Okay, here’s my blog post about building a “cat tree entertainment center”:
So, I’ve got these two furry maniacs, Mittens and Whiskers. They’re adorable, sure, but they also have the energy of a thousand suns. My old cat tree was, well, let’s just say it had seen better days. It was basically a scratching post graveyard. I needed something bigger, better, and, ideally, something that wouldn’t make my living room look like a cat toy explosion.
I started by sketching out some ideas. Think a basic cat tree, on steroids, I envisioned levels, perches, a little house, and more than one scratching surface, the scratching post graveyard was not going to happen again.
Planning and Gathering
First things first, I measured my space. Gotta make sure this thing fits! Then, I hit up the local hardware store. Here’s what I grabbed:
- Some sturdy wooden planks (I went with pine, because it’s cheap and easy to work with).
- A bunch of sisal rope (cats love this stuff for scratching).
- Wood screws (lots of them!).
- Wood glue (for extra hold).
- A few L-brackets (for added support).
- Some carpet scraps (because who doesn’t love a comfy perch?).
- A staple gun (to attach the carpet).
- sandpaper
Putting it All Together
I started by cutting the wood to size, according to my super-professional (not really) sketch. Then i began sanding all the wood for a smooth surface, for my cats and me.
Then, I started assembling the base. This is the most important part, it needed to be super solid. I used wood glue and screws to make sure it wouldn’t wobble, even if a small elephant decided to climb it.
Next, I built the different levels. I used L-brackets to attach them to the main posts, making sure everything was nice and level (no one wants a crooked cat tree!).
Once the main structure was up, I wrapped the posts with sisal rope. This part took a while, but it’s essential. I secured the rope with staples at the top and bottom, and a few strategically placed ones along the way.
Finally, I added the carpet to the perches and the little house. I just cut it to size, wrapped it around the wood, and stapled it in place. Easy peasy!
The Grand Reveal
I stepped back to admire my handiwork. It was…massive. And pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. It had multiple levels, a cozy hideaway, and plenty of scratching surfaces. The true test, of course, was the cats.
I lured them over with treats (bribery works every time). Mittens was the first to investigate. She cautiously sniffed, then started climbing. Whiskers followed suit. Soon, they were both exploring every nook and cranny, batting at the dangling toys I’d added, and generally acting like they owned the place (which, let’s be honest, they do).
It’s been a few weeks now, and the cat tree entertainment center is a huge hit. My furniture is safe, the cats are happy, and my living room looks (slightly) less chaotic. Definitely a win-win-win!
