Cat Teepees and Tents: 4 Modern Hideaways Cats Use
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A cat teepee gives your cat what every cat looks for, a covered spot to disappear into, in a shape that reads as decor rather than a pet bed. The best ones are easy to wash, stable enough that a jumping cat will not knock them over, and quiet in color so they sit happily next to your furniture.
Below are four modern cat teepees and tents, from a classic canvas tipi to a wooden A-frame, followed by how to choose the right size and material and where to put it.
How I chose these: I read each maker’s product page for materials, size, weight limit and care instructions, and included only hideaways available to US buyers when I checked in October 2026. I haven’t tested them; the picks are based on those specs and the research below.
Why cats need a place to hide
Hiding is how cats cope. The AAFP/ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines, written by feline vets and behaviorists, put “provide a safe place” first among a cat’s needs, and their very first method is simple: “Provide individual hiding places for the cat.” In multi-cat homes, they add that offering several places to hide and perch “will reduce fear and convey a sense of control.”
Research backs this up. In a study of newly arrived shelter cats, cats given a hiding box adapted to the stressful new setting faster than cats without one.
A teepee is a hiding box with better manners: an enclosed space your cat can retreat to, with an opening wide enough to keep an eye on the room.
The best cat teepees and tents at a glance
| Hideaway | Shape | Materials | Weight limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scnbom Canvas Pet Teepee | Classic tipi | Cotton canvas, pine poles | 20 lb | A washable everyday teepee |
| Furryme Handmade Teepee | Classic tipi | Aspen wood, certified cotton, faux fur mat | 9 lb (XS) to larger sizes | A handmade piece with size options |
| Ipixune Wooden A-Frame Tent | A-frame | Wood frame, jute, cushion | 14 lb (M) | A Scandinavian look with a scratcher |
| FUKUMARU Tent Bed with Curtain | Soft tent | Support frame, faux fur cover | Not listed | Cats who like it warm and hidden |
Classic teepees
Scnbom Canvas Pet Teepee
The Scnbom teepee is the classic version done simply: cotton canvas over pine poles, with a thick cushion inside that has non-slip dots underneath, so it also works as a bed on its own. It stands 24 inches tall with a 20-inch diameter and is made for pets up to 20 pounds.
The canvas comes off the poles for machine washing, and it assembles in a few minutes from the instructions.
Good to know: A neutral canvas teepee looks best with nothing else around it. Give it its own corner rather than squeezing it between furniture.
Watch out for: It is sized for one cat. At 20 pounds, a large cat or two cats sharing will fill it.
Furryme Handmade Cat Teepee
If you would like something handmade, the Furryme teepee on Etsy is made from natural aspen wood poles and unbleached cotton canvas that is OEKO-TEX certified, with a faux fur mat filled with hypoallergenic fill. The maker says the frame is rigid so the teepee stays standing, and both the canvas and mat are washable at 30°C (86°F).
It comes in several sizes, from an extra small (for pets up to 9 pounds, about 24 inches tall) to larger ones, and it is decorated with two small pompoms. The shop is an Etsy Star Seller.
Good to know: Measure your cat lying stretched out and check the size chart before ordering. Size up if your cat likes to sprawl.
Watch out for: It is made to order, so expect a longer wait than a stock item.
Modern A-frames and soft tents
Ipixune Wooden A-Frame Cat Tent
For a Scandinavian or Japandi room, the Ipixune A-frame swaps fabric for a solid wood frame wrapped in natural jute, so the outside doubles as a scratching surface. Inside there is a removable soft cushion. The medium size measures 20 by 16.2 by 15.5 inches, fits cats up to 14 pounds and weighs about 4 pounds.
Good to know: Because the jute is on the outside, put it near a spot your cat already scratches. It gives them a legal place to do it.
Watch out for: It is new, with only a handful of reviews so far, so there is less owner feedback than for the other picks.
FUKUMARU Cat Tent Bed with Curtain
The FUKUMARU tent bed is the softest option here: a faux rabbit fur cover over a support frame that keeps its shape instead of collapsing like a floppy cat bed. A curtain across the front rolls up for an open bed or comes down to make it a quieter, semi-enclosed cave.
The cover comes off the frame for cold machine washing, and the cushion is machine washable too.
Good to know: The curtain is the clever part. Leave it up while your cat gets used to the bed, then lower it once they are sleeping there.
Watch out for: The maker does not list a weight limit, so check the dimensions against your cat before ordering.
How to choose a cat teepee
- Size: your cat should be able to turn around and lie stretched out inside. Check the inside dimensions, not just the height.
- Stability: a teepee that tips over once may be avoided for good. Look for a rigid frame or wide base, especially for cats who jump in.
- Washability: a removable cover and cushion you can put in the washing machine make the difference between a teepee you keep and one you throw out.
- Materials: cotton canvas and wool or faux fur feel cozy; jute adds a scratching surface; wood frames last longest.
- Looks: choose neutral colors and natural materials if the teepee will live in your living room.
Where to put it
- A quiet corner with a view of the room. Cats like to see who is coming. Face the opening toward the room, not the wall.
- Away from the litter box and food. Hiding, eating and toileting spots belong in different places.
- One per cat in a multi-cat home. The guidelines recommend multiple hiding places so cats are not competing for one.
FAQ
Do cats actually use teepees?
Most cats will use a covered bed if it is in a spot they already like, at a comfortable size, with a familiar smell. Put a blanket or piece of clothing they already sleep on inside, and give them a few days.
What is the difference between a cat teepee and a cat cave?
A teepee has a pole frame and a wide opening, so it feels more open and works as decor. A cat cave is usually a soft, closed pod with a small entrance. For caves and cocoons, see my guide to cat cave and cocoon designs.
How do I clean a cat teepee?
Take the cover off the frame and machine wash it per the maker’s instructions; most of the picks here wash cool or at 30°C. Wash the cushion separately and let everything dry fully before reassembling.
Can a cat teepee also be a scratcher?
Only if it is built for it, like the jute-wrapped A-frame above. For proper scratching posts and pads, see my roundup of modern wall-mounted cat scratchers.
Sources
- Ellis SLH, Rodan I, Carney HC, et al. AAFP and ISFM feline environmental needs guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2013.
- Vinke CM, Godijn LM, van der Leij WJR. Will a hiding box provide stress reduction for shelter cats? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2014.