Kitty Cat Tree

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.

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!

Building a great cat tree yourself does not require a lot of expensive power tools.  I built a five level cat tree with a house in the bottom without the use of any power tools.  It is, of course, much easier and faster with a few electrical and pnuematic tools, but it is certainly not necessary.

It may take longer, but you can build a cat tree using only hand tools.

I used the following tools to build this cat tree:

• Hand saw
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Staple gun
• Clamps
• Hot Glue Gun

I don’t have plans drawn up for this cat tree as I am not a draftsman, but its a pretty simple design.  Plans for a variety of cat trees and condos are provided in this site, and many recommend or require different power tools.  I just wanted to let anyone pondering a do-it-yourself cat tree but lacking power tools that it can be done.

This cat tree, while simple in regards to construction has many features that the cats love.  The cat tree features include:

• A kitty condo on the bottom level (complete with an escape route hole in the back.
• Two scratching posts
• A step leading to a hole to access the upper levels
• Two higher lounging platforms with rails on two sides

Like I said, its nothing fancy but its a tall cat tree and that is what the cats love.  After the supplies were purchased the total price of this cat tree was less than $100.  That is significantly less than what you would pay in a store for a similar tree.  You could even reduce the price further if you used 2 x 4 boards instead of the 4 x4 shown here.  The carpet I used was from an area rug that I found on clearance at Wal-Mart, but you could probably find something similar in price by purchasing carpet remnants.

If you don’t feel like using a plan and are limited to hand tools as I was for this project, just look at some pictures like those above and be creative.