Kitty Cat Tree

Choosing a cat tree for your cat can be confusing given all of the different options and accessories available. Whether you are buying a cat tree from a store or building a cat tree from a cat tree blueprint, you will need to decide what size cat tree will be most appropriate for your cat(s). You will need to evaluate your cat “situation,” as I like to call it. Do you have one cat, or multiple cats? Are your cats fairly active, or more mellow? Your cat’s attitude and behavior will determine what cat tree or cat tree blueprint is the right fit!

Cat Tree Plan for a Single Cat

If you are purchasing a cat tree or building a cat tree from a blueprint for a single cat, you will most likely be in need of a more simple design. With only one cat, it probably isn’t necessary to have multiple perches, hanging toys, bed areas, caves, or any other accessory in any quantity greater than one. There are many great cat trees available that will work perfectly for one cat that have a single perch area with a bed/cave area underneath. With only one cat to satisfy, your cat tree can have minimal “bells and whistles,” making it much easier on your wallet as well as take up much less space in your home.

If you own multiple cats and are planning to buy or construct a cat tree from a cat tree blueprint, you will need to consider incorporating multiple accessories to satisfy the needs of all of your kitties. Instead of a simple cat tree, your cats may require having several bed/cave/sleeping areas, perches, and hanging toys to make their cat tree a desirable place for their daily activities.

It is important to consider the territorial nature of your cats and just how possessive they might be over the different areas of the cat tree. To avoid any animosity among your cats, plan on buying or building a cat tree that includes at least the number of lounging areas as you have cats. If there aren’t enough spaces for your kitties to claim as their own, they may not use the cat tree as much as you would like, or they may have some altercations!

If you have a cat that is not very active due to age, health, or temperament, you may be able to have a very small, simple cat tree. An inactive cat will probably not require numerous levels to jump on, many hanging toys, or scratching areas. The cat tree you purchase or build from a cat tree blueprint will likely only need the basics – somewhere for your cat to lounge/sleep and a place for them to perch and observe the activities of your house.

As a side note, if you have an inactive cat that you are trying to make more active, a cat tree can be a great addition to your home as well! Most cats love to be up high, so even if your cat is not normally known to climb to great heights, having a place that is just for them may encourage them to use their muscles and be a little more active than usual!

If you have an active cat, a cat tree that you buy or build from a cat tree plan is a great addition to their lives! The cat tree for the active cat should have several levels for them to jump and climb, numerous hanging toys, scratching areas, perch areas for observation, caves, and sleeping/cat bed areas. The options are endless! Almost all cats love having a cat tree in their home, however, active kitties love having a place where they are allowed to climb and play and won’t get themselves into trouble!

Have you decided to introduce another cat into your home?  If so, this will be exciting, but also a little nerve racking!  If you have a cat, or several, in your home already, you know just how territorial they can be at times.  Unfortunately, their defensive feelings will likely be magnified when you try to bring your new kitty home!  Especially if they try to get on the already claimed and broken in cat tree. There are lots of factors to consider in this process, however, there are several simple things you can do to make it smoother.

It is very important to take into consideration what your cat “situation” is.  Are you introducing a young cat to an old cat?  A large cat to a small cat?  A high-strung cat to a mellow cat?  There are good and bad points to all of these situations, however, it is important to know and understand how each type of cat may react to their new cat sibling.

For example, when we brought home our insanely hyper and rambunctious kitten and introduced him to our small, high strung, very particular, 2 year old cat, I knew there would be problems. It helps to think of your cat’s personalities like people’s personalities.  In our situation, I didn’t want our current cat to be threatened or put off by the amount of activity that the new kitten needed.  I also didn’t want our new kitten to feel like he didn’t belong because of our current cat’s territorial nature.

Since you already have a cat, you won’t need to purchase too much for your new kitty.  However, once the two meet, it may become clear that you need to have separate items such as food and water bowls or even separate kitty litter boxes.  The cats may be particularly territorial over their regular toys and sleeping areas, such as cat trees. Having a cat tree with separate napping stations may be needed. You shouldn’t need individual cat trees for each of your cats, but if you have the room you might consider it.

