You already know that cats dominate the house, so why not provide them a high perch from which to survey their domain as a pet parent? There are various cat wall ideas that you can use to construct your kitty's fantasy domain, and DIY cat shelves are a fantastic way to personalise your kitty's kingdom.
Why Do Cats Enjoy Being at High Places?
Jumping onto the dining table isn't only your pet's way of making mischief. Cats retain hunting and survival instincts from their ancient ancestors who traversed jungles and savannas in search of food and shelter, just like their large cat counterparts do today.
Cats, who have been both predator and prey, feel safe on high areas that resemble trees; yet, there are some places where you don't want them to hang out, such as the kitchen counter. Set up a cozy DIY cat perch in front of a window or patio door to guide your cat to other areas. You want to give them a fantastic bird's-eye view of the space.
Cat Shelves' Potential Health Benefits
Cat shelves provide indoor entertainment for cats, preventing boredom (and trouble) while also maintaining their physical and mental health.
Indoor cats, according to Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, an expert in animal behavior at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, benefit from "frequent physical, emotional, and intellectual stimulation to help keep them healthy and in good spirits."
She adds that, in addition to introducing trees and cardboard boxes, putting cat wall shelves can provide pets with the security of having their own space. This cat shelf DIY project takes about 30 minutes per shelf, but you should leave extra time for design and testing.
Materials For Creating a Cat Shelf
The most crucial aspect of creating high-mounted DIY cat shelves is making sure they're safe and secure. Installing a high ledge for your cat necessitates the use of boards and brackets that can support their weight while allowing them to move freely. You'll need the following items:
- a hardwood board with a thickness of at least 1/2 inch, a depth of 12 inches, and a width of 18 inches
- Brackets in the shape of a "L." At least one-half of the depth of the board you're using should be measured on the side lengths.
- Heavy-duty wall anchors are recommended, although getting screws fixed into studs in the first place is preferable.
- To attach the board to the brackets, use long wood screws.
- A yardstick or measuring tape is a tool that is used to measure distances.
- a degree
- A screwdriver is required.
- Drilling
- Fabric for the boards' covering (optional)
- Adhesive spray (for fabric, also optional)
Choosing the Right Boards, Brackets, and Fabric
Using extra boards to build cat shelves is an excellent method to reuse/recycle them. If you don't have any, inquire among your friends and neighbors; you'd be shocked how many individuals have them laying around. Select a board that fits your cat's size and weight.
In an article for Cat Behavior Associates, Pam Johnson-Bennett, author and cat behaviorist, notes that "perches ought to be large enough to fit the size of the cat without the poor kitten having half of his backside hanging off the edge." She claims that if a cat doesn't have adequate shelf space, they may feel insecure and unhappy, especially in multi-cat families.
Although cats are quite agile, there is always the possibility that they will tumble, so give them plenty of area to maneuver. They should be able to swivel around and squat down for liftoff while on the shelf.
Your local home improvement store can advise you on the best board materials and brackets for holding your cat. Many stores will cut boards to your desired size and shape for free. You may also ask for rounded edges on your board or buy child-safe foam edge guards to prevent your kitty from scratching themselves when jumping on and off the shelves.
Boards should be at least 12 inches long to give a sturdy landing for cats in order to establish a safe environment. As long as they're durable, you can create them as long as you want them to be, such as the length of your room. Longer boards, in particular, necessitate support brackets at proper intervals, not simply at the ends. A decent rule of thumb is to put a support bracket every 16 inches under the board (this also tends to be the intervals at which most wall studs are placed in home constructions, depending on the year and location it was built).
Allow your imagination to run wild by painting the brackets in whatever color that complements your decor. Another effective technique to reuse/reduce materials is to use leftover paint from past projects. Because wood surfaces can be slick, International Cat Care suggests covering boards with a nonskid fabric or material to keep your cat safe. Nonslip textiles such as chair or couch covers, an old blanket or throw rug, or even the exterior of an old suitcase can be repurposed. You should also smooth down any boards you use to prevent your cat from getting a splinter.
Now that you have your materials, it's time to decide where your kitty shelf will go. Choose a spot with enough vacant space for your cat to safely leap on and off the perch, as well as a level floor surface devoid of sharp edges like a table or breakable items.
Here's a step-by-step guide on building a cat shelf once you've decided on a room:
- Attach fabric to the board with spray adhesive using the directions on the product. If you're using a thin fabric like cotton, first sand down the board edges for a soft, smooth finish.
- Paint "L" brackets (optional) and let them dry.
- If installing more than one board, place the boards at intervals to allow cats to travel safely from one perch to another. If you have kittens or older cats, place the shelving lower to the ground and closer together than you would for a spunky young adult cat.
- Mark your drill holes on the wall, making sure they're at the same height for each bracket — use the level to confirm this.
- Drill pilot holes through wall studs or wall anchor holes, then install anchors. Using screws, fasten the "L" brackets to the wall.
- Place the boards on the brackets, then use wood screws to secure them.
Allow your cat to sniff around and investigate their new play area once you've fastened the shelf. If you put some catnip on the shelves, they'll know it's okay to climb up there. Your curious cat was most likely watching you build the shelf anyhow and won't need nudging.
Cat Wall Decorations
Making your own cat shelves allows you to have complete creative control over the process. Consider if you'd want a single shelf or a set of shelves. Different sizes of boards can be arranged on a wall to create interesting patterns that are both fun for cats to navigate and aesthetically pleasing. As long as the boards are sturdy and secure, different sizes can be arranged on a wall to create interesting patterns that are both fun for cats to navigate and aesthetically pleasing. In fact, you might be motivated to give your non-cat shelf the same architectural approach!
If you have the space, create a pet-centric zone by putting up kitty shelves and then painting a mural around it — removable decals also work well. You can also go all out with the cat kingdom concept and design a palace for your feline pet.
Pro tip: Look for decals, wall borders, and other decorative things in the baby and children's sections of stores and online sellers. There are a variety of design options available, ranging from quirky to minimalist and everything in between.
Your feline buddy shouldn't have to jump on top of the refrigerator or kitchen cupboards any longer, thanks to an elevated shelf construction. Imagine how much fun they'll have hanging out in their own place, and how much fun you'll have watching them.