Cat tree?

[ShrekDawg]

Hi,

I want a cat tree but they are all either too expensive or too flimsy...

...SO.

I have decided I may build one.

Over the last few months I've bought some stuff, like a few different kinds/forms of sisal, including rope and sisal carpet remnants, and most recently some fleece blankets from a thrift store.

My biggest problem is figuring out a sturdy enough base and how to make the levels.

We have some fallen trees in the yard I think will work for a thick and sturdy base but the levels are different.

Is it possible to bend wood or are the premade ones a certain type?? Thinking those circles may be too difficult to make and I could make a square one with some leftover plywood? She may like the round ones though.

Anyways, help?

Is this even possible or is it just a dumb idea?

TIA.

 

[I Love Layers]

I made a cat tree out of 2x4 and PVC pipe but in half, the base was just plywood. And everything had carpet over it

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow, I never even thought of using 2x4's or PVC! That's a great idea. We have plenty of left over plywood too and possibly the 2x4's. Although, the tree would be free. Of course, 2x4's hardly cost anything but I wonder if it's possible to use the tree? But I'm hoping to make 2 anyway or a scratching post or something too so I'm sure I can use both. Thanks

Do your cats like it? Or did they?

 

[I Love Layers]

Wow, I never even thought of using 2x4's or PVC! That's a great idea. We have plenty of left over plywood too and possibly the 2x4's. Although, the tree would be free. Of course, 2x4's hardly cost anything but I wonder if it's possible to use the tree? But I'm hoping to make 2 anyway or a scratching post or something too so I'm sure I can use both. Thanks

Do your cats like it? Or did they?

They loved it! We got rid of it though since two if our cats are 9 years old so it was hard for them to climb up

 

[I Love Layers]

http://cfhs.ca/images/cat_tree.GIF
That is what mine looked like, except it had carpet on everything

 

[ShrekDawg]

They loved it! We got rid of it though since two if our cats are 9 years old so it was hard for them to climb up

http://cfhs.ca/images/cat_tree.GIF
That is what mine looked like, except it had carpet on everything

That's awesome! Stinks they couldn't use it anymore though. And wow that's a great design! Never even thought of something like that! I'll have to make it

 

[bruceha2000]

I have this one, not sure they make it anymore since it doesn't show on the Molly and Friends site


Structurally you can see that the base is large and heavy and there are 2 kinds of heavy "units" close to the bottom as well. And the house, while hgh and heavy is centered on the base. All that makes it very stable. Our 13 Y/O cat likes to sleep on the base between the left and middle post during the summer. In the winter she sleeps on the round platform or in the house. There is a hole in the right side of the roof of the house so a cat can climb from floor to the highest level without having to climb a pole. The 2 younger cats like the top curved piece in the winter which is on its own post. The youngest one will climb right up that post. They DON'T share the space. Not sure I've ever seen any of them hanging out in the big round open one nor the lower curved one.

Just design is such that the base is big enough that a cat climbing won't be able to tip it. Google "cat trees" and pick and choose the parts you like. I ASSUME that the posts are solid wood but I don't know that.