8 DIY Cat Teepees You Can Make Today (with Pictures)
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Just as humans like to have a nice, quiet place to relax, our furry feline friends do, too. Not only do cat teepees provide them with a place to rest, but they can also make your cat feel safe and secure.
You can always go out and buy a premade cat teepee kit, but they can be pricey and don’t always offer much personalization. So why don’t make your own DIY cat teepee, save a little money, and personalize it to match your cat’s personality and decor?
With this guide to DIY cat teepee plans, you can do precisely that. Check out our suggestions for the best plans below.
The 8 DIY Cat Teepees
1. No-Sew DIY Cat Teepee by Coffee With Summer
| Materials: | Wooden dowels, twine, fabric, pet bed |
| Tools: | Scissors, hot glue gun, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This no-sew cat teepee is made using only five wooden dowels tied together with jute twine and covered in fabric. The dowels are used to make the frame, and you can get them as long as you want, but it’s probably a good idea to make sure that they are at least longer than your cat’s height.
You don’t have to be experienced with tools, either. You’ll just need to know how to use a drill to attach the twine more securely. It is also easy to personalize with the fabric of your choice, which is attached with hot glue. Finally, you can add a comfy bed or pillow for your cat.
2. Simple DIY Cat Teepee by Life Family Joy
| Materials: | Fabric, twine, thick wooden dowels, thin wooden dowels |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This simple cat teepee doesn’t require power tools to build; all you need is a hot glue gun to assemble it. Four thick wooden dowels are used to make the frame of this teepee, and the twine is wrapped around them at the top to secure them together.
To improve the frame’s stability, it uses a thinner dowel as support in between the posts. You will also need around two yards of fabric to cover the teepee, but it’s up to you whether you want to leave the teepee open or leave extra fabric overlapping so it’s closed off.
3. DIY Blanket Cat Teepee by Local Adventurer
| Materials: | 4’ x 6’ blanket, wooden dowels, twine |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This cat teepee plan only requires three materials and zero tools to assemble. The plan uses a 4’ x 6’ woven blanket to cover the teepee, but you can use any blanket of that size. The great thing about using a blanket instead of fabric is that not only does it cover the teepee, but you also have a little bit left over to cover the floor underneath it so that your cat has a comfy surface to lay on.
This plan uses thick wooden dowels for the frame because, depending on what type of blanket you use, the frame has to be able to support the blanket’s weight. But no cutting, gluing, or sewing is required, so it really can’t get any easier (or more affordable) than this.
4. Resourceful DIY Cat Teepee by Meow Lifestyle
| Materials: | Tree branches/bamboo sticks, blanket scarf, twine |
| Tools: | Hot glue |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
We like this resourceful cat teepee plan because you do not have to go out and buy anything to make it. The teepee uses tree branches that you can get from your backyard to make the frame. If you have it, bamboo works best because it is straight. But if you don’t have bamboo, finding branches that are as straight as possible will make assembling this teepee easier.
You may have to make the branches flat on one end or find another creative way to make it stand. This plan uses balls of tape, but you could also use air-dry clay to create a base for the teepee. Use twine to tie the sticks together at the top, then use a blanket scarf or something similar that you no longer wear to cover it.
5. Upcycled DIY Cat Teepee by Craft Your Happiness
| Materials: | TV tray, wooden dowel, pillowcase, faux fur rug, fake flowers |
| Tools: | Scissors, staple gun, drill/screwdriver, hand saw |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
If you love upcycling, this TV tray cat teepee should be a fun project. It requires more tools and materials than some of the other cat teepee plans, but overall, it is fairly easy to do as long as you have the right tools and the knowledge of how to use them.
Essentially, a partially disassembled TV tray is turned upside down to provide a frame and a sturdy base. The TV tray is covered with a pillowcase, and a faux fur rug provides a comfy place for your kitty to sleep. A faux flower bouquet (this plan uses eucalyptus) makes a fashionable accessory.
6. DIY Elevated Cat Teepee by Instructables
| Materials: | Bamboo sticks/thick wooden dowels, fabric, thin rope |
| Tools: | Saw, sewing machine/sewing kit |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This elevated cat bed does not require a lot of materials, but you do need to know how to sew. The teepee has a very sturdy frame, and the plan recommends using bamboo sticks if you can find them; otherwise, you will need long, thick wooden dowels.
To elevate the teepee, you will need to cut the bamboo or dowels to create a platform that sits about 6 inches from the base, and you’ll cover the platform with fabric. Use thin rope or twine to attach the platform, then create the cover for the teepee by sewing pieces of fabric together, draping it over the frame, and tying it into place.
7. Stylish DIY Cat Teepee by Ultimate Pet Nutrition
| Materials: | Fabric, wooden dowels, twine |
| Tools: | Sewing machine/needle and thread, scissors, measuring tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This stylish cat teepee requires sewing skills, and making it will be much quicker if you have a sewing machine. However, a sewing machine is not required if you don’t mind sewing four pieces of fabric together by hand. Making the frame is still the same, however, and requires wooden dowels to make it. This plan calls for dowels that are ⅜ inch, but you can use whatever thickness works best for you.
Although the instructions for this plan are a little more complex, the result will be a very professional-looking cat teepee. Plus, once you’ve assembled the fabric, you can slide it over the wooden frame for a more durable end product.
8. Fancy DIY Cat Teepee by lilyardor
| Materials: | TV tray, dowel, fabric, stain, string, plywood, jute rope, cat bed |
| Tools: | Drill, screws, hot glue |
| Difficulty Level: | Advanced |
This DIY cat teepee is also made out of a TV tray, but the plan is a bit more complicated because it has a built-in cat scratcher on the outside of the teepee. You can make this teepee without the cat scratcher, and that version is a little bit less time-consuming, but we kind of like the cat scratcher idea because it is so unique compared to the other cat teepee plans.
This plan also includes instructions for how to make your cat bed if you are feeling a bit craftier after you finish making the teepee. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought bed or your cat’s favorite pillow to make them feel comfier. Either way, this is a more adventurous project to take on.
Or, if you're thinking of getting your cat something a little different, that entices play and looks like a modern piece of furniture in your home, you might think about giving our Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher a try! Its curved design targets a full range of motion, and with three height configurations and a durable design, you can be sure your cat is getting the exercise, height, and adventure they naturally desire. Click here to learn more about our innovative, functional, and funky, Hi-Lo cat scratcher.
Conclusion
Making a cat teepee can save you money, especially if you already have some of the supplies at home. Plus, there are several ways that you can personalize them to match your existing decor. Don’t be afraid to be creative and add additional features to your DIY cat teepee, such as dangling cat toys, fairy string lights, etc. No matter what you come up with, your cat is sure to love their new teepee.
Featured Image Credit: kimberrywood, Shutterstock
