9 Stylish Cat Hammocks and Shelves for Modern Homes

If you're a cat owner searching for an extraordinary cat bed, you're in the right place. These nine stylish cat hammocks and shelves for modern homes do more than provide a napping spot. They are your cat's window into the world, a vantage point to keep a watch on what's going on around them.

Whether you need a space-saving bed for a small apartment or you want to offer your indoor cat a little extra entertainment, there's a cat shelf or hammock for every type of cat owner. Not every bed is right for every cat, so review the descriptions carefully to find the one that fits your feline.

This guide examines the best cat hammocks and shelves to find one that matches your cat's habits and lifestyle — as well as your home decor.

Ultimate Cat Window Climbing Perch

$74.74

by PetFusion 

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

08/17/2024 12:50 pm GMT

Top Pick: PetFusion Ultimate Cat Window Climbing Perch

The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Window Climbing Perch is a tall window perch with a stylish design. The support structure doubles as a cat scratcher and climber to reach the perch.

Key Highlights of the PetFusion Ultimate Cat Window Climbing Perch

• Large suction cups stick to any window, ensuring stability and safety.

• The tall supporting post adds to the structure's safety to keep the hammock from falling.

• It gives your indoor cat an entertaining view of the outdoors.

Features

The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Window Climbing Perch goes beyond just being a comfortable resting spot. It provides exercise and a lofty observation deck for your indoor cat.

This product lets your cat enjoy bird-watching through the window, sunbathing on a lazy afternoon, and even sharing the space with another feline friend. The clever design makes it a stimulating outlet for your cat's climbing and scratching instincts and provides excitement that indoor life sometimes lacks.

This product is a perfect bird-watching perch, making it an excellent mental stimulant for your indoor cat. It's also great for keeping your cat warm in winter because it catches sunlight directly.

Elevated and secured to the window, this hammock saves on square footage but adds vertical space for your cat. This makes it a gem for apartment dwellers or small homeowners. Its simple yet sophisticated design adds a stylish modern twist to any interior decor.

Pros and Cons

The ease of assembly, supportive design, two-tiered structure, and large suction cups for stabilization contribute to its top-rated status. It is ideal for multi-cat homes because it holds up well under stress. The removable, washable cover allows you to keep the hammock clean.

On the downside, some cats need time to adjust to the vertical jump or climb to access the top level. It's also more expensive than other options.

Bottom Line

For an innovative, space-saving, and enjoyment-filled purchase for your feline friend, the PetFusion Ultimate tops the list. It requires some investment, being on the pricier side for cat hammocks.

Budget Pick: AmazonBasics Cat Tower with Hammock

If you need a basic cat hammock without spending a lot of money, the AmazonBasics Cat Tower with Hammock is the best choice. It features a hammock supported on two sides by sturdy poles.

This hammock has a double feature. The supporting posts are also scratching poles. Durable jute rope wraps around the posts to give your cat an outlet for sharpening and shedding their claws. It's a much more desirable alternative than your sofa.

Many cats feel safer in an elevated position. The 19" height gives your cat a lofty lounging spot. Though the hammock lifts them off the ground, it's low enough to be easily accessible.

When your cat gets bored, there's also a soft hanging ball to play with. Its fastener makes it easy to replace when it becomes worn. Plush material covers the bottom platform, letting them nap on the ground when they don't feel like climbing or jumping to the hammock.

User LilyReneeStudio posted a TikTok video on June 27, 2023, of their cats using the AmazonBasics Cat Tower with Hammock. As this video shows, multiple cats enjoy this one.

What To Look for in a Cat Hammock or Shelf

It's like piecing together a puzzle when you embark on the quest for the perfect cat hammock or shelf. You need a product combining your pet's comfort and safety with your home aesthetics and layout.

Start by considering the material quality and durability. Since your cat spends significant time relaxing or playing on it, you want a comfy product that withstands scratching and other feline frolicking. You don't want your cat to fall off and get hurt or become too scared to use the hammock.

Next, focus on the product's size and how it fits within your available space. It must be large enough to provide comfort but compact enough to avoid getting in the way of human traffic.

Ease of setup and cleaning ranks high on your checklist. A cumbersome assembly or a difficult-to-clean product soon becomes a headache. You want a hammock that blends into your living space, meets your pet's needs, offers a good return on investment, and transforms your home into your cat's indoor adventure.

Why Your Cat Needs a Hammock or Shelf

Many cats love climbing; it's an instinct inherited from their wild ancestors who climbed trees. The question is, why do they do it?

Veterinarian Dr. Amy Sawy of Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance answers that question in writing about why cats like hammocks.

"In the wild, cats hang out in high spaces to spot danger or prey quickly," Sawy says. "Hammocks mimic this natural habit. They provide felines with an off-the-ground space, making them feel safe and in control while observing their surroundings."

If your cat doesn't have a suitable outlet for this climbing instinct, they may resort to climbing your curtains or furniture. Avoid this by getting a well-made cat shelf or hammock.

Art of Paws Curved Cat Shelf

Do you have limited room for a cat bed? The Art of Paws Curved Cat Shelf is a great space-saver. It mounts to your wall, so it doesn't take up any floor space.

It installs in five minutes. It comes with screws and wall anchors but requires a drill. The sturdy design holds up to 33 pounds, the size of two average cats.