A good way to introduce a cat to another cat is to do it over the course of several days and in small doses.  Choose one room of your house to keep the new cat in at first.  Choose a room that closes off from the rest of the house and one that your current cat does not have a particular attachment to.  Keep the cats separated for at least a day, and allow your new cat to fully explore their one room and get their scent on the furniture and carpet.  This will give your new cat a sense of belonging without bothering your current cat (not too much, anyway).

After a day or two of allowing the new cat to get acquainted with his room, it is time to introduce the cat’s scents to one another.  Take a blanket or something that has the new and current cat’s scents on them and let the other sniff it.  This will let them know there is another cat in their home that they need to be ready for!  Your cats will probably already be aware of each other’s presence, but this will give them a good chance to sniff the other kitty safely.

If your cats are like ours, they may already be showing signs of anger (growling, hissing) even at the scent of another cat.  It’s ok!  This is natural and to be expected.  There is no way to completely avoid these kitty emotions.  Your job is to facilitate the cats meeting in the safest manner possible.

After the cats have become exposed to each other’s scents, it will be time for them to meet face to face.  Put your new cat in an enclosed carrier or crate.  This will both keep your new kitty safe, but also keep your current cat from feeling too threatened.  Your current cat has their territory staked out already, and will likely become the dominant cat in their relationship.

Allow the cats to see each other, sniff each other, growl and hiss at each other, and whatever else they are going to do.  This meeting will determine how quickly you allow them to meet without the carrier for your new cat.  A tip for this step is to shake a small amount of baby powder onto both of your cats.  This will mask their scents, and hopefully make them a bit less aggressive.

It may take a few meetings between the two kitties where the new cat is in the carrier, however, eventually the two cats will be curious about each other and will remain calm enough for a meeting without the carrier.  So, when the hissing and growling are at a minimum, allow your new kitty to leave his carrier and be introduced to your current kitty.    It sounds drastic, but be sure to have some glasses of water that you can throw on your cats and be ready to grab and separate them if necessary.  Cats can get in very nasty fights and injure each other easily.

Hopefully, as a result of your slow and gradual introduction, there won’t be any fighting between the two cats, just normal, curious animal actions.  Expect a lot of sniffing, pawing at each other, chasing and growling.  These are all ways for your cats to get to know each other!

If you encounter behavioral problems, or even health problems (many cats will become ill if they are stressed), please contact your veterinarian for further assistance.  Another good resource is your local animal shelter.  They will usually have a cat expert on staff or on call to help new cat owners with introducing their new cats into their homes.

Adding a new pet to your home is a wonderful thing. However, it can be especially difficult if that new pet happens to be a cat. Unlike many other animals, cats can have extremely strong personalities and are very territorial. If you do not introduce them into your home and family in a calm, positive fashion, there could be trouble. There is no reason to fear, however. There are simple ways to introduce new cats into your home wether you are a current cat owner or getting your first one! If you do not have cats in your home already, thankfully, the process of introducing your kitty to his new surroundings will likely easier than if you did.

Before you bring your cat home, you will want to make sure that you have all the supplies you will need. At minimum, you will need a cat litter box, cat litter, a food bowl, water bowl, and cat food. Also, you and your cat will probably appreciate the purchase of an enclosed cat carrier for the ride home. Cats are notorious for hating car trips, so an enclosed carrier will reduce the stress he feels on his ride home, and on future trips to the vet or roadtrips he takes with your family. Place a shirt you have worn, or a blanket that has your smell in the carrier or somewhere the kitty can be close to it so he gets used to your scent and doesn’t react strangely to the scent in your home.

And, of course, you should consider a cat tree for your kitty to climb, scratch, and sleep on.

Before you bring your kitty home, you will also want to make sure you have “cat proofed” your home. If you have never had cats before, you will be surprised with the damage they can do to your home. Be mindful of electrical cords (they LOVE to chew) as well as potpourri, small pieces of anything, and candle flames. Also, be aware of heavy breakable things on tall surfaces. Think of it as baby proofing your home, except your “baby” will be able to jump several feet up!

