The cat tree I made!

white cat lover

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Following crittermom's example & with her advice, I made a cat tree! Well, I actually made two, but the first one ended up being more "Indian Tee-pee(sp?)" like than cat tree like, so I am dismantling it. Anways, I carpeted the base in leftover carpet from our basement. I used pretty patterened denim for the '80s for the perches. I used small(like throw pillow) sized pillow forms for padding on the perches. I stapled everything together. I used screws to attach the perches & posts.





I've had it done for about an hour now, & all the kitties keep on walking past it. Get this, though...the one cat who likes it best is Damita, the blind one!
I put her on top & stood ready to catch her after she fell, but she got down by herself. She then spent the next 1/2 hour going up & down. You can see I put a bench under the bottom perch so she had an extra step to get her down. Her jumping that far not knowing what was there scared meowmy...


I decided that instead of making two trees like this, I am going to make a "damita style" tree that starts lower to the ground & is much more suitable for her climbing needs.

Thanks crittermom for the advice!
It turned out a little crooked, but otherwise great! I decided against the middle "perch" that yours had as I wasn't sure if fastening it would mess with all the sisal. And, for the first time ever, Dorian(formerly Chico) is using a scratching post that isn't laying on the ground!
 

delilah_blue

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You did a great job!
Damita's abilities amaze me. I can't imagine being blind and leaping around like that. Apparently she must be quite determined - she is quite a kitty!
 

crittermom

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Thanks crittermom for the advice!
ANYTIME!!! You did a GREAT job
!!!! And the kits look like they
it.I'm so glad I could help out.
And, for the first time ever, Dorian(formerly Chico) is using a scratching post that isn't laying on the ground!
WOO HOO!!! That's an added bonus.

It looks awsome!! I'll have to show DH when he gets home tonight,and he'll say the same thing.
GREAT job!!!Thanks for posting the pics too.
 

crittermom

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DH told me to tell you,it looks really good.
How sturdy is it without the middle piece?
I'm glad I could help!!
 
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white cat lover

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It's definately not as sturdy as it would be with the middle piece, but it seems pretty good. I mean, when the kitties jump up on the perches, it doesn't sway big time, but it shifts a little.

I'm still confused as to how you atttached the middle perch onto the others? I need to add one more perche into this one so Damita can get up easier & I'm trying to decide how you put your on in the middle, or if I should just add another post.

One mroe question, crittermom....do your cats scratch your uncovered posts? Dorian was an outside cat & had 2 x 4 to use as scratching posts, so I fear if I leave the post for the cat tree uncovered he'll scratch it & ruin it.
 

crittermom

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I'll take some pic in a few and post them to show how the middle is attached to the cat tree.
As for the uncovered posts, none of mine bother them for the most part.They would rather scratch the sisal rope one.Maybe you could put some material around the ones that aren't covered by sisal rope.
It will take me a bit to take the pics and then down load them here.BUT,I'll get it done and show you.
 

crittermom

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Here is the underside


different views of the cat tree
 
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