How to Build a Cat Shelf

Many cats enjoy lounging in windows. You can increase your cat's happiness by building a shelf next to a window in your home for him to lie on while he looks outside. Cats can scratch the boards around a window and damage the screen by leaning into it. A shelf helps prevent these types of damage.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden board, 2 inches thick and 1 foot wide
  • Carpet
  • Box cutter
  • Staple gun
  • 2 L-shaped brackets
  • Pencil
  • Screws
  • Drill
  • Catnip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wrap the board in carpet and use the staple gun to attach the carpet to the board. Cut off excess carpet with the box cutter. The top, sides and corners of the board should be covered with carpet.

    • 2

      Hold the L-shaped brackets in place so that they reach at least 1/3 of the way under the board. Use a pencil to mark on the board and the wall where the holes need to go. The shelf should be level with the bottom of the window.

    • 3

      Set the board upside-down on a flat surface. Hold the bracket in place. Drill a screw into the hole.

    • 4

      Hold the shelf to the wall. Ask someone to hold the board in place to make it easier. Drill the screws through the holes in the bracket to attach it to the wall. The screws must be tight.

    • 5

      Place a book around your cat's weight on the shelf to make sure it is sturdy. If it wobbles, add another bracket.

    • 6

      Sprinkle catnip onto the carpet to attract your cat.