How can I make some fun climbing things for little cost :(

darlili · Aug 21, 2009

Don't worry overly much if Maggie doesn't use something right away - I cannot tell you how many times I've bought a toy or something for my two, no one seemed to like it, and just as I was ready to take it back to the store - like a month later - suddenly it became a hit. (BTW, Petsmart is great on returns - just hang on to the receipt). And they go through phases - right now Dharma enjoys sleeping on one of the dining room chairs - last month, it was on top of the small cat tree.

And, yes, they love windows. I've got both my trees near patio doors so they can look out (why, yes, my dining room and living room are decorated in the 'feline motif').

Sometimes they just like to curl up somewhere out of the way and secluded - and she really is just getting used to her new territory. But if you can provide her a few different places to go to, at different levels, it expands her whole world.

Oh, and I bet you know this because of the dogs - please please be careful to never leave anything out that she can swallow - like ribbons, dental floss, or yarn, or rubberbands, or anything like that...sometimes cats will start to swallow them, and because of the way their tongues are made, it can only go one way (down) and sometimes it gets stuck - which can result in surgery or, even worse, death. I bet you will find yourself becoming even tidier in your living habits, thanks to Maggie. Also, always check the washer and dryer before you start a load - sometimes they get curious and crawl inside - very scary!

you are such a good daddy - btw, if you have time, read up on LawGuy's posts - he adopted a feral kitten and has gone through a lot of the same things you are - and is a wonderful papa to his kitties.

bryce · Aug 21, 2009

Originally Posted by darlili

Don't worry overly much if Maggie doesn't use something right away - I cannot tell you how many times I've bought a toy or something for my two, no one seemed to like it, and just as I was ready to take it back to the store - like a month later - suddenly it became a hit. (BTW, Petsmart is great on returns - just hang on to the receipt). And they go through phases - right now Dharma enjoys sleeping on one of the dining room chairs - last month, it was on top of the small cat tree.

And, yes, they love windows. I've got both my trees near patio doors so they can look out (why, yes, my dining room and living room are decorated in the 'feline motif').

Sometimes they just like to curl up somewhere out of the way and secluded - and she really is just getting used to her new territory. But if you can provide her a few different places to go to, at different levels, it expands her whole world.

Oh, and I bet you know this because of the dogs - please please be careful to never leave anything out that she can swallow - like ribbons, dental floss, or yarn, or rubberbands, or anything like that...sometimes cats will start to swallow them, and because of the way their tongues are made, it can only go one way (down) and sometimes it gets stuck - which can result in surgery or, even worse, death. I bet you will find yourself becoming even tidier in your living habits, thanks to Maggie. Also, always check the washer and dryer before you start a load - sometimes they get curious and crawl inside - very scary!

you are such a good daddy - btw, if you have time, read up on LawGuy's posts - he adopted a feral kitten and has gone through a lot of the same things you are - and is a wonderful papa to his kitties.

I know she's still getting used to the house and all, but I'm wondering what if she is always under there even after a few months. We didn't adopt the more playful cats, but they said she was playful and independent as well. I just hope that didn't mean she'll only come out at night and all. Right now, she'll come to my room and hang out until about 11am and then go under the bed until about 2-3pm. Then she'll be downstairs at the window until about 6pm and then it's back to the bed spot. Then she's there until pretty much night time or whenever she feels like coming out.

Oh and sometimes we'll take a step to her and she darts away and upstairs to the bed and comes back after a bit. Other times she'll just dart around and back a while. My mom thinks it's because she's scared but I think she's just running and wanting someone to chase her.

carolina · Aug 21, 2009

Originally Posted by Bryce

I know she's still getting used to the house and all, but I'm wondering what if she is always under there even after a few months. We didn't adopt the more playful cats, but they said she was playful and independent as well. I just hope that didn't mean she'll only come out at night and all. Right now, she'll come to my room and hang out until about 11am and then go under the bed until about 2-3pm. Then she'll be downstairs at the window until about 6pm and then it's back to the bed spot. Then she's there until pretty much night time or whenever she feels like coming out.

