Category Archives: cat towers

How to build a cat tower?

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I built one — it’s somewhere in the "favorite photos" album on my MSN Space:

http://spaces.msn.com/Artist333/PersonalSpace.aspx?_c02_owner=1

Build a smaller version. Put the house at the bottom (or top?). I used half-inch plywood for the house; 3/4-inch plywood for the platforms; cut holes in a platform so they could play "got cha"; put tile on the bottom platform (because they like cool places in the summer); used two 2"x2"x8′s, glued together for posts; 12" disks for the ‘tree’ tops. I cut a 24" disk in half to make a "deck" and covered it with scraps of carpets to make it look like flagstone; I put a hole in the bottom of the house, as well as the front, so they could get in both ways; there’s a "shelf" (to lay on) removable, washable rug inside the house. Covering it with carpet [staple it] may have been the trickiest part — that takes planning and patience.

4"x4"x8′s or PVC, perhaps, can be used instead of 2"x2"x8′s that I used. Also, ask at a carpet supply center for the bolts they receive carpet on — they might make good posts (covered in carpet).

Be caustious in using glue. Cats would like the strong scent.

Look at "condos", and other cat-climbing things at pet supply houses and in magazines, for ideas. Then design your own. I kinda designed as I went ("measure once, cut twice"-kinda building), but planning details (and patience) can get you a real nice "tower".

I spent on this what I would have paid for a tiny house and one or two short posts. I have six cats and they LOVED this!!! [Cut (your) 2"x2"x8's to desired heights.]

That’s my input. Have fun!!

New Cat Tower

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Movie and photos of cats who discover, explore and conquer new cat furniture.

Duration : 0:2:15

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Whats the best place to get a cat tower?

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I see them on Ebay all the time but dont trust these places, they seem way too cheap for a huge 72" tower. building one could be a fun project but dont have the time really.

Make one – the retail ones cost far more than what it costs to make one.

Look at construction sites for scrap lumber and plywood. If you want to use a 4×4 pole but can only find 2x4s, nail or screw two together to make a 4×4. The scraps are two short, splice them together – you’ll find you can use scraps to make cat furniture.

Keep an eye on your neighborhood on trash days – when people have new carpet installed, they generally cut the old into strips, roll it up, and put it out for the trash collection. There is always a great deal of used carpet that is clean and usable.

Check with carpet places, see if you can get their cutoffs.

Go to stores and take photos of cat furniture and then sit down and decide what you want to build.

I just did a Google search on:making cat towers OR furniture and found a lot of pages. Here is the first page of results http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&q=making+cat+towers+OR+furniture&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

You should find some plans on those pages or photos of cat furniture that you can use as models.

Take a look at this page http://www.toolcrib.com/blog/2009/01/13/20-free-cat-furniture-plans-free-plans-for-cat-trees-condos-scratching-posts-and-more/

Cats like to get up high. How about putting shelves on a wall for them? Put one about 3 feet off the floor and another at 5 or 6 feet. Stagger them so that the cat can jump from one to the other – that is, don’t put the higher ones over the lower ones, move them down the wall a little so that they are sort of like steps.

I’ve seen photos of house where people have put up shelves near the ceilings, with way to get up there, for the cats. They even cut holes in the walls above doors so that the cats can move from one room to another on the shelves.

That might be more than you want to do, but it’s an idea. I didn’t look at this page completely, but it talks about using shelves http://www.ehow.com/how_5844590_use-shelves-cat-trees.html

If you don’t have all the necessary tools to make cat furniture, borrow them or, better yet, get a friend with the tools and experience to help you make some cat furniture.

How to make a nice, sturdy cat tower– supplies?

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I can’t believe how much these things cost, so I decided to make one. I need some good plans and some supplies that I could use. Does anyone know if I can get some 17" tubing or legs that are already round?

You could use natural wood for legs. That makes great scratching posts.