Once you have your supplies purchased and your home sufficiently cat-proofed, you can bring your kitty home and start introducing him to his new surroundings. The cat carrier you purchased can be used during this process. Once home, leave your cat in the carrier in one room with the door closed. Let him get used to the smell and look of the room before letting him out. Once he seems calm in the carrier, let him out in the closed off room. Resist the urge to pick him up and cuddle. Your cat needs to explore his new surroundings on his own. However, if he comes to you, be affectionate and pet him. Make sure it is quiet and you use a soothing tone of voice.

There is a good chance that your cat will want to hide under a couch or bed for a while when you first let him out. That is just fine – if it makes him feel safe in his new home, so be it. Don’t worry too much about this behavior. If you offer him some kitty treats, keep the environment quiet, and leave him alone, eventually he will want to come out and check out his new home.

As your cat becomes comfortable in one room, repeat the process in other rooms of your house. Be careful not to overwhelm your cat with too much open space at one time. Over the course of a few days, he should become familiar and comfortable with his new surroundings.

If you encounter behavioral problems, or even health problems (many cats will become ill if they are stressed), please contact your veterinarian for further assistance. Another good resource is your local animal shelter. They will usually have a cat expert on staff or on call to help new cat owners with introducing their new cats into their homes.

Any cat lover or owner will tell you that cats can be very… shall we say, particular?  Let’s face it… cats are finicky.  You can buy them the biggest, baddest, most expensive toys, and they will turn their noses up at it and use your computer cord for a toy instead.  So, what if you buy an awesome cat tree for your kitty, and they decide it is not for them?  Well, have no fear, with these helpful tips, your kitty will be loving their cat tree in no time!

The first trick is to use cat nip.  Cat nip is an herb that grows wild in some parts of the country, or you can buy or grow your own very easily and inexpensively.  It is for sale in every pet store, grocery store, and even stores like Traget or Wal-Mart.  Most cats will go crazy for this – in either fresh or dried form.  They will roll all over it, eat it, sleep on it, and play with it.  To get your kitty to love their cat tree, all you need to do is sprinkle a little cat nip on each level!  This can get a bit messy though, so keep your vacuum handy for clean up when your cat is finished.

Another way to get your cat to take to their new cat tree is to put a few of their favorite toys on it.  Your cat may be a little wary of this new contraption that has come into their home.  You can make your kitty more comfortable with their new cat tree by putting some familiar toys that you know your cats love on the cat tree levels.  This will also give your cats a signal that their cat tree is meant for them to play on.  Plus, if any of their toys are stuffed with cat nip, that is an added bonus!

Cats love to scratch!  If your cat tree did not come with a scratching area included on it, think about making one!  You can either purchase a stand alone scratching area for your kitty and place it next to or on the cat tree, or you can get some heavy duty sisal rope and wrap it around one of the posts of the cat tree.  Either way should do the trick.  Once your cat knows they can scratch on your new cat tree, they will be able to put their scent on their new toy and feel much more comfortable with it in their home.

Cats also love to sleep and lounge!  If your cat is having trouble accepting their new cat tree, putting their bed on it will let them know that it is a spot for them to relax on and enjoy.  It would be best to use a cat bed that your kitty has already used and thus has their scent and hair already on it.  However, if you are buying a new cat bed to put on the cat tree, you can put cat nip or their toys in it to make them feel like it is a familiar place for them.

If you have purchased a used cat tree, a helpful tip is to first thoroughly, thoroughly vacuum the cat tree and remove any cat hair that is left from its previous cat owner.  Next, sprinkle some baby powder on the cat tree.  The baby powder will neutralize the scents from the previous cats.  This is also a helpful tip if you are introducing a new cat into your family.  Sprinkle a little baby powder on the cats so they don’t smell each other’s scents as strongly.  This will (hopefully!) prevent them from being so aggressive towards one another.

Along with all of the tips mentioned, you will of course want to offer positive reinforcement to your kitty when they go on their cat tree.  Place them on their cat tree and give them lots of pets, rubs and chin and belly scratches.  Place treats on their cat tree and never, ever scold them while they are on their cat tree.  Even if they have done something bad elsewhere in the house and run to their cat tree for comfort, don’t yell at or punish them while they are on it.  You want your cat to only have good feelings associated with their new cat tree!

Hopefully, with these tips and tricks, your cat will be enjoying their new cat tree soon!

