50 cm, this could be the lid of a large box;
- ribbons;
- a few pins.
DIY cat house from a T-shirt and a box - step by step
It’s so easy to make a house for your beloved cat from an old T-shirt with your own hands; it won’t require any money or much labor from you. A little diligence, free time and a cozy home are already waiting for their four-legged owner.
Thus, using scrap materials you can create a very comfortable and aesthetically pleasing place for your pet. If you use your imagination, you can also modernize this simple design.
There are also many other ideas on how you can organize a cozy place for pets. If you have a summer cottage where cats live, but you do not restrict their freedom, and they walk around the area during the day, then a winter house for a cat outside will be a very useful solution. During the cold season, your pet will not freeze while you are not at home, as it will be able to warm up in its outdoor residence. At the same time, you don’t have to buy such a house; it can even be made from a cardboard box and polystyrene foam.
Cats are fans of comfort. Since a cat sleeps most of its life (at least 16 hours a day), it is important that it has its own bed. Make a cat house with your own hands. Explore two budget-friendly and simple options.
Do not rush to a store that sells pet products, since such efforts and expenses are unlikely to be appreciated by your pet.
As a rule, cats disdainfully refuse purchased models because of the unusual (alien) smell or materials used to make cat houses.
It is best to equip a house for a cat using available materials and things that are in the house and the smell of which the animal is already accustomed to.
Another mandatory requirement: such structures must be covered, but not closed. Cats are the main ones in the house, so it is important for them to control everything and participate in everything. Even when resting, they closely monitor everything that happens on their territory.
Study the two simplest models that meet these requirements and try to make them yourself:
- House for a cat from an old T-shirt.
If you are wondering how to make a house for a cat and from what, then pay attention to the things that the cat chooses as a rookery. Among them there will definitely be an old T-shirt that you wouldn’t mind presenting to your furry purr.
It’s easy to make such a house. For it, in addition to the T-shirt, you will need:
- thick cardboard (from packaging) size 40x40 cm;
- foam;
- old fly towel (1 pc.) or remnants of fabric (old things) measuring 50x50 cm (1 pc.);
- pins;
- wire hangers - 2 pcs.;
- regular and double-sided tape;
- pliers and awl.
Spend about 40 minutes on production. To optimize performance, follow these instructions:
- Apply double-sided tape to the cardboard around the perimeter and center.
- Cut the foam to the size of the cardboard and glue it with tape.
- Also glue an old towel or piece of fabric to the foam rubber with tape.
- To prevent the edges from fraying, fold them down and also secure with regular tape.
- Remove the hooks from the hangers and bend them so that you get two arcs.
- Use an awl to make holes in the corners of the bed, stepping back 5 cm from the edge, and stretch the rods through them so that they intersect at the top.
- Fold the ends on the reverse side so that the frame does not fall out. Secure the rods with tape in the center.
- Place a T-shirt over the structure. Wrap the edges and sleeves under the cardboard bottom and secure with pins.
Try to ensure that the neck of the T-shirt forms the entrance to the structure. The cat will feel comfortable in such a house.
- House for a cat out of a box.
Boxes are to cats what Disneyland is to children. If there is anything in the house that even remotely resembles this packaging material, you can be sure that the cat, no matter what its size, will definitely settle down to sleep in it.
Satisfy your pet's passion and make him a house out of a box. There are many such models.
Here, as they say, everyone is at their best. The owners have the opportunity to show their imagination and do something extraordinary or stick to a basic model.
The main material at hand is ready-made boxes. Such a house is the best solution to the problem.
If there is a cardboard box in the apartment in which the cat can cozy up, then turn it upside down and use a utility knife to make a hole at the bottom.
If you are planning to make a two-story house, then another hole should be made in the roof of the lower part. This is the cat's way to the second floor.
Secure both parts around the perimeter with tape. Make several windows to provide the house with sufficient ventilation.
Since such structures are not stable, use a sheet of plywood as a “foundation”.
