How to Build Creative & Unusual Cat Condos
Anyone who has an indoor cat knows the havoc those claws wreak on your furniture. That's why it is so important to provide your cat with furniture of his own that he can scratch up. Cat furniture can be expensive, however, and that can make you rethink your decision. The good news is that you can make your own cat furniture at home for less. Even better is that it puts you in charge of how your cat furniture looks and is constructed, so you can make it as creative and unusual as you wish.
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Things You'll Need
- 4-foot stepladder
- 2-by-4-inch wood stud (cut to length)
- Hammer and nails
- 12-inch-diameter cardboard concrete mold (cut into 2 pieces)
- Sisal rope
Instructions
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1
Open the stepladder as if you were about to climb it.
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2
Measure the length between the legs from the front of the ladder to the back (at the bottom). Make a note of this measurement. Cut (or have cut) 2 pieces of the 2-by-4-inch stud at this length.
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3
Nail the studs to each side of the ladder to create stability braces for your structure. They will keep the ladder open at all times.
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4
Cut the concrete mold to create 2 tunnels for your condo. You may cut each section to be as long as you like.
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5
Wrap each tunnel with sisal rope to provide your cat with a scratchy surface he can also use to climb. Wrap the tunnels lengthwise in order to get the rope on both the inside and outside of your tunnel. Make sure to wrap the rope tightly, as it is better to have to buy more rope than rewrap your tunnels if the cat tears them up.
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Secure the first tunnel onto the ladder. Nail it onto the wood studs from inside the tunnel.
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7
Place the second tunnel above the first. Secure it to the structure by nailing it to the rails of the ladder (on each side) from inside the tunnel.
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8
Wrap all exposed areas on the ladder with sisal rope. This includes the steps, top platform, rails, stability braces and the like. Again, be sure to wrap the rope tightly to prevent having to rewrap if the rope is torn loose and also to allow your cat to climb freely on the wrapped surfaces.
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9
Test the cat condo for safety, making sure that all tunnels are secure and all rope is tightly wound around the ladder. If all is secure, the condo is ready for your cat to play with and enjoy.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider cutting holes into the tunnels for extra entrances and exits for your cat. You can even cut a hole from the lower tunnel to the upper tunnel to allow the cats easy access from one to the next. Be sure to cut these extra holes before you wrap the sisal rope on the tunnel and wrap around them.
Gather a few favorite cat toys (mice, balls, feathers) and attach them to some sisal rope. Then attach the rope to the cat condo for the cats to play.
Sprinkling the cat condo with catnip is a great way to get playtime started.
Always check and double check your cat condo for safety before initial playtime to prevent your cat from being injured while playing. Remember to do a periodic safety check of your cat condo every few weeks just in case.
