Quick answer: A washable cardboard cave pairs a disposable cardboard shell with a removable fabric cover made from remnants. The cardboard gives shape and insulation, while the cover takes the fur, dirt and oils and goes in the washing machine. Build the shell from clean double-wall board, sew or tie a fitted slipcover, and replace the shell whenever it gets damp or crushed.
Cardboard caves are popular with cats and cheap to make, but they are hard to keep clean. Fur, dander and the odd hairball soak into the board. A fabric cover solves most of that: the cover is washed, and the cardboard underneath stays clean for much longer.
In an apartment, where the cat's bed usually sits in a shared living space, that matters for hygiene and appearance. This guide covers the shell, the cover, cleaning and storage. For more designs, browse our cat beds and caves hub.
How a Washable Cardboard Cave Works
The design separates structure from surface. A box shell gives the cave its shape and some insulation. A fabric slipcover goes over the outside and tucks into the entrance, with a separate cushion inside. When the cover gets dirty, you pull it off, wash it and refit it.
| Part | Material | Replace or wash |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Double-wall cardboard box | Replace when damp, crushed or smelly |
| Outer cover | Cotton, canvas or fleece remnant | Wash regularly |
| Inner cushion | Foam or folded blanket in a cover | Wash cover, air the foam |
| Entrance trim | Folded fabric edge | Washed with the cover |
Because the shell is cheap, keep a spare box flat-packed. When the old shell wears out, transfer the cover and cushion to the new one in minutes.
Building the Cardboard Shell
Start with a clean, dry double-wall box, roughly 40 to 50 cm on each side for an average adult cat. Remove all tape, staples and labels. Cut an entrance on one side, around 18 to 20 cm wide, rounding the corners. Add a smaller peep hole on another side if you like.
- Strip tape, staples and labels completely.
- Cut the entrance and round all corners.
- Reinforce the roof with a second layer of cardboard on the inside.
- Join any extra panels with paper tape or plain flour paste.
- Let any paste dry fully before fitting the cover.
Our cardboard castle safety checklist covers stripping and joining in more detail, and the cardboard castle and box enrichment hub has other shell shapes.
Choosing Fabric Remnants
Remnants from sewing projects, old duvet covers or worn-out cushion covers all work. Choose fabrics that wash well at warm temperatures and dry quickly. Cotton canvas holds its shape; fleece is soft and warm; cotton jersey stretches to fit tightly.
- Avoid loosely woven fabrics that snag on claws.
- Avoid fabrics with sequins, beads, buttons or fringing.
- Pre-wash remnants to remove sizing and any fragrance.
- Check for loose threads and trim them before sewing.
- Pick a colour that hides fur and suits the room.
Use mild, fragrance-free detergent. Strong scents can put cats off a bed, and a cave is a small space where smells build up.
Sewing or Tying the Slipcover
Measure the shell on all sides and cut a fabric panel for each face, adding about 2 cm for seams. Sew the panels into a loose-fitting box cover that slides over the shell from the top. Cut an opening that matches the entrance and fold the edge inward, so it tucks around the cut cardboard.
If you do not sew, use a large rectangle of fleece and tie the corners underneath the box. Keep any ties short and tucked out of reach. Long ties and loose strings are a hazard for cats that chew fabric.
A simple elasticated hem at the base can hold the cover in place, but make sure the elastic is enclosed in a sewn channel and cannot be pulled out.
Cleaning Routine and Flea Awareness
Wash the cover and cushion cover every week or two, more often if the cat is shedding heavily. Vacuum the inside of the shell when you change the cover. Cats Protection explains that dealing with fleas means vacuuming and cleaning thoroughly to remove eggs, along with treating the cat and the home. A washable cover makes that cleaning part much easier.
If you are treating a flea problem, wash all covers on a hot cycle and replace the cardboard shell rather than trying to clean it. Cardboard is hard to treat and inexpensive to replace.
Air the cushion foam in fresh air or sunlight between washes, and replace it if it starts to smell or crumble.
Keeping the Shell Dry in an Apartment
Cardboard and damp do not mix. Place the cave away from bathrooms, kitchens, windows with condensation and outside walls that feel cold. The US EPA's mould guidance says the key to mould control is controlling moisture, and advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
If the cat has an accident in the cave, or a drink is spilled on it, remove the cover to wash and replace the shell. Damp cardboard loses strength and can grow mould quickly.
Keep spare shells flat-packed somewhere dry, such as under a bed or in a wardrobe, not in a basement or balcony storage box.
Placing the Cave in a Small Space
International Cat Care notes that cats like places to disappear from view, and that even pulling furniture slightly away from the wall can create hiding spots. A cave tucked beside a sofa, under a desk or at the end of a bookcase gives the cat a retreat without using much floor area.
Place the cave away from the front door and busy walkways. Keep it near a scratch surface, since cats often scratch after waking. In summer, move it to a cooler spot or swap the fleece cover for cotton; our summer cooling cat bed guide has more ideas.
Adapting the Cave for Kittens, Seniors and Two Cats
The basic design adapts easily. For a kitten, use a smaller box and a lower entrance, and skip any elastic hem until the kitten has outgrown chewing fabric. Check the cover daily during the first weeks, because kittens find loose threads quickly.
For an older cat, cut the entrance lower so there is almost no step, and make the cushion thicker and firmer. A cave that is easy to walk into is more useful to a stiff cat than one with a tall threshold. Place it on a rug rather than a slippery floor.
- Kitten: smaller shell, no elastic, daily cover check.
- Senior: low entrance, thick cushion, non-slip base.
- Two cats: two separate caves rather than one large shared box.
- Nervous cat: a second exit and a darker fabric for the cover.
Two cats that get along may share a cave, but many prefer their own. Building two identical caves costs little and avoids disputes over the favourite bed. Placing them in different rooms gives each cat its own retreat and lets you see which spot each one prefers.
When to Rebuild the Cave
Replace the shell when it sags, gets damp, starts to smell, or the cat has chewed or scratched holes in it. Replace the cover if it pills badly, tears or loses its shape. A fresh shell every couple of months is normal for a cave in daily use.
Keep track of what fails first. If the roof always sags, double the roof layer next time. If the entrance tears, add a fabric-bound frame around it. Small changes make each version last longer.
If you would rather not rebuild often, a simple wooden frame under the cover can replace the cardboard. Our budget cat bed guide shows frames that cost little to make, and in winter you can add warmth with ideas from our winter heated bed safety guide.
Washable Cardboard Cave Questions
Can you wash a cardboard cat cave?
Not the cardboard itself, but you can make it washable by fitting a removable fabric slipcover and a separate cushion cover. The covers go in the washing machine, while the cardboard shell stays clean underneath. Replace the shell whenever it gets damp, crushed or starts to smell.
What fabric is best for a cat cave cover?
Cotton canvas, fleece and cotton jersey all work well. Choose fabrics that wash at warm temperatures and dry quickly. Avoid loose weaves that snag claws and anything with sequins, buttons or fringe. Pre-wash remnants with a mild, fragrance-free detergent before sewing.
How often should I replace the cardboard shell?
Every couple of months is typical for a cave used daily, but replace it sooner if it gets damp, soiled, chewed or crushed. Keep a spare box flat-packed so you can swap the cover and cushion onto a new shell in a few minutes.
Is a cardboard cave a flea risk?
Any bed can collect flea eggs, and cardboard is hard to clean. A washable cover helps, since it can be laundered on a hot cycle. If you are dealing with fleas, treat the cat and home as advised by your vet, wash all covers and replace the shell.
