How to Build A Tree House For Your Cat

Cat lovers want to help their pets stay healthy and keep them from growing bored. A great way to do this is by building your pet a cat tree house. This will provide your cat with a great place to relax, play and sharpen his claws. Plus, with so much stimulation your cat won't be able to grow bored or overweight and out of shape.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tree branches
• Insecticide
• Concrete
• Scrap plywood
• Drill
• 1 ½” wood screws
• Clamps
• Screwdriver
• Carpet
• Old rugs
• Balls
• Spinning objects
• Feathers
• Toys
• String

1. Find tree branches that are at least 2 inches in diameter. Soak them in insecticide for 2 weeks. Make sure that this insecticide is safe for your cat. One such safe insecticide is pyrethrins. This is a “natural insecticide, derived from the Chrysanthemum flower” (http://www.picaridin.info/pyrethrin.htm Picaridin). Place these branches in either your basement or garage to soak them. This is important to do, even if you are using green tree branches as they too will have insects in them. Unfortunately, water will not work for soaking these branches either as it will not kill off all of the insects. Remove the branches from the insecticide several days before you plan to use them so that they can dry.

2. Mix together enough concrete to fill a large coffee can. Place the biggest, widest branch into this coffee can and allow to set. You will need to do this for 4 branches.

3. Make 3 platform levels out of scrap plywood and your other branches. Each of these platform levels should measure 22" in length and 12" in diameter. Place this platform between the 4 posts. Use two1 ½” wood screws on each post to screw these into position.

4. Cover your platforms with carpet or old rugs. Glue these into place.

5. Tie balls, spinning objects, feathers and other toys to string. Hang these in the cat tree house.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have the right tools before you get started.
• Not everything has to be straight. Uneven items will intrigue your cat.
• The string that you use should be able to break easily in case your cat gets entangled in it.
• For maximum enjoyment, this tree house should be placed in front of a large mirror or picture window.
• Use clamps to hold the platform in position until it is screwed into place.