Cat Condo

My cousin and I were looking at cat condos for his cat, and we found out that even the cheap ones were still kind of expensive. None of them were really what he was looking for either, they were all really complex. So we decided to look to instructables to see if anyone had built one. We looked around, and we didn't find anything, so we decided to make one our selves, and share it with everyone. So, this instructable will help to guide you in building your very own cat condo, one that will provide your feline with endless entertainment.

Materials Used:
Carpet (amount depends on size of condo)
Flooring Adhesive
Cardboard Masonry Tube
"L" Brackets
Wood Screws
Bolts
Nuts
Plywood
Staples
Nails
Elastic
Cat Toys

Tools Used:
Radial Arm Saw (a Table Saw or Circular Saw will work just fine)
Jigsaw
Drill
Staple Gun
Paint Brush
Scissors
Utility Knife
Black Marker
Measuring Tape
Square
Yard Stick
Hammer

Step 1: Cutting and Marking

Once you have your tools and materials gathered, the first thing you want to do, is cut the plywood for the base and the top of the cat condo.

The cardboard tube that we used was 12 inches wide, so we decided to make the base 20 inches square. We measured it off and marked it with the black marker. We then used the radial arm saw to cut the square. We also marked off the top part of the cat condo, ours was 18 inches by 13 inches. You can make the top part the same as the base if you want, we were using left over wood, and needed to adjust the size a little bit, to make it fit.

Once you have the base and top cut, you need to center your cardboard tube on each of them, and trace around it with the black marker. You can then use the drill, and drill a hole inside of the circle you just traced on both pieces of wood. This will give you a place to start the jigsaw, so that you can cut the circles out, remember to cut the holes a little bit bigger than the tube, because you will have the added thickness of the carpet to go inside of the holes also. The amount of extra you need to cut, will all depend on the thickness of your carpet.

Comments

[fuf]

This looks far better than some of the stuff at the store! The pictures are very informative (and cute!)

[chloebell1]

What size tube did you use? The largest tube I have been able to find at the home improvement store is 12" diameter. I really think I need something larger, perhaps 16" diameter. I am unable to find anything larger locally. Please let me know. Thanks.

[kylboy06]

We used the 12" one, it seems small at first, and it may be too small for some cats, but it is actually bigger than it looks, and it was actually a really good size for the cat we had.

[superMacaroni]

Where did you get your carpet?

[kylboy06]

We got it from a friend, that had it as let over scraps.  If you check at some local carpet stores, they are usually willing to give away scraps that they would be throwing away otherwise.

[superMacaroni]

Thanks!

[flaggerboy]

Excellent instructable.  I was planning to make a condo for our 2 cats and you've inspired me with this approach.

I have a couple of questions:

- How big is your cat?   Ours is about 10lbs, 12" tall excluding the tail, and I think I should enlarge the shelves.

- How thick is the plywood?  It looks 3/4" but I can't really tell.

Thanks!

[kylboy06]

 The cat was not very big in these pictures, but she has gotten bigger since, and still seems to enjoy playing on the condo, she probably weighs about 6 or 7 pounds now, and about 12" tall.  The plywood is 1/2, but I would recommend 3/4, and the added support beams are an excellent idea too, otherwise you may find yourself reattaching shelves.

[sam12587]

How cute - I love them when they are younge & playful.

Great instructable - think I 'll make a varsion of this for mine with larger shelves & then put it near the window so they have a perch to look out (where our dog can't get at them). 

[superMacaroni]

Aww! How cute! :3

[rlawrence]

 does he ever use the top coz im looking at making one for a friends cat

[kylboy06]

Yeah, she will climb on top and bat at the toys, and then drop down inside from the top.  Mostly though, she is climbing inside from one opening to the next, and playing with the toys along the way.

[rlawrence]

 haha cool, could you please tell me how high your tube was it will make it so much easier for me too make :)

[kylboy06]

the tube is 4ft tall

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

ill sell them!

[copperblue]

Well done! I really want to make this since pre-made is so expensive. I can already see adding another one to the side with ladders and curved places for my teen kitty "Ninja" to play and curl up. She is so active that she is driving us crazy!

[ki10]

Very nice! Did you have any trouble with the adhesive being smelly? I remember when my dad last put down flooring adhesive, and I think my cat might reject it. Oh well, I'll just have to figure out a different method and post my own!

[kylboy06]

The adhesive was a little strong at first, but after it dried, it wasn't that bad, and after it set for a day or two, I couldn't really even notice it any more. We used Elmer's brand, maybe it has a weaker smell than other brands, or maybe it is just because it is a smaller area, not really sure.

[ki10]

I'll have to give it a shot on one of his smaller perches. Thanks!

[jethro04]

kitty loves it. I was able to get carpet remnants at discount store for 5.00 dollars

[rhino]

I am glad I found this. My cats will be grateful to you.

[Doctor What]

Your cat condo is amazing. It looks just as good, if not better, than the ones sold in the store.

[tweeder82o]

so what was the cost at the end? I often contemplate making one of my own, but is always hendered by the fact that all the materials are going to add up to the same as buying one from the store

[kylboy06]

The cost of the cardboard tube was about $8.00, and the carpet was donated, and we already had scraps of wood and materials like nails and staples, so the only other cost was the adhesive. The adhesive was about $5.00. We were looking at carpet prices, in case the donated carpet didn't work out, and it was $0.76 per square foot at Lowes. When we figured it up, it was going to be around $30 for carpet. So you are looking at around $50 total, and the cheapest ones of this size were at big lots for $120

[tweeder82o]

that's still a good deal then. thanks for the info. Now only if my indecisiveness can allow me to settle on a design.

[ChrysN]

Nice condo! It looks like you kitty is really enjoying it too, well done.

[red882007]

Kudos, very nice!