A DIY, or do-it-yourself, cat tree is simply one that you build yourself. Anyone, even if you don’t have woodworking experience or a garage full of power tools, can build their own cat tree. There are a couple of ways to go about building a DIY cat tree.  You can design a cat tree yourself. You can use cat tree plans that have been developed by someone else.  Or, you can take someone else’s cat tree designs and modify them to meet your own expectations.

The cat condo level of a DIY cat tree.

The easiest way to design your own DIY cat tree is to start by looking at existing products. Simply search google images or go to Amazon and check out what is out there. Take the existing ideas and incorporate the ones you like to create your own customized cat tree design.

Another option, and probably the easiest, is to get DIY cat tree plans that someone has already drawn up. These are available in some hardware stores or you can find them online. The most convenient way to get a copy of cat tree plans is to simply download them from the internet. These usually are not free, but are reasonably priced. Check out a review of a DIY cat tree plan book here.

The third option is to buy or find some free cat tree plans and then modify them. There is nothing to say that you have to follow the cat tree plans exactly as you find them. In fact, half the fun can come from taking an existing design and changing it to meet you and your kitties preferences. This option is good for people who want a unique cat tree but don’t necessarily have the desire or skill to start making their own cat tree plans from scratch.

No matter which method you choose remember that the end goal is a cat tree that you are happy to have in your home and that your cats will enjoy.  This last bit, of course, means plenty of toys attached and places for cat naps.

Purchasing a cat tree for your feline friend can be a daunting task.  How big should it be?  How much should I spend?  What kind of accessories, or features, can I get on a cat tree?  Well, this article will hopefully clear up that last question a bit for you!  There are so many different features, toys and accessories available on cat trees, it is helpful to step back and see which ones you and your kitty might like.  This will help you narrow the hundreds of cat trees available for purchase down to the perfect cat tree for you and your kitty!

Relaxing on a Do-It-Yourself Cat Perch

The most often seen features are perches and houses.  This is for good reason – cats love both!  Perches are different levels of the cat tree where your cat can climb to, and once on them, can laze around, observe the goings on of the household, or sleep.  Some perches are big enough for your cat to stretch out, and some are just big enough to act as a step to a higher, larger perch.  Any cat tree that you can buy, even the one level cat condos, will have a nice flat surface for your kitty to lounge on.

Most cat trees will also have some sort of “house,” or enclosed area, for your kitty to retreat to.  Cats love to duck into these house and either take a nap, or the more rambunctious kitties will pop out at you as you walk by.  Our cat tree has a house on the lower level, and our cat Oscar loves it when we throw treats in there for him to sniff and find.

Some cat trees will have comfy cat beds on their perches or in their houses.  A cat bed is a padded or pillowy area for your kitty to relax and nap on.  If your kitty is a fan of cat beds, you can always purchase one separately (they are available for as low as $7 in some stores, like WalMart) and place it on a perch or in a house for your kitty.  Our cats love their beds, whether they are on their cat tree or just on a chair, so I would have to recommend finding a cat tree with a bed, or adding one yourself.  Our beds are not highly padded at all.  I think the cats just like having a designated place for them to nap!

Another important accessory you will probably like on your cat tree is some sort of scratching area.  Cats love to scratch.  Even if they are declawed, cats love to stretch and run their paws over scratchy surfaces.  Most cat trees will have a special area with sisal or a corrugated cardboard insert for cats to scratch on.  Our cat tree had sisal wrapped around its posts and our cats loved it so much that they scratched the sisal right off!  Having a scratching area on your cat tree will save your furniture and walls from some abuse and will also save you from purchasing a separate scratching post for your scratch-happy cat!

Many cat trees will have a hanging toy attached.  Cats love toys that dangle and it allows them to get some of their energy out!  Many toys will have bells, cat nip or textured material to catch your cat’s attention.  To be honest, I think this accessory is something you and your cats could live without.  There are usually so many other things to do on a cat tree, that these are purely optional, and could be added later for a very low price if you think they are necessary.  Another downside to hanging toys is, if your cats are as destructive as mine, they will chew right through them within seconds.  If you do decide to get hanging toys, you may want to consider attaching them with a metal chain… seriously!

