Quick answer: To make a washable donut bed for a senior cat, sew a ring-shaped outer cover from fabric remnants with a zip, cut a low notch in the front for stiff joints, and fill it with fibre sealed in separate inner bags. The cover then goes in the washing machine while the fill stays dry and lofty.
Donut beds suit older cats well. The raised rim supports a curled body and a resting head, and the deep middle holds warmth. The trouble with most homemade versions is washing: once the fill is stitched in, the whole bed goes into the machine, clumps, and never quite dries.
This donut bed DIY solves that with a zip cover and fill kept in inner bags, and it adds a low entry notch for cats that no longer step over a high rim easily. Remnant bins at fabric shops usually have enough for the job. For other bed styles, see our DIY cat beds roundup and the heated bed cover guide for senior cats.
Choosing Remnants for a Senior Cat's Donut Bed
Older cats feel the cold more and often have thinner coats, so softness and warmth matter, but so does washability.
| Use | Good remnants | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Inner lining | Fleece, minky, cotton flannel | Loose-weave fabric claws catch on |
| Outer rim | Upholstery cotton, canvas, corduroy | Slippery satin, anything shedding fibres |
| Base | Heavy cotton or denim with a non-slip backing | Thin jersey that stretches |
| Inner fill bags | Old pillowcases or cotton muslin | Mesh with large holes |
Pre-wash every remnant at the temperature you plan to use later, so it shrinks before cutting rather than after.
Sizing the Ring to Your Cat
Measure your cat curled up asleep, nose to tail tip across the curl. Add 10 cm to get the inner hollow, then allow 10 to 12 cm of rim on each side. A typical 4 to 5 kg cat curls to about 40 cm, which gives a 50 cm hollow and a finished bed of roughly 70 to 74 cm across.
| Cat curled size | Inner hollow | Rim width | Finished diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 cm | 45 cm | 10 cm each side | 65 cm |
| 40 cm | 50 cm | 10 to 12 cm each side | 70 to 74 cm |
| 50 cm (large breed) | 60 cm | 12 cm each side | 84 cm |
If the cat is arthritic, err towards a slightly larger hollow so it can stretch a stiff hind leg out without leaving the bed.
Cutting the Pieces
- Base: one circle at the finished diameter plus 2 cm seam allowance.
- Inner lining: one circle at the hollow size plus 2 cm.
- Rim: a long strip, the circumference of the finished bed by about 30 cm wide, folded to form the tube.
- Notch: mark a 20 cm section at the front where the rim will be lower.
- Zip: 50 to 60 cm, placed in the base seam so it sits underneath.
Remnant pieces can be joined for the rim strip. A patchwork rim looks charming and uses up smaller offcuts.
Sewing the Rim Tube Without a Pattern
You do not need a printed pattern. Fold the long rim strip in half lengthways, right sides together, and sew along the long edge to make a tube. Turn it right side out. Pin one long edge of the tube round the base circle and the other round the inner lining circle, easing the fabric as you go, then sew both seams. Leave the zip section of the base seam open until last.
A straight stitch with a slightly longer length copes with thick fleece better than a short stitch. If your machine struggles with layered upholstery cotton, sew the base seam by hand with strong thread; it will be hidden underneath. Snip small notches into the curved seam allowances before turning, so the circle lies flat and the rim keeps a smooth, round shape.
Making the Low Entry Notch
A rim of 12 to 15 cm is comfortable for leaning on but awkward for a cat with stiff hips. Along the 20 cm notch section, stitch the rim tube so it holds only half the fill, bringing the height down to about 6 cm. Use a line of stitching across the tube at each end of the notch, so the fill bags cannot creep into it.
Watch your cat's first few entries. If it hesitates or steps sideways, lower the notch further. The VCA overview of arthritis in cats describes the stiffness older cats show, and our senior home modifications checklist has more on low entries.
Fill in Separate Inner Bags
This is the step that makes the bed truly washable. Instead of stuffing loose fibre into the rim, fill four to six small bags made from old pillowcases or muslin, each about the length of a quarter of the rim. Sew them shut and push them into the rim tube through the zip.
Polyester fibre fill is easy to find and light. Avoid shredded foam in a bed for a cat that chews. Keep one or two spare bags so you can top up the rim as the fill flattens over the months.
Washing and Drying Routine
Unzip, pull out the inner bags, and machine wash the cover on a warm cycle with unscented detergent. Strong fragrances can put cats off their beds. Line dry or tumble on low, and put it back only when completely dry.
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Shake out and lint roll | Every 2 to 3 days |
| Wash cover | Every 1 to 2 weeks, or after any accident |
| Air the fill bags in sun | Monthly |
| Wash or replace fill bags | Every 3 to 6 months |
For a senior cat with occasional accidents, make a second cover so one is always ready.
Where to Put the Donut Bed
Older cats prefer warm, draught-free spots near the family, but not in a walkway. A corner beside the sofa, a spot in sunlight, or near (not on) a radiator all work. Keep it at floor level or one easy step up. Our summer cooling bed build and senior cat care guide go further on placement.
Place a scratching post or panel nearby too. Older cats still like to stretch after waking, and a short sisal surface beside the bed gives them a reason to do so. The International Cat Care advice on older cats stresses keeping routines familiar, so put the new bed where the old one was.
Cost Compared With Buying
Using remnants, a zip and fibre fill, a donut bed usually costs a fraction of a shop-bought one, and the second cover adds little more. The real advantage is the inner-bag fill, which few ready-made beds offer. If you prefer to buy, look for a removable cover and a low front; our budget cat bed guide compares low-cost options, and the senior cat tree guide helps if the cat also climbs.
Senior Cat Donut Bed DIY
How do I make a donut bed washable?
Sew the outer ring as a cover with a zip in the base seam, and put the fill in four to six small sewn bags rather than loose. When it needs washing, unzip, remove the bags and machine wash only the cover. The fill stays dry and lofty, and the bed dries far faster.
What size donut bed does a senior cat need?
Measure the cat curled up asleep, then add about 10 cm for the hollow and 10 to 12 cm of rim on each side. A cat that curls to 40 cm needs a bed roughly 70 to 74 cm across. Arthritic cats benefit from a slightly larger hollow to stretch a stiff leg.
Why does an older cat need a low entry on its bed?
Stiff hips and knees make stepping over a high rim uncomfortable. A 20 cm section of rim stitched to hold half the fill drops the height to about 6 cm, so the cat can walk in. Watch the first few entries and lower it further if the cat hesitates.
What fabric is best for a homemade cat bed?
Use fleece, minky or cotton flannel for the soft inside, sturdy upholstery cotton or canvas for the rim, and heavy cotton or denim for the base. Avoid loose weaves that catch claws and fabrics that shed fibres. Pre-wash every remnant so it shrinks before you cut.
How often should I wash a senior cat's bed?
Shake it out and lint roll every two to three days, and wash the cover every one to two weeks, or straight away after an accident. Air the fill bags in the sun monthly and wash or replace them every three to six months. Unscented detergent avoids putting the cat off.
