Our new Tree for $16!

I found a way to make a nice cat tower for only $16 (including tax )

I bought a plastic shelving unit from Home Depot for $14. It is sturdy on it's own, but I did some things to make it sturdier. This unit is made by the PLANO company and is made in the USA. There are flimsier look alike units out there, don't be fooled.

Jennie was on it as soon as I placed the first bed.



Mazy found it shortly after, as did Queen Eva



Once I put a bed on the top shelf, Mazy chose that one.



I put in a hammock, as I've always wanted one for the cats. Queen Eva claimed that immediately.



On the bottom shelf I placed four cases of canned cat food for stability. With a soft fleece blankie over the cans, and another hanging down as a curtain, it does dual purpose, storage and a cozy Fort.



The unit is also anchored to the wall in two places with hooks in the wall and strong bootlaces.

I also plan to wrap the poles to make scracthing/climbing posts. For now I am using cardboard (only one made so far) but hope to eventually cover some of them with sisal. I will put the sisal right over the cardboard as the poles are not very wide, the cardboard adds bulk.



Currently I am using their soft fleece blankies for beds. When it gets cold I will replace the blankies with their self-warming beds (that I make myself)


Tolly did not get on this Tree until last night.



I bought a roll of that non-slip shelf liner stuff at the dollar store to put under beds.

Total cost for the new cat tree $16. That will go up when I buy the sisal, but that won't be for a while. They will have to make do with cardboard and carpet remnants for now, as that is what I have on hand.

Happy cats, happy me, happy wallet

Very cool idea and it does seem to be a "hit" at your house!

There's a mod on here that did much the same cause he wanted something easier than a normal tree for one of his cats to use. I've suggested it in other threads - the cat repellant thread was the most recent time I mentioned it.

It's a great example of how cats just love something that works. They don't need a $200-300 tree, they just want something interesting. Plus, your shelves will be easy to clean if needed and a lot lighter weight on your back to move (unless full of cats).

Sisal rope doesn't cost very much. Do make sure you have yourself a pair of gloves and preferably a long sleeve shirt on so you don't scratch your arms up with it (it itches like crazy!). Always keep the tension tight on it and use a small tack hammer to tap what you wrap down so that it wraps tightly.
I recently found out that I'm mildly allergic to sisal rope (respiratory reaction), I hope it doesn't bother you.

They look like they really enjoy it! Creativity always pays off when you have cats.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

There's a mod on here that did much the same cause he wanted something easier than a normal tree for one of his cats to use. I've suggested it in other threads - the cat repellant thread was the most recent time I mentioned it.

It's a great example of how cats just love something that works. They don't need a $200-300 tree, they just want something interesting.

Plus, your shelves will be easy to clean if needed and a lot lighter weight on your back to move (unless full of cats).

Sisal rope doesn't cost very much. Do make sure you have yourself a pair of gloves and preferably a long sleeve shirt on so you don't scratch your arms up with it (it itches like crazy!). Always keep the tension tight on it and use a small tack hammer to tap what you wrap down so that it wraps tightly.

I recently found out that I'm mildly allergic to sisal rope (respiratory reaction), I hope it doesn't bother you.

They look like they really enjoy it! Creativity always pays off when you have cats.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! I don't want to use sisal rope though because it sheds, AND because my hands aren't strong enough to wrap the rope tight enough.

I want to use sisal fabric. I will probably just pick up a couple sisal mat scratchers and use them. That won't be for a while though because the whole point of this project (so I could justify spending the $16 which was not in the budget) was that the only cost be the shelving unit. (and I cheated to get the non slip shelf liner at the dollar store)

Cool idea! Now, how did you make the hammock?

Rope shedding depends on quality and diameter you use. The smaller diameter holds up better, but with as many cats as you have you might have to changed it after a year and a half or two. It's also easier to handle.

I don't have a lot of strength in my hands anymore, either, due to serious muscle and nerve problems in my neck. Occasionally my hands spasm open or one of my arms will jerk. I've sent full forks, loaded paint brushes, and pens flying across the room before. (why I like watercolors more now, they don't make a big mess when that happens. lol)

I sit on the floor, used one leg to prop a post on and the other to steady it. And both hands to hold the rope. I have the occasional unwinding and have to start over... I bet you could find a way to use a dowel rod (or something similar) to help hold the rope and put tension on it.

I wish I could find the sisal fabric, by the yard, at an affordable price. Rug/carpet sisal is thicker and costs quite a bit. The sources I found for the fabric looked questionable and were out of China..

Originally Posted by stephanietx

Cool idea! Now, how did you make the hammock?

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I cut up some fleece and sewed straps (made of the same fleece) to each corner, and tied the straps to the poles, above the next shelf up, which holds the ties in place.

I always have a ton of fleece blankies, because I make my self warming cat beds out of them.

Fleece has a stretchy way and a non stretchy way. I took two pieces and put them together, each opposite of the other (stretchy/non stretchy) in the hopes that would keep the hammock from stretching and sagging too low.

Well it still does sag too low for any cat but Queen Eva so I have to either shorten the original square and re-sew the straps or support the bottom with a non-giving canvas with it's own straps. I've been eyeing an old canvas gym bag I have in the closet. I think that will do it.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Rope shedding depends on quality and diameter you use. The smaller diameter holds up better, but with as many cats as you have you might have to changed it after a year and a half or two. It's also easier to handle.

