Last updated on: November 20, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Almost every child has built at least one fort during their childhood. Whether their fort is big or small, simple or complicated, it’s a fun activity that keeps kids busy, lets their creativity shine, and gives them a fun place to sleep for a few nights.
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to have a little fun with your cat, you can build him his own fort that he can rule over. This doesn’t have to be an expensive activity, as most forts can be built from items you have at home. Blankets, cardboard, and pillows are some fort essentials, depending on the type you’re looking for.
There are many different ways to build a cat fort, so let’s take a look at some plans below!
Top 8 Ways to Build a Cat Fort:
1. The basic fort
For our first fort, you don’t need any tools, just a pile of pillows, four chairs, and two blankets or sheets. For the base layer, we recommend using a thick blanket (or even two!) as this will provide a comfortable surface for your cat to snuggle up on.
Set up your chairs facing outwards on the edge of the cover. Add pillows around the edges to form a cozy wall, then drape a blanket or sheet over it to form the roof. Make sure your chairs are stable, as an unstable chair can collapse.
2. The one-door fort
Because we’re still warming up, we’ve added another easy to make fort. This option is made from a cardboard box and requires only one tool: scissors. Most cardboard boxes are brown, but to make it a little more exciting, try finding a box with pictures or colors on it.
To create your fort, flip the cardboard box over so that the opening of the box is on the ground. You will then need to cut a rectangle-shaped opening into the side of the box, making sure it is large enough for your cat to fit through. Although simple, this fort will not collapse!
3. The most amusing
If you have a funny cat who often makes you laugh, you need to build him a fort that matches his personality. Get away from your traditional image of being strong and get creative. This fun fort is a creative option that is recyclable, colorful and comfortable while still being easy to make.
You’ll need the largest cardboard box you can find, as well as a pair of scissors. Next, cut out a fun entrance hole big enough for your cat to fit through. If you want, you can also use non-toxic paint or markers to decorate.
4. The Hive Fort
Now that our minds are on the creative strong, it’s time to add a little complexity. The hive fort requires several layers of corrugated cardboard, which you will need to cut into circles with a hole in the middle of each. You will use these disks to stack on top of each other, going from the largest disk at the base to the smallest disk at the top. The end result will look like a beehive with an opening on the side for your cat to come and go.
What’s great about this fort is that it’s built to last and your cat can use it as a cat bed or a fun place to relax.
5. The “original” fort
If you think back to when you were building a fort, you probably think of the chairs at the dining table and a large blanket or sheet. Well, why not recreate this fort for your cat? This design of fort is big enough for you to crawl in and spend time with your cat, so you don’t miss out on all the fun!
Start by placing four dining table chairs in an open space, two on one side of the space and two on the other. You can space the chairs as widely as you want for your fort. You can use a blanket or sheet to cover the chairs, securing them with a thick book. Make sure to leave one side open for easy access. You can make the inside of your fort more comfortable by placing a blanket and pillows inside.
6. Fort Tipi
Forts are meant to keep intruders out, but this strong looks so welcoming that it will encourage your cat to come in without any persuasion. Unlike traditional forts which are dull and dark, this teepee fort is light and aesthetic.
To build this fort, you will need a sheet, some string, and some clothespins. You will need to tie one end of the string above the floor to some sort of light fixture, which could be a door light fixture, and tie the other end to a light fixture across the room. like a window light. You can then drape the sheet over the string and secure it with the clothespins. You can secure the sides of the sheet to the floor or around tables or chairs with heavy books.
If you want to close the fort a little, you can add another sheet to the front and back of the fort and attach it to the draped sheet. You can use more clothespins to open or close the ends.
7. The cave fort
The troglodyte fort is a quick and easy fort to build that is both minimalist and comfortable. You don’t even need a lot of stuff, just a couch, a blanket, and a few heavy books. How you want to decorate your cat fort is up to you!
To start building, take your blanket and place it on the back of your couch. You can secure it by placing the end of the blanket under the seat of the sofa or by placing a book on top. You will then pull the blanket, creating a 90 degree angle with the blanket and the back of the sofa. Secure the blanket to the floor by placing a few books on the end.
8. The strong sofa
If you don’t want a long cleanup, you can stick to just one item. build that next fort. All you need is your sofa and its seat cushions. You will use the pillows to add height to your sofa and create an enclosure for your cat to enjoy. Just make sure the pillows are thick and sturdy, as you don’t want them to collapse on your cat.
If you want to create an even larger fort using just pillows, you can grab extra pillows from your other couch and add them on top of your existing couch fort. The illustrated design is a good guide, but you may be as creative as you want and create your own sofa design.
Conclusion
We hope you have been inspired by these different types of forts and are ready to start building one for your cat. There are some extremely simple designs to choose from and a few that are slightly more difficult. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good time with your cat; you just need a blanket, pillows, chairs or a cardboard box.
Have fun with building your fort and adjust your design to your skills and what you have at home.
Featured image credit: Koldunov Alexey, Shutterstock
About the Author
Mom cat to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten who is her one and only child. For the moment! Throughout her life, she was introduced to the special love found in the bond with a cat. Having owned several felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. Passionate about educating the public about everything there is to know about felines, their behavior and their unique personalities, Crystal is dedicated to ensuring that all cats and their owners know the importance of mindful living – and to love!