If you have a cat your goal in life is to probably wow them. If it isnt, then you should get on it right away. There’s a cat waiting!
Ways to wow them? You can try:
Singing and dancing to them, or even better with them. Most likely they won’t be wow’d at all and will ask you to put them down.
Buying them a new toy. They might get wow’d, but most likely they are going to like the box it came in better.
Buying them a new bowl. They don’t care, it only matters what goes in it.
Dressing up like a cat. Ok, I did this over the weekend and the cats were just weirded out by it.
What I found is that the best way to wow them is to make them feel special. Rub their bellies when they provide it, rub under their chin for a few seconds longer than expected, or next time you’re reading snuggle up with your cat and let them sprawl out as big as they want.
What else do they love? Entertainment that doesn’t involve a human. Sure, they love when you play “chase the fly”(best toy ever) with them but you aren’t always home.
They love to sleep while you’re going (so they can store up all their energy for when you’re trying to sleep) but they also love to play by themselves.
DIY cat tree alternative
Instead of a cat tree, we decided that we were going to build cat shelves on our wall. This would be a spot for the cats to climb, sleep and let the cats show each other who’s boss (answer always: Xanadu).
The outcome is a series of brightly colored shelves for our kitties to climb up. Goblin loves relaxing on the shelves. He’s a little guy so he doesn’t go very high.
What you need is:
Shelves: We got 18 inch and 24 inch shelves at Home Depot. We got 2 different sizes to make it more interesting. These shelves are great because they come with their own mounting hardware.
Wall Anchors: The shelves come with wall anchors but they only hold 8 pounds. These wall anchors we got hold 50 pounds. That means the cats are safe. Heck, it means my dream can come true and all the cats can sleep together on a shelf! Oh, one day..!
Tools: Screwdriver and level
Carpet to cover Shelves: This is important so the cat has traction to climb. This also gives you a opportunity to add color to your home and make these cat shelves fit into your decor (unlike most cat furniture).
I found carpet squares at CB2 for $4 a piece. They come in playful colors which was exactly what we were looking for. We have 8 shelves but only needed 4 squares as we would be cutting them in half.
Now, time to get building. Now grab your assistants. Just kidding. They will voluntarily help.
“Dad, is it level? I think a little on the right needs to come down”.
“We’re getting paid overtime, right? We’re getting paid in Fancy Feast Broths, right?”
When the shelves are up, the cats will act like they did all the work. Just suck it up and tell them they did a good job.
Now stand back and let cats do what they do; ignore everything.
“I’m going to sit on the ladder instead of the shelves because Mom and Dad are staring at me too hard.”
And then when you least expect it… cats will start to climb!
Watch out little buddy, that’s a little too high for you.
“Ok, mom, I’ll stay on the lower shelf.”
Hope your cat loves their shelves!
If you make these cat shelves, please leave a comment or share it on Instagram with tag #brooklynfarmgirl – I’m always looking for photos to feature and share!
Looking for more cat posts? Here’s my top 4 ways on how to give a cat pill without bleeding!
Mohit says
My lovely cat will definitely love this cat shelves.
Thanks for sharing,
Jolena Steward says
Where did you find the Carpet squares
Pamela says
I got them at CB2, but check out your local carpet store – they might even give them to you for free.
Cara Van Dusen says
I’ve been looking for some ideas on what to make for our frisky felines. This seems to fit the bill! Thank you for the detailed steps on what works best for you. I am going to try these.
I’ve seen some hammocks made along with the shelves. If you have any ideas there I would be more than thrilled to see those!
Pamela says
Hey Cara, I’d love to see how they work out for you! Hammocks! Hah, now wouldn’t that be something! I don’t know if my cats have the coordination to get in and out of a hammock! I imagine our big Maine Coon (Toes) would get stuck! 😛
April says
Hello – does anyone have tips for getting the cat to actually climb on the shelves?
Pamela says
Hey April, you could try putting a couple treats on the shelves.
Emotional Support Cat says
Wow really nice and delicated tips! Thank you! Now I just need to figure out how to make my cat and dog get along with each other.
Terri says
I am the mom of 7 fur babies (one is a D-O-G, but don’t say I said so). I’ve been looking for something that I could do myself and this is it. I’m going to use the steps to get to a walk way 10 inches from the ceiling going around ” their bedroom”. They are going to love it! Thanks again.
Matt Peters says
Thank you…thank you….thank you!!! What an excellent hack for our apartment cats.
Ryan says
How are these holding up in the years after you built them?
I recently purchased some shelves, but different from what you did. I jsut got some L shaped brackets and lumber for the shelves, and some carpet that I will be putting around the shelves and then stapling on there. I thought 8″ depth was too small and got mostly 12″ depth. They okay with such a small depth to place their body?
Pamela says
Hey Ryan, they held up well for us. Depth really depends on your size cats! 12″ will work nicely and give them some comfy shelves to relax on! 😉
Nikki says
How much in all did you spend on the shelves?!
Luisa says
Great post!
Pamela says
Thanks Luisa!
Elle says
Hi, I’m not finding carpet squares for so little ($4) at CB2. Do you have a link?
Pamela says
Hey Elle, this was posted a few years ago, so I’m not sure of their current stock. I would check the sale section first. Also, you can check out a home improvement/carpet store and get carpet squares for cheap too.
Noo says
Hahahaha I love how you wrote it! Will try to do it this afternoon. Hope he avoid me tonight and find his space
Pamela says
Good luck… to you and your cat! Hope he enjoys the shelves!
Rachel Grafton says
I use Velcro when attaching carpet to shelves so they can be easily removed and washed as needed. Yours shelves look great on the wall & functional for kitties. Win-win.
