Cat Furniture You Can Build
Yourself
There are many cat furniture items that are easy to make for your cat. You will need to have some supplies and common tools available, many that most households already have around. Cat trees, scratching posts, cat gyms, scratching ramps, and flat surfaces are all cat furniture items you can build yourself.
When I first brought Tommy into the house, we were in love with the precious kitten he was. Then, because we offered him no other options, he began to scratch at furniture and carpet. When I researched solutions to the problem, trying to avoid removing Tommy from the home, I discovered that Tommy needed to scratch. Scratching helps cats maintain their nails, as well as stretching their tendons and building their muscles, which keeps them strong and healthy. If cats do not have a toy or furniture to scratch, they will scratch your carpet and your furniture.
It is important to give cats a variety of climbing surfaces, scratching surfaces, and plains in their furniture. Plus, I wanted to be sure was providing safe options so Tommy would not get hurt in using whatever furniture I decided to use. Purchasing so many different types of furniture was out of my budget, so I began to research ways to provide him with variety and safety within my budget.
If you are interested in building a specific piece of cat furniture, you can find specific designs that would tickle your cat’s fancy. You will want to look for specific materials and designs that provide safety and enjoyability for your cat.
When building a cat gym or tree, you want to have several different levels to allow your cat to exercise his agility by jumping back and forth between platforms. You will want to be sure that the platforms are wide enough for safe landing. Also, be sure that you secure all the supports and platforms with hardware that will keep them from wobbling or loosening as the cat jumps. If the cat feels insecure in using the furniture you build, he will not use it, and you find yourself back where you started!
Tommy liked to climb on things and nestle into them, so we found a design that has a curved platform in which he can rest. You can make your own by using a cardboard tube, designed for pouring concrete into. Cut the tube in thirds and glue them together inside each other to provide extra stability, and attach it to the top of a 4X4 post. Be sure to use a strong bolt to attach the tube to the post and the post to the base. Cover the tube in your cat’s favorite nestling surface. A high grade carpet remnant works great for these, and they are available at your local flooring store at reasonable prices.
Another great fit for Tommy was two scratching posts, which I built into the same cat gym. I covered two of the supports for the platforms in different materials, allowing Tommy some variety in where he wanted to scratch. The first post I covered in sisal rope, which you can find at any home improvement store. Be sure you purchase a length long enough to wrap around the entire length of your support. Otherwise, the cat can free an end and remove the rope as it scratches the post.
The second material is another carpet remnant. The higher quality remnant you use, the longer it will last. Weigh your options and decide how soon you want to reinvest the time and money into repairs to your cat furniture. Be sure you have secured the carpet to the post so that the nails or staples you use are not accessible as the cat scratches.
Another element of your cat furniture to consider is varying planes for the cat to scratch. Tommy loves to scratch on his post, but I didn’t know that cats also need a flat surface, as well as a surface that sits about 45 degrees off the ground. Use a piece of plywood or particle board covered in carpet or sisal rope. A simple way to build in the flat surface is to cover the base of your play area. Then consider building a support that will hold your angled scratching surface. In one piece of furniture, you can offer your cat three options for bearing his claws, while preserving your furniture and carpet. That makes everyone happy.
We have solved the scratching problem with Tommy. He loves his cat furniture, and I have my furniture and carpet back! Providing him with different sized and shaped tower supports and platforms, he is challenged and entertained as he jumps around his gym. By using a variety of surfaces, he has options, other that human furniture or carpet, for where he chooses to sharpen his claws. My home has returned from being a frustrating home due to a misbehaving cat, to being a happy, both for Tommy and me.
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