Cat furniture can be great for your home, especially if you have multiple cats… unfortunately, many people don’t buy it because of the cost associated with it. While it is wonderful to have a place for your cats to play, perch, and claw without worrying about them destroying some of your prized possessions, many people simply can’t afford to spend $100 or more on an area for their cats to play. Luckily, cat furniture of similar quality can often be made for a fraction of the cost; the furniture can even be made out of spare lumber and materials that you might have lying around the shop or garage.

In order to make cat furniture of your own, you’re going to need some basic tools such as a hammer and nails as well as lumber of the appropriate size and shape, with enough carpet to cover all of the wood and a little bit of natural rope (not nylon) to make scratching posts out of vertical pieces. Ideally, you’ll be able to make at least a few platforms for the cat or cats to perch on as well as a central vertical column and perhaps even a few places to attach some cat toys.

When you’re ready to start on your cat furniture, you should do the following:

Begin laying out the various pieces of wood, so that you can tell what sort of shape your finished piece will take. You need to have at least one large piece for the central column, a large flat piece for the base, and several smaller pieces to make platforms and supports out of.

Assemble the supports for your platforms by taking smaller pieces of wood and nailing them together in a "T" shape. The pieces should create a "T" that is as wide as your column at the top and that has a tail that is long enough to go at least halfway down your platform. Each piece should be at least 1" thick.

When all of the supports are ready, begin attaching them to your platforms. Nail through the platform and into the support, using at least 2 or 3 nails so as to make sure that the support is well attached.

Go ahead and attach carpet to all of your platforms, using glue and finishing nails. Though you still need to attach the support to the central column and attach any secondary columns that you plan on using, this can be done through the carpet provided you drive the nail all the way through.

Take your larger panel and attach it to the central column board, nailing through the bottom of the panel. Go ahead and begin applying carpet to this piece as well. Wrap the lower portion of the column in rope, using nails and glue to attach it.

Nailing through the carpet, attach your platform supports to the central column, making sure that you use 2 or 3 nails on both sides of the support. If you have enough lumber, you should also make secondary columns at this point by cutting the boards to the appropriate height, attaching smaller panels to the bottoms as "feet", covering them with carpet and/or rope, and nailing through the platforms to give them additional support.

Once you’ve completed your main piece, you might also want to take a few moments to attach additional pieces of rope to the bottom of 1 or 2 platforms and then tie various cat toys to them. This will give your cats an additional way to enjoy the furniture that you’ve built for them.

How can I make my own cat climbing tower?

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I wanted to get a little climbing tower for my cats, but they’re insanely expensive. So here’s what I’m wondering:
•Is it worth it to simply build your own tower?
•If so, what do I need to build one?

Here is a god step by step guide:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2001928_build-kitty-condo.html

Have fun….

Cat Power – Speaking For Trees (part 1)

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This is part 1 of the FULL cat power film from 2003. Sorry, the video ends in the middle of the song “You”. I hope this is not too dissapointing. My pc alway up when I wanted to cut this.

All tracks by Chan Marshall except where noted.

1.”Time Is on My Side” (Jerry Ragovoy as Norman Meade)
2.”Night Time/ Back of Your Head” (Alex Chilton/Chan Marshall)
3.”Rule the Islands”
4.”You”

Duration : 0:10:0

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I want to build a cat tower and could use help?

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I just got my first kitten and he’s a climbing freak. I went to Petsmart and Petland and they want almost 200 for the one I want. I’d rather build one and this is where I need help. Does anyone know if there is a site that tells you how to build one. I’m sure it’s pretty easy to build but I could always use a lil help incase i run into a snag. I don’t know what to use to get the oval shaped part for her to lay in. Not quite sure what material to use for that piece. Also, is there a wood preference I should use. I assume pine would get the job done but no clue if that’s expensive or not. If someone knows what wood would be the cheapest and sturdiest way to go would be great.

Hi, Here is a site that has plans for six different well made towers for under $10.00. There are pictures too, so you can see what the plans are for. You have some other choices too. check it out. You’ll save oodles of dough making your kitties a tower home!

http://www.cattreeplans.com/buyPlans.php