Cat trees and building them...

chromodactyl

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Hi as you know, we will be getting a baby kitten soon(2 and half months time)and we thought it is time to upgrade the kittens hardware and get one of those ultra fantastic cat trees.They are so great and of course i checked them on ebay and found all sorts of adventure trees.I found oe i really like-tunnels,hammocks,beds,multi level...huge price and then a frien said they would be able to make it for me the way i wanted-is this a ridiculous DIY job and being cheap?or is it a possibility.Has anyone else made trees for cats?
 
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chromodactyl

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thanks for that I will check it out and update as it goes.Im just worried it will be one of those DIY projects that never gets finished
 

yosemite

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My hubby decided to make ours instead of paying big dollars for cheap workmanship on the store-bought ones. It did cost us over $300 for the materials to make it, but it's sturdy, has cut-out area for the floor vents, 2 houses (one for each kitty) and several levels for just sitting and looking out the window. He did an awesome job.
 
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chromodactyl

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sound lovely and regarding ebay sale-that is so ****cheap!!you lucky thing!!
 

roxie225

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My bf and I have decided to build Roxie a grand cat tree. We are considering it our summer project


The one we have now we bought on eBay not even a year ago and it's all busted up already... Partially from a tubby Roxie but mostly from poor craftsmanship! This time we thought we would try it ourselves!!

Whatever you decide, good luck -- the kitty will love it either way
 

cinder

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I made and sold cat furniture for a while. Here's what I would suggest.

Go to a carpet warehouse and check for remnants. Tell them you're looking for carpet to make cat furniture. Sometimes they'll make you a good deal. Don't use really cheap carpet. It's easier to work with cause it's pliable, but it will fall apart right away. Likewise, the really really good stuff can be a B**** to work with.

Don't use carpet tacks or anything that pulls out easily. I used an air staple gun. Screw the pieces together.

Practice on a scratching post or something basic until you get the hang of it. Oh, and measure three times and cut once!
 
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chromodactyl

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hey cinder thanks thats really good advice!! will check one out soon
 

middletown

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Originally Posted by Cinder

I made and sold cat furniture for a while. Here's what I would suggest.

Go to a carpet warehouse and check for remnants. Tell them you're looking for carpet to make cat furniture. Sometimes they'll make you a good deal. Don't use really cheap carpet. It's easier to work with cause it's pliable, but it will fall apart right away. Likewise, the really really good stuff can be a B**** to work with.

Don't use carpet tacks or anything that pulls out easily. I used an air staple gun. Screw the pieces together.

Practice on a scratching post or something basic until you get the hang of it. Oh, and measure three times and cut once!


I make them now. This advise is purrfect.
 
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chromodactyl

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well if we do get started and get into difficulty, i know where to turn.Thanks both!!
 

trixie23

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Originally Posted by Roxie225

My bf and I have decided to build Roxie a grand cat tree. We are considering it our summer project


The one we have now we bought on eBay not even a year ago and it's all busted up already... Partially from a tubby Roxie but mostly from poor craftsmanship! This time we thought we would try it ourselves!!

Whatever you decide, good luck -- the kitty will love it either way
My bf and I plan on making that a summer project as well! Dont get me wrong the kitties ( 2 cats) are spoiled... As of now they have three scratching posts and a kitty condo... Cat furniture is so expensive and sometimes poorly made! I think it would be a fun project, not cheap but fun! Thats my summer goal! I would really like to make them something unique and extravagant!
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by chromodactyl

Hi as you know, we will be getting a baby kitten soon(2 and half months time)and we thought it is time to upgrade the kittens hardware and get one of those ultra fantastic cat trees.They are so great and of course i checked them on ebay and found all sorts of adventure trees.I found oe i really like-tunnels,hammocks,beds,multi level...huge price and then a frien said they would be able to make it for me the way i wanted-is this a ridiculous DIY job and being cheap?or is it a possibility.Has anyone else made trees for cats?
Well, when it comes to cheapness, it is hard to beat me! I found an old stepladder out in the garage with a couple of platforms supposedly to place paint buckets, etc. So I just brought it in the house and Persi immediately fell in love with it so I modified it a bit with hanging, swinging things. A couple of months ago we got Alley and now she is climbing all over the ladder, too. Neither one of them knows it cost me NOTHING, they could not care less!
 

bonnie1965

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Originally Posted by Megan

My dad helped me build one for my cat with leftover wood and a carpet remnant. It really was no problem and cost us about $12 for the remnant and nothing for leftover wood. It's a simple one with only 2 levels but she loves it. Here's a photo:

http://www.meganmcdermott.com/photos...g2_itemId=1259
Megan, I love your tree. Your cat is beautiful! (welcome back)

chromodactyl, here are some links I found by googling "cat tree plans". There are so many creative ideas out there! Wish I knew how to do more than hang a picture


http://www.spookyblue.com/projects/cat_condo/

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/981001b.cfm (thrifty ideas)

http://www.ronhazelton.com/howto/cat_tree.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/P...421/forest.htm

http://www.nd.edu/~akolaczy/catladder.html (from a step-ladder!!)

http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/building_a_cat_tree.htm

http://www.cattreeplan.com/ (on a CD)

http://www.cattreeplans.com/ (on a CD)

http://www.cat-furniture-plans.com/ (download)

http://www.iroquoisinnovations.com/cat_furniture.htm (for ideas)
 
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chromodactyl

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Bonnie,thanks for your links,there is some great stuff there.I drew out a plan so i think were going to use this-4 levels,tunnels,rest spots and hammocks for swingnig 60's kittens.But i think i like the ladder thing too-cos its easy and i will be able to contribute here.
 
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