At this point in my life, I wouldn’t call myself a crazy cat lady, but at some point in the future, I could see people referring to me as Eleanor Abernathy or the Crazy Cat Lady from The Simpsons. No, but jokes aside, cats are great, and I believe that if you have pets, you should treat them like your kids and should provide the best for them. This is why I believe that every cat owner ought to own a cat tree.
To optimize the comfort of your sweet kitty and to prevent them from scratching your furniture, it is important to set up a cat tree in your home. You don’t need a big budget to do this, as there is an economical solution: build one with inexpensive materials. There are many different designs and materials to choose from. Learn about them in this article and how to make them.
A cat tree with a tree branch
This is the most practical and environmentally friendly solution because you just need to pick up a large tree branch in the forest and install it at home. Place it vertically on a solid support. Add wooden platforms on which will be placed soft materials such as wool carpet, synthetic fur, velvet, etc. Place hanging toys, cushions, and a soft blanket to make it more aesthetic and functional. To make a scratching post, wrap sisal rope around a section of the branch near its base.
A cardboard cat tree
This is an economical solution because you only need to collect a few cardboard boxes in good condition that are strong enough to support your cat’s weight. Assemble and glue the boxes together to give them a shape. To add a decorative effect, decorate the entire cardboard cat tree with sheets of decorative paper, acrylic paint, fine sandpaper, etc. The tree should have several levels: a nap area, a control tower, a house, etc. To allow your cat to play and observe its surroundings, create small openings.
A wall-mounted cat tree
It is ideal for cat owners living in a rather narrow apartment. It is possible to make it without drilling holes in the wall. To do this, you need a sturdy box, wall scratches (for pictures) to assemble and fix in pairs, and sisal or fiber rope to wrap around the box’s wood.
A cat tree with a ladder
Install an unused ladder, cover its legs with a coil of rope, and secure its ends with nails. Screw the bed to the top of the ladder. Cover the steps with pieces of decorative carpet (attach with wood glue).
A cat tree with wicker baskets
Wicker baskets are a good base for a cat tree, thanks to their round or square shape and their rigidity. Assemble them, attach them to the shape you want, and add accessories and a hammock to keep your cat entertained.
A cat tree with IKEA furniture
You can choose between bedside tables, shelves, and chairs. To make a cat tree with tables, assemble 4 identical IKEA bedside tables with a few squares and screws and baskets to form hiding places and nap spaces. This type of cat tree has the advantage of being easy to clean, by hand or with a machine. You can also add a scraper around its feet.
To make a cat tree with shelves:
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- Remove the protective film from a carpet tile and glue it to the small shelves.
- Flip the shelves over and discard the excess carpet.
- Attach them to the wall, staggering them and alternating them so your cat can access each shelf.
- Be aware that this type of cat tree takes up very little space.
To build a cat tree with chairs, take 4 chairs that you no longer use. Place the first 2 chairs back to back. And place the other 2 chairs horizontally on top so that your cat has a place to relax. You can opt for the latter type of cat tree if you have a large enough space.
I am personally on team cat because I grew up with them, We always had a cat or two in my childhood home, and I used to love playing with them. Yes, I did dream of being like Catwoman at least once or twice, but this was a childhood dream. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us if you own a cat or wish to own one.
