If you have a cat, you know she loves to lounge around. Soft, comfortable furniture is the key to keeping your feline friend happy and content. Another feature that cats love is a high vantage point. Kitties enjoy being up off of the floor; sometimes, they even like being as close to the ceiling as possible! One type of cat furniture that you might consider purchasing that is both comfortable and elevated is a cat hammock.
A cat hammock can be standalone and come with its own frame, or it can attach to a wall or window. There are also cat hammocks that you can hang from the ceiling or some other elevated surface. We have reviewed dozens of cat hammocks in an effort to bring you a list of the best. We considered comfort, ease of installation where applicable, and how Amazon users (and their cats) seemed to like the products.
Our top pick is the CatastrophiCreations Fabric Raceway Hammock Lounger. It’s perfect for a first-time hammock and gives your kitty a place to climb and lounge. The solid wood and canvas hold a lot of weight, so this is a great pick for people with several cats or with a couple of large kitties.
The 5 Top-Rated Cat Hammocks
Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | CatastrophiCreations Fabric Raceway Hammock Lounger | 4.6 |
Runner Up | The Art of Paws Cat Shelf | 4.0 |
Best Budget Buy | UsefulThingy Cat Hammock | 4.6 |
Best Hammock With a Stand | Trixie Pet Product Baza Cat Tree | 4.5 |
Best Hanging Cat Hammock | CUSFULL Cat Hammock Bed | 4.3 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: CatastrophiCreations Fabric Raceway Hammock Lounger
The CatastrophiCreations Fabric Raceway Hammock Lounger was our top pick, paws down. It is made of real wood and canvas. The canvas can hold up to 62 lbs and the wood hammock itself can hold over 80 lbs, making it an amazing choice for multi-cat households.
The hammock attaches to the wall and gives your cat not only a place to lounge while keeping an eye on what’s happening below but also much-needed climbing pleasure. Cats need to climb and jump to keep themselves in good shape, and this product will help your cat stay svelte and in good condition.
CatastrophiCreations Fabric Raceway Hammock Lounger Key Features:
- Solid wood
- Strong canvas
- Attaches to wall
- Handcrafted
- Attractive and functional
Our Runner Up Pick: Art of Paws Cat Shelf
The Art of Paws Cat Shelf is perfect for the cat who wants a bird’s-eye view of what is happening in the household. This cat hammock is elegant and comes with a choice between two covers. If your kitty enjoys cuddling up and going to sleep, the soft wool cover will be just her style. On the other hand, you could also choose to put on the fiber cover if your cat likes to scratch and sharpen her claws before retiring.
The cat shelf comes fully assembled and will install in a matter of minutes. The package includes the tools you need. This product also comes with a three-year guarantee.
The Art of Paws Cat Shelf Key Features:
- Comfortable bed for cats
- Includes necessary tools
- Three-year guarantee
- Two covers to choose from
Best Budget Pick: UsefulThingy Cat Hammock
The UsefulThingy Cat Hammock made our top pick for a budget-friendly hammock. If your cat uses any type of cage or crate, this hammock is perfect for making it more comfortable. You can even vary how it looks by flipping it over; one side is white and the other side has a tiger pattern to appeal to your cat’s wild nature.
The hammock is made from soft fleece that can be either handwashed or put in the washing machine. It measures 21 x 15″ and can be attached either to a cage or a cat condo with sturdy clips. It will safely hold a cat up to 20 lbs and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
UsefulThingy Cat Hammock Key Features:
- Two-sided design
- Made from soft fleece
- Machine washable
- Attaches with sturdy clips
- Holds a cat up to 20 lbs
Best Cat Hammock With a Stand: Trixie Pet Product Baza Cat Tree
If you are looking for a cat hammock with its own stand, you will love the Trixie Pet Product Baza Cat Tree, which made our top pick in this category. The first feature you’ll notice is the silky-soft cover, which your cat will love to snuggle up in. In addition to the hammock itself being covered in this material, there is more of it at the bottom, making it a great choice if you have more than one cat.
The posts are covered in sisal, which can encourage scratching. In addition, there’s a fluffy pompom for playful cats. The product is available in three sizes and will hold a 20 lb cat on the top part of the hammock.
