3-Tier Cat Tower

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring Tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring all parts.

• ✓

  Pencil and Carpenter's Square

  For marking lines and confirming right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using a home center cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric Driver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for confirming levelness during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for oil or varnish finishing.

• ✓

  Stud Finder

  To locate wall studs and blocking.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Confirm Installation Location and Cat Pathways

   ≈ 15 min

   Decide the installation location for the 3-tier cat tower (500×500×1500mm). Ideally by a window or along a wall where the cat can easily jump on. Choose a spot where it can be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping.

   Measure

   W 500 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 11

   Tip

   • Leave at least 300mm clearance from the ceiling to prevent cats from pushing and climbing on the ceiling.
   • Installation by a window is preferred, serving as a sunny spot or for viewing outside.
   • If you have multiple cats, a height of 1500mm or more helps create escape spaces.

   Watch out

   • Avoid placing directly under air conditioners; direct airflow bothers cats.
   • Avoid structures where cats cannot safely descend from heights; ensure base boards are arranged stepwise.
2. 2

   Cutting and Preparation of Materials

   ≈ 25 min

   Cut the Lauan plywood 15mm thick into four base boards (15×500×500mm). Prepare two hemp rope wrapped poles φ90×1500mm, two 2x4 lumber (38×89×1500mm) as support poles. Prepare hemp rope φ8mm×4.5m, 50mm coarse-thread screws ×40, and three carpets (boa material) 500×500mm.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 11

   Tip

   • Lauan plywood 15mm offers a good balance between strength and weight; 12mm is insufficient to support the weight.
   • Purchasing hemp rope wrapped poles as ready-made products is faster; available at DIY stores.
   • Use thin carpets that are easier to glue; thick carpets make it hard for claws to hook.

   Watch out

   • Using thin plywood causes cracking from impact when cats jump.
   • Soft materials for poles are unstable; choose hardwood cores even if wrapped with hemp rope.
3. 3

   Sanding All Materials

   ≈ 25 min

   Sand the Lauan plywood and 2x4 lumber in that order with #120 then #240 grit sandpaper. Since cats lick and scratch these parts, splinters are unacceptable. Especially bevel the edges carefully.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 3 / 11

   Tip

   • Make all cat-contact surfaces smooth; check by stroking with the finger pad.
   • Edges of plywood cross-sections are rougher than finish faces—focus sanding here.
   • Perform sanding indoors or in ventilated areas to control dust.

   Watch out

   • A single splinter can injure the cat's tongue or pads.
   • Dust attaching to carpet is hard to remove; separate work zones.
4. 4

   Marking Support Pole Positions on Base Boards

   ≈ 20 min

   Mark with pencil the positions to attach support poles on all four base boards. Arrange two support poles in a square on base board 1 (bottom board). Place boards 2 to 4 at staggered heights (e.g., 300mm, 600mm, 900mm). Offset slightly from the centerline for easier cat walking, considering left-right balance.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 4 / 11

   Tip

   • If the base board's center of gravity is off, risk of tipping rises; a square base with four poles is standard.
   • Arrange staggered-height boards in stair shape to facilitate cat climbing.
   • Mark center points with a punch for easier drilling.

   Watch out

   • Placing poles too close to board edges risks splitting during screwing.
   • Misaligned pole positions across boards cause overall misalignment. Transfer markings by overlaying boards.
5. 5

   Pilot Hole Drilling on Base Boards and Support Poles

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill φ5mm pilot holes on base boards and 2x4 support poles. On base boards, add countersink holes with a countersink bit to conceal screw heads flush. For hemp rope wrapped poles, use the included metal brackets to screw.

   Drill a hole

   φ5mm

   DrillSTEP 5 / 11

   Tip

   • Countersinking produces a neat finish so screw heads don't catch cat claws.
   • Use a drill stopper to control hole depth and prevent drilling through.
   • Avoid drilling holes within 20mm of 2x4 edges to prevent splitting.

