How to Make a Cat Climber From a Cement Form

Cats are wonderful pets, but they come at a price. Food, toys, grooming supplies, litter, veterinary bills--the cost of keeping a cat adds up quickly. Not to mention the added expense of repairing or replacing your furniture if your cat decides to have playtime on it. A cat's claws are weapons of destruction when it comes to your upholstery, but the good news is that providing your cat with his own furniture will prevent him from ruining yours. An added bonus is that you can make cat furniture inexpensively and easily right at home.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-inch square of plywood
  • Sisal rope
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Heavy duty stapler and staples (optional)
  • 12-inch cardboard cement mold
  • Jigsaw
  • L brackets
  • Drill and wood screws
  • 7-inch squares of plywood (2-3 pieces)
  • 15-inch square of plywood
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a base for your cat climber using the 20-inch square of plywood. Wrap the base tightly with sisal rope by tacking one end of the rope using a nail or with a heavy duty staple, then wind the rope very tightly around the base. It is better to use a lot of rope and have to buy more than to use too little rope and have to redo all your wrapping when the cat tears it up.

    • 2

      Cut holes into the cardboard cement mold using a jigsaw. These holes will act as "windows" to the cat climber and should be 7- to 8-inches square (depending on the size of the cat). Make two to three holes, evenly spaced, along the length of the cardboard cement mold.

    • 3

      Wrap the cement mold lengthwise with sisal rope. Wrapping the rope lengthwise puts the rope on the inside and outside of the cat climber, allowing the cat to scratch and climb easily on either side. Again, wrap the mold tightly to prevent the cats from tearing the rope loose. Wrap around each "window".

    • 4

      Turn the concrete mold upside down, and place the base onto the mold. Tack the base securely into place (from underneath) using nails. Turn the cat climber right-side-up again.

    • 5

      Attach the L brackets to the cement mold at the bottom of each "window" using wood screws and a drill. Attach the brackets from inside the mold, allowing the other end of the bracket to stick out of the mold.

    • 6

      Attach the 7-inch squares of plywood to the brackets to act as "perches" for your cat when he uses his cat climber. Use screws to secure the perches to the brackets. (Use 8-inch squares if you made 8-inch windows.)

    • 7

      Wrap each perch tightly with sisal rope.

    • 8

      Cover the 15-in plywood square in sisal rope, using the same tight wrapping method you used on the other parts of the cat climber. Place the square at the top of the climber and attach it by tacking it securely into place with nails.

    • 9

      Inspect the cat climber for safety. See that the base is secure, the perches are stable, and that the top platform is secure. Make sure the sisal rope is snugly wound around each part of the cat climber. The cat climber is now ready for hours of playtime and enjoyment by both you and your cats.