Building a wooden cat tower with multiple levels is a great project that can provide your cats with a fun and functional structure to climb, scratch, and rest. This step-by-step guide will help you create a sturdy and durable wooden cat tower, ensuring it’s both a comfortable space for your cat and a decorative addition to your home.
Materials You’ll Need:
- 2-3 sheets of plywood (¾-inch thickness recommended)
- Wooden posts or dowels (4-6 feet in length, depending on tower height)
- Screws or nails
- Wood glue
- Carpet or sisal rope (for scratching surfaces)
- Fabric or soft padding (for resting areas)
- Stapler or upholstery tacks
- Sandpaper or a power sander
- Paint or wood finish (optional)
- Power drill and screwdriver
- Saw (table saw, circular saw, or jigsaw)
- Measuring tape
- Clamps (optional)
Step 1: Planning and Measuring
Before starting construction, plan the design of your cat tower. The number of levels, the height of each platform, and where the scratching posts will go are key decisions. Here’s a basic plan:
- Base platform: A sturdy base (approximately 18×18 inches) will support the rest of the structure.
- Vertical posts: These are the supports for the levels and can be placed on each corner of the base, or if you want an open structure, use a few strategic points.
- Levels: Depending on how tall you want the tower, add platforms at varying heights for your cats to climb. Each platform should be at least 12×12 inches in size to give your cat plenty of room to move comfortably.
- Scratching areas: You can cover some areas of the tower with sisal rope or carpet for scratching.
- Resting areas: Add soft padding or fabric to make some levels comfortable for napping.
Once you have a plan, measure all the components to ensure everything fits together.
Step 2: Cutting the Wood
Cut the plywood sheets to size based on your design. If you want different levels with a variety of shapes (squares, rectangles, or even circles), now is the time to make those cuts. If you’re using wooden posts as vertical supports, ensure the posts are cut to the desired height of the tower.
- Base Platform: Cut a square or rectangular piece of plywood for the base. A size of 18×18 inches is a good starting point, but adjust this based on how many levels you want and how large you want your tower to be.
- Platform Levels: Cut the plywood into multiple sections for the different platforms. The sizes will depend on your design, but 12×12 inches or 18×18 inches are common for each level.
- Vertical Posts: Cut the wooden dowels or posts to your desired height. The number of posts will depend on the design, but you’ll need at least four to create the structure. They should be tall enough to accommodate the number of levels you want to add.
Step 3: Assembling the Structure
Attach the Vertical Posts: Begin by attaching the vertical posts to the base platform. You can drill holes into the base and secure the posts using screws or wood glue. For added strength, it’s a good idea to screw through the base into the posts from underneath. Make sure they are vertical by checking with a level.
Install the Platforms: Once the posts are secured, start attaching the platform levels. You can either screw or glue these onto the posts. For each level, make sure the platform is centered and stable. If you’re using a horizontal support system (like a bar or brace), secure it to the posts first before placing the platforms on top.
Step 4: Adding the Scratching Areas
If you’re adding scratching surfaces, wrap the posts with sisal rope. This will provide an area for your cat to scratch, which is a great alternative to your furniture.
- Wrap Posts with Sisal Rope: Use a hot glue gun or staple gun to attach the rope at the bottom of each post. Start wrapping the rope tightly, making sure it’s even all the way up. Secure the top with glue or staples.
- Add Carpet to Platforms (Optional): For a softer surface, you can add carpet to the platforms. Cut pieces of carpet to fit each platform and staple them into place. If you prefer, you can also use fabric or plush material to make them more comfortable for your cat.
Step 5: Sanding and Finishing
After assembling the tower, use sandpaper or a sander to smooth out any rough edges. This will prevent any splinters that might harm your cat.
- Sanding: Go over all the edges, corners, and surfaces to make sure there are no sharp spots.
- Painting or Staining (Optional): If you want to paint or stain the tower, do so at this point. Choose a pet-safe finish to ensure your cat won’t be exposed to harmful chemicals. Allow the paint or stain to dry fully before moving on to the next step.
Step 6: Adding Resting Pads
For the comfort of your cat, add soft bedding or cushions to the resting platforms. You can either purchase pre-made pads or make your own by cutting foam to fit each platform and covering it with fabric.
- Measure and Cut Foam: Measure the dimensions of each platform and cut foam padding to fit.
- Cover the Foam: Use fabric or soft fleece to cover the foam. Secure the fabric underneath the foam with a staple gun.
Step 7: Final Assembly and Placement
Once everything is assembled, it’s time to set up your wooden cat tower in a space that’s accessible and safe for your cats. Place the tower in an area that your cats frequently visit, such as near a window for sunbathing or in a quiet corner for naps.
Step 8: Enjoy the Finished Product
With everything in place, you can now sit back and watch your cats explore their new tower. They’ll love the multiple levels for climbing, resting, and scratching.
By building your own wooden cat tower, you create a custom-designed space for your cats while having fun with a rewarding DIY project. Not only does it provide a useful structure for your pets, but it can also be a beautiful addition to your home.
For more woodworking ideas and detailed plans for cat towers and other furniture, check out Teds Woodworking Course here: Teds Woodworking Course.