| No matter what kind of cat tree you want to build, | | | | a carpet store, you’ll be able to find empty |
| you need to take into consideration the following | | | | tubes or scraps of carpet for anywhere from a |
| three things – cost, size, and your construction | | | | couple of dollars to free. By now, you should be |
| experience. Don’t let any one of these things | | | | getting the idea that you don’t have to spend a |
| stop you from building your own cat tree, but do | | | | lot of money to build something nice for your cat. |
| plan according for what you can manage. | | | | As far as size goes, you can go as simple as a |
| Let’s start with experience. If this is your first | | | | 14” x 14” platform mounted to 12” long |
| time doing a project like this, you might want to look | | | | center post sitting on a 2’ x 2’ base, all |
| around and check out what others have done. This | | | | wrapped in carpet or fake fur. On the other hand, |
| will give you ideas for your own project. However, if | | | | you might decide to go with a more expensive |
| you have done this before, then you most likely | | | | multi-story “cat condo” extravaganza – |
| have a good idea of what you want. | | | | it’s all up to you and what your pocketbook can |
| Beginners should start with a simple cat tree. This will | | | | handle. Also, take into consideration on how much |
| – most likely – keep the costs down and the | | | | time you want to put into this project. After all, you |
| size of your project small. However, your cat will | | | | can always start small and add to it as time |
| never know the difference, and will enjoy your hard | | | | progresses. |
| work immensely – no matter what the size. | | | | To build a simple cat tree, all you really need is a |
| And, if you’re concerned about your budget, | | | | square piece of plywood, a wooden post of |
| don’t worry – costs can be kept to a | | | | appropriate width, carpet, wood glue, and nails. Use |
| minimum, unless you’re building an extravagant | | | | the glue to attach the carpet to the base and the |
| cat tree or you just want to use really high quality | | | | post, and use nails to attach the two pieces |
| materials. For instance, you can find scrap pieces of | | | | together. You can then use a spring or heavy rope |
| plywood from a construction site or carpet squares | | | | to attach a fun cat toy to the top of the post so |
| at a discount from a building store. Maybe a friend or | | | | that your cat has something to play with. |
| relative just got done with a renovation project and | | | | Whatever method you use – and however much |
| there’s left-over scrap materials you can use on | | | | you spend – you can be sure that your cat will |
| your project. | | | | love her new home-built cat tree. As long as you |
| You can also go to your local lumber yard and ask | | | | build it with love and care – being sure that there |
| them for scraps or partial pieces of plywood that | | | | are no dangerous corners, edges, or loose parts |
| only cost a couple of dollars, if anything. If you go to | | | | – your cat will enjoy its tree for years to come. |