Instructions to Make Cat Condos

Materials and Tools

• You can find all the materials and tools you need to design and build your cat condo at a hardware or home improvement store. You will need untreated lumber to form the basic structure. Treated lumber can contain chemicals that might harm your cat. Plywood is a good choice for constructing cubbyholes and hides. You can purchase Quik-Tube building form if you wish to create a cradle on your condo. Quik-Tube is a premade half tube that your cat can rest in. Purchase carpet to cover the wood. Choose a color that will match your home décor, but do not waste your money on high-dollar fancy carpeting. Sisal rope makes a great scratching surface for cats. Purchase nails, screws and corner brackets to secure the pieces of your condo.

  Most people have the majority of the tools they need to build a cat condo. You will need a hammer, saw, utility knife, tape measure, drill, level and heavy-duty glue gun. Spray adhesive is also helpful when assembling a large condo.

Building a Cat Condo

• Cut a large piece of lumber to serve as the base for your condo. Make sure the wood is thick and heavy so that it does not tip over when your cats jump on and off the structure. Cover the base with carpet, using heavy-duty glue, making sure to cover the sides of the wood so that your cats do not snag their paws on wood splinters. Cut thick, sturdy legs from your lumber supply to hold beds, cradles and hides. 2 x 4 beams work great for the legs. Keep your cat condo shorter than 5 feet tall to make sure it remains sturdy. Nail a piece sisal rope to the bottom of the legs and wrap it tightly around the wood, making sure you do not leave any wood exposed. Cut the rope off and nail the other end to the leg after you wrap it 12 to 24 inches high. This creates various scratching surfaces for your cat and may discourage it from scratching in other unwanted areas. Glue carpet over the remaining wood on the legs.

  Make beds, platforms and hideaways to add to your condo out of plywood. A basic square will do just fine. Make sure any holes for doors are large enough to accommodate your cat comfortably or it may not want to go inside. Do not make houses that will sit at the top of the condo too large or too heavy. The base of the condo should be the largest and heaviest part to prevent the tree from tipping. Use corner brackets and screws to attach beds and enclosures to the legs so that they do not break away from the wood. Cover all plywood surfaces with carpet, making sure to add extra carpeting to cover the brackets and screws as necessary. Add catnip toys on strings or bells on strands of yarn to your condo for your cats to play with.