Oh and sometimes we'll take a step to her and she darts away and upstairs to the bed and comes back after a bit. Other times she'll just dart around and back a while. My mom thinks it's because she's scared but I think she's just running and wanting someone to chase her.

Sounds like a normal cat to me!
In my experience, the favorite spots are under the bed, by the windows and up on the shelves. Cats sleep a LOT - like 15 - 18 hours a day, I think... but... they also love playing! In my house, if I am doing my own thing, like browsing on the computer, watching TV, reading, etc, they are sleeping... but at the moment I go to the floor they all come to me - it means play time!!!

gemlady · Aug 21, 2009

Skippymjp/Mike uses the Tupper Lair - an assemblage of storage containers and plastic shelving for his tribe. It's modualr and easy to move around and rearrange.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ht=tupper+lair

bryce · Aug 21, 2009

Originally Posted by gemlady

Skippymjp/Mike uses the Tupper Lair - an assemblage of storage containers and plastic shelving for his tribe. It's modualr and easy to move around and rearrange.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...ht=tupper+lair

If I were to stack those on top of each other and cut a hole in the top of one, would the cat be able to get up to the next one or what? I'm not sure how easy it would be for the cat t get up in them. Cut one on floor level, enter there, then one in the top big enough for her and then like a balcony or something there.

calico2222 · Aug 21, 2009

When I had my first cat family before I moved back to the states (couldn't bring any back with me

but found them all good homes) I didn't have the money for an actual cat tree. So, as strange as it sounds I picked up an old wooden ladder at a flea market for just a few dollars, added wider wood on the steps to extend them and covered them with carpet and tied toys to the support rungs on the other side and it was a HUGE hit! It was ugly as could be but they had a ball playing "king of the hill'! Plus, it was excellent for a scratching post. In fact, Jasper (the "self proclaimed King") only came down from the very top to eat and use the litter box for a while. He kept his eye on that tip top spot though...I guess he was afraid a challenger would "dethrone" him.

I LOVE the tupper lair though! I don't remember that thread but that is a great idea, especially the shelving part. I have a disabled kitty too (no amputation but due to a fight with another tom when he was still a barn cat he can't put any weight on his back leg) and something like that would be ideal for him in front of the patio door.

bryce · Aug 21, 2009

The cheapest I've seen those tupper ware containers were $4.50 each at Walmart. Anywhere I could get em cheaper if I'm going to be buying like 4-5 of them?

gemlady · Aug 22, 2009

Originally Posted by Bryce

If I were to stack those on top of each other and cut a hole in the top of one, would the cat be able to get up to the next one or what? I'm not sure how easy it would be for the cat t get up in them. Cut one on floor level, enter there, then one in the top big enough for her and then like a balcony or something there.

Yep, give a kitty a hole and they will crawl through it.

Other members have taken cardboard boxes and connected them with tape and cut holes for access. One used new boxes and another used boxes on hand. So if the plastic ones are out of the budget, then you might try cardboard. I am thinking, with school season starting, a lot of the stores have specials on the plastic totes and shelving meant for college dorms.

I'm sure anything you put together Maggie will have fun in.

darlili · Aug 22, 2009

And, honestly, the most important thing you're providing Maggie is your love and care. Everything else is gravy for her.

otto · Aug 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Bryce

I've got this, how could I get her to be able to get up there though. Would she like it you think?

Is that a gun cabinet? Or a locker?

You could tack or glue some carpeting on one side of that for climbing, and for another way up just add a couple of shorter ones next to it

something like this:

.

otto · Aug 23, 2009

Originally Posted by carolinalima

HI Bryce!!!!!
Hang shelves on the walls! The more the merrier....
You can go to home depot, get some shelves and brackets, a strip of carpet, and if you don't have already, a glue gun...
Cats LOVE vertical spaces... I made a whole wall of shelves on my living room, and they really enjoy it! I think they like it better than my cat tree...
Anyway, here is a picture of it:

those are terrific! If I had the wall space I'd love to do something like that!

