How to Make a Ladder for a Cat

Everybody knows that cats love to climb. Unfortunately, this often means on furniture or up delicate household shelving. The good news is that with a little time and effort, and for relatively little money, you can build your own ladder for your cat. This way, he'll keep his fur off your couch and his swinging tail away from your priceless vase.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood (pine or maple are easy types of wood to work with),at least size 4"x 6"
  • Hand saw
  • Screws
  • Drill
  • Wood glue
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint (optional)
  • Wall-mounting brackets
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Instructions

  1. Building Your Own Cat Ladder

    • 1

      Decide where you want the cat ladder to go. Indoors would be best so that you do not have to stain or otherwise protect the wood from the elements and expose your cat to potentially dangerous chemicals. Also, deciding where to place your ladder will give you an idea of how much wood you will need. Once you decide on placement, measure the distance from top to bottom.

    • 2

      Cut a section of wood of the length you measured. Cut smaller, foot-long sections of wood to serve as the stairs. Using a drill, screw these at 12-inch intervals along the main board, perpendicular to it. For an art-deco look, place them on different sides of the board or at different angles. Consider applying wood glue before you screw in the stairs to further strengthen the joint.

    • 3

      Thoroughly sand your new ladder to remove any splinters and sharp or pointy edges. Paint the ladder (using non-toxic paint) if you wish to match your furnishings, or leave the wood exposed for a more natural look.

    • 4

      Secure your cat's ladder to a wall in your home using a drill and screws. For a more secure fit, you should use wall brackets you can find at any hardware store.