All active felines deserve a place where they can roam around and explore. Cat ladders are one of the best options for this, but they can cost an arm and a leg at your typical pet store. That’s why you might want to build your own from scratch, and we’ve got just the right thing for you.

Today we’ll go over four amazing DIY cat ladder plans you can get started on today, with directions, materials, and more!

The 4 DIY Cat Ladders

1. Instructables Cat Ramp Ladder

Check Instructions Here

Materials: 2 wood planks (1”6”x6’), screws, 3 hinges, nails

Tools: Chop saw, square ruler, brad nailer, screwdriver, router

Tools: Medium

Although it requires some professional tools and a decent number of materials, this cat ramp ladder has a lot going for it. It can be placed outside or inside, depending on your type of cat. The build consists of wood that features humps or holds that make areas easily accessible for your feline. You can always trim it down just in case the dimensions don’t fit the space your cats like to play around with.

2. Cat Tree Steps by Instructables

Check Instructions Here

Materials: Carpet, square edge timber, plywood (½ inch thick), double-sided tape, sisal rope, angle brackets, plywood for the base, screws/wall plugs

Tools: Saw, hammer, drill, screwdriver, measuring utensil, knife, staple gun, level

Difficulty Level: Advanced

There are a ton of materials and tools needed to make this cat tree, but it could save you a hefty amount of money. The cat tree is sturdy enough for a medium-sized cat and has plenty of cushioning from the carpet to keep the surface comfortable. Each step is square, and some can be leaned against a wall to keep them from falling on their sides. It’ll take a while to build, though, as there are a lot of cuts to be made and parts to connect.

3. Feline Living Repurposed Ladder

Check Instructions Here

Materials: Old wooden ladder, carpet (optional)

Tools: Staple gun (optional)

Difficulty Level: Easy

This is the simplest DIY project on our list. If you’ve got an old wooden ladder in your shed that’s collecting dust, consider bringing it into your home or on your patio for your cat to climb. After all, it’s already built and ready to go, and all you’ll need to do is open it up and place it somewhere. We recommend stapling some carpeting on the top and steps to make it a bit more comfortable. You can even throw in a cat bed in the middle to make them feel at home!

4. PVC Ladder from Budget 101

Check Instructions Here

Materials: PVC pipes, cloth, PVC primer, glue

Tools: Knife or scissors

Difficulty Level: Moderate

The PVC cat ladder is a clever way to reuse any leftover PVC piping. If you don’t have any, you might be able to grab some at a scrap yard for free or at low cost at a home improvement store near you. Either way, this construction is relatively straightforward; it’s about five squares filled with cloth to keep it lightweight but comfortable for your cat. You can make them in any assortment of colors as well, as they can be used with multiple cats. Plus, it even doubles as a cat bed!

Is It Safe for Cats to Climb Ladders?

Yes! Climbing is one of the feline’s favorite activities, as they do this to hunt prey and move around easily in nature. Their agility and mobility are unmatched, so you don’t need to worry about them falling. Even if they do have a mishap, they always land on all fours!

How Do I Get My Cat to Climb a Ladder?

The best way to get your fluff-ball comfortable with ladders is to let them become interested in the ladder. Whenever something new is placed in their territory, they will inspect it with a lot of detail. Eventually, they will get the idea and try to put their paws on it to see what happens.

If they don’t seem interested, you can try slowly putting treats on the ladder steps to get them accustomed to the new addition.

Conclusion

Cat ladders are a great means of keeping your cat busy and exploring their environment. It’s great that you can make something inexpensive that will keep them off your precious furniture without feeling guilty about their instincts. Hopefully, you considered these 4 amazing DIY cat ladders; good luck if you end up building one yourself!

Featured Image Credit: Romeo Ebaloo, Pixabay