Make your own Cat Ledge with climbing pole! See instructions below

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DIY Carpeted Cat Ledge & Pole Instructions:

Materials:
(3) 8 ft 2x4’s
(1) 2x2 ft 3/4 to 1 inch plywood
2.5” wood screws
3” wood screws
Carpet (approx 2.5 yds x 1 yd)

Tools:
Chop/miter saw
Staple Gun
(pneumatic is best http://amzn.to/2tjfOok / http://amzn.to/2tW3Cay )
(electric stapler next http://amzn.to/2tmLSIu )
(Last option a heavy duty staple gun http://amzn.to/2tiYqjm )
Electric Driver (and drill bit) http://amzn.to/2tjlzSZ
Sharp utility knife http://amzn.to/2tW7iZX
Level

1 Cut wood to the following sizes:
(2) 2x4’s to height you want your ledge (we used 7 ft for 9 ft ceilings)
(1) 2x4 @23.5”
(1) 2x4 @22”
(1) 2x4 @10” and cut this in half lengthwise
(1) 24” x 24” plywood with a 9x9” corner removed
(All these sizes are customizable to your space)

2 Lightly sand and paint/stain the two under support pieces

3 Cut carpet pieces to fit remaining wood parts
Carpet the pole leaving the top and bottom bare. Be sure to wrap carpet tightly as you go, starting in the middle of the backside.
Carpet the top rails, leaving the bottom and back of them bare as well
Carpet the ledge wrapping the carpet around all sides. Using 45 degree cuts at the corners tends to work best (stopping your cuts about 1” from the wood). This takes practice, just take your time.

4 Install the top rails lining them up on the edge of the ledge with the back flush with the back of the ledge where it will butt against the wall. Use 2 2.5” wood screws per rail going from the bottom of the ledge up in to the rails.

4 Find your wall studs where you will be installing the corner ledge and determine the install height (the top of the supports will match the top of your pole height)

5 Drill holes through supports and install each one in to at least two studs using 3” wood screws, 1 screw per stud is more then enough.

6 Install the ledge on top of the supports using two 2.5” wood screws in to each support from the top down in to the supports.

7 Install the pole, place under the ledge at desired location, make sure the pole is level on all sides, insert 34 3” wood screws through the ledge in to the pole

8 If possible, use two 2.5” wood screws and toenail the bottom of the pole in to the floor. If installing on a hard surface like tile, putting a furniture non slip pad under the pole before install should reduce any movement.

9 Release the beasts to enjoy their new pad!

Tips:
When installing new carpet in your home order a few yards extra and ask installers to save any large scraps. This makes any cat trees/ledges you build blend in much better with your home
To find inexpensive carpet ask carpet retailers if they have any small inexpensive remnants or scraps.
Wrapping carpet can take some trial and error, building a small cat scratcher is a good way to test out techniques and tools.
If you have older cats I would suggest building a shorter pole or building it in a place that the cats can jump half way down on something else. My cats have learned how to rotate on the pole and go down backwards, but not all kitties do.
This does NOT have to be installed in a corner, we have done a slightly smaller ledge (15” x15”) and used just one support on the wall just fine.
This is a great option to put on the side of furniture where a cat is damaging the furniture by jumping on it. Our first version of this was for protecting our tall entertainment center.

The Pet Meadow Crew:
Dexter, our patriarch, is 18 and is a devon rex/shorthair mix
Mia is our 5 yr old spotted bengal, born 2/2011
Max is our newest addition, born 10/2015
Reece is our ever patient lab, she is 3 years old in May.

Adding to the chaos is our toddler Adeline :)

Bengal Cat Tips:
Bengal cats are quite stunning and exuberant fun cats, but they are definitely NOT for everyone. I am a stay at home mom who daily participates in exercising and entertaining our crew. We accept that we need lots of cat trees and no expensive furniture. They do much better in pairs having a fellow bengal to wrestle, chase and romp with of similar energy level. Bengals can sometimes be overwhelming to other non active cats. A bored bengal is a bengal in trouble!! Do you research and if you truly decide a bengal is right for your family, then find a good responsible breeder and spay and neuter your new kitten! Otherwise, just enjoy the fun videos of bengals :)

Passed on to the Rainbow Bridge:
Bayou (marble bengal boy) ~ 17 yrs old passed in Sept 2015 (cancer)
Cosmo (grey tabby) 18 yrs old passed in 2013 (kidney failure)
Asia (spotted bengal) 2 yrs old in May 2011 (feline dysautonomia)
They are all greatly missed and loved