Turning an old bookshelf into a cat scratcher/climber

[SarahK]

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The house is nearly painted, which means within the next 2 weeks I'll be starting to search for my kittens. I decided to build my own cat scratcher/climber, so here is my step by step pics.

This is the bookshelf as it was before.


We used a hole saw to cut holes in the shelves. The edges are taped to make sure there is no sharp bits.

This is a sisal mat that I picked up for $10 in a discount store, out with the staple gun to attach it to a board that was then attached to the shelves.

I covered the shelves in fluffy fleece.

The (almost) finished article


The cubby hole - the front is covered with the scratcher.

So, what do y'all think? I'm gonna get some wood and sisal ropes to cover the sides, or maybe carpet. I've double checked every staple to make sure there safe. I'm gonna make some pompoms n stuff to hang around it.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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That's brilliant! I have an old bookcase too that I might copy your idea onto.

One suggestion.... make it more sturdy by putting feet at the bottom that "T"s from front to back. Although it will keep it away from the wall some instead of snug up to it - it will be a kitty lifesaver for when they grow up and gain some weight. They're going to come running at that full tilt and mach speed and that thing is going to shake and easily fall over, quite possibly on kitty.

Keep watch on the staples too. Cats have a knack of snagging them with claws. I've found that out the hard way. Find some Liquid Nails. IT will glue it much better and safer.

But other than that, it's BRILLIANT.

[SarahK]

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I will keep an eye on the staples and I will look for liquid nails, thanks.

We are planning on securing it to the wall to make sure it's stable.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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That's an even better idea, Sarah. I was going to suggest fastening to a wall but then realized, holes in wall.... limitation of moveability etc, I thought of the wider base at the bottom.

[SarahK]

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We're gonna fasten it to the wall in such a way that i can unfasten it easily and get in behind to clean.
I have also found a carpet shop, or rather a carpet shops skip where I can get carpet scraps and the big cardboard tubes from inside the rolls - so I'm gonna make another more portable one to go in the cats 'safe' room when they come home.

[Twitchin Kitten]

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You are a home made cat house making madwoman!

Your cats are going to have a blast.

You should get the biggest cardboard rolls you can, slice them in half, cover and fasten them to the walls in all kinds of fun ways so they can travel all over in there! They'll love it.

[SarahK]

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Ooh, that is a good idea! Kitty climbing wall!

Once I get an idea I run with it! Brian is driven mad with my schemes!!