Cat trees are one of those bits of cat furniture which almost every cat owner will buy at some point!
So at Tiny Town we decided to see what our own cats preferred, and what the pros and cons were of either, buying one readymade or doing it yourself and making it from scratch.
1. DIY Cat Trees
Although nowadays you can buy almost any size and design of cat tree, there are some distinct advantages to making one yourself
Customisation
Pros & Cons:
Building a cat tree yourself can be a fun project to do and gives you a sense of satisfaction when its complete, especially if your cat likes it!
Your Cat : Only you know your cat, and only you can design a tree which would suit them.
By tailoring it suit you can decide the height, size of resting perch etc (especially if you have a large cat).
For example, Ash's cat doesn't jump very high so having a really tall tree would be a waste as it wouldn't get used. Ash is our marketing director by the way.
Built to Fit: Another big advantage is that you can design and build the tree to fit a specific spaces in your home, whether you have a small apartment or a large house.
Design Preferences: You can choose materials, colours, and features that match your home decor and your cat's preferences.
Cost-Effectiveness
Material - If you are planning to use all new materials then making a tree from scratch may workout much more expensive.
Only a few years ago buying wood (including particle boards) from your local DIY store was very cheap, now unfortunately, the prices have risen considerably and are almost at the point where it is unviable to use new wood to make a cat tree.
When you also factor in additional like Sisal rope, glue and cloth etc then costs will really mount up.
When looking at cost, also consider if you have or would need to buy tools to do the job.
At the very least you need an electric saw, basic DIY tools and a safe place to cut, additionally add the price for the smaller items nails, screws. varnish etc.
Tip: DIY stores which offer a 'cutting service' often have lots of left over cuts which they are happy let go for almost nothing.
Remember, it doesn't matter if the woods don't match as you can cover them in rope or a hessian cloth which your cat can scratch.
ECO Friendly - If you can re purpose old bits of furniture/wood you can to make a tree then not only would it save you a lot of money but it's a great for the environment.
Cat Stand made from a bed leg & headboard (Ash's cat, Mahajjal).
Tip: You can make beds, scratching posts and all sorts of stuff from recycled materials
Large Cats - Readymade cat trees for very large cats are generally huge and thus take up a lot of space and are very expensive.
If you live in an apartment then most of the trees sold specifically for large cats probably won't fit, or will take a large proportion of your room.
If you a very have a very large cat like a Maine coon, Norwegian Forests cats or Rag-doll, then building your own tree can be worth considering.
There would definitely be a cost saving when you compare them the ones on the market and you could design it around your existing furniture.
2. Benefits of Ready-Made Cat Trees
Convenience : The biggest advantage of Ready-made cat trees are that they readily available and can be purchased online or in pet stores with minimal effort.
No Assembly Required: Most commercial cat trees come assembled or with straightforward instructions, saving you time and effort.
Range of Options: There is a wide variety of styles, sizes, and features available, from simple designs to elaborate multi-level structures, so you can pick something that will work both for you and your cat
Durability: Many ready-made cat trees are made from high-quality materials & designed with safety standards in mind, they normally don't sharp edges and have a strong base reducing the risk of instability even during rough play.
*Make sure you check the recommended max cat weight on a product description!
Maintenance
DIY cat trees may require more maintenance or repairs, depending on the materials used and the quality of construction.
Ready-made cat trees may come with maintenance guidelines and warranties, but they might also wear out faster depending on usage and quality.
If you've got a kitten checkout our blog on "Cat trees for Kittens"
Conclusion
Like everything in life there are pros and cons.
When it comes to cat trees, houses, toys etc there are lots of factors to consider.
Although it's always a bit of guess work trying to figure out what your cat will and wont like, especially if this your first time buying a cat tree or cat house.
Tip: By watching what level your cat likes sitting on e.g. the top of the cupboards in the kitchen, on the sofa or on the floor will give you a good idea about height for either DIY or readymade.
As for location, if they have a normal seating or sleeping area then buying/building around that would be a good idea placing a tree close by
But in general, If you need something quick and easy and don't have the time or tools to make a cat tree then ordering one is the best option.
Share you experience: If you have built your own cat tree (or anything else for your cat) then we'd love to hear your experience.
Where to go: If you would like to get some really great design ideas then we highly recommend you on checking out Pinterest.
If you prefer to buy one already done for a great price then head to our cat tree page on our website HERE
As Cat owners, we at Tinytown.shop understand that just like each of us, that every cat is also unique. That's why we are passionate about giving you tips and tricks to help create cozy and playful spaces for your cat.
