A Castle for Your Cat, Not a Cost to Your Wallet
Every cat loves to climb, scratch, and perch from a high vantage point. A good cat tree is essential for a happy indoor cat, but commercial ones can be incredibly expensive and are often made from cheap materials that don't last. The solution? A DIY cat tree built from sturdy, repurposed materials.
Not only is this a budget-friendly cat tree project, but it's also a fantastic sustainable pet project that reduces waste. With a little creativity and some basic tools, you can build a custom piece of DIY pet furniture that is more durable and more interesting than anything you could buy in a store.
The Materials: Think Outside the Box
The core of your project will be the structure and the surfaces. Look for sturdy items you can source for free or cheap.
For the Structure and Platforms:
- Old Wooden Crates or Boxes: Wine crates or sturdy wooden shipping boxes are perfect for creating cozy cubbies.
- Scrap Lumber or Old Shelves: Leftover 2x4s, plywood sheets, or old shelving can be cut down to create platforms and supports.
- Natural Tree Branches: A thick, sturdy branch from a hardwood tree (like oak or maple) can serve as a natural, rustic scratching post and support. Ensure the wood is dry and free of pests.
- An Old Wooden Ladder: A small, A-frame ladder can be an instant, stable base for a multi-level cat tree.
For the Surfaces and Scratching Posts:
- Carpet Remnants: Check with local flooring stores; they often have leftover scraps they are willing to give away for free.
- Sisal Rope: This is the classic, durable material for wrapping scratching posts. A 100-foot roll is inexpensive and will cover a lot of ground.
- Old T-shirts or Sweaters: These can be used to create soft, washable liners for the cubbies.
Basic DIY Cat Tree Plans
This plan uses a sturdy base, a main post, and several platforms.
Tools You'll Need:
- Drill with screws
- Staple gun (heavy-duty)
- Saw (if you need to cut wood)
- Hot glue gun or construction adhesive
Step 1: Create a Sturdy Base
- Action: Your base needs to be wide and heavy to prevent the tree from tipping over. A 24x24 inch square of thick plywood is a good starting point.
- Tip: If you're using an old wooden crate, you can secure it to the plywood base on its side to create an instant ground-floor hideaway.
Step 2: Attach the Main Post(s)
- Action: Secure your main vertical supports to the base. If you're using a thick tree branch, drill up from the bottom of the base and use long, heavy-duty screws. For 4x4 lumber posts, you can use L-brackets for extra stability.
Step 3: Wrap Your Scratching Surfaces
- Action: Before you attach the platforms, wrap your posts tightly with sisal rope.
- How-To: Secure the starting end of the rope at the bottom of the post with a few staples or a dot of hot glue. Then, wrap the rope as tightly as you can, pressing each coil down against the last. There should be no gaps. When you reach the top, secure the end with more staples or glue.
Step 4: Attach Platforms and Boxes
- Action: Now, start adding your levels. Secure your wooden platforms, crates, or shelves to the vertical posts.
- Tip: Stagger the platforms so your cat can easily jump from one level to the next. Drive screws down from the top of the platform into the post for maximum stability. Make sure there's no wobble.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
- Action: Use a staple gun or adhesive to attach carpet remnants to the platforms and inside the boxes. Create a soft liner for a cubby using an old t-shirt. You can even hang a few toys from the undersides of the platforms.
By using your imagination and some salvaged materials, you can build a cat tree that is not only a fraction of the cost of a store-bought one but also a unique piece of furniture that perfectly suits your cat's personality and your home's decor.