4 DIY Cat Bridges You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
Our cats love to hang out in weird places. With some kitties, it seems like the higher up they can get, the more they want to be there. After all, they are expert climbers. Creating a place to perch is a terrific idea if you have a kitty who loves to climb. Not to mention, cat bridges look pretty darn cool.
Instead of buying one, you can make one all by yourself. Your skill set does not have to be outlandish, but you must be comfortable working with power tools. If you are crafty and ready to roll, take a look at some of these DIY cat bridges you can make today!
The 4 DIY Cat Bridges
1. DIY Cat Rope Bridge
| Materials: | Plywood, Upholstery tacks, Joints, Shelf brackets, Carpets, Sisal ropes, Varnish, Wood glue, Screws, Screw plate |
| Tools: | Sander, Paintbrush, Measuring tape, Circular saw, Drills with bits |
This DIY rope bridge for cats provides a list of materials and step-by-step video instructions so you can get the full-on bridge experience. You don’t need many materials, but the plan requires a few tools.
In the example, they secure the platforms for the bridge to create a perch experience with lots of exploratory room. If you aren’t used to working with the tools used in this DIY, no worries! There is also video material, so you can watch someone who is a little more experienced do it first.
2. Instructables Cat Adventure and Escape Wall
| Materials: | 3—5/4” by 8” by 8” premium pine boards, 1—11.25” x 48” stair tread, 1—2’ x 2’ birch plywood, 1—.25” by 3” by 48” poplar strip, Oak dowel, 4’ of carpet runner, Upholstery tacks, Roughly 40 #10 biscuit joints, 7 types of shelf brackets, Radio Shack LED strip, Turning knob |
| Tools: | Miter saw, Wood clamp, Scroll saw, Drill with bits, Table saw |
This DIY Cat Bridge is a little bit different than the first. It’s quite an adventure space for your little felines to play. Plus, it stores your books, which is an extra perk your cat doesn’t even have to know about it.
This DIY rope bridge for cats is a much more intricate design, incorporating bookshelves and a cat-shaped hide just for your kitty. Not only can your cat meander across the bridge, but they can also nap on the bookshelf whenever they want.
If you don’t feel up for the challenge, you might want to look at the detailed plans to see if you can pull it off. You don’t have to get as in-depth in the design as the maker, so you can pick and choose the parts that work for you.
3. DIY Suspension Bridge Between Cat Trees
| Materials: | 12+ 1” x 6” wood squares, Baling wire, U-shaped fencing nails, Thick twine |
| Tools: | Hammer, Miter saw |
This DIY Suspension Bridge Between Cat Trees is a YouTube video tutorial that walks you through all of the details with ease. The builder already had two cat trees: one is 5 feet, and the other is 6 feet. He got the brilliant idea to create a bridge between the two.
He walks you through each step in his woodshop, showing you the boards and cuts you need to make. He cuts each board down to 12-inch pieces. The bridge winds up being 5 feet long when it is finished.
You will need a miter saw to cut down the boards, but you can purchase 12-inch boards at a home improvement store to save time. You can follow the author's visual instructions to drill and attach the panels together.
The video is a little over 7 minutes, and you can pause if you need to catch up. There is no breakdown of the necessary supplies, time, or cost, but if you’re handy, you can easily spot the tools, brackets, and materials you need. Here’s what we saw this DIYer using in the video:
4. 1001 Pallets DIY Pallet Cat Tree
| Materials: | Wood pallet boards, Premade cat tree, Wood glue, Sisal rope, Drapery rod, D-ring carabiners, Copper pipe strap |
| Tools: | Glue gun, Drill and bits |
With this DIY plan, you can create quite the cat exploring space right above your head. Using recycled pallets is cheaper than buying traditional lumber in the store. Many places give away pallets for free, or you can buy them cheaply.
It might look intimidating initially, but you might be surprised at how simple it is. The plan walks you through the process step-by-step. You can also add some cat scratching posts, cat beds, and perches to create quite the kitty sanctuary.
Final Thoughts
You can get pretty creative with these designs and make them your own. You can choose the color or keep it natural, depending on the overall aesthetic you are aiming for. You can select different materials or add to the original plan—you have all the creative freedom you need.
No matter how you choose to put your spin on it, these DIY rope bridges and cat trees are excellent designs for felines. Each will help you create a visually pleasing hanging bridge both your cat and company will love.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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As a freelance dog writer and passionate pet enthusiast, Ashley Bates is pursuing studies in animal therapy. A mother to four human children and 23 animal companions, Ashley is dedicated to volunteering at shelters, advocating for animal rights, and rescuing animals in need. Her goal is to spread awareness, provide education, and offer entertainment about pets to reduce homelessness. Ashley's specialties include dogs and cats.
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