Pamela says
That’s such a great idea regarding cleaning them! Thanks for sharing them Rachel!
Terri says
Great idea!
Amy says
How did you attach the carpet ?
Pamela says
We glued the carpet.
Shane says
Great post. Any ideas on where to get the carpet squares? Im not familiar with CB2
Pamela says
Hey Shane, you can get carpet squares from mostly any carpet store. You can even stop into a store and ask them if they have any samples!
Amanda says
Hiya, is the wall plasterboard? Did you drill the anchors to the studs of wall or are the anchors alone holding the shelves up?
Many thanks for your time 🙂
clare marcer says
Great idea I did similar but put Velcro on a washable thin piece of mat and the shelf so I can throw it in the wash for those stinky moments . Lovely post
Pamela says
Love the idea of making them easy to wash! Thanks for sharing!
KC says
Are the shelves attached to the metal support bars? If not, will they slide off?
Suzzette says
Thanks for sharing! I’m going to make these for our 3 cats. I’m also going to make a hole in 3 of them on the shelves we can reach and place water bowls I’m them because the girls are turds and like to flip the dang water bowls grr lol
Suzzette says
*in not I’m
Pamela says
Haha, don’t you love cat sass? Hope your 3 cats enjoy the shelves Suzzette!
Laura says
I absolutely cannot WAIT to try this! We are accidental parents of five rescues. (Yes, you read correctly—FIVE!) Long story short, we had two, and then adopted two brothers (and yes, they cuddle and do virtually everything together). While Hubby was on his daily walk about two months later, he found a two month old kitten in distress; wrapped her in a towel; took her to the vet, and boom—number 5. She has use of only 3 of her 4 legs, but she’s a spitfire and she simply idolizes her boys & is allowed to cuddles with them, too. All of them would benefit from having room to climb. With our cathedral ceilings, we have plenty of room to go UP! Thank you so much for sharing. (Been bugging my husband for something like this for years; now I can show him actual plans!)
Celi says
This thread made my day!
Thanks for the chuckles.
My fuzzybutts were all milling around trying to see what I was so tickled about.
Pamela says
So happy you liked this post! Give your fuzzybutts a little scratch under the chin from me!
Ingrid says
Hi!
How did you stick the carpet to the shelves?
I’m going to do this 🙂
Pamela says
We used glue. Have fun, hope your cat likes them! 🙂
Cjohnj says
This is probably way easier/cheaper/faster than building them myself.. my only worry is that the shelves will start to sag over time with cats jumping onto them.. have you noticed any sagging on the shelves?
How much do your cats weigh?
Pamela says
Hey – I haven’t seen wobbly shelves but if you are worried you could use heavy duty anchors called Wingits which will definitely prevent sagging (http://www.homedepot.com/p/WingIts-World-s-Strongest-Fastener-Standard-6-Anchors-RC-MAW35-6/202727991). We have 5 cats, 2 being big (and beautiful) Maine Coons. Hope this helps!
Cjohnj says
Well I bit the bullet, bought shelves, scream carpet on sale from Lowe’s, and installed this morning. I was able to hot studs with each one but did not use all of the holes. Do your shelves make a bit of noise/hollow sound when they jump from shelf to shelf? Mine seen to, I’m not sure if it’s that he isn’t use to the shelves it what… But.. after installing 6.. he is sitting in his normal cat tree by the window… I’m sure it will take time, as he does case the mouse on them..
Pamela says
Nope, no noise here. It will take time! Some of our cats jumped right on, and some took a few days. Try the trick of telling him “Don’t jump on these shelves!”. Bet he will be on them immediately! 😉
Lara says
This is a really great post! I want to make this for my cats, but can you tell me please what depth are the shelves? And can they lay on them comfortably? 🙂 Thanks!
Pamela says
Hey Lara, our cats love them and lounge comfortably! They are 8 inches in depth. Hope your cats like!
Robert Akins says
You’re very creative and artistic. Thanks for sharing this post.
Tina@waterheatertalk says
dumb question time…I am guessing that you drilled the shelf supports to the wooden shelf, btw…love this! thanks.
Tamaralot says
Woops
Tamaralot says
I’m building these (it’s the least I can do for Badger) & I’m copying your design. …at least the part about the carpet because that’s a good tip. Thank you.
Pamela says
Hey Tamaralot, no worries, that’s why I shared it… for all cats to enjoy! 🙂
alana says
where did you get all of the stuff
Pamela says
Hi Alana, you can find most of the needed materials at a home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
RayKayle says
Hey Pamela! So happy I cam across this post, I just installed a few shelves for two cats. One is so food motivated he’s climbed up and down the shelves several times for treats. The other is a bit more apprehensive. I’ve noticed the shelves are a bit wobbly – not from the wall but the shelves themselves being screwed into the metal bars. Did you have an issue with this?
Pamela says
Hey Ray, glad to hear one of your cats is being brave and climbing! I haven’t seen wobbly shelves but if you are mounting to drywall you might need heavy duty anchors called Wingits (http://www.homedepot.com/p/WingIts-World-s-Strongest-Fastener-Standard-6-Anchors-RC-MAW35-6/202727991). Hope this helps!
RayKayle says
Thanks Pamela- I used wall anchors specifically for dry wall. :-/ drats!
RayKayle says
I had to take them apart so they would fit through the shelve bracket – so I put the metal piece in the wall (as you would a regular anchor) and pushed the screw into that metal piece. I don’t know. I’ll see if there is any other options out there.
Andrea says
Thank you so much! I’ve been looking for awhile and this is the first time I’ve seen anyone explain it so well. The pictures helped a lot. The cats will thank you more than me and so will my daughters. Thank you again!!! 🙂
Pamela says
Glad this helped Andrea! Hope the cats enjoy the shelves!