Cat Jungle Gym

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring each component.

• ✓

  Pencil and carpenter's square

  For marking layout lines and confirming right angles.

• ✓

  Handsaw

  Home center cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric screwdriver

  Using an impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontality during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and paint tray

  Used for finishing with oil or varnish.

• ✓

  Stud sensor

  Used to locate wall studs and intermediate studs.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Confirm installation location and cat's movement path

   ≈ 15 min

   Decide the installation location for the cat jungle gym (900×900×1200mm). Ideal placement is near a window or along a wall where the cat can easily jump onto it. Choose a place where the tower can be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping.

   Measure

   W 900 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 11

   Tip

   • Leave at least 300mm distance from the ceiling to prevent the cat from pushing up to climb.
   • Placing near a window is preferred by cats for sunbathing and observing outside.
   • For households with multiple cats, a height of 1200mm or more helps provide escape routes.

   Watch out

   • Avoid placing directly under an air conditioner; the direct airflow bothers cats.
   • Avoid designs where cats cannot safely descend from high places; ensure the base boards are arranged in steps.
2. 2

   Cut components and prepare materials

   ≈ 25 min

   Cut four base boards (15×900×900mm) from 15mm thick lauan plywood. Prepare two hemp rope wrapped poles φ90×1200mm and two 2×4 lumber (38×89×1200mm) as support posts. Also prepare 3.6m of φ8mm hemp rope, 40 pcs of 50mm coarse-thread screws, and 3 pcs of boa material carpets (900×900mm).

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 11

   Tip

   • 15mm thick lauan plywood balances strength and weight well. 12mm thickness cannot support the weight.
   • Buying pre-made hemp rope wrapped poles is faster and available at DIY stores.
   • Use thin carpets; if too thick, it is difficult for cats to hook their claws.

   Watch out

   • Using thin plywood risks cracking from cats jumping on it.
   • Soft poles are unstable; even wrapped with hemp rope, core wood should be hardwood.
3. 3

   Sand all components

   ≈ 25 min

   Sand the lauan plywood and 2×4 lumber using #120 followed by #240 sandpaper. Since cats may lick or scratch these surfaces, no splinters are allowed. Be especially careful to chamfer corners gently.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 3 / 11

   Tip

   • Make all cat-contact areas smooth; check by running your finger pad over them.
   • The plywood edge (cut surface) is rougher than the face; focus sanding there.
   • Perform sanding in indoor or ventilated areas to manage dust.

   Watch out

   • Even one splinter can injure a cat's tongue or paw pads.
   • Dust adhering to carpet is difficult to remove; use separate work areas.
4. 4

   Mark support post positions on base boards

   ≈ 20 min

   Mark positions for fixing support posts on all four base boards with a pencil. On base board 1 (bottom board), place two posts in a square layout. On boards 2-4, place posts at different heights (e.g., 300mm, 600mm, 900mm). Slightly offset laterally from the center line for easier cat walking.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 4 / 11

   Tip

   • Uneven weight distribution causes tipping; keep posts arranged in a square base.
   • Arrange boards in a stepped pattern with varying heights to facilitate climbing.
   • Using a center punch to mark hole centers makes drilling easier.

   Watch out

   • Placing posts too close to board edges causes splitting when driving screws.
   • Misaligned post positions across boards cause overall warping; use overlapping transfer marking for accuracy.
5. 5

   Drill pilot holes on base boards and support posts

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill φ5mm pilot holes on base boards and 2×4 lumber. On the base board side, countersink using a countersink bit to conceal the screw heads flush with the surface. For hemp rope wrapped poles, use the metal brackets included with the product for screwing.

   Drill a hole

   φ5mm

   DrillSTEP 5 / 11

   Tip

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

   Watch out

   • Driving 50mm screws without pilot holes splits the 2×4 lumber.
   • Too deep countersinking weakens screw holding strength.
6. 6

   Assemble bottom board and support posts

   ≈ 30 min

   Stand two support posts (one hemp rope wrapped pole and one 2×4 lumber) vertically on the bottom board (450×450) and fix each post with three 50mm coarse-thread screws from the underside (total 6 screws). Use a carpenter's square to check verticality. Since the bottom board supports the greatest weight, use more screws.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 11

   Tip

   • Check verticality of posts with a level in two directions (front and side), aim for zero deviation.
   • Apply wood glue on joining surfaces before screwing to increase stiffness.
   • Screw heads on the underside of the bottom board are hidden, so use a higher number of screws without concern.

