Cat Tower with Hammock

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Tape measure (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring each part

• ✓

  Pencil and carpenter's square

  For marking and checking right angles

• ✓

  Saw

  Using home center cut service recommended

• ✓

  Power driver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontal during assembly

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining

• ✓

  Brush and paint tray

  Used for oil and varnish finishing

• ✓

  Stud finder

  To locate wall studs and blocking

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Check installation location and cat pathways

   ≈ 15 min

   Decide on the installation location for the Cat Tower with Hammock (600×600×1400mm). Ideal spots are by windows or along walls where cats can easily jump on. Choose a location where the tower can be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping.

   Measure

   W 600 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 11

   Tip

   • Maintain a distance of at least 300mm from the ceiling so the cat does not press against the ceiling when climbing.
   • Installing near a window is preferred by cats for sunbathing and watching outside.
   • For households with multiple cats, height over 1400mm helps create escape routes.

   Watch out

   • Avoid placing directly below air conditioners; direct drafts irritate cats.
   • Avoid structures where cats cannot get down after climbing. Stepwise arranged base boards are necessary.
2. 2

   Cut and prepare materials

   ≈ 25 min

   Cut four base boards (15×600×600mm) from 15mm-thick Lauan plywood. Prepare two hemp rope wrapped poles φ90×1400mm and two 2×4 lumber (38×89×1400mm) posts. Also prepare 4.2m of φ8mm hemp rope, 40 pieces of 50mm coarse-thread screws, and three 600×600mm boa fabric carpets.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 11

   Tip

   • 15mm Lauan plywood balances strength and lightness well. 12mm thickness won't support the weight adequately.
   • Purchasing pre-wrapped hemp rope poles is faster and available at DIY stores.
   • Use thin carpets for easier application; thick ones hinder claw catching.

   Watch out

   • Using thin plywood causes cracking with cats jumping on it.
   • Soft material posts are unstable. Even when wrapped with hemp rope, select cores made of hardwood.
3. 3

   Sand all parts

   ≈ 25 min

   Sand the Lauan plywood and 2×4 lumber in order from #120 to #240 grit. Because cats lick and sharpen claws on the surfaces, splinters are unacceptable. Especially chamfer edges carefully.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 3 / 11

   Tip

   • Smooth all parts cats touch, check by running fingertip over surfaces.
   • Plywood board ends are rougher than faces; focus sanding there.
   • Perform sanding indoors or in well-ventilated area to manage dust.

   Watch out

   • A single splinter can injure cat’s tongue or paw pads.
   • Dust sticking to carpet is difficult to remove; separate sanding area from carpet installation.
4. 4

   Mark post positions on base boards

   ≈ 20 min

   Mark with pencil the positions to install the posts on the four base boards. For base board 1 (bottom), place two posts in a square layout. For boards 2 to 4, position posts at different heights (e.g., 300mm, 600mm, 900mm). Offset slightly from center line for easier cat walking.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 4 / 11

   Tip

   • Unbalanced weight center makes tipping easier; use four posts to form a square base.
   • Arrange boards at different heights in a stair-step pattern for easier cat climbing.
   • Using a punch to mark hole centers eases drilling.

   Watch out

   • Placing posts too close to the edge causes splitting during screw driving.
   • Misaligned post positions on all boards cause overall warping; copying marks by overlaying boards is reliable.
5. 5

   Drill pilot holes in base boards and posts

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill φ5mm pilot holes in base boards and 2×4 lumber posts. For base boards, countersink pilot holes to recess screw heads flush with surface. For hemp rope wrapped poles, use included metal brackets for screw fastening.

   Drill a hole

   φ5mm

   DrillSTEP 5 / 11

   Tip

   • Countersinking produces neat finish and prevents cats from catching claws on screw heads.
   • Use drill stop to control hole depth and prevent through holes.
   • Keep holes at least 20mm from 2×4 lumber ends to avoid splitting.

