DIY: Cat Condo

Tools and materials

• To create a cat condominium, you will need a nail gun or hammer and carpet tacks and carpenter's nails; plywood; circular saw/jig saw to cut openings; drill; screws to attach pieces together; brackets; and wood or cardboard tubes for center poles and climbing structures.

  Purchase a length of 3/8-inch sisal rope to wrap around posts. Cats love this durable twine. They can scratch it with minimal damage; it is long-lasting and sturdy enough for your feline friend to climb. It can be purchased through many online outlets, including rope manufacturers such as The Lehigh Group.

  Carpet remnants will be needed to cover the plywood base, as well as any platforms. Inexpensive carpet can be found at outlets, home improvement centers or local carpet stores.

  Plywood will serve as the base for your cat condo. You can also create platforms for your kitty to leap among, or you can add toys to dangle from the platforms to entertain your pet. You can either draw up your own plans or purchase detailed ones from websites such as bestcattreeplans.com.

  Consider where your cat tree will exist in your home. Take measurements of that spot, as well as your pets, to determine the size of the base and the minimum openings for cubbyholes.

Building the Base for Your Condo

• Consider how your pet plays. Cat houses often have hidey-holes for cats to sneak into and sleep. Plan your cat tree to allow space for climbing, scratching, hiding and sleeping. Before constructing the base, consider how tall your cat condo will be. The base should be large enough to support the center pole. A good rule of thumb is that a 4-by-4-foot base will be adequate for a 5-foot pole. Cover the base in carpet before attaching the pole. Use carpet tacks or a staple gun. Wrap the base in carpet, cutting where your upright pole or poles will eventually be attached.

Moving Upward: Center Poles

• Cat owners at catfurniture.info claim sisal rope stands up to cat scratching. Wrap the poles in 3/8-inch sisal rope before attaching to the base. The rope can either be glued or tacked to the pole. Wrap tightly from bottom to top. Tack the rope with a carpenter's nail every five to six turns after gluing if you want to be certain it will not move under vigorous scratching.

  There is some dispute among cat tree builders about which is better: Wood or cardboard poles. Wood is sturdy, but heavy. Cardboard is lighter, but a cat that scratches a lot may destroy the sisal quickly and break through to the cardboard. Consider your cat's habits when selecting construction materials.

Upright Pole and Branches

• Attach poles with four brackets, one on each side. This will improve stability of your structure. Cover all sharp edges of plywood and double-check that all staples and nails are covered. You do not want to accidentally injure your pet.

  After each section is covered in either sisal or carpet, construct the body of the cat tree. Screw the poles to the base from the base's underside. If you have multiple levels, attach them to the proper pole with three screws or nails that have been inserted at an angle for further stability. Drill through the level's base into the pole's top.

  Before letting your cat climb, check that all nails or screws are covered by the carpet's plush. Double-check the stability of all platforms.

Additional Cat Condo Touches

• Hang toys from each level of the structure to encourage your cat to play on the cat condo. You may also want to spray catnip or rub the structure with fresh catnip to encourage your pet to investigate its new play place.