Make a Rustic Cat Tree
SKILL LEVEL 2
Your cat will love the chance to get back to nature after you build her a simple, rustic cat tree. You can spend hundreds (yes, even thousands) of dollars on a factory-made cat tree. If you prefer something a little more earthy and much less expensive, grab a small hand saw, take a hike and get busy building a little paradise for your indoor cat.
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2 Skill level
2 out of 5
7 Steps
19 Materials
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Step 1 Take a hike
Take a walk in the woods, carrying a small, curved pruning saw and a pair of work gloves. Scout the ground for a sturdy, gnarled fallen branch 4 to 6 inches in diameter with a Y-shaped end. You want the branch to be dry and hard (no bugs!), so don’t hack into a live tree!
Cut off the Y-shaped end of the branch, making sure the branch ends up a manageable length of 30 to 36 inches and your fingers stay attached.
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Step 2 Cut a base
Back at home, use a circular saw or table saw to cut the bottom of the branch flat.
The base's size depends on the size of the branch and its stability when it stands upright. You don't want it to wobble when your cat climbs the cat treet. A 1x12 or 1-1/2x12 cut to 12 to 16 inches long should do the job.
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Step 3 Cover the base
Search your closets for fabric with a texture you cat will like. You can use an old sweater, blazer or polar fleece pullover, a thick old towel or bathrobe, a carpet scrap, or an old bath mat.Cut the fabric into a square large enough to cover the top and side of the base. Attach it to the base, using hot or cold glue, heavy duty staples (use a staple gun) or carpet tacks — whatever attaches the fabric well enough that your cat can't claw it off. If you glue it, wait for the glue to dry before going to the next step.
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Step 4 Attach the base
Draw an outline of the bottom of the branch on the uncovered bottom of the base and then drill 3 or 4 pilot holes (depending on the size and balance of the branch) through the base within the outline, first using a countersink bit and then a standard bit.
Drive wood screws through the base, into the bottom of the branch. If you wish, cover the bottom of the base with fabric, as long as it doesn't reduce the stability.
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Step 5 Make and attach a side support (optional)
If the branch is unbalanced when you stand it on end — and it probably is — decide which side of the Y to prop against a wall and cut off the tip at an angle so the cut end rests flush against the wall.
As you did with the base, attach a fabric-covered piece of 1x of 1-1/2x to the cut end of the Y. The size depends on how much lateral support the cat tree needs to be stable when pounced upon.
Cover the side that touches the wall with fabric, to protect the wall.
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Step 6 Install the cat tree
Move the cat tree into position. For added stability, you can attach adhesive-backed heavy-duty Velcro to the underside of the base and to the floor, and to the side support and the wall — just be aware that the adhesive on the Velcro could mar the floor or wall.
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Step 7 Think kitty fun!
Now the fun part: adorn your cat tree with features your kitty will love. Here are some ideas:
- If the shape of your branch provides a natural spot for a basket, nail it on and line the basket with a bit of fabric (for a larger cat, you might want to nail a brace board under the basket). Or instead of a basket, make a perch from a fabric-covered piece of scrap wood.
- Tie three strands of twine or light-weight rope to the branch, braid it and let it dangle to tempt your cat.
- Attach a long, dangling cat toys.
- For a real kick, dangle a pouch of catnip from the tree.
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Supplies
| Product | Have | Need |
|---|---|---|
| 1x12 or 1-1/2x12 lumber | ||
| Basket or perch | ||
| Carpet tacks and hammer | ||
| Cat toys | ||
| Catnip | ||
| Circular saw or table saw | ||
| Countersink bit | ||
| Glue | ||
| Heavy scrap fabric | ||
| Power drill/driver and bit set | ||
| Power drill/driver and set of bits | ||
| Pruning saw | ||
| Scissors or utility knife | ||
| Staple gun and staples | ||
| Twine | ||
| Velcro, adhesive-backed | ||
| Wood screws, 2-1/2 or 3 in. | ||
| Wood screws, 2-1/2 to 3 in. | ||
| Work gloves | ||
