Introduction: DIY Cat Tree for Not Much Money at All!

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This cat tree consists of an old kitchen unit (free), a carpet tube (free), artificial turf (donated by a friend) and 3 x 'Sindal' mat from Ikea (£3 each).

The tree was made over a weekend and provides endless fun and games for our 3 cats.

The Ikea mats are made from Coir (coconut husk fibres) and are a lot cheaper than Sisal rope.

Step 1: Base Unit Made From an Old Kitchen Unit

Screw together a box section with circles cut out of the ends. The diameter of the circle depends on what type of tubing you use. I used a thick walled carpet tube (100mm wide).

Then screw the box section to another piece of board.

Install the carpet tube ready to plan the branch layout.

Step 2: Tree Branches

With a little experimentation with a tenon saw and a jigsaw I managed to cut the carpet tube into 4 similar sized pieces.

The joins are done with copious amounts of hot glue and wide cable ties (narrow ones will slice into the cardboard!)

First drill holes, install the ties and then work quickly with the hot glue gun. Zip up the ties nice and tight.

Add strong tape such as parcel tape to doubly reinforce the joins.

To get the levels for the platforms I held a spirit level in front of each tube end and drew onto the tube with a pencil. After a rough cut it's then a matter of placing each platform and sanding / rasping / cutting until all is plumb.

Step 3: Platform Foundations

Here I decided to make sure that the platforms weren't going to break off too easily with future abuse.

I didn't take a picture at the time but will describe as follows :

Obtain a wooden baton around 40CM long. The baton needs to be around 2x3CM Width x Depth.

Cut it into 3 lengths (13.5CM each or thereabouts)

Next, measure 4CM below the top ends of the tubes (where the platforms are going to sit) and draw around the tube circumference. The wood batons are going to go all the way through the tubing.

To do so, cut an oblong at each side of the tubing. I used a stanley knife.

Slide the baton through and glue it into place.

Once dry place the carpeted platform on top of the tube, add lots of PVA, set the position of the platform (e.g. back, forth, to one side etc), then drive 2 or 3 screws through the platform and down into the installed baton.

Step 4: Fixing the Scratching Surfaces

I used cardboard to create cutting templates. The coir mats will need a sturdy and sharp pair of scissors, the larger the better.

Cover the cardboard tubing with lots of PVA glue.

Place the first cut mat section onto the glue and overlap it at the back. Pull the matting as tight as you can when overlapping it, then drive screws through every couple of inches to hold the mat firmly while the glue dries.

After all of the sections are done, tidy up any gaps with spare matting.

Step 5: Cover the Platforms With Carpet

This is fairly easy. Cut the carpet larger than the platform (by 10 or so CM each side)

Cut out corners that will overlap when the carpet is folded beneath the platform.

Use PVA glue on the surface where the carpet is going to go.

Fold the carpet over the sides and under the board.

Use small 1CM screws to hold the carpet in place.

Step 6: Almost Done!

Cover the base in carpet or artificial turf. Again, use PVA and screws to hold the material fast.

The cat tree now lives in my office with a couple of dangling toys added.

Step 7: Quick Demo