Hammocks for cats may sound like a frivolous pet product, but they meet a cat’s need to rest and relax. And if you’re looking for ways to keep your cat happy and healthy, there are few better methods than providing opportunities for your feline friend to enjoy an afternoon nap up off the floor.
Offering multiple places where your cat can sleep is one of the best things you can do as a responsible pet owner. But because not all cats show preference toward sleeping in the same place or position at all times, hammocks provide benefits that no ordinary furniture or toys can offer. In addition to being able to rotate their bedding choices – moving from a flat surface up into a hanging space – many cats also find hammocks to be safer than other options.
It’s easy to think that all cats prefer the same type of bedding, but this is not true. While some felines may enjoy laying on a lap or favorite blanket, others will only settle in when they feel secure and supported. And for these cats, hammocks can provide a place where they feel safe from changes in their environment, including loud noises and the hustle-and-bustle of everyday family life.
In addition to providing an escape from sudden disturbances when your cat needs a bit of peace, a hammock also helps protect your precious pet from cold floors in the winter months and hot surfaces in the summertime. And with its soft fabric texture and peaceful swaying motion, a hammock also provides an ideal place to snuggle in for a nap.
However, not all hammocks are created equal when it comes to giving your cat the optimum level of comfort they deserve. A lower perch or poorly engineered mesh might result in stretching and uncomfortable positioning for feline friends who weigh less than 12 pounds, so before you decide on any one product, be sure to read reviews from other customers about the type of pet that will be using it most.
And once you’ve made the right choice on style and size, there are certain ways you can introduce your cat to their new sleeping space safely and with minimal stress on either end. While some felines may take more time than others getting used to sleeping high up off the ground, most will find a hammock as cozy as their favorite blanket within just a few days or weeks of continued use.
In fact, with all the benefits that come from using a hammock, there’s no reason not to have at least one product in your home for those days when your cat needs a break from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life. And if you’re looking for other ways to keep your kitty healthy and happy throughout the year, consider investing in a self-cleaning litter box.
Are Hammocks good for cats?
Some cats love hammocks and perches for their naps or as a place to stretch out and relax. Hammocks provide a haven for those with separation anxiety as well as kitties who prefer vertical space.
A good hammock or perch needs to be able to support the weight of your cat without sagging. Creating a safe and secure area for your kitty means choosing the right material, size, and location in your home.
Hammocks are usually created with strong but flexible materials like nylon or faux suede. The weave of the fabric is important because it affects both the stability and safety features for cats lying down or playing around. Cats can become entangled in loose upper edges that are not well secured between posts, so keeping an eye on where you place them is extremely important. Look for products that have multiple attachment loops to securely fit the posts together as well as open layered designs that do not have any upper edges that a cat could become caught in.
A hammock should be sized for your specific pet’s needs, but the general rule of thumb is to allow two-thirds of the total length or body size plus one to three inches depending on how acrobatic your kitty has proven to be. Your kitty should be able to stretch out fully without its feet touching the edges. If you are getting a perch for your cat, look for sturdy materials that are rigid enough not to get crushed when they jump up or down from it.
Hammocks can be placed anywhere in the home where there is nothing directly above it that would cause injury if your cat fell off after taking a leap of faith mid-nap time. If you are placing a hammock near a window, take precautions to make sure your cat cannot get out or hurt if they do fall.
Hammocks are good for cats in many ways. They provide them with cozy places for naps, safe havens during thunderstorms, and give them the ability to sit up high enough to see who’s walking by while still feeling secure knowing that there is no threat of falling or being blown away by the wind.
How do you hang a cat hammock from the ceiling?
There are many ways you can hang a cat hammock from your ceiling. The simplest way is to attach the large plastic screw hooks into the drywall beside each beam or support in your home, then use twine or rope to lash on the hammocks wherever desired.
For wooden beams, drill screws vertically through the beam with enough space between them for multiple strands of twine. Twist one end around a screw and feed it back out through the other side so that it loops around and pulls tight to create a knot at both ends.
When hung horizontally underneath your beams, be sure they are far enough apart so that your cats will not get stuck when jumping off and there’s plenty of room for them to stretch out and relax. Look for a soft, comfortable design that lets them enjoy the scenery without being too high up off the ground.
Hammocks should also be attached directly to nails or hooks in your wall studs whenever possible instead of just relying on drywall anchors alone which are not secure enough to hold large cats with many pounds of weight. Bend open paper clips into large hooks before inserting them into holes alongside the studs so they will stay put when hung with twine or rope, then twist around ends to secure it tightly.
For walls without studs, you can place heavy-duty shelves above eye level that is impossible for your cats to jump onto themselves but still provide plenty of viewing space. Specially designed wide shelves may also be attached directly to the wall without drilling any holes, so they are an easy and secure way to place hammocks in your home or office.
Cats can be very hard on their furnishings and perches, so choosing a sturdy and stylish design is crucial for keeping them safe and happy during playtime. Look for products with woven fabric that is durable enough not to rip when tugged on by claws or rubbed against rough surfaces at full speed. Soft fabrics look appealing but they will fray over time, so stiffer materials such as thick faux suede last longer than thin nylon pieces.
