Quick answer: To upcycle a sweater into a cat bed, stuff the sleeves to make a round bolster, sew or tie the neck closed, and fold the body around a flat cushion so the sleeves wrap the edge like a donut. Choose a thick, tightly knitted sweater, remove buttons and loose threads, and wash it first.
An old sweater already smells of the person the cat likes most, which is half the appeal of a sweater bed. The other half is shape: sleeves stuffed into a ring make the raised edge that many cats like to lean on, much like a shop-bought donut bed.
This guide covers two methods, one with no sewing and one with a few simple stitches, plus the checks that keep a knitted bed safe. For other bed styles, see our DIY cat beds and caves hub.
Choosing a Sweater That Will Last
Not every sweater makes a good bed. Loose, open knits snag on claws and unravel quickly, and very thin jumpers flatten into nothing. Look for a thick, tightly knitted sweater that still has its shape.
| Knit type | Suits a bed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thick cotton or wool blend, tight knit | Yes | Holds shape, resists snags |
| Fleece or sweatshirt | Yes | Very durable, no loose loops |
| Chunky open cable knit | Risky | Claws catch in the loops |
| Thin fine-gauge jumper | Poor | Flattens and pills quickly |
| Anything with sequins or beads | No | Small parts can be swallowed |
Adult sizes give the best result. A men's large makes a bed that suits most adult cats; a small sweater suits kittens or a cat that likes to curl tightly.
Preparing the Sweater Safely
Wash and dry the sweater before you start, using an unscented detergent. Then go over every part of it. Cut off buttons, toggles, zips, labels with hard edges, and any decorative parts. Trim loose yarn ends close and tie off any that have started to unravel.
Loose threads and yarn are a real hazard if a cat chews them. The VCA overview of foreign bodies in cats explains why swallowed string-like material needs urgent vet attention. A few minutes of checking now matters more than any stitching.
Choosing Safe Stuffing
The sleeves need stuffing to form the bolster. Polyester fibrefill from an old pillow is the easiest option. Tightly rolled old T-shirts or socks also work and make a firmer edge.
- Use one material for each sleeve so the bolster feels even.
- Avoid loose beads, rice or anything a cat could eat if a seam opens.
- Avoid foam crumbs, which spread everywhere if the bed tears.
- Pack firmly so the edge holds its shape when the cat leans on it.
For the base, a flat cushion or folded towel works well. Our budget cat bed guide lists other cheap fillings if you are making more than one bed.
Method One: The No-Sew Sweater Bed
This version takes about twenty minutes and uses only knots and a cushion.
- Turn the sweater inside out and pull the neck closed; tie it with a strip cut from the hem or a length of strong ribbon.
- Turn it right side out and push a flat cushion inside the body.
- Stuff both sleeves firmly from the cuff end.
- Bring the two sleeves around the edge of the cushion until the cuffs meet.
- Tie the cuffs together with a tight knot or a short strip of fabric.
- Tuck any loose ends inside so nothing hangs free.
The bed will be a little lopsided, and many cats do not mind. If yours prefers a neat circle, the stitched method below gives a firmer ring.
Method Two: The Simple-Stitch Donut
With a needle and strong thread, you can make the ring permanent. You do not need a sewing machine; a basic running stitch is enough.
- Sew the neck opening closed with a tight running stitch.
- Stitch across the body just below the armpits so the cushion section is a closed pocket.
- Stuff the sleeves and sew each cuff closed.
- Curve the sleeves around the body and stitch them to its edge every few centimetres.
- Sew the two cuffs together where they meet.
- Pull on every seam; nothing should open under firm pressure.
Knot the thread well and bury the ends inside the knit so a cat cannot pull them out. A firm ring means the cat can lean its head on the bolster without it collapsing.
Why Many Cats Like the Donut Shape
A raised ring gives a cat something to rest its chin on and a wall at its back, which many cats find reassuring while they sleep. Curled-up sleepers press into the bolster; stretched-out sleepers drape over it. Either way, the sleeves do a job that a flat blanket cannot.
Cats that sleep flat on their side, or older cats that find stepping over a rim awkward, may prefer a lower edge. For them, stuff the sleeves loosely, or leave one sleeve unstuffed so there is a low entry point. Our cooling bed guide shows flatter designs for warm months.
Variations: Cardigans, Hoodies and Small Sweaters
A cardigan works if you sew or pin the front closed first; buttons must come off, so stitch the edges together instead. A hoodie gives a built-in hood that some cats like to tuck their head into, though remove the drawstring completely before you start.
A child's sweater makes a small bed that suits kittens or a cat that likes to squeeze into tight spots. For a large cat, combine two adult sweaters: one for the base and one for an extra-thick bolster. Our zero-waste DIY projects have more ways to reuse household materials.
Where to Put the Sweater Bed
Cats choose beds by warmth, safety and view. A spot off the floor, out of draughts and with a view of the room usually wins. Many cats like a bed beside where their person sits, such as next to the sofa or under a desk. Our guide on how many hours cats sleep explains why a good resting spot matters so much.
International Cat Care on cat-friendly homes suggests giving cats several resting places at different heights. A sweater bed is cheap enough to make two, one for a high spot and one for a low spot, and let the cat decide.
Washing and Replacing the Bed
Wash the bed every week or two, or sooner if your cat sheds heavily. The no-sew version comes apart easily for washing; the stitched version can go in a laundry bag on a gentle cycle and dry flat so it keeps its shape.
- Check seams after every wash and resew any that have opened.
- Look for loose yarn and trim it before the cat finds it.
- Replace the bed when the knit thins or the stuffing clumps.
Regular grooming cuts the amount of hair the bed collects; the ASPCA cat grooming tips are a useful guide.
Warmth Without Heat Pads
A thick sweater bed holds body heat well on its own, and our tips on keeping an indoor cat warm in winter cover the rest of the room. If you want extra warmth in winter, a folded fleece inside the base is the safest addition. Avoid tucking heating pads inside a knitted bed you made yourself, because you cannot easily check temperature or wiring through the knit.
If your cat needs a heated bed, for example because it is old or thin, follow our heated bed safety guide and use a pad designed for pets. For other warm resting ideas, see our beds and caves hub.
Sweater Cat Beds
What kind of sweater makes the best cat bed?
A thick, tightly knitted sweater or a sweatshirt makes the best bed because it holds its shape and resists snagging. Avoid open cable knits that catch claws, thin jumpers that flatten quickly, and anything with sequins, beads or buttons that a cat could chew off and swallow.
Can I make a sweater cat bed without sewing?
Yes. Tie the neck closed, push a flat cushion into the body, stuff both sleeves firmly, curve them around the cushion and tie the cuffs together. It takes about twenty minutes. The ring is a little looser than a stitched version, but many cats are happy with it.
What should I stuff the sleeves with?
Polyester fibrefill from an old pillow is easiest, and tightly rolled T-shirts or socks give a firmer edge. Avoid beads, rice or foam crumbs, which a cat could eat if a seam opens. Pack the sleeves firmly so the bolster holds its shape when the cat leans on it.
Is a knitted cat bed safe if my cat chews it?
Check it often. Trim loose yarn, remove buttons and resew any open seams, because swallowed string-like material can cause serious problems that need a vet. If your cat chews fabric regularly, use a fleece or sweatshirt instead of a knit, as these have no loose loops.
How often should I wash a sweater cat bed?
Wash it every week or two, or sooner if your cat sheds a lot. Use a laundry bag on a gentle cycle and dry it flat so it keeps its shape. Check the seams after each wash and replace the bed once the knit thins or the stuffing clumps.
