Homemade Cat Houses

Cats love to climb, play and knead their claws on anything that will keep them sharp. Kitty condos, or custom-made cat houses, are simple, durable solutions that will provide most cats with a dedicated space to play, sleep and perch. Although you can purchase cat houses from pet-supply stores, these toys are straightforward to make at home and the materials are inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

  • 2x4 planking boards
  • Saw
  • Screws and screwdriver or power drill
  • Plywood
  • Carpet
  • Carpet tacks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the design of the cat house. There is no standard design--build what works given your space and the number of cats in your home. One solution is to build a 5-foot-tall tree with two arms, one of which has a platform and the other an enclosed room.

    • 2

      Build the vertical pole using 2x4 planking. This pole may be a 5-foot length of 2x4 planking.

    • 3

      Ensure that the base has enough leverage to remain upright if the cats get rambunctious--consider an X-frame support with legs that extend 2 feet from the center of the pole. Secure the base supports to the vertical pole using wood screws.

    • 4

      Attach two arms at different heights, perpendicular to the vertical post. The arms should be 2- to 4-feet long, at different heights, and on opposite sides of the main post.

    • 5

      Attach a small platform to the upper arm. Use a piece of plywood measuring 18 inches square.

    • 6

      To the lower arm, attach a plywood box with an 18-inch square base, measuring 12 inches high. Cut a circular hole with your saw that is 6 inches around in the side facing the support beam leading back to the vertical post. It may be easiest to do this before you secure the box to the platform.

    • 7

      Attach carpet to the wood using the carpet tacks. Every piece of the cat house, including the center pole, should be covered in carpet.