How to Make Cat Climbing Toys

Cat climbing toys are tiered toys, also known as cat trees or cat gyms. A cat climbing toy features several layers for a cat to climb up to, made out of wood covered by carpeting. The carpet serves to prevent the cat from being injured by a potential splinter and provides a textured surface the cat can use for pawing and playing, much like a scratching post.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-inch thick plywood sheets
  • Jigsaw
  • 6-inch diameter wood dowel rods
  • Handsaw
  • Carpet
  • Staple gun
  • Construction adhesive
  • Crafting knife
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut your base from the plywood sheet using the jigsaw. The base will be your biggest layer. The layers should get progressively smaller to ensure your tree is stable.

    • 2

      Cut support beams that will hold the next level. Use the dowel rods, and cut with the hand saw. Each beam should be 18 inches long. Always use at least two support beams on each level to ensure stability.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of carpet for each support rod cut in Step 2. The carpet swatches should be 18 inches by 19 inches in order to wrap entirely around the rod.

    • 4

      Attach the carpet around the perimeter of each support rod by wrapping the swatch around the rod and fastening it with the staple gun.

    • 5

      Attach the support rods to the base using construction adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the underside of the rod with a series of concentric rings to ensure the entire underside receives adhesive once placed down, then firmly press the rod in place and leave to dry.

    • 6

      Cut a piece of carpet large enough to cover the entire base, with 2 inches of extra spacing around all sides. This extra carpet will allow you to fold the carpet under, and secure it on the bottom of the base.

    • 7

      Position the carpet over the base, and mark where the support beams will be. Use the crafting knife to cut circles out of the carpet for each beam.

    • 8

      Slide the carpet over the beams, and down to the base, and fold the extra fabric over the corners and to the underside of the base, then staple the carpet in place with the staple gun. Staple along the underside of the carpet, which has been folded under, as well as around the perimeter and the top of the wood to ensure the carpet remains snug against the wood.

    • 9

      Repeat Steps 1 through 8 for the desired number of remaining levels.

    • 10

      Assemble the layers by applying construction adhesive to the tops of the support beams as you did the bottoms. Do not attach another level to a level that is still drying. If, for example, your tree has four tiers, do not stack all four at once, rather attach the second to the base, and the fourth tier to the third, then attach the top piece to the bottom piece when both have dried.