With the best cat hammocks, your feline friend has a place to relax, lounge, and keep an eye on their surroundings. Hammocks can give them a higher vantage point to survey their surroundings, as well as delivering a safe space for your cat to call their own.
But why do cats like high places? Well it's a natural position for them because it taps into their natural instinct to watch the world go by – just in case something passes which makes them curious. In the wild, cats like to look down on potential prey and living the high life also offers protection from danger. In that sense, they're preferable to the best cat bed, most of which tend to sit on the ground.
There are many different types. Some hammocks will attach to a window using suction cups to keep them in place on the glass. Others can be slung on to a radiator and these will ensure your cat can stay warm over winter. There are hammocks that are fixed to the wall and others which come with an attached scratching post. Most are pleasing on the eye.
But what should you go for? The main concerns are size and durability. It goes without saying that you'll need a hammock that will comfortably fit your cat and it also needs to be made from sufficiently strong and durable material capable of holding your cat's weight. Hammocks with steel or wood frames tend to be strong and anything made from a tough cotton fabric will ensure a cat's claws will have to work harder to cause tears.
To help you make an informed decision, we've spoken to Dr. Rebecca MacMillan for tips on choosing the right cat hammock for your pet.
Rebecca MacMillan is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. She has recently gained her postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine!
"Cats enjoy their creature comforts and often like being high up, allowing them to keep an eye on their surroundings. Some cats also enjoy the security of being further away from other pets, or people. Cat hammocks cocoon your pet making them feel extra snug and safe.
When choosing your cat hammock, you will first of all need to plan where to put it. This could dictate whether you go for a free-standing hammock or whether it needs to be wall-mounted.
Next, consider your cat’s size. Check the safety specifications on your chosen hammock, as many will have maximum weights that they can hold. You need to ensure that your cat can comfortably fit in the hammock too, so avoid choosing one that is on the small side if you have a large cat breed. Give some thought to the height at which you will hang your hammock. Your cat will need to be able to jump or climb in there with relative ease, so hanging it too high may be a problem for very young or older cats.
The ideal cat hammock will also be easy to clean, either machine washable fabric or wipe clean. You should also look for a sturdy and well-made product, checking it regularly for signs of wear and tear."
PetsRadar's pick of the best cat hammocks
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The JUNSPOW Cat Hammock is made from breathable cotton to keep your kitty cool and comfortable with a rugged design that allows it to be easily used both indoors and outdoors.
It's available in several sizes, it's large enough for most breeds and with the hammock being suspended, it's great for hot days as air can circulate freely. Being off the ground, it's also ideal for cold nights when you're wanting to keep your kitty off the floor.
The sunken hammock offers a sense of safety and security, perfect for timid kitties, and the cotton fabric is super soft, so sweet dreams are almost guaranteed. The stable frame will let your cat move around freely and prevent the hammock from toppling over and the maintenance is simple - the lid can be easily removed from the base for easy cleaning.
You'll need to do some basic assembly with this one as the fame will need to be screwed together and while it will take up some space in your living area, the hammock insert itself can be folded up when not in use.
There are several cat tree/hammock combinations on the market that look similar to this one, but there are a few reasons why Amazon Basics has one of the best budget cat hammocks. For one, it has a great price for the number of positive reviews. The jute posts should stand up to lots of scratching, and cats like to stand up to scratch, so it’s in the perfect position.
This hammock’s small footprint and lightweight design makes it easy to move it around and place where your cat will enjoy it most. While many cat hammocks come with toys, the Amazon Basics one is removable, so you can replace the toy when it wears out or your cat loses interest in it.
The plush hammock should support a heavy cat, but a very large breed such as a Maine Coon might not fit very well. You can only spot-clean this cat hammock, and one reviewer stated that it skidded on her wooden floors, so it’s best used on carpet.
A prime space-saver, this is one of the best cat hammocks on the list should you be looking for one that allows your cat to bask in the rays of the sun. It’s extremely easy to assemble – just make sure the window surface is clean before attaching the suction pads – and can support a weight of up to 40 pounds.
While it looks a bit flimsy, judging by the customer reviews, it seems to stand up to the test okay. We’re a bit wary of how it would take multiple cats sitting on it at once, should you have that kind of household, and we don’t like the thought of it falling off the fall with them in it, so maybe attach it above a windowsill to avoid potential plummet-related pain.
Another space-saving solution for your cat hammock is to simply attach it to the wall, and Fukumaru has one of the best cat hammocks that we’ve seen for a while in this regard.
Arriving in a lovely wood design, this screws straight into the wall, taking about 30 minutes to do so. Due to the nature of the design, it can be customized to be wide or narrow, depending on the size of your cat. What’s more, it’s easy to wash, unlike plenty of other cat hammocks that we've seen for sale.
Some might object to having to screw something into the wall, preferring instead something that is less effort to put together, or has less of a lasting impact on your home. However, should you not mind doing this, this ranks highly on the list of best cat hammocks.
Add a touch of elegance to your living space and give your kitty a front-row seat at your next social gathering with this classy macramé cat hammock. Beautifully crafted from 100% non-toxic and high-quality odorless cotton rope, this hammock measures 45 x 18.5 x 18.5 inches and weighs four-and-a-half pounds.
This unique addition to your home has an adjustable bottom bed/platform that allows it to be hung from the wall or ceiling and angled to suit. It also comes with a cushion filled with catnip, sure to entice curious cats to ensure they check out their new bed.
Sturdy and durable, the cat hammock can be gently hand-washed and is proving a hit with pet parents with one tester noting “If you’re thinking of buying this bed, do it! It’s so cute, looks way more expensive than it was, is sturdy, and our cat is obsessed with it. We’ve had it over a month and really love it.”
