How to Make a Cat Condo From Boxes

A happy cat is an entertained cat. Cat condos are popular pet store items. The "apartments" keep cats amused as they climb in and out, while the individual spaces can keep fights over territory to a minimum. But these condos can be quite expensive. One way to save on pet cost while maximizing entertainment is to make your own cat condo. All you really need is sturdy boxes, a few supplies and a curious feline to enjoy it.

Things You'll Need

  • Boxes
  • Scissors
  • Sheet of paper or cardboard
  • Rubber cement
  • Tape
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stack your boxes in various configurations to determine the best set up for your cat condo. A standard configuration is a three tiers or boxes stacked directly on top of one another. But the only real limit is safety and your imagination. The largest box should be on the bottom for stability. Smaller boxes go on top. But your cat condo doesn't just have to have one tower. Connect more boxes to your base level, and you can add on adjacent towers.

    • 2

      Create an 8-inch diameter circle template. Use a compass to draw the circle on a piece of paper or cardboard and cut it out.

    • 3

      Trace a circle on each box to mark an opening. The base box must have an opening in the front and the point where it connects to the box above it (and any adjacent boxes). The boxes on top of the base must have openings that line up with the box below and the box above, as well as any adjacent boxes. The front-facing opening is optional for the boxes on top and adjacent to the base box, but your cats might like a place to peek or jump out.

    • 4

      Cut out each circle with a utility knife.

    • 5

      Seal the boxes by taping any flaps shut.

    • 6

      Glue the boxes together in the configuration you mapped out in step one. Rubber cement or glue sticks work well on cardboard. Allow the glue to rest for at least 1 minute before moving the glued boxes.