Another great feature is that it comes with two different covers — a soft wool and a fiber-type. The wool is comfortable for cats who like soft sleeping surfaces and provides warmth on cold winter nights.

If you have a long-haired cat who gets hot in the summer, remove the wool cover and leave your cat with the fiber surface. It's cooler and is a perfect surface for scratching.

CatastrophiCreations Cat Lounge Hammock

Another wall-mounted option is the CatastrophiCreations Cat Lounge Hammock. CatastrophiCreations has many wall-mounted hammocks, shelves, and climbers that integrate seamlessly with one another.

This one is on the pricier side, but the quality is superior. Where the Art of Paws is a molded design, the CatastrophiCreations hammock is flexible and conforms to your cat's body. The sturdy bamboo supports on each side of the canvas hammock come in various colors. The bamboo is sustainable, water-resistant, and safe to put outdoors.

Mount the hammock low enough for easy access. If your cat prefers to be higher, purchase a few steps to lead up to the hammock.

Furhaven Pet Hammock

The Furhaven Pet Hammock is similar to the AmazonBasics. It features two supporting posts suspending a plush-covered hammock.

Sisal rope wraps around the posts to give your cat a chance to scratch before leaping up into bed for a nap. The Furhaven is a few inches shorter than the AmazonBasics but is more appropriate for cats with limited mobility. The slightly shorter height makes it more stable.

One feature of the Furhaven is a self-grooming brush. Some overweight or senior cats have trouble grooming themselves. This arched brush allows them to pass underneath while it catches loose fur. Grooming is important to reduce the occurrence of hairballs.

The price is higher on this one, but the self-grooming brush may prove worth the cost. Customers mention the durability of this tower and say their cats love using the self-groomer.

K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Kitty Sill Hammock

If your cats love looking out the window, they're going to love the K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Kitty Sill Hammock. It suspends your cat in the window while they gaze at the comings and goings of the outside world.

The hammock's machine-washable, soft fleece lining gives your cat a comfortable spot to nap or observe the outdoors. The suction cups hold the frame while the straps on either side of the hammock supply additional support.

Its 12" by 23" size is big enough for most cats. Since the heavy-duty steel frame supports up to 50 pounds, two cats can sit comfortably on this hammock. No more cause for catfights!

If you're still wary of its safety, its fold-up design prevents your cats from using it while you're away. Customers say it's sturdy, easy to set up, and a favorite of their felines.

Pecute Cat Window Perch

For another window bed option, check out the Pecute Cat Window Perch. Like the Art of Paws Curved Cat Shelf, this window bed has a molded curve design but mounts to your window.

While the K&H hammock has straps to hold the bed, the Pecute Cat Window Perch uses an iron bracket underneath the bed for support. A beautiful pine wood frame surrounds the curved bed.

This bed features a sisal surface for your cat to scratch and nap. This is good for the summertime because cats — especially long-haired breeds — may get too hot while sitting in the window.

Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive about how easy this bed is to install. Their cats love it and use it every day.

Houseables Cat Wall Hammock With Step

If you want a wall-mounted shelf at a more affordable price, the Houseables Cat Wall Hammock with Step is the way to go.

At 22" by 18", it's longer and wider than the CatistrophiCreations. It has a lower price, but the quality of materials is not as high. The wood dowels support the hammock, which comes with the screws and anchors needed to mount it to the wall.

Perhaps you want your hammock high on the wall so your cat can escape dogs or children. If your cat has trouble managing the leap, don't worry; this hammock comes with a sisal-wrapped step to help them reach their point of safety.

While some customers say their cats use the hammock every day and love it, others say they're not impressed with the materials. When mounting the hammock, screw the supports into a stud to ensure a sturdier shelf.

Trixie Baza Grande

The unique design of the Trixie Baza Grande offers your cat two sleeping options. Some cats love to be in high positions; others like dark, enclosed caves. Some like both, depending on their mood. This is also great for multiple-cat households to prevent territorial disputes. "Tree cats" can nap on the hammock suspended from two sisal-wrapped posts. "Cave cats" can enjoy a space in the bottom portion of this tower.

The price is a little higher than options like AmazonBasics and Furhaven due to the additional cave. It's taller than the other free-standing hammocks on the list, but your cat can jump from the cave roof or climb up the sisal posts.

Soft, plush fabric lines the hammock and the interior and exterior of the cave. Customers say it's good for their senior cats because it doesn't require as much climbing as taller trees. If they can't climb at all, they still have the option of the cave. It's a bed for every type of sleeper.

More Than a Lounging Spot

It's a pet owner's responsibility to provide the basics for your cat, including a bed. That doesn't mean the bed must be basic. Get your cat a hammock or shelf with multiple functions.

Your indoor cat needs more than just a cozy corner to nap. Is your cat acting bored, using the sofa as a scratching post, or leaving you frantically looking for ways to entertain them? Look no further.

Many of the products in this review offer ways to entertain your cat — a window seat, a scratching post, a cave, or the opportunity to climb. Some even include a toy.

If you value your cat's mental and physical well-being — and your furniture and curtains — get one of these nine stylish cat hammocks and shelves. They may not thank you in words, but they thank you in purrs.

Subscribe to Cattitude Daily and receive emails with links to more reviews and articles about feline health.