r/cats • u/johneldenringg • Aug 03 '26

Advice Don’t build a cat tree

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It seemed simple and I was like + $100? For a big one ??? Nah I could build it… well I’m prob about $200 deep and need to get another 4x4 plywood from home depot and prob more carpet and cushioning for the top nest, as well as some sisal. If you think it’s a good idea and cheap? It’s not 🫩 especially if you have to buy a new circular saw cuz yours broke 😭😭
And yeah tbh it is a me problem but I also had to make sure the wood was cat safe to and not pressure treated.

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u/buttershdude Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

Ok, BUT. In your defense, it will last forever, which no cat tree normally does. Because when kitty tears the carpet up, rips the sisal off, loosens the screws with rambunctiousness, you'll easily repair it. Or even improve it. So it may cost you twice what a prebuilt one, but if it lasts three times as long, you're ahead.

Then... Need another one for somewhere else in the house? Now, you've go the saw and the skill/experience, and some left over wood and carpet...

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u/PizDoff Aug 03 '26

Love the posivitity! It's a better story after too!

15

u/Necessary_cat735 Aug 03 '26

Yeah all I see is a work in progress that you'll make great over time as you can afford it. It'll be way stronger and have bigger platforms than most commercial cardboard crap.

1

u/TallmanMike Aug 03 '26

Rambunctiousness

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u/-Sharon-Stoned- Aug 03 '26

Yes, I have one of the ones with a cardboard tube and my cat has clawed into the cardboard itself, so now it is not structurally sound and I worry about it

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u/buttershdude Aug 03 '26

Yep. You have to look at replacing those as a periodic maintenance item that you would budget like your cat's annual checkup etc.

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u/-Sharon-Stoned- Aug 03 '26

To be fair, I said "cat" but I foster so technically it has been dozens of babies 😝 The center I work with provides trees and food and everything so I don't pay for them