Cat Walk with Hideout

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 verifying right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using the home center’s cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric Screwdriver

  Impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare #120 and #240 grit types.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontals during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during jointing.

• ✓

  Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for oil or varnish finishing.

• ✓

  Stud Finder

  To confirm positions of wall studs and joists.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Confirm Installation Location and Cat Path

   ≈ 15 min

   Decide the installation location of the cat hideout walkway (600×400×400mm). Ideal spots are near windows or along walls where the cat can easily jump up. Choose a place where it can be fixed to the wall to prevent tipping over.

   Measure

   W 600 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 11

   Tip

   • Leave at least 300mm clearance from the ceiling so the cat doesn't push and climb the ceiling.
   • Installing near a window is preferred as a sunbathing and viewing spot.
   • For multi-cat households, create escape paths by raising height above 400mm.

   Watch out

   • Avoid placing directly under air conditioning vents; cats dislike direct cold air.
   • Avoid designs where cats climb high and cannot descend; ensure bottom base boards are arranged stepwise.
2. 2

   Cut and Prepare Parts

   ≈ 25 min

   Cut one base board from 15mm thick Lauan plywood (15×400×600mm). Prepare one hemp rope wrapped pole φ90×400mm and one 2×4 lumber (φ90×400mm). Also prepare 1 meter of φ8mm hemp rope, 40 pieces of 50mm coarse-thread screws, and one 400×600mm bore carpet.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 11

   Tip

   • 15mm Lauan plywood balances strength and lightness well; 12mm is insufficient to support weight.
   • It’s faster to buy pre-wrapped hemp rope poles at DIY stores.
   • Thin carpets are easier to attach; thick ones resist clawing due to less grabbing.

   Watch out

   • Thin plywood may crack under impact when the cat jumps.
   • Poles made of soft materials are unstable; select ones with hardwood cores even if wrapped with hemp rope.
3. 3

   Sand All Parts

   ≈ 25 min

   Sand Lauan plywood and 2×4 lumber in order from #120 to #240 grit. Cats lick and scratch these surfaces, so splinters must be absolutely avoided. Especially chamfer all edges carefully.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 3 / 11

   Tip

   • All cat-contact surfaces must be smooth; check by stroking with fingertips.
   • Edges (end grain) of plywood are rougher than faces; focus sanding there.
   • Perform sanding indoor or where ventilation is good to manage dust.

   Watch out

   • A single splinter can injure the cat’s tongue or paw pads.
   • Dust adhering to the carpet is hard to remove; keep sanding locations separate.
4. 4

   Mark Support Post Positions on Base Boards

   ≈ 20 min

   Mark the positions for attaching the support posts with pencil on the 4 base boards. Base Board 1 (bottom board) has 2 posts placed in a square formation. Boards 2 to 4 are placed at different heights (e.g., 300mm, 600mm, 900mm). Offsetting slightly from the centerline improves walking ease for cats.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 4 / 11

   Tip

   • If the base board’s center of gravity is uneven, the structure tips easily; basic layout uses 4 posts forming a square base.
   • Stack boards at different heights in a stair-step pattern to facilitate cat climbing.
   • Using a center punch to mark hole centers makes drilling easier.

   Watch out

   • Positioning posts too close to board edges risks end splitting during screw insertion.
   • Misaligned post positions across boards cause overall distortion; use overlay transfer method reliably.
5. 5

   Pilot Hole Making on Base Boards and Support Posts

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill φ5mm pilot holes on base boards and 2×4 lumber posts. Countersink holes on the base boards to recess the screw heads flush using a countersink bit. For hemp rope wrapped poles, use metal brackets included with the product for screw fixing.

   Drill a hole

   φ5mm

   DrillSTEP 5 / 11

   Tip

   • Countersinking provides a neat finish and prevents claws from catching screw heads.
   • Use a drill stopper to control hole depth and avoid through-hole accidents.
   • Keep 20mm or more distance from 2×4 wood ends to prevent splitting.