.

otto · Aug 23, 2009

Originally Posted by Bryce

Thanks, I'll go searching for that thread. My onlly problem is wasting the time on it if she's not going to use it. Someone gave us a small perch/post for her and she's got that wand toy and a turboscratcher, hardly uses them except when I first bought them. I leave em out all the time so is that it?

Do you actually play WITH her with them? The wand toy is an interactive toy, needs you to play with.

I have a turbo scratcher too, but none of my current cats bother with it. Other cats in the past did though, and some future cat may, too.

I am reading some fantastic ideas here, I love the stacking plastic tote box idea! I use those big totes for litter boxes. I never thought of making condos out of them.

I did build a play house for my cats a few years ago, they love it.

If you build your cat (Maggie?) a piece of furniture, she wil use it. You can encourage her to use it by invovling it during Games.

back view

front view (the 2x4 is for wood scratchers, and for a place to add a taller addition some day) and Tolly modeling the window between the two rooms

Mazy modeling the cave that runs the length of it

otto · Aug 23, 2009

Originally Posted by calico2222

When I had my first cat family before I moved back to the states (couldn't bring any back with me

but found them all good homes) I didn't have the money for an actual cat tree. So, as strange as it sounds I picked up an old wooden ladder at a flea market for just a few dollars, added wider wood on the steps to extend them and covered them with carpet and tied toys to the support rungs on the other side and it was a HUGE hit! It was ugly as could be but they had a ball playing "king of the hill'! Plus, it was excellent for a scratching post. In fact, Jasper (the "self proclaimed King") only came down from the very top to eat and use the litter box for a while. He kept his eye on that tip top spot though...I guess he was afraid a challenger would "dethrone" him.

.

fantastic idea! Dang I wish I had more room in this tiny apartment!

.

otto · Aug 23, 2009

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Sounds like a normal cat to me!
In my experience, the favorite spots are under the bed, by the windows and up on the shelves. Cats sleep a LOT - like 15 - 18 hours a day, I think... but... they also love playing! In my house, if I am doing my own thing, like browsing on the computer, watching TV, reading, etc, they are sleeping... but at the moment I go to the floor they all come to me - it means play time!!!

Yep sounds just like my house. Except when I am doing my own thing often they are sleeping ON me. But like you, they know that when I close the lap top, or turn off the kitchen light and sit on the floor it's Game Time, whoohoo!!!

.

bryce · Aug 24, 2009

Originally Posted by otto

Is that a gun cabinet? Or a locker?

You could tack or glue some carpeting on one side of that for climbing, and for another way up just add a couple of shorter ones next to it

something like this:

.

It's a server cabinet, like the ones you see in data centers and all lol.

mrblanche · Aug 24, 2009

Glad to see you back, Bryce. I was worried your disappearance may have meant your mother won and Maggie had gone back.

bryce · Aug 24, 2009

She's not going back, although I have no idea why my mom is even thinking about it

. Read my other post about why. It's in this forum. I'm not letting her take the cat back period.

BTW, Maggie loves to play fuse ball lol.

mrblanche · Aug 24, 2009

"Fuse ball?" Do you mean "FoosBall?"

Some cats have favorite toys, and there's just no explaining it. Some have other odd habits. Our Ella loves to slowly push things (pens, etc.) off tables and counters.

otto · Aug 24, 2009

Originally Posted by mrblanche

"Fuse ball?" Do you mean "FoosBall?"

Some cats have favorite toys, and there's just no explaining it. Some have other odd habits. Our Ella loves to slowly push things (pens, etc.) off tables and counters.

Mazy cat is my Gravity Experimenter!

Everything ends up on the floor. She does have a special bowl filled with toys on a shelf, for the express purpose of fishing a toy out and letting it drop, and she uses it often, but of course mommie's pens, etc are more fun!

.

darlili · Aug 24, 2009

Dharma likes to push pencils off tables - and then meow for me to put them back.

How can I make some fun climbing things for little cost :(

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