Cats and trees go hand and hand. Cats really enjoy climbing up real trees. A cat will also climb on just about any thing they can. It is a natural for a cat to do this. If you do not provide a cat with a cat tree to climb on, they will find something else to take its place. This could be your furniture, drapes and other items you probably do not want them to climb. Provide your cat with a cat tree and you will have a very happy cat. Buying cat trees at pet stores or online can be very expensive. Save your money and make your own. Invest a little time, buy a few items and make a cat tree especially for your cat.
Things You Need:
Wood
Nails and Screws
Hammer
Screwdriver
Staple Gun (optional)
Drill (optional)
Saw (optional)
Wood Glue
L Brackets (optional)
Rope (optional)
Carpet (or other material)
Measurement Tape
Steps Involved:
Decide on a Design or Select a Plan for Your Cat Tree
Create your own plan to build a cat tree. Use ideas from other cat trees (cat climbers, cat furniture) or design your own. Draw it on paper showing the various dimensions. Doing this allows you to customize it to whatever size you desire. Use plans available online for free or for a fee, if you do not want to come up with your own. These can even be adjusted in numerous ways.
Obtain all of the Needed Wood
Use the dimensions on a plan or the one you drew. Calculate how much and what type of wood you need. Plywood or chipboard can be utilized for the complete cat tree or you can use 4 x 4s or 2 x 4s to build the supporting columns. Other types of wood can be used as your budget allows. The bottom should be big and heavy to help stabilize it.
Buy Other Cat Tree Materials
Purchase other needed materials for your cat tree. Large “L” brackets can be used for additional strength on the bottom of each platform and smaller ones can be utilized to connect the cat tree to the wall (ceiling, floor) for more support. Figure the amount of carpet or other material you need to cover the platforms, columns (optional) and any ramps. Obtain rope, if you want to put it on your cat tree. Get enough nails, screws, wood glue and any thing else you need.
Assemble the Cat Tree
Cut the wood, if you did not get it cut when you purchased it. Begin at the foundation and go up. Do a level at a time. Verify its strength and add additional support as required. Use wood glue and nails (or screws) to adjoin the wood parts together. Cover the platforms with the material using staples. Check all of the nails and staples to make certain none stick out.
Do a Complete Inspection of the Cat Tree
Go all over it looking for any sharp edges, nails, splinters or any thing else that could harm your cat. Make any needed modifications to it. Test the strength and support of it. Attach it to the wall with the “L” brackets. Make sure it is very stable and secure before letting your cat climb on it.
Helpful Tips
Building your own cat tree leaves the overall cost up to you. You are able to spend as little or as much money on supplies as you would like. The cat tree can also be any size you want and as simple or as complex as you wish for.
Buy extra wood to permit adjustments to be made to your design. You can also make or buy toys to attach to it.
Useful Resources
Tool Crib: Free Cat Tree Plans
Cat Furniture Plans: Fee
Cat Tree Plans: Fee
Thrifty Fun: Making Your Own Cat Tree
Cat Tree Store (Use for Ideas)