I don't have a lot of strength in my hands anymore, either, due to serious muscle and nerve problems in my neck. Occasionally my hands spasm open or one of my arms will jerk. I've sent full forks, loaded paint brushes, and pens flying across the room before.

(why I like watercolors more now, they don't make a big mess when that happens. lol)

I sit on the floor, used one leg to prop a post on and the other to steady it. And both hands to hold the rope. I have the occasional unwinding and have to start over... I bet you could find a way to use a dowel rod (or something similar) to help hold the rope and put tension on it.

I wish I could find the sisal fabric, by the yard, at an affordable price. Rug/carpet sisal is thicker and costs quite a bit. The sources I found for the fabric looked questionable and were out of China..

Click to expand...

Yeah, I've been pricing sisal. And that's the problem with the sisal cat mats too, made in China.

The cats do have one very sturdy made in USA sisal post (tall) with tunnel attached. They love it.

So they may have to settle for just cardboard and cut up retired throw rugs on their posts, as there is no money for anything else at the moment. As it is I had to give up my dried cherries for the month to fit in the cost of the shelving unit.

Worth the sacrifice of course.

That is a really nice unit there. I agree, cats like things they can be "up" on. I have one of these in the grandkids play room with old books on it.

Gives me an idea........

Mine love the cardboard scratchers, too. The only problem is that not all cardboard scratchers are equal. There's a brand that either petsmart or petco sells that holds up really well. But wal-mart and kmart sell cheap ones that are made of softer cardboard. My cats ruin them pretty quickly. It's actually cheaper for me to make my own post.

You'll figure something out, you're ingenious enough to do so.

I'll suggest it again, in case anyone missed it, check out garage sales. You may come across some used shelves that are sturdy enough and only pay a couple dollars.

They love it! It's great to see all your cats milling around on the tree and just chilling. Queen Eva is fitting right in, isn't she?

Oh snap! Great idea!! We garbage-picked an old wooden TV tray ( the kind you have in front of you with dinner on it) from a neighbor's trash pile. Doug reinforced it with carpet staples. We cut a piece of remnant rug to fit on the top and I bought some double-sided carpet tape (used for seams) and tacked the carpet onto the wooden surface of the tray. Instant perch. They love it. Actual cost to make - about 4 bucks.

That's pretty cool! Even better that it was cheap to make, and even more better (yep- more better ) that all your cats like it!

I love your hammocks, I know you explained how you made them in a post above, but could you try to explain it in more detail? I think I understand, but I'm not sure if I fully inderstand what you mean about putting 2 pieces of fleece together.. I would like to maybe try a hammock for Genever.. Thanks!

What a GREAT idea, and obviously kitty approved!

Those shelves fit PERFECTLY between the end of the mattress in the RV bedroom and the walls. Ours are kind of "dual purpose" shelves for us and the kitties - but they are GREAT! I love the modifications!

We bought a $2.99 large low-sided litter pan that exactly fits on one of the shelves, and put a blanket in there. Makes a snuggly bed for one of the shelves.

thats great! they all look like the enjoy it

I love it......what a great idea.

I go to a store called Savers.....kind of like Goodwill but nicer stuff and buy a lot of fleece throws. The cats love them. I have little throws and blankets and cat beds all over the place. LOL.

Woot I'm inspired! I went on the local Craigslist and found someone selling two of these for $10 each. I'm picking them up tonight, then let the modifications begin!

That is awesome!!! They love it too.

Gotta ask, I wanna know more about these self warming beds....

Originally Posted by DarkMavis

That's pretty cool! Even better that it was cheap to make, and even more better (yep- more better

) that all your cats like it!

I love your hammocks, I know you explained how you made them in a post above, but could you try to explain it in more detail? I think I understand, but I'm not sure if I fully inderstand what you mean about putting 2 pieces of fleece together.. I would like to maybe try a hammock for Genever.. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Thank you! The reason I cut the fleece and put the pieces together is because the weave of the fabric is different depending on which way you are looking at it. The fleece blankets I use are 50 x 60 inches.

The 60 inch length is stretchy, the 50 inch width is not. In an effort to prevent the hammock from sagging too much from the stretchy side, I placed the two pieces of weave opposite ways. Not sure how much it helped, I still am going to have to support the bottom with something with less give I think, or take the straps off and shorten the hammock..

Originally Posted by KatKisses

That is awesome!!! They love it too.

Gotta ask, I wanna know more about these self warming beds....

Click to expand...

Thank you!

I make these self warming cat (and dog) beds. I use the inexpensive fleece blankets that always come out this time of year, in grocery stores and drug stores. Originally I stuffed them with old retired pillows, but I've long since run out of those, and have to purchase the filling. The beds are lined with space blanket material, which reflects body heat.

I use these inside:



They are all hand sewn. I've already done some sewing this year, I was worried about Queen Eva messing with the thread, but Tolly and Mazy are wonderful baby sitters and have kept her occupied.

pile of self warming beds


Tolly modeling an early (first year) bed


I send them to my special kitty friends at Christmas. Some I make specifically for a specific cat, others are made without a specific recipient in mind.

I've made them for dogs, too.

They take a long time to make because of my arthritic hands and wrists, I can only sew for about an hour at a time before needing a rest.