How to Build a Cat Climbing Tower

Remember those scraps of plywood you've been saving because they were just a bit too big to throw out and they might be useful? Those ends of carpet from when you did the basement that you knew you'd find a use for? Here's a great project to use up those small odds and ends.

Size and design are going to vary depending on what scraps you have and where you plan to put the tree. Here, let me help you with that measuring tape.

You'll need:
A good sized piece for the base so that its stable. You can make a flat base or a box.
Scraps for platforms, can be rectangular, triangular, square whatever you like.
Posts for the platforms or the main tree. Round wooden posts are the easiest to carpet and wrap, but are heavy so take that into consideration.
Carpet scraps to cover the platforms and posts
Sisal rope to wrap around the posts for added nail sharpening
Saw
Hammer
Drill
L brackets to attach the platforms to the posts
Carpet adhesive and tacks
Basic woodworking skills
A cat to supervise the operation and hold the end of your measuring tape

Cut your plywood for your base and platforms. The biggest piece will be the base so that the climbing tree is stable. If you're building a box for the base, cut the bottom, top and sides and assemble. Be sure there's a hole on the top big enough for your post and one big enough for the cat. There should also be at least one opening in the sides as well. Measure and cut your post/posts. Tell the cat she can come out now, you're done with the noisy saw.

Remove the cat from the pile of carpet scraps. Cover the platforms, post, and base with carpet using the carpet adhesive and tacks. Wrap the sisal rope where you want it on the post. Apply a small amount of adhesive and begin to wrap, adding more as you go. Detach cat from the end of the sisal as you wrap.

Now you have all the pieces cut and carpeted and ready to go, how do you put them together? Remember those L brackets and your drill? Locate the L brackets from under the workbench or couch where the cat has pushed them and the screws too. From here on you may want to assemble the tree where its going to be depending on the size. Nothing worse than finding out your masterpiece won't fit through the door.

Start at the bottom and work up. First secure the post to the base. You can either use the L brackets or work from the bottom of the base with long screws to secure it in place. Stand the tree up and test for stability and balance. Does it wobble? Is it too tall? Does it take up more space than you pictured in your mind? Now is the time to make any changes.

Once you're happy with the climbing tree, you can attach your platforms. Its easiest to attach the L brackets to the tree first and then screw the platforms in place. Add some hooks to hang toys from the underside of your platforms, sprinkle some catnip on the carpeting and sit back and watch your cat investigate and imagine herself a mountain lion!