We built a cat tree!

My husband got all sorts of tools and workshop stuff for Christmas this year so he quickly got to work on his first project on Boxing Day (day after Christmas for the Americans here). He built an approximately 6-foot tall cat tree! It's so far got 3 levels; the base and post are carpeted and the shelves are covered in the fabric from our dining room chairs (the ones that Moe loooves to scratch). We still need to add the top level to it, but that'll come later.

I have to say I am so pleased with it! It has changed Moe's personality competely! She is like a kitten. She plays on it all day, scratches the fabric, and then sleeps on the top level. She even chases Artemis around the house now and refuses to let him near "her" level (the top one). It's brought out so much energy in her, I'm just beaming! (I'm also happy that I got three new chair covers out of the deal!!)

I'll try to post pictures later today.

 

That sounds so cool! Lucky cats! I can't wait to see the pictures.

We have two store bought condos that my cats love. It's fun to watch them with it. We call Kitters 'velcro' because she'll run and attach herself to the side of the condo out of nowhere.

It's nice to hear Moe's so happy. What does Artemis think? (I hope I spelled it right!)

 

That's great, Halaroo. Yes, pics please that way we can give your husband tons of compliments on his craftsmanship!

 

Wow! Can't wait to see the pics. LOL on Kitters. Rene loves to do the "velcro" thing too.

 

It sounds great, halaroo. Can't wait to see pictures.

 

Can't wait to see pics. We're getting ready to build a really big one for our cats.

-Chelle

 

Pictures! The fabric is on pretty loosely because that way Moe is more likely to scratch it.









So, we're still missing the top shelf, but it's good for now. Moe never leaves the thing (except when the sun is out in the afternoon - then she goes and finds a beam to lie in).

 

Ohhhh, it beautiful. Moe seems to be having a wonderful time on it. She must be a very happy cat!

 

so cute

 

That's a terrific one Moe sure looks happy!

 

Great spot to place the scratching post. Moe looks like she's in heaven, lol. Where's Arty? Moe must've claimed the scratcher as hers.

 

That turned out really nice!

-Chelle

 

Looks like Moe is having a blast!

 

Nice job! Its lovely.

 

Looks great. Is it attached to the 4 x 4 and shelves with L-shaped brackets? How do you keep it from tipping over when they run up it ? I noticed that on the top shelf there's a kind of stringy loop hanging down, also a long strip of black material draped over the shelving. Are you not concerned that, in running and climbing they might be looking at the shelves and not at how they could somehow get themselves caught up in the various looping and end up caught and not able to extricate themselves? the thing about getting tangled up in something, a cat will try to outrun it rather than stop and carefully undo the tangle.

 

Wow! Your husband did a terrific job, Halaroo. Moe looks like she's just happy as can be. So, is she letting Artemis on the top level yet?

 

The loopy, stringy thing is a toy that is not attached to the shelf. Moe just happened to be playing with it at the time I took the pictures. It usually sits on the floor. The base is very sturdy and heavy, and the 4x4 is attached with biscuits. It barely wobbles when the cats run up it.

Artemis is able to sit on the top shelf, unless Moe is already occupying it. He mostly sleeps on the carpeted base. My husband brought home some carpet tubing yesterday, so he's going to put the top level on this weekend if he has time.

I'm very pleased to say that it seems to be doing its job. Moe barely scratches the furniture anymore and spends about 80% of her day on the tree!

 

Wow! That is a nice tree!!

I made just a BIG scratching post and I had to attach the base to the untreated 4X4 with L brackets and then I covered it with the carpet. On the other one, I wrapped sisal rope round, and around the 4X4. My fingers were sore for weeks. But that's what Copper likes to scratch on. Sabrina likes the carpet.

 

We thought about sisal, but my cats don't seem to like it. We used our chair covers and carpet and it definitely seems to do the trick!

Update: We put on the top piece yesterday. I'll post new pictures soon!