As you can see, there are numerous accessory options available on cat trees.  Decide what your kitties might like and go and find them the perfect cat tree!

Click the link to the right for sample pages and to order.

“Cat Tree Construction Plans“ by Best Cat Trees provides plans for 11 different models. All of the plans and a bonus see-saw scratching post plan sell for $9.95. This is one of the most detailed, yet easiest to use, cat tree plan books available.  It not only contains the blueprints for constructing each model but also complete parts and tools lists along with great photographs to help along the way.

An example of one of the taller, multi-level cat tree plans.

The trees range from two level cat-napping stations to kitty high-rises with all of the bells and whistles (meaning lots of toys and beds for napping, of course). Even though there is a wide range of plans, you can still modify the blueprints further to optimize your cat’s enjoyment. That’s one of the great benefits of building a do-it-yourself cat tree. These plans provide everything you need to know to build your own cat condo, or can provide a great place to start in designing your own cat tree. The book also includes bonus plans for a see-saw cat scratcher.

The plans include great pictures for each step of construction. Many cat tree plans simply provide an overall blueprint. “Cat Tree Construction Plans” leads you through each step with clear illustrations of what the piece should actually look like.

Here is a list of the features included in this product:

• 102 Pages filled with 280 Pictures and Diagrams
• Lists of all the materials required
• Tips on Purchasing Materials
• Tools Needed – Build with Basic Tools
• How to Make Wood Posts or PVC Pipe Posts
• Part Layout and Cut Diagrams
• Carpet Types and Where to Shop for Carpet
• Detailed Step by Step Carpeting Instructions
• How to Wrap Cat Scratching Posts
• Assembly Options

The bonus teeter-totter scratching surface plan.

The plans here also deserve praise for requiring only basic tools for construction.  These cat trees can be built with the following tools:  Hand Saw, Electric Drill, Stapler (Electric is best), Razor Blade, Hammer, Philips Screw Driver, Ruler, Scissors, and Pliers.  With all of these tips for constructing great cat trees with basic tools, your feline friends will soon be thanking you.

One of the best features of “Cat Tree Construction Plans” is that you don’t have to wait for book to arrive via snail mail delivery or pay shipping and handling fees.  You can simply download the plans right on to your computer. To view sample pages and to download your copy Click Here!

So you have decided to get your furry, kitty friend a cat tree!  You have read about why they are so great for cats and how much fun your cats will have.  So now the question is, what kind of cat tree can I get for my money?  There are lots of considerations to make when picking out and purchasing your cat tree.  You will want to research what is available (hopefully this article will assist you!), determine how much space you have for a cat tree in your home, and what you think your cat would like included on it.

A one story cat condo.

For example, if you live in an apartment or small home, you may want to consider getting a simple, one story cat condo such as this one. This model is very reasonably priced, would fit nicely in a tight space, yet still offers your kitty a cozy nook to sleep in as well as a platform to sit on.  A more simple model like this may be a good option if you have an older cat, a cat who cannot jump very high because of a disability or injury, or if your cat has a more calm disposition.

Connect yourself cat tower.

Another great option for small paces are the “connect yourself” models, such as this one. This type of cat tree is such a great option for so many reasons!  First, you can make your cat tree as small or as large as you would like by adding on additional accessories.  They have all kinds of interesting add-ons for sale that coordinate perfectly.  Second, it can cost as little or as much as you like!  All of the pieces are priced fairly reasonably, so you can make a pretty cool cat tree on a budget, or you can go all out and make your kitty an entire city!

A mult-level cat tree value.

If you decide that you have a bit more space, your kitties would like a little more climbing room, and you are still on a budget, this cat tree is great!   It has several stories, so your kitty has some higher places to climb to and lay on, and it also has great scratching post areas.  This cat tree is very simple, yet offers an ample amount of cat activities – the best of both worlds!  Plus, with a price point around $25, you can’t go wrong! This is a great value for what you get; room to climb and jump with a cat condo in the bottom for relaxing.

