DIY toy guide

Terracotta-Pot Summer Cool Bed

A clay plant pot on its side becomes a naturally cool den for hot days

Unglazed terracotta stays cool to the touch even in warm weather, so a large clay plant pot laid on its side makes a simple, breathable summer den where an overheated cat can stretch out and cool down.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
15 minutes
Cost
£0–£10

🧺 You will need

  • A large, clean, unglazed terracotta plant pot (or a wide, shallow one laid on its side)
  • A thin cotton or linen tea towel, or a light offcut of fabric
  • Optional: a ceramic or gel cool-mat sized to sit inside
  • Optional: a couple of felt pads or a folded towel to stop the pot rolling
  • Warm soapy water for cleaning

🔧 How to make it

  1. Wash the pot thoroughly with warm soapy water and rinse well, especially if it has held plants, then let it dry completely.
  2. Lay the pot on its side in a cool, shaded spot away from direct sun — a tiled floor, a hallway or a north-facing room is ideal.
  3. Wedge felt pads or a rolled towel under the sides so it cannot roll, keeping the opening facing out.
  4. Line the base with a single thin layer of cotton or linen — enough for comfort, but not so thick that it insulates away the cool of the clay.
  5. If you have one, slip a ceramic or gel cool-mat inside instead of thick bedding for extra chill.
  6. Leave your cat to discover it on a hot day; most will investigate a shady clay cave on their own.

💡 Tips

Keep the bedding light and breathable — a thick fleece would trap heat and defeat the point. Standing the pot on cool tile or stone rather than carpet helps it draw heat away. On very hot days, a pot kept in the coolest room of the house becomes a favourite retreat.

Safety: Choose a heavy, stable pot and block it so it cannot roll onto or trap your cat, and check the rim for chips or sharp edges. Use only unglazed, food-safe terracotta with no old fertiliser or chemical residue, and never add ice directly against the fur — passive cool clay is gentler and safer than anything freezing.

📝 Notes

Cats cope poorly with heat and cannot sweat to cool down, so in summer they seek out cool surfaces to lie against. Unglazed terracotta is porous and naturally cool, giving an overheating cat a shaded, breathable place to shed warmth — a low-cost comfort that also reuses a spare plant pot instead of buying a plastic cool bed.

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