   Watch out

   • Driving 50mm screws without pilot holes splits 2×4 lumber.
   • Excessive countersink depth weakens fastening strength.
6. 6

   Assemble bottom board and posts

   ≈ 30 min

   Stand two posts (hemp rope wrapped pole and 2×4 lumber) vertically on the bottom board (600×600), then drive three 50mm coarse-thread screws per post from the underside (total 6 screws). Use a carpenter's square to confirm verticality. The bottom board bears most weight; use more screws here.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 11

   Tip

   • Check post verticality with a level in two directions (front and side), aiming for zero deviation.
   • Applying wood glue at joint surfaces improves rigidity.
   • Screw heads on the bottom board underside are not visible; increase screw count freely.

   Watch out

   • Even slight tilting of posts causes upper boards to tilt, making cats feel unstable.
   • Insufficient screws cause wobbling from cats’ movement.
7. 7

   Attach middle and upper base boards

   ≈ 30 min

   Attach the middle base boards (at 300-900mm heights) horizontally to the posts. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from the underside of each board, and drive 50mm coarse-thread screws (3 screws per post × 2 posts = 6 per board). Confirm level using a level. Ensure fastening strength withstands cats’ jumping impact.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 11

   Tip

   • Uneven boards cause cats discomfort.
   • Drive screws on posts’ center lines; screws near edges risk splitting.
   • Consider smaller boards at higher levels to shift center of gravity upward.

   Watch out

   • Screw impact can disturb lower board leveling; recheck levels after assembling all three boards.
   • Insufficient screws risk falls; expect cat weight plus dynamic loads up to 10kg.
8. 8

   Wrap hemp rope for scratching post function

   ≈ 30 min

   If not using pre-wrapped hemp rope poles, tightly wrap 4.2m of φ8mm hemp rope around the 2×4 lumber posts from bottom to top. Fix both ends with staples or screws. Keep rope wraps close with no gaps.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 8 / 11

   Tip

   • Start wrapping by inserting rope end into a drill hole and fix with wood glue to prevent slipping.
   • Fix rope frequently with staples during wrapping to keep tight.
   • Hide rope end by inserting into same hole where started for a neat finish.

   Watch out

   • Loose rope unravels when cats pull; wrap tightly and fix regularly.
   • Avoid synthetic fiber rope; cats chewing can ingest harmful material.
9. 9

   Attach boa fabric carpet

   ≈ 25 min

   Attach carpet to the top surfaces of three base boards (top, middle, and base) using double-sided tape or wood glue. Cut carpet edges with a cutter to fit board shapes. Attach firmly so cats’ claws do not peel it off.

   Fix to the wall

   Anchor to studs

   InstallSTEP 9 / 11

   Tip

   • Use strong double-sided tape; normal tape peels under cats’ claws.
   • Align carpet pile direction for better appearance.
   • Leave a slight margin and fold carpet underside around edges for durability.

   Watch out

   • Poor adhesion leads to carpet peeling and risk of ingestion.
   • Avoid cheap carpets with latex backing that degrade into powder.
10. 10

    Fix tower to wall to prevent tipping

    ≈ 20 min

    Secure the tower’s upper part to the wall using L brackets and earthquake-resistant straps to prevent tipping. Anchor firmly to studs identified with a stud finder. This ensures stability during earthquakes and cats’ vigorous movement.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    InstallSTEP 10 / 11

    Tip

    • Wall fixation is essential for safety; 1200mm towers tip easily when cats jump on.
    • Earthquake straps are available at 100-yen shops; specialized ones from home centers offer more security.
    • Single drywall does not hold; always attach to underlying studs.

    Watch out

    • Omitting wall fixing risks tipping during earthquakes, endangering cats.
    • Confirm load capacity of brackets and straps to support tower weight plus cats plus seismic force.
11. 11

    Final inspection and introduce cat

    ≈ 15 min

    Check all screws are tight, carpet is fully attached, and posts have no wobble. Place tower in the installation spot and verify level. Adjust any wobble by adding felt pads under feet. Before introducing cats, shake tower vigorously to test stability.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 11 / 11

    Tip

    • Place cat treats on boards immediately after completion to encourage cats to climb without suspicion.
    • Do not force cats on tower initially; allow natural exploration.
    • Place other furniture nearby as 'stairs' to help cats climb over several days.

    Watch out

    • Incomplete assembly checks can cause cat injuries. Perform thorough final inspection.
    • If cats do not climb, location or scent may be unsuitable. Observe over time.

Warnings

• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before driving screws to prevent wood splitting.
• ⚠️Tighten all joints securely to withstand the cat’s weight.

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