Cats love to be above everything. They are especially attracted to movement and the sounds of prey. Indoor cats often become fat, bored and lazy due to lack of stimulation. A cat tree house provides a place to sharpen claws, practice stalking skills, and bask in the glory of being king or queen of the hill.
Things You'll Need
- CD player
- Bird sound CD
- Wind fall tree branches, at least 2-inch diameter or larger
- Insecticide
- Concrete mix
- Large coffee can
- Gravel
- Carpenter's glue
- Four to five 3/4-inch diameter dowel rods
- Scrap plywood
- Wood screws
- Power drill with bit set
- Carpet scraps
- Twine, balls, feathers
Instructions
Soak wind fall tree branches with a diameter of 2-inches or larger in a tub of insecticide two weeks before making your tree house. Allow several days to dry.
Once branches are dry, choose the tallest branch with the largest diameter. Mix concrete and then place the end of the branch into a large coffee can. Fill the extra space between the branch and the can with gravel. Fill the can with wet concrete mix and allow to set. Do not worry if the branch is not set straight in the concrete or not. A little angle will only be that much more intriguing to your cat.
Create platforms using dowel rods, scrap plywood, and existing branches. Make at least three levels. Drill holes in the trunk of the tree branch to insert dowel rods. Apply carpenter's glue to the inside of the hole and to the end of the dowel rod. Screw through the branch into the rods to ensure a good hold. Be sure the platforms are large enough to hold two or more cats comfortably.
Cover platforms with carpet scraps or cut up old, braided rugs and glue into place. Hang toys, feathers, balls and other spinning objects from a thin string. The string should break easily in case your cat gets a claw or tooth stuck.
Place cat tree house in front of a picture window or a large mirror to increase your cat's enjoyment.
If you choose not to use concrete for the base, use several short pieces of 2-inch-by-1/2-inch wooden molding and wood screws to attach the branch to a large piece of plywood. Cover the base with carpet scraps to hide the molding pieces.