Equip the house with foam beds or warm old sweaters, pants, etc.
A house for a cat can be made from corrugated cardboard. This material makes it possible to show your creativity to the maximum and build a booth in the form of a snail, ball, or cone.
Cats are selfish, so it is important for them to lie down comfortably and comfortably in a secluded corner to sleep. Namely, they spend most of the day doing this activity. A cat house is an excellent solution to the issue of a cat bed.
If your pet needs a house, don’t rush to spend money, look around. Perhaps old things, improvised materials that every home has, will serve the purpose.
I often saw photos of cat houses and tents on the Internet, but none of these houses had detailed step-by-step instructions on how to make them! I decided to make a tent house for my cat named Luna and write these instructions with photos so that you can do the same or better. 😀
This is probably the simplest house for a cat that you can make with your own hands. All you need for this is a T-shirt, a wire hanger + a piece of cardboard. A nice addition will be that making it will take you no more than 10-20 minutes and, if your cat does with this house as we already described in this funny article, i.e. ignore it, you won't be too upset because you won't spend too much effort.
Step 1: What you will need
- Cat
- T-shirt
- Piece of cardboard 15cm*15cm
- 2 wire hangers or just wire
- Masking tape
- Pins
- Wire cutters or something to cut the wire and bend it - I used larger pliers. 🙂
Step 2: Cutting the Hangers
Cut off the top hook of the hanger. I pre-spinned it, but it wasn't really necessary.
Step 3: Bend the wire and prepare the cardboard
First, we straighten the wire, making it as even and smooth as possible. Then bend each one into an arc as shown in the photo. (My Lou is watching the work closely.)
I also taped the edges of the cardboard with masking tape (also called paper tape) for added strength. This is necessary if you use corrugated cardboard.
Step 4: Holes
Punch holes in the corners of your cardboard base. You can do this with the same hanger or awl.
Do not indent from the edge more than 3.5 cm, it should not be too large.
Step 5: Connecting the Wire
We cross two wire arcs. Make sure the ends of the wires are on the same plane. After this, wrap the crosshairs thoroughly with tape to secure the arcs.
Thread the ends of the arcs through the holes in the cardboard that you made in the previous step.
Step 6: Fix the frame
Bend the section of wire sticking out from the cardboard base. It is advisable to make this piece at least 2.5 cm. Do this on each of the four corners.
When taping this tip, make sure that it fits tightly to the cardboard and that it is completely sealed with tape so that it does not cling to the T-shirt in the future.
Step 7: The frame is ready
The frame for the cat house is almost ready. At this stage, you can adjust the wire so that the house looks better. You can use pliers.
Step 8: Create a house
Pull the T-shirt over the frame and position it so that the hole for the head is in the middle of the front wall of the homemade house.
Tuck the protruding bottom part of the T-shirt down, under the bottom of the house. Then roll up the T-shirt sleeves in the same way.
Pin the sleeves and the folded portion of the T-shirt tightly to secure them in place.
As you can see in the last photo the fabric is stretched quite tightly over the frame. Try to do the same.
(I know that you could have shortened the T-shirt, but I decided to leave it alone and secure it with regular pins so that it would be easy to remove and wash in the future. 😀)
Step 9: Launch the cat!
As you can see, I was lucky and my cat liked her new home. Just in case, I put some catnip inside.
I will be glad to discuss this work with you in the comments or see photos of your cat houses.
- I want to share with you a find from the excellent forum of cat lovers - Krascfts, here needlewomen share the secrets of making accessories for animals, everyone can follow the link and see >>>>> Workshop, and I will only publish options for making a carrying bag and an exhibition tent for cats.
- The works are not mine, so if you have any questions, go to the masters on the forum)))
Pattern of a carrying bag
zippers are indicated in different colors
The pattern is given without seam allowances, according to the size of the animal, the pattern can be reduced or increased. all parts except the pocket and mesh are cut out in doubles (2 pieces each) parts with a letter X are sewn together (this is the top lid of the bag) and a zipper is sewn to them on both sides.
