pawesome-fist-bump I was introduced to the cat hammock years ago when doing kitty rescue work in Brooklyn, New York. A fellow rescuer took in one of my rescues while I was on vacation and when I came back I found Gizmo (the big boned dude in my sisal cat scratcher post) sprawled out on a little hammock within a small dog crate---cat condos, as they're called, are great when socializing street cats. Her DIY cat hammock involved old pillow cases or strips of fabric tied to the sides of the crate, but the cuts in the fabric that allow you to tie the hammock to the crate tend to rip further and further under a cat's weight.

gizmo-in-hammock
 
Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley sells amazing cat and small animal hammocks that snap on to a crate rather than needing to tie on. All money from sales benefit the non-profit. But, if you've got some scraps of fabric you think would lend itself to becoming a comfy hammock, you can make your own. Joyce Godsey, Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley Board Member, graciously shared how to make your own. If you decide to go ahead and make Joyce's hammock, I urge you to make a donation to Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley as a thank-you.
 
What You Need:
• Fleece or any thick and comfy material that's strong enough to hold a cat
• Nylon webbing
• Swivel snap
 
Instructions:
1. Come up with a hammock pattern that's large enough for both your cat(s) and your cage.You want the edges of your pattern to web out as these will connect to the sides of the cage.
hammock-pattern-paper
2. Draw out half the hammock pattern on tracing paper.
 
3. Fold each piece of fabric in half and cut out the pattern. You should now have two pieces of fabric cut into the planned shape of your hammock.
hammock-pattern
 
3. Cut 6-inch strips of nylon webbing and thread each through a swivel snap.
 
4. Like sewing a pillow, you want to put your two cut pieces of fabric on top of each other in a way that after you've sewn three edges, you'll flip the fabric inside out.
 
5. At each of the four corners insert the nylon webbing and swivel snap between the pieces of fabric so that the ends of the webbing will be the only thing sticking past the corners.
cat-hammock-nylon-strap
 
6. Sew the edges of the fabric and the nylon strap between.
 
cat-hammock-nylon-strap-2
 
7. Sew shut the last side, leaving a 3-inch gap.
 
8. Turn the hammock inside out. Your nylon webbing/swivel snap should be visible and accessible now.
 
9. Sew up the gap.
Finished-cat-hammock
 
These types of cat hammocks only work if you have four sides to attach to, such as in a crate. If you'd like a standalone hammock for your pet, may I suggest this one from CatAbove. Cat hammocks are great pieces for small animals like rats and ferrets as well.
 
standalone-cat-hammock
 
Got a great pet project you'd like to share? Email me!

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