Purrfect Hideaway:
Crafting a Cozy Nook for your cat
If you are a cat pet parent, you would know your beloved’s affinity for cozy nooks! It is time to get your creative juices flowing with a DIY project – a cozy hideaway for your feline friend
– by Kritika Manchanda
In our urban houses, space is a major constraint, which means your cat might also have to compromise. What if we told you that with basic resources and a minimal budget, you can create a cozy nook for your pet? Cats’ affinity for cozy spaces and nooks is unmatched. They would be happy even in a tiny cardboard box.
Beyond Vertical Limit
Using vertical space across your home is a great idea to cater to your feline friend’s natural climbing and perching instincts. You can choose wall-mounted shelves, cat trees, or climbing perches for your cat to explore and keep herself engaged. These points are perfect for your cat to relax, laze around, or just sit and be lost in her thoughts! A lot of pet parents think that installing cat trees and perches would not match their décor. But you can make these look aesthetic. With creative designs and placements, cat-friendly shelves and perches can complement your decor, blending seamlessly into your living space. Whether you opt for minimalist floating shelves, cozy hammocks, or intricate climbing walls, it will not just look like your Pinterest board has come to life, but will also give an enriching experience to your pet.
Window Magic
Cats love to be near a window and observe the world go by! For most indoor cats, window perches are the perfect way to amalgamate the indoors and the outdoors. You can create a special perch for your pet near the window by placing snug bedding near the window. You can also buy suction-cup cat beds or window hammocks for cats (they are easily available online) and create a sunlit spot for her. These spots not only make a great nook for your cat to relax but also free up floor space making your house feel more open and spacious!
DIY Project – Whiskers and Warmth
You can buy a medium-sized storage box or even reuse a cardboard container to make the base of the cozy nook. Clean the box thoroughly. If you are reusing the cardboard box, make sure to air it in the sun for a few days so that there is no unpleasant odor.
The next step is to choose soft bedding to add that touch of warmth. For summer, you can line the box with soft cotton bedsheets to make it comfortable for your cat. And for winter, you can add a small blanket or even a rug to make the nook warmer and fuzzier! If you have a senior cat at home, some extra blankets and orthopedic bedding would be the best option.
A cozy nook is incomplete without your cat’s favorite toys and even a scratching post. You can place feather toys, puzzle toys, and her favorite soft toy in and around the nook to make your cat feel safe! Provide a sturdy scratching post as well to keep your pet happy and engaged.
Keep these tips in mind –
- Avoid placing your cat’s nook in busy areas of the house like the kitchen or the living room.
- Choose a quiet bedroom or a study, so that your pet gets her ‘me-time’ from the hustle-bustle of the house.
- It would be best if you could place the nook near a window, as cats love being near windows!
- Add aesthetic rugs and blankets as per the color scheme of your home to give the cat nook a cute look.
- Manage extreme temperatures to keep your feline friend cozy and comfortable in her nook. Cats prefer warm, comfortable spots, so consider placing their bed near a heat source in the winter and away from direct sunlight in the summer.
- The bedding should be light and easy to remove so that you can air it often and wash it every week to keep dust and bacteria at bay.
Creating a nook for your cat will not just give her a space to relax, but will also be great for her overall well-being. On days when she is feeling low or just wants to retreat without being bothered, she can curl up with her favorite toy in the nook and align her energy with the world!