Cat Trees - Make Your Own and Make Your Kitty Happier

Cats love to scratch. It's just part of their DNA and who they are. Your trick is giving them something to scratch other than your furniture. Luckily there is a whole world of cat trees out there for you to choose from. Cat trees are those carpet-covered posts that cats can't wait to sink their claws into. If you're creative and want a weekend project, you could even build one yourself.

Here is the list of things you will need:

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- 2 Pieces of 2'x2' plywood

- 1 Piece 18" x 18" plywood

- 1 2"x4" that's 6' - 8' long

- 4 long nails

- 8 - 3 inch screws

- Wood Glue

- Fabric 2 pieces 1- 3' x 3', 1 2' x 2' to cover the base and perch.

- Roll of 3/8" sisal rope (or about 500')

Take two of the pieces of plywood (2'x2') and glue them together, making a heavier base. Set them aside to dry.

Cut the 2x4 in order to make two pieces the same size. This piece will be the scratching post portion of the cat trees, so you need to make sure it is long enough that your cat can fully stretch out to scratch. For most cats, 3' - 4' pieces will do.

Now, you are going to put these two pieces side by side (long flat sides touching), to make a long, squared center post. Use some wood glue to hold the pieces together then use an electronic screwdriver to drive the screws through the pieces. You should alternate the screws going in from one side then the other, with none of them within three inches of the top or bottom of the post. If you need to, for harder woods, you can drill a starter hole, but make sure it does not go all the way through both pieces of wood.

Take the single piece of plywood remaining, and center it on the 2x4 post. You need to drive two nails through the plywood, one into each of the 2x4's setting up the post for maximum strength.

It's time to attach fabric to the base and the top of the cat trees. Taking one piece of fabric, wrap it around the base pieces of plywood that have been glued together, pull the edges of the fabric around and staple them to the underside of the plywood. When you turn it over you should have a fabric-covered base. Repeat with the perch piece.

Now you need to put it all together. Put the perch and post face down, and center the base upside down on top of it. Essentially you should be seeing what the cat trees will look like flipped over. You need to drive two nails through the base and into the 2 x 4's to make one solid piece.

Turn it right side up and slather the post with wood glue. Starting at either the top of the bottom tightly wrap the whole post with the sisal rope.

Once it's dry, set it out for your cat's claw of approval.

Cat Trees - Make Your Own and Make Your Kitty Happier

As the owner of many online sites, author Jennifer Akre, shares her insight on how to make your pet's living space more comfortable with couture cat furniture, fabulous cat houses and stylish cat trees.

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Build Your Own Cat Tree For a Happier, Healthier and Spoiled Cat

Have you ever wanted to design and build your own cat tree? If you have, it's not as hard as you might think, and it's a great way to save money while spoiling your favorite feline. With many pre-built cat trees costing between 0 and 0, learning how to make your own is a smart choice.

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So Why Make A Cat Tree In The First Place?

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As a cat owner and lover, you already know cats love to play and they love to sleep. They also love to scratch which is bad news for your furniture. Couch and sofa legs are particularly susceptible to the wrath of kitty claws.

When you build your own cat tree, you can provide a safe place for your kitten to sleep, play, and scratch. Go crazy with your design and you can create an entire kitty jungle gym complete with ramps, scratching posts, peep holes, platforms, string games, dens, and high wire acts.

Just imagine your cute kitten peering out peep holes or reaching her little paws through holes and around poles trying to reach her favorite mouse toy. Imagine your cat on the top perch lying in wait to terrorize the family dog from above as it walks by.

Then, imagine her curling up to sleep by rolling over on her back, head tilted up, and legs dangling in the air. Sure, it doesn't look comfortable to you, but who's going to argue with that adorable face?

Cats are as unique as the people who own them? Each and every one has a different personality.

Some are super affectionate "people cats" who love to cuddle and have never known a stranger. Others prefer to be left alone for the most part. Then there are the acrobats and the terrorizers.

When you make a cat tree yourself, you have the opportunity to create something special and fun that perfectly suits your own kitty's unique personality. Mix and match parts and your cat will never get bored.

By building your own feline theme park, you can save space by utilizing corners in your house or building up instead of out. Cats love viewing the world from above.

If you have kids, building your own cat tree has the added advantage of creating a special way to spend quality time together. Kids love designing and building things for pets. They'll learn responsibility and get the satisfaction of having the happiest, healthiest cat on the block.

To get started, all you need is a good set of plans to show you exactly what you need to do. From there, let your imagination run wild.

Build Your Own Cat Tree For a Happier, Healthier and Spoiled Cat

Next, now is the time to spoil your cat and learn how to make a cat tree easily and affordably: Make A Cat Tree

If you really want to create your own kitty funland that will provide both you and your cat with years of fun and enjoyment while saving you tons of money, get the best do it yourself cat tree instruction plans by visiting http://www.HowToMakeACatTree.com.

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