A kitty activity center

Some kitties (like mine) are in need of lots and lots of activities on their cat tree.  This model, has activities galore!  There are several perches for relaxing or observing, a place to scratch, a cozy house, hanging toys, and more!  Of course, with more activities, comes a little higher price point and more floor space required.  So, if you are looking for something that is super budget-friendly, or live in a small apartment, this may not be for you.  However, I know my cats would totally love all of the fun toys on this model!

A cat fortress

The next model I found is jam-packed with fun, kitty toys!  This cat tree will require lots more space and has a bigger price tag to go along with it!  However, you get lots of kitty excitement for your buck with this bad boy!  I don’t think there is a cat tree accessory available that is not included on this model.  Your cat could keep themselves busy for a very long time on this cat tree.  For a couple hundred dollars though, you will make your kitty friend very, very happy.

The chic cat tree.

All of the models listed here would not win any prizes for being very design mindful or sophisticated.  If you want to give your cat a cat tree but do not really want a large eyesore in the middle of your living room, then this cat tree was made for you.  This cat tree is one of the most expensive that I found, however, it does look very nice and would fit in any modern space perfectly.  Although it does not boast a ton of toys and activities like the last model, this cat tree still has great, high perches, a comfortable little kitty house, and nice scratching areas.  It has all of the features of many of the cat trees on the market, but is designed beautifully to work into the fanciest of decors.

As you can see, there is a cat tree on the market suited for every cat, and every cat owner.  Whether you have an active or calm cat, whether you are on a budget or not, and whether you have a tiny amount of space, or are unlimited, you can surely find the perfect cat tree for your kitty!

Now, this is what I call a real cat tree.  This picture also provides proof of just how much cats love being in trees and the joy and relaxation you can bring to your indoor cat by introducing them to a cat tree or condo. However, I doubt there are many indoor cat trees that can hold this many cats. Hopefully that isn’t an issue for you.

A real cat tree.

This image was found on funnyhub.com with the caption “Looks like some fireman are going to be busy today.” While the joke in the caption leaves something to be desired, I thought the picture was worth sharing none-the-less.

If you have indoor cats, one essential product in your house is cat litter. As loving cat owners, we want to choose the safest, cleanest cat litter. However, as busy humans, we want to choose the cat litter that will be cheapest, easiest, and will be most effective at controlling odor. Which type of litter can meet all of these criteria? After living with several cats and trying several different types of litter over the years, I believe there are advantages and disadvantages to them all.

The first distinction between litters is clumping versus non-clumping. Clumping litter is obviously going to be easier to clean out of the litter box, however it can pose some health risks to your kitty. Clumping litter not only clumps in the litter box, but can also be clumped inside your cat if he/she gets any of the litter into their system. This can potentially cause some issues in their digestive track, however, it is rare that a cat would eat enough of the litter to make it harmful to them. The vast majority of litters on the market today are clumping litters because of their superior ease of use.

In my experience of cat ownership and litter box cleaning, I have found the clumping litters to be much easier to clean, and preferred wholeheartedly by cats. I attempted to use pellet litter made from pine. My cats rejected the pine pellets or any other non-clumping materials by not using the box at all and using the floor instead!

The two types of clumping cat litter that are most common and that I have had the most experience with are clay litter and litter made from corn. These two are comparable in price, with the corn litter being a bit less expensive because it lasts longer than clay. The benefits of corn based litter do not end with the price – it is also much healthier for your kitties and the people in your home. There is no dust from corn litter like there is with clay. When emptying clay litter boxes, you will most likely see a large cloud of dust. This dust not only gets in your cat’s respiratory system, but also into yours and everyone else’s in your home! Plus, the dust spreads through the air and eventually settles on your floors, furniture, kitchen counters, etc.

Clay litter does clump very well and cats seem to tolerate it well, however, because of the dust issue alone, I believe the best cat litter you can choose for your beloved kitties is clumping litter made from corn. It clumps well, is made from a plant (obviously!), our kitties have no problem using it, and most importantly, does not create the dreaded dust that clay litters do. We have been using “The World’s Best Cat Litter” with much success! It works well, is inexpensive and I can rest easy knowing that we are using something that is safe not only for our kitties, but for our family as well.  It should be noted that the corn litter does not have a completely neutral odor, but rather mixes the corn smell somewhat with the kitty waste odor.