You guys!
Do you remember when we were in Exile because of the Great Flood in the house? Well, during that time, our tree got damaged and DadFOD threw it out. We had nothing to climb. Nada.
Cats really must have something to climb, and it’s better for their comfort to have a high place on which to perch and survey the environment. So, MomFOD got the bright idea to look up how to turn Ikea stuff into cool cat stuff and now we have CAT STEPS! I helped. Here’s how it’s done:
1) Map out the space on which you will install your steps. We chose an empty wall between two windows. We had other options but this one was near the couch in case any of us wanted to bail out of a shelf quickly due to a disagreement. Ideally, with more wall space, we would have two extra shelves to make alternate exit routes.
2) Find an Ikea store. We bought 10 sets of EKBY BJARNUM brackets ($10 a set) and four EKBY JARPEN shelves ($15 each.)We also went into the rugs department and chose some $5 floor mats to cut up and attach to the shelves.
3) Cut the shelves into your desired sizes. The shelves are just short of 4 feet each, so we were able to cut out four 1-foot (ish) sections and six 2-foot sections. We used the short shelves for steps and the longer pieces for high lounging areas.
4) Attach your shelves to the wall. Make sure that whatever you use to mount them to the wall are rated to hold enough weight for two or even three cats at a time. If you don’t have studs in the walls, you’ll need to use anchors to hold them into the drywall. Consult your local hardware store.Tell them Crepes sent you.
5) Create traction control. The Jarpen shelves are slick, so we used heavy duty velcro to attach floor mats to each of the surfaces for maximum jumping traction. The velcro allows us to take them off for easy cleaning.
6) Put your cat on the shelf.
What do you think? We built one so far and have enough to build another in a separate room.
Tip: If you don’t have access to a saw, Ikea sells the shelves in two-foot sections for $10 each.
Love,
Crepes.
PS. Check out our newest CATastrophes film JURASSIC PURR!
Wow, that’s awesome the FOD’s done real good!
This is a very great idea. Cat likes to stand in high places. You are very thoughtful about your animals and this blog is really nice.
OH. MY. MOUSES! I so want some of those.
Purrs,
NIssy
Pawsome! We’ve been asking the mom to put some shelves up for us. But she’s not very handy. We can’t trust her with a saw or a screwdriver.
Bravo! Those would be great for for catification at shelters on a budget!
That’s so cool. Did a really good job. Oh I don’t think ours would turn out so good here. Not very good at that building stuff.
Sue B
We love it! Both of our cat trees are homebuilt, but we love the idea of custom wall units like that. Very cool!
Wow those awe sum weally cool steps/stairs. Yous got very talented hoomans. Dat wuld be way to dangerous fur mommy to twy even ifin we kuld afford it. And ifin e had an idea store anywhere nearby. MOL Enjoy and hav fun.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Beautiful job!
Great idea ! Your climbing wall is pawsome ! Purrs
Brilliant!!
stock….yur steps bee rockin awesum…de fods did a grate job for once
🙂
….ha ha two doodle….ewe canna have any steps…….coz like……be coz…..
de food gurl wood put shelves up eggs cept for 3 things:
…..toona weighs 35 poundz and
P ) de wall board in de houz iz sew cheep we can put a nail in de wall with R paws….noe hammer kneaded…
enjoy N we hope mrs P like em two
pee ezz…..de film rocks…way two go louie !! ♥
“Build” and my human just don’t go together – unless it is building a website! She would have to hire someone to do this, MOL! Including the installation on the wall. She is that lame.
Oh my….what a great idea, lots of jumping places. Dad got as far as one platform and then nada! All other spaces on the walls led to the fireplace mantel, jumping space to the dining room table….you get the idea. I loved Jurrassic Purr…very well done and your acting was superb Crepes.
(((Shoko)))
Great idea Crepes. I have a cat tree for my kitty but he’d love something like this. I think I’ll have to check out Ikea and get going on this project. By the way, I saw Jurassic Purr and loved it! You were great in it.