Build a quality cat perch

How to build a quality cat perch

These instructions are based on building a 'hollow tree' cat perch that permits your cat to climb inside or outside the column. If you choose to have a solid pole, you can modify these plans or use a different material such as a 6x6 pine board. Also, you can substitute a hard cardboard 'concrete form' for your hollow post, but that will make fastening your horizontal trays more challenging. Concrete forms are available at most building supply stores (i.e. Lowes or Home Depot).

Most home workshops have the tools available to build this project. For novices, the only tricky part of this design is in ripping the bevel on boards that will be used for the upright hollow column.

As detailed as these instructions are, we make some basic assumptions. As an example, when we show the horizontal trays and the base, we assume that you do not need to have instructions as to how to cut and assemble a box-like structure. Below are the tools and materials you will need to complete this project.

Bill of materials

1x10 wood boards
3/8 Plywood
Screws, nails and staples
Shag carpet
Wood glue (Elmer's, etc.)
Carpet glue

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Tools required

Electric drill
Staple gun (with 7/16 staples)
Hammer
Various C clamps, bar clamps and belt clamps
Table saw
Jig saw
Utility knife
Level and square
Measuring tape

Where to begin

The first phase of the project is ripping the boards with the proper bevel and assembling the 'hollow tree' column.

Your finished hollow post will look something like this.

Perfectly joined edges between boards are NOT necessarily crucial. The carpet that will be stretched around the form (and glued and stapled) will add tremendous strength to the post. Watertight integrity is not required

You can buy 3" boards or larger widths such as 10" or 12", and rip the bevels on both sides of every board.

The width of the board and the angle of your bevel will determine the size of your finished post. A degree of experimentation and personal preference is needed here.

I chose a 5 degree bevel and board widths of approx. 1.75".

When gluing your beveled boards together, it would help to have an extra set of hands to help stabilize the round form until you can get a belt clamp around your hollow pillar.

You will find this step easier to accomplish if you glue numerous "sets" of 2 or 3 boards together, let them dry and then form your circle with the arcs.

Positioning holes and horizontal trays

Placement of the access holes and corresponding horizontal trays is at your discretion. The key is to mount your trays and cut the holes parallel to each other.

Be sure to gauge the size of your holes to the size of your cat. Remember to take into account the additional space required by the carpet folds.

To add your horizontal trays, arrange one as pictured at right and mark the position on the post. Check your guide marks with a square.

Because this will be covered in carpet, you can anchor these trays using glue, screws, angle braces or dowels.

Place your finished post on top of the piece of plywood you will use for the base. Position it in the exact center of the base plate.

Trace the outline and carefully cut a hole in the base to snug against the post.

Assembling the base

Glue and screw 1x4 boards to plywood and add two braces perpendicular to the slot surrounding the post. We also added a bottom stop (1/4' plywood) recessed into the middle braces.

This permits anchoring the post to the base from the bottom and side braces. Do not attach the base and post permanently at this time.

The finished tree

After assembly, your cat tree should look something like our picture at right.

Feel free to add additional horizontal trays, ledges or even 'branches' for your cats to play on.

The next phase of the project is to cover your tree with carpet and sisal rope. Working with carpet is a chore, but after a few cuts and measuring mistakes, you'll get the hang of it.

On the next page are the instructions for applying the carpet.