   Watch out

   • Even slight tilt in support posts causes upper boards to tilt, making cats feel unstable.
   • Too few screws cause posts to wobble under the cat's movement.
7. 7

   Attach middle and upper base boards

   ≈ 30 min

   Attach middle base boards (at 300~900mm height) horizontally onto the support posts. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from the underside and drive 50mm coarse-thread screws (6 screws per board, 3 per post). Confirm boards are level with a level. Secure firmly to withstand impact when cats jump on them.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 11

   Tip

   • Unlevel boards cause discomfort to cats.
   • Place screws on the center line of support posts to avoid splitting the wood by screwing near edges.
   • Considering weight distribution, making upper boards smaller is an option.

   Watch out

   • Impact while driving screws may distort the level of lower boards; recheck horizontality after assembling all three.
   • Insufficient screws increase risk of boards falling off; consider cat weight (10kg+) and dynamic loads.
8. 8

   Wrap hemp rope (scratching function)

   ≈ 30 min

   If not using pre-made hemp rope wrapped poles, tightly wrap φ8mm hemp rope (3.6m) around 2×4 support posts from bottom to top, fixing both ends with staples or screws. Wrapping tightly with no gaps is key.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 8 / 11

   Tip

   • Start wrapping by inserting rope end into a pre-drilled hole in the post, fix with wood glue to prevent loosening.
   • Fix the rope with staples during wrapping to keep it tight.
   • Hide the rope end by inserting it into the same hole for a neat finish.

   Watch out

   • Loose rope unravels when cats pull; wrap tightly and secure frequently.
   • Avoid synthetic fiber ropes; cats may chew and ingest harmful materials.
9. 9

   Attach boa material carpets

   ≈ 25 min

   Attach carpet pieces (boa material) onto the top surfaces of three base boards (upper, middle, and bottom) using strong double-sided tape or wood glue. Trim corners to match board shape with a cutter. Use adhesion strong enough to not peel off with cat claws.

   Fix to the wall

   Anchor to studs

   InstallSTEP 9 / 11

   Tip

   • Choose strong double-sided tape as normal tape peels off easily with cat claws.
   • Align carpet nap direction for better appearance.
   • Leave some margin at edges and fold back under to prevent peeling.

   Watch out

   • Weak adhesion causes carpet to peel off during play, posing ingestion risk.
   • Avoid inexpensive carpets with latex backing which degrades to powder.
10. 10

    Fix tower to wall to prevent tipping

    ≈ 20 min

    Fix the top part of the tower to the wall using L-shaped brackets and seismic belts to prevent tipping. Secure firmly into wall studs or framing members identified using a stud sensor. This is necessary to withstand earthquakes and sudden cat movements.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    InstallSTEP 10 / 11

    Tip

    • Wall fixing is essential for safety; a 1200mm high tower easily tips when cats jump.
    • Seismic belts can be bought cheaply at 100-yen stores; specialized belts at DIY stores offer more reliability.
    • Do not secure only to drywall; always fix into wall studs.

    Watch out

    • Omitting wall fixing risks injury if the tower falls during an earthquake.
    • Confirm hardware rated load exceeds total tower weight plus cat weight and seismic forces.
11. 11

    Final checks and introducing the cat

    ≈ 15 min

    Check all screws are tightened, carpets are firmly attached, and posts do not wobble. Place the tower in its installation location and confirm horizontality with a level. If it wobbles, adjust by adding felt pads to feet. Shake the tower firmly to test stability before allowing the cat to use it.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 11 / 11

    Tip

    • Placing treats on base boards encourages the cat to explore without fear.
    • Do not force the cat onto the tower on the first day; let it explore naturally.
    • Placing other furniture nearby creating a 'staircase' helps cats climb up.

    Watch out

    • Insufficient checks leading to assembly defects can cause injuries to cats.
    • If cats do not use it, the location or scent may be unsuitable; wait and observe.

Warnings

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

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