Making Cat Furniture

Cats will need a place to scratch, play, sleep and be lazy---they need cat furniture that they can use and abuse, as opposed to using and abusing your furniture. Rather than buying cat furniture from a pet store, make your own that can be customized for your space and for your cat.

  1. Scratch Posts and Cat Condos

    • Cats need to scratch. To prevent them from scratching your furniture, give them an appropriate item to scratch that can also double as exercise and sleeping area (see Resources for layouts and instructions for building cat furniture). Keep in mind that, no matter which layout you go with, cats need levels, materials and stability. Cats enjoy climbing and leaping from various heights. When making cat furniture, provide several levels that will allow the cat to exercise its agility and balance. Make sure all platforms are secured with bolts and the platforms are wide enough for a safe landing. If the platforms are not wide enough, the cat will feel insecure and not use the furniture. As for materials, use several covers for the wood. Cats enjoy scratching sisal rope and carpet. Use high-grade carpet remnants for the cat furniture. The higher the carpet grade, the longer it will last. When covering posts with sisal rope, have a length long enough to wrap the entire length of the support. For other supports, use real wood for variety for the cat and as a decorative element. Pick a relatively thick piece that is free of bugs and does not have rotted or weak parts.

    Cat Condo Nestling Spots

    • While the cat will enjoy exercising on the cat condo, it can also be a place to nap. Cats like to nestle. To create a haven for them, add a tube-like element to the cat furniture. Make sure the tube is stable and big enough for the cat to fit in, but small enough where it feels nestled. Wrap the tube in high-grade carpet for comfort and to create another scratching surface.

    Scratch Post Angles

    • Cats need horizontal, vertical and diagonal scratching surfaces. The cat condo's platforms satisfy the horizontal scratch spots, and the supports take care of the vertical. When making the cat furniture, make sure to add planks that are 45 degrees of the base.

    Beds

    • Cat beds can be as simple as making a large pillow. For a more decorative bed, consider using a wicker basket and adding a memory foam piece at the bottom that will serve as the cushion. Cover the foam with a soft cloth.

    Outdoor Furniture

    • Adding extension fences to existing wood, chain link or stone fences allows your cat to enjoy the great outdoors safely. Make sure the extension you build is wide enough that the cat will not be able to climb the fence and go over the extension. Supervise the cat the first few times out to make sure the extension does keep it from going over the fence.