Trixie Pet Product Baza Cat Tree Key Features:
- Comes with its own stand
- Sisal covered posts for scratching
- Silky soft cover
- Fluffy pompom for playing
- Available in three sizes
- Holds 20 lbs
Best Hanging Cat Hammock: CUSFULL Cat Hammock Bed
The CUSFULL Cat Hammock Bed made our top pick for hanging cat hammocks. This space-saving bed hangs under a chair or in any cage, giving your cat a pretty and comfortable place to hang out. It has two sides; a waterproof side is perfect for warm days, while a soft side is great for snuggling when the mercury drops. You can handwash the hammock or put it in the washing machine as long as you use a laundry bag.
Extra straps are included to make the hammock as versatile as possible. It is available in three colors, too, to suit any decorating style or kitty preference. The bed can hold pets up to 35 lbs.
CUSFULL Cat Hammock Bed Key Features:
- Space-saving
- Fits under a chair or in a cage
- Two sides
- Several colors to choose from
- Holds up to 35 lbs.
Who Should Buy a Cat Hammock
If you own a cat, you should consider purchasing a cat hammock. Cats love to be elevated, and a cat hammock gives your kitty a dedicated place to be while lounging. If your cat has her own bed or hammock, you will probably end up with less cat hair on your own bed, sofa, and other furniture. Also, cat hammocks often come with extras like scratching posts or attached toys. While a cat hammock is not a need when you get a cat, it makes a nice accessory for them and can keep them from getting into trouble elsewhere in your home. Be sure to check out our review of the best heated cat beds for more cozy options for your favorite feline.
Important Features to Consider
Every cat hammock is a bit different, so you will need to look for the features that are important to you. Here are some to keep in mind as you decide which cat hammock you would like to purchase.
- Location in your home. The type of cat hammock you buy will depend on where in your home you want to keep it. For example, if you have an area that would be able to accommodate a standalone cat hammock, consider one that comes with its own stand. If you are going to be placing it on a window, you will want a window cat hammock. You might also decide on one that attaches to a wall or that hangs from hooks, a cat condo, or a cage.
- Washable. It makes sense to consider a cat hammock that is easy to wash and that you can remove hair from easily. While cats are clean animals, they do shed and occasionally track dirt onto surfaces, vomit, or otherwise cause a mess that needs to be washed up.
- Size and weight limit. While most cat hammocks will easily fit an average-sized cat, if you have a larger cat, you will want to look for one that will hold 20 lbs or more. Also, if you have more than one cat, add up all of their weights to determine the weight limit you want to look for. If you are buying one cat hammock for several cats, chances are good that it will be holding more than one kitty at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cat hammock?
A cat hammock is a bed, sling, or other surface that you mount at an elevated height for your cat to sit, lay, or sleep on. Some come with their own stands and others mount to a wall, window, or other surface. They are made in different types of materials and some have soft covers. Others don’t have a cover and the intention is for the owner to place a cat bed or blanket on the hammock to make it softer. Some include toys; of course, you can always add your own. Check out our review of the best catnip toys that your cat would love.
How do you mount a cat wall hammock?
The way you mount your cat wall hammock depends on the type that it is as well as the characteristics of your wall. Often, you need to mount a wall hammock into at least one wall stud; if this is the case, locate the stud with a stud finder and simply drill into the stud with a screw. You can also use a drywall anchor or a toggle to hold the bracket in a location that doesn’t have a stud behind it. Follow the directions that come with the hammock.
How much weight can a cat hammock hold?
Check the description of each product you are considering to be sure that it will hold your cat. Most hammocks hold cats up to 20 lbs, and some hold cats up to 40 or even 50 lbs or more. This higher weight limit is helpful if you have more than one cat. If you are using a wall hammock, you will need to be sure that the anchors or toggles that you are using (if applicable) are able to hold your cat’s weight.
How do you wash a cat hammock?
Some cat hammocks have removable covers that are machine-washable. Others are meant only to be hand-washed or spot-cleaned. If yours has a removable cover, check the label to find out whether it can go in the washing machine. If it does not have a removable cover, you will not be able to machine-wash it; in this case, spot clean it with a damp cloth.