Cat DIYs Show and Tell

[iPappy]

I have posted this in a couple other posts, so forgive me for posting again. One of our cats is a little short and stubby and also has arthritis. So, she has a bit of an issue with jumping. She CAN jump up to the second level, but I know it isn't easy for her. I also wanted to utilize the space and put a litter box on the very top (although it only gets used every couple days). To help her out, I added these stairs. I want to also put a little wall shelf or hammock on this wall, but I haven't decided exactly where would be best to put it or what kind I want to add (suggestions are welcome!). I used scrap wood and some left over L brackets from another project. I did two very light coats of varnish so I could wipe them off easier. I am quite proud because I did the whole thing by myself!
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Here is our arthritic girl investigating for the first time.
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Here is the baby of the family exploring them when he was a wee babe. He's a fluffy fat potato now.
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This is awesome! I would love to do something like this!

 

[Mac and Cats]

This is awesome! I would love to do something like this!

I have faith in you! You can do it! It was fairly easy as long as you know how to use basic power tools and know your way around a garage a bit. I grew up with my dad teaching me, so I know he would have laughed at this, but also would have been proud. I think it took me a weekend to do (this includes dry time for the varnish). I admit, I did ask my husband to make a few cuts because I was sick of doing it and honestly the table saw scares me.

 

[iPappy]

I have faith in you! You can do it! It was fairly easy as long as you know how to use basic power tools and know your way around a garage a bit. I grew up with my dad teaching me, so I know he would have laughed at this, but also would have been proud. I think it took me a weekend to do (this includes dry time for the varnish). I admit, I did ask my husband to make a few cuts because I was sick of doing it and honestly the table saw scares me.

Basic power tools, nope, and I don't even have a garage I do have a friend who could put this together in a day though, provided he's not too busy! I love how it frees up so much floor space, 3 boxes really does take up a lot more room than you'd think.

 

[Mac and Cats]

Basic power tools, nope, and I don't even have a garage I do have a friend who could put this together in a day though, provided he's not too busy! I love how it frees up so much floor space, 3 boxes really does take up a lot more room than you'd think.

That's ok! Maybe you could bribe your friend to do it and show you some basics if you are so inclined! If not, that's ok too! Usually, what happens is I ask my husband to help me with something and then he pushes it off to another day multiple times and I get annoyed and do it my damn self!

 

[iPappy]

That's ok! Maybe you could bribe your friend to do it and show you some basics if you are so inclined! If not, that's ok too! Usually, what happens is I ask my husband to help me with something and then he pushes it off to another day multiple times and I get annoyed and do it my damn self!

I have helped him with many projects, but he literally has to guide me through every step until I get the hang of it! But I'd never attempt them on my own, I considered building an indoor practive dog agility A-frame and chickened out and saved my money instead.
I am considering some shelving in the catio, and that shouldn't be too bad. But I'll start them out very low to the ground, just in case they fall!

 

[Norachan]

Your outdoor enclosure looks awesome, those are some lucky cats you've welcomed into your life. The design of your cat tower is very thoughtful, and it looks super sturdy. Did you make the enclosure too? Super inspiring.

Yes, I did. It's currently going through a bit of refurbishment as the fence is old and needs repairing in lots of places. We get loads of snow most winters and the original netting ends up getting ripped down with the weight of it. I'm replacing it all with a wider wire mesh so the snow can fall through.

And here is the view I also put together for them, plus a bird feeder hung from the tree that was outside that window until we had to cut the tree down:

That bird bath is so pretty!

This has turned into my favourite thread on the forums.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I have posted this in a couple other posts, so forgive me for posting again. One of our cats is a little short and stubby and also has arthritis. So, she has a bit of an issue with jumping. She CAN jump up to the second level, but I know it isn't easy for her. I also wanted to utilize the space and put a litter box on the very top (although it only gets used every couple days). To help her out, I added these stairs. I want to also put a little wall shelf or hammock on this wall, but I haven't decided exactly where would be best to put it or what kind I want to add (suggestions are welcome!). I used scrap wood and some left over L brackets from another project. I did two very light coats of varnish so I could wipe them off easier. I am quite proud because I did the whole thing by myself!
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That is totally awesome!!!!! You should sell those. What a fabulous idea

 

[cmshap]

I love this thread.

I am renting an apartment where I intend to stay for at least a few more years, and my cat is older. He loves sun (as all cats do) but my windows are in such a position where sunlight has a limited "window" of time. He follows it like a sundial... but if he had platforms to climb on, he could experience it more each day.

I am a huge DIY guy with woodworking experience, but I can't really do too much permanent affixion in my rented home. If anybody might be able to help, please reply or message me, and I can provide pictures and measurements, etc.

 

[iPappy]

I love this thread.

I am renting an apartment where I intend to stay for at least a few more years, and my cat is older. He loves sun (as all cats do) but my windows are in such a position where sunlight has a limited "window" of time. He follows it like a sundial... but if he had platforms to climb on, he could experience it more each day.

I am a huge DIY guy with woodworking experience, but I can't really do too much permanent affixion in my rented home. If anybody might be able to help, please reply or message me, and I can provide pictures and measurements, etc.

Hi! Could you build freestanding platforms that sit on the ground? You could make one or two and move them around as needed if space is an issue.