   Watch out

   • Driving 50mm screws without pilot holes splits 2x4 lumber.
   • Excessive countersink depth weakens screw holding strength.
6. 6

   Assembling Bottom Board and Support Poles

   ≈ 30 min

   Stand the two support poles (one hemp rope wrapped pole and one 2x4) vertically on the bottom board (450×450), and screw from the board's back with three 50mm coarse-thread screws into each pole (total 6 screws). Use a carpenter's square to confirm verticality. Increase screw count since the bottom board supports the most weight.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 11

   Tip

   • Check poles' verticality with a level in two directions (front and side). Aim for zero deviation in both.
   • Apply wood glue to joint surfaces before screwing to improve rigidity.
   • Screw heads on the bottom board's underside aren't visible, so more screws can be used.

   Watch out

   • If poles tilt even slightly, higher boards become uneven and unstable for cats.
   • Insufficient screw count causes pole wobbling from cat activity.
7. 7

   Attaching Middle and Upper Boards

   ≈ 30 min

   Attach the middle boards (placed at heights 300mm to 900mm) horizontally to the support poles. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from below each board, then drive 50mm coarse-thread screws to each pole (six screws per board: 3 per pole). Confirm board levelness with a level. Secure mounting to withstand cat jumping impact.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 11

   Tip

   • Uneven boards cause discomfort for cats.
   • Drive screws on the pole's center line to avoid splitting edges.
   • Consider decreasing board size for higher levels to improve stability.

   Watch out

   • Screw impact may shift lower boards' levels; recheck levelness after assembling all three tiers.
   • Insufficient screw count increases fall risk; consider cat weight of 10kg plus dynamic loads.
8. 8

   Wrapping Hemp Rope (Scratching Post Function)

   ≈ 30 min

   If not using a ready-made hemp rope wrapped pole, tightly wrap the 2x4 support pole with φ8mm hemp rope (4.5m length), fixing both ends with staples or screws. Wrap from bottom to top densely leaving no gaps.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 8 / 11

   Tip

   • Insert the starting rope end into a drilled hole on the pole and fix with wood glue to prevent coming loose.
   • Fix rope with staples as you wrap to prevent loosening.
   • Hide the rope end by inserting it into the same hole for a neat finish.

   Watch out

   • Loose rope unravels as cats pull; wrap tightly and fix frequently.
   • Avoid synthetic fiber ropes; cats may bite and ingest them.
9. 9

   Attaching Carpets (Boa Material)

   ≈ 25 min

   Attach the carpets to the top surfaces of three boards (top, middle, and base) using double-sided tape or wood glue. Cut corners to fit board shape with a cutter. Attach with high strength so carpets resist cat scratching.

   Fix to the wall

   Anchor to studs

   InstallSTEP 9 / 11

   Tip

   • Use strong double-sided tape as normal tape peels off under cat claws.
   • Align carpet pile direction for better appearance.
   • Leave wrapping allowance on edges and fold under for durability.

   Watch out

   • Weak adhesion risks the carpet peeling and cats ingesting loose pieces.
   • Avoid cheap carpets with latex backing that decomposes into powder.
10. 10

    Fixing to Wall to Prevent Tipping

    ≈ 20 min

    Secure the tower's top to the wall using L-brackets and earthquake-proof belts to prevent tipping. Firmly anchor to wall studs using the stud finder before installation to prevent falling during earthquakes or cat activity.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    InstallSTEP 10 / 11

    Tip

    • Wall fixation is safety-critical. A 1200mm high tower can easily tip when cats jump.
    • Earthquake-proof belts can be bought cheaply; specialized items from home centers offer more reliability.
    • Drywall alone cannot bear load; always secure to studs.

    Watch out

    • Skipping wall fixation risks tipping during earthquakes, endangering cats.
    • Check bracket load capacity to support the tower's full weight plus cats and seismic forces.
11. 11

    Final Check and Introducing the Cat

    ≈ 15 min

    Check tightness of all screws, carpet adhesion, and pole stability. Place the tower and confirm levelness with a level. If wobbly, adjust by adding felt pads under feet. Before allowing cats to use, shake the tower firmly to test stability.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 11 / 11

    Tip

    • Place treats on boards just after completion to reduce cat wariness.
    • Do not force cats to climb on the first day; let them explore naturally.
    • Place other furniture nearby as 'steps' to help the cat acclimate for several days.

    Watch out

    • Insufficient final checks can cause injury to cats due to assembly errors.
    • If cats avoid climbing, the location or scent may be unsuitable; observe and wait.

Warnings

• ⚠️Please drill pilot holes before driving screws to prevent wood splitting.
• ⚠️Tighten all joints thoroughly to withstand the cat's weight.

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