6 Great Homemade Cat Tree Ideas 

If you love your cats, it’s only natural to want to give them the best life. From finding delicious treats they enjoy to getting them the most realistic squeaking mice, cat owners love to spoil their pets. But sometimes, you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in store or online. When it comes to cat trees, sometimes the best materials are the ones you already have. We’re covering six great homemade cat tree ideas and how to make them.

How to Choose a Spot for Your Cat Tower

Before you start constructing your homemade cat tree, you’ll want to choose a spot for it to go. Choose a spot that’s in a room you frequent often and that your cat is used to being in. If you notice your cat perching on the top of your couch, put the cat tower by your couch. If your feline friend is usually drawn to the windows or curtains, place the tower nearby. Make sure to find or clear an area of a few feet for the tower to go in. 

1. Branches

My favorite choice for a homemade cat tree is something you can find in your backyard — branches. They’re already put together, you can customize the height easily by cutting the base, and they require little work. It’ll be easy for your cat to love a cat tree made from a branch because it’s something that’s found in nature. Cats usually enjoy scratching the bark of trees, which are really the original scratching posts. Consider using driftwood or bare wood, or try removing the bark for a unique look and a lot less mess.

2. Shelving

If you want to create a space for your cat that doesn’t require a lot of new stuff, think of ways to transform your old things. For example, you can use an old bookshelf and cut holes in the shelves so that your cats can climb to each level. Provide plants, scratching spots, and fun cat toys at each level for your feline friend. As opposed to bookshelves, which sit on the ground and allow your cat to climb, you can also consider wall shelves. Wall shelves are a great choice for active cats who enjoy climbing, pouncing, and jumping around.

3. Pipes

While an open-pipe look isn’t for everyone, it’s certainly popular among those with a very modern or steampunk vibe. The great thing about pipes is that they’re created to be built in all different directions and remain sturdy. They’re fairly easy to put together and take a little bit of glue to attach each one. You can glue metal blocks on top of the pipes and offer sitting places with fabric on top as well.

4. Boxes

If you have a cat, then you know that their absolute favorite thing is a box. A big box, small box, wide or tall box, cats will sit in them all! So if you have a few boxes lying around, it’s the perfect time to construct a DIY cat tree for your pet! You can seal the boxes shut with super glue, then glue each one together one on top of the other. Then, once the glue dries you can cut holes in each of the boxes so your cat can make their way to the top! You can also add cat toys, feathers, and fabrics. It may not be the best permanent option, but it can provide quite a bit of fun while it lasts.

5. Climbing Wall

A less traditional take on cat trees, a climbing wall can provide a spot for your cat to practice climbing vertically. To create a climbing wall, you can attach a rug or old carpet to the side of a wall. That’s all there is to it! Once the carpet is on the wall, your cat has something to cling to and climb. You can also provide nearby shelving, like the bookshelf idea mentioned previously.

6. Ladder

Something that you may not think of right away for a homemade cat tree is a ladder. That’s probably because you’ve never seen a cat on a ladder. But trust me, a ladder is your cat’s dream! Cover the rungs with carpet so they can get a grip, add hanging cat toys throughout, and put a perch on top. While sitting on the top of a ladder may not be allowed for humans, we’re sure that your fluffy friend will love it! A ladder provides enough height, activity, and vertical running space for your kitty to enjoy.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © RJ22/Shutterstock.com