   Watch out

   • Driving 50mm screws without pilot holes causes 2×4 lumber to split.
   • Too deep countersinks reduce screw holding strength to the point screws loosen again.
6. 6

   Assemble Bottom Board and Support Posts

   ≈ 30 min

   Erect two posts (hemp rope wrapped pole and 2×4 lumber) vertically onto the bottom board (450×450) and secure each post with three 50mm coarse-thread screws (total 6 screws) driven from the underside of the base board into each post. Verify verticality using a carpenter’s square during assembly. Use more screws on the bottom board as it bears the most weight.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 11

   Tip

   • Check verticality with a level in two directions (front and side). Aim for zero deviation on both.
   • Apply wood glue on join surfaces before screwing for increased rigidity.
   • The underside of the bottom board is hidden, so screw heads quantity is not a concern.

   Watch out

   • Even a slight tilt in posts causes upper boards to be uneven, making cats feel unstable.
   • Insufficient screws lead to post wobble from cat movements.
7. 7

   Attach Mid and Upper Tier Boards

   ≈ 30 min

   Attach mid and upper tier base boards (300–900mm high) horizontally to support posts. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from the underside and drive 50mm coarse-thread screws into posts (6 screws per board: 3 per post if 2 posts per board). Use a level to ensure each board is horizontal. Secure firmly to withstand impact when the cat jumps on.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 11

   Tip

   • Uneven boards cause discomfort for cats.
   • Screws must be driven along post centerlines to avoid splitting.
   • Making upper boards smaller to balance center of gravity is an option.

   Watch out

   • Impact while screwing can cause lower boards’ horizontals to be distorted; recheck horizontality after assembling all three tiers.
   • Insufficient screws risk falls; consider cat weight of 10kg plus dynamic load.
8. 8

   Wrap Hemp Rope (Scratch Post Feature)

   ≈ 30 min

   If not using pre-made hemp rope wrapped poles, tightly wind 1 meter of φ8mm hemp rope around 2×4 post, securing both ends with staples or screws. Wind bottom-up closely without gaps.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 8 / 11

   Tip

   • Start by making a hole in the post to insert and fix rope end with wood glue for stability.
   • Fix rope incrementally with staples as you go to prevent loosening.
   • Hide ending by inserting it into the same hole for a neat finish.

   Watch out

   • Loose ropes may unravel as cats pull; wrap tightly and fix frequently.
   • Avoid synthetic fiber ropes as cats may chew and ingest dangerous fibers.
9. 9

   Attach Carpet (Bore Material)

   ≈ 25 min

   Attach carpets to the upper, mid, and base boards’ top surfaces using double-sided tape or wood glue. Cut carpet corners to match board shape with a cutter knife. Use adhesive strong enough that claws won't peel it off.

   Fix to the wall

   Anchor to studs

   InstallSTEP 9 / 11

   Tip

   • Select strong double-sided tape resistant to cat claws.
   • Align carpet fiber pile uniformly for better appearance.
   • Leave slight excess carpet at edges, fold under and fix to prevent peeling.

   Watch out

   • Weak adhesion leads to carpet peeling while cats play, risking ingestion.
   • Avoid cheap carpets whose latex (rubber) backing deteriorates to powder.
10. 10

    Secure Against Tipping to Wall

    ≈ 20 min

    Fix the top of the tower to the wall with L-brackets and earthquake-resistant straps to prevent tipping. Ensure secure fixing into wall stud framework confirmed with a stud finder. This prevents collapse during earthquakes or vigorous cat movements.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    InstallSTEP 10 / 11

    Tip

    • Wall fixation is essential for safety; a 1200mm high tower easily tips if not fixed.
    • Earthquake straps are available cheaply at 100-yen shops; specialty home center straps (~1000 yen) provide more security.
    • Do not rely on drywall alone; always fix into studs.

    Watch out

    • Skipping wall fixation risks tower collapse during earthquakes, potentially injuring the cat.
    • Confirm weight capacity of brackets to support total tower weight, cat, and seismic forces.
11. 11

    Final Check and Introducing the Cat

    ≈ 15 min

    Check all screws are tight, carpets firmly glued, and posts stable. Place at installation site and verify horizontality with a level. If wobbly, adjust by attaching felt pads under legs. Before allowing cats on, shake strongly to confirm stability.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 11 / 11

    Tip

    • Place cat treats on base boards just after completion to reduce cat apprehension.
    • Do not force cats to climb initially; allow natural exploration.
    • Arrange nearby furniture as steps for several days to help cats ascend.

    Watch out

    • Inadequate checks may cause assembly failure leading to cat injuries.
    • If cats avoid climbing, location or scent may be unsuitable; observe for a while.

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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