It’s probably best to give this hammock a miss if your cat is a heavy chewer, but aside from that, the stunning macramé design is sure to make this hammock a huge talking point in your home.
Are you looking for a scratching post and a cat hammock? Why not cut out the middle man and buy both on one go?
Furhaven has a good track record when it comes to high-quality products for pets, and they repeat the trick here. Providing a couple of scratch posts propping up a hammock, this is very easy to assemble out of the box, even if you possess no DIY skills whatsoever, and it also comes with a brush arched structure for them to rub against.
It’s not as big as it looks from the picture, so it might not be the best choice for large cats, but for your run-of-the-mill, average-sized moggies, this comes highly recommended.
If your kitty loves to keep warm while they lounge, consider the Downtown Strong Hanging Cat Hammock. It's perfectly designed to hook on to a radiator, offering a instant cozy retreat for your feline friends to return to time and time again.
The cat hammock features a simple foldable design which makes it easy and quick to install, but also gives you the opportunity to take it anywhere you want if your cat can't be without it. Whilst strong support is offered up by metal rods, the hammock itself is made from a comfortable plush material.
One of the key strengths of the Downtown Strong Hanging Cat Hammock is its ability to be used almost anywhere in the home. It's particularly ideal for apartment cats; the design can latch on to a balcony, on a door if your cat likes to be up high or even on the back of your work chair.
The hammock can typically hold a weight of around 15lbs but if your furry companion is on the chunkier side, it can hold up to 25lbs. However, the product can suffer from a little slouch in the middle, while the cover can slide down, leaving some pet owners to devise their own adjustments.
The hammock is available in a few muted colors that are sure to blend in at home, but a wider color palette would be preferred to suit you and your moggy's personality and style.
This is a fantastic hammock bed made from high-quality natural pine that provides a strong and stable structure that's finished off with durable and breathable canvas. Suitable for cats up to 33lbs, the hammock measures 19.6 x 19.6 x 5.1 inches and features a large space for your kitty to curl up on.
We love how easy this hammock is to both assemble and disassemble, meaning you can easily clean the canvas fabric and it also makes it a breeze to transport, allowing you to take this bed with you on your travels. It's suitable for both the indoors and outdoors too, offering great flexibility.
The off-the-ground design means that unlike some other beds your kitty will stay nice and warm and it also prevents moisture from getting into the canvas and creating mold. It's also scratch resistant, so you won't have to worry about your kitty's claws wreaking havoc on it!
Cats are fickle creatures, so one day they may be perfectly fine snoozing in the open and the next they may prefer something a bit more private. With this cat hammock, you're offering cats a choice: they can laze around on the upper cotton and linen layer or decide to pop inside the lower level made from artificial lamb wool. In either case, they're going to enjoy a heap of comfort.
Designed to hold a maximum weight of 22 pounds on each level, it is possible for this hammock to hold two cats, making it something of a space saver for multi-kitty households. If you only have the one cat, though, you may find that your furbaby uses the top layer during the summer and pops inside during winter: the faux wool will certainly keep your cat cozy and warm during the colder months
Adjustable bands make fitting the hammock easy and the manufacturer suggests it can be suspended within a cage as well as beneath a table or chair. At the end of each of the four bands – which can be extended to a total length of 10 inches – are wide-opening metal hooks so it's simply a case of securing them to a surface, and tightening the belts.
This also makes it easy to remove the hammock which, in turn, ensures you can take it down for washing. Indeed, if it gets dirty, you can handwash it or simply pop the hammock in the washing machine. The only downside is that the design may not be too everyone's taste.
If you like value for money or simply have a couple of cats, then this hammock is sure to turn heads in more ways than one. For starters, you actually get a couple of hammocks here yet each one is also reversible so you can switch the look whenever you wish.
The manufacturer suggests doing this in winter and summer because the hammocks come with two different sides – there's a polar fleece on one, which is great for cats to sleep on during winter, and a high quality print material on the other – perfect for summer snoozes.
The hammocks are versatile, too. They can be held in place by metal hooks which are applied to each corner and these can be easily connected to all manner of items from the insides of cats. The adjustable straps can also be hung on to the underside of chairs so you can literally place this hammock anywhere.
The straps and hooks are also strong so you shouldn't need to worry about a cat's weight causing a problem and, since they can be easily detached from the hammock itself, cleaning is as easy as throwing it into a washing machine. Just be sure to check the size before buying as the hammock may prove too small for larger breeds.
How to choose the best cat hammock
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right cat hammock for your feline companion. While there are options to fit each budget, just because a hammock is pricier, doesn't automatically make it a better option for you or your cat. There are a few things to consider before snagging the first one that catches your eye.
What style of cat hammock is best?
From stand up options, to designs that hang off of windows with suction cups, to designs that are meant to be hooked into the ceiling, or wall, you have options. You'll want to ensure that the bed you've chosen can be safely setup in your home.
In older homes, or apartments, drilling into the walls may not be appropriate. Likewise, if you have a larger cat, then a suction cup option may be asking for trouble. Be sure to look over how the cat hammock sets up to find one that works for your home.
How big of a hammock do you need?
Whether you have lived with the same cat for years, or you've just brought a new kitten home, size should absolutely be a consideration when choosing a hammock. You want something that can support the weight of your feline, as well as giving them room to get comfortable. If you've got a kitten, you'll also want an option that your furbaby can grow into.
What materials are best for a cat hammock?
The last major thing to consider when choosing a cat hammock, are the materials used to construct it. If your cat is a big chewer, then ceiling hanging options, or macramé beds may not be the best option. Having a bed that is easy to clean is also handy, especially if you have a long haired cat.
Some options come with built-in toys like scratching posts, or catnip toys. This means you may want to investigate how sturdy the construction is, especially if you have a larger, or especially active feline.