I suggest making covers for the carriers.
Not all are needlewomen and hard workers. For example, I don’t know how to sew and naturally I don’t like it. But covers are still needed. So I came up with an idea: we take old jackets that fit the size of the carrier, amputate the sleeves, sew up the resulting holes, make a slit on the “belly” of the jacket under the handle next to the zipper, bottom We tie the jackets tightly with an elastic band. Pull a cord into the collar and, if there is a strong wind, you can tighten it. For winter we take a warm jacket. For spring, autumn and cool summer - raincoat fabric.
Here's what happened:
Elementary bags
It takes no more than an hour to sew.
The outer bag is made of water-repellent raincoat material, which is easy to remove, wash and dry even in a hotel.
Just a rectangle with folded corners and a drawstring through which a cord with a stopper is threaded. And with a hole in the seam for a handle.
The bottom layer is insulation made of quilted batting. The principle is the same. 
Then both layers are put on with the seam up 
And they are tightened with a cord more or less according to the weather
Rear view to show how simply the corners of the rectangular bag are sewn up 
Exhibition Tent
Fabric like Ladioli tents.
Transparent screen - PVC film
The back wall is half synthetic mesh, non-stretchy.
Closes on the sides with a zipper, top and bottom with a 4cm wide velcro
I bought the corners from a plumbing supply store - PVC tees, and the frame itself - 12mm square wooden slats! Plastic tubes are also possible, but wood is easier.
The tent has already been tested for strength - everything is ok!
Another tent option
I made the corners myself (because I couldn’t find three)
Angles: 90 degree angle and non-threaded plug. They are fastened with glue, fabric electrical tape and simple electrical tape. It looks like this: 
For beauty, I covered (glued) with satin ribbon
Sticks: plastic pipes
Fabric: Oxford and Coarse Mesh
Screen: film (taken from under the cover for storing clothes and linen)
Add. details: locks, Velcro.
For a tent: length 80cm. width and height 70 cm. You will need: 8 corners + 8 blockages = corners; plastic pipes = 8 meters, oxford fabric = 3 meters, mesh = 50 cm, Velcro = 2 meters, locks = 4 pcs. Total total in rubles - 1500
This is what my tent looks like: 
The back is exactly the same as the front, only instead of a screen there is a mesh.
First, the karkar is assembled (separately), then the cover is put on, for this I cut the fabric on one side and sewed on Velcro, then fasten the zippers on the sides and close the top with Velcro (and the bottom is sewn on) and that’s it
P.S.: The tent withstood a two-day exhibition and temporary housing of kittens.
We offer you a simple master class on making a cat house with your own hands from an ordinary T-shirt. The idea is simple and it will take you 10-15 minutes to implement. The house will turn out bright, funny and original. Cats usually like to climb into such structures - check if this house is to your pet's liking.
It is very convenient to use such an express accessory as a kind of carrying item. So, if you are going on a trip by car or you just need to get your cat from point A to point B, but you don’t have a carrier, use this master class. Just make a house out of a T-shirt and take your cat into it. As a rule, pets prefer to sit in it rather than get out into the car.
What do we need?
- piece of cardboard
- scotch
- t-shirt
- pins
How to make a house?
It’s better to take thick cardboard – a standard cardboard box will be an excellent base. In addition, you can use the lid from a wide shoe box (this is even more convenient, since it has sides).
Take the wire and bend it into an arc. Then take another piece and make it identical. At the same time, measure the wire so that it rises above the cardboard in a fairly high arch. We need to build something like a tent or tent for your cat.
Cross the wire and secure the middle with tape. Insert the ends of the wire into the outer parts of the box and crochet the ends.
Place the design inside the T-shirt.
Pull the free edges to the bottom of the future cat house. Secure them with pins (don't worry, the cardboard will protect your four-legged friend from possible incidents with pins). If you want to get a more reliable design, sew them together.
