DIYing Mittens' Cat Tower: A Labor of Love (or Something Like That)

Hello everyone! Today, I want to share a little DIY project that I took on today for our beloved (well, my daughter's beloved) cat, Mittens. As some of you know, Mittens isn't exactly my favorite household member, but he holds a special place in my daughter's heart, and for that reason alone, I go out of my way to make sure he's happy.

Our home is lively with two kids and two dogs running around, and Mittens often adds his own flair to the chaos as well. He's a chunky boy with a penchant for tearing through anything that comes his way, especially his cat tower. We got him a special tower designed for larger cats, but the cheap rope on the scratching posts didn’t stand a chance. Within a couple of months, Mittens had shredded them to bits. Instead of watching the tower disintegrate, I decided it was time for a DIY upgrade.

The Problem with Cat Towers (Even Expensive Ones!)

When we first bought the tower, it came with four scratching posts wrapped in low-quality rope. It wasn't long before Mittens turned them into frayed, sad-looking poles. My daughter was heartbroken to see her favorite feline's playground falling apart, and I knew I had to step in. Not because I adore Mittens, but because I adore my daughter and her happiness.

Since we were stuck inside today due to rain, I decided it was time to refurbish the tower and give it a second life. The project was a bit intimidating at first. I hadn't worked with a hot glue gun or staple gun in years, but I was determined. Armed with high-quality sisal rope, a staple gun, and a hot glue gun, I got to work.

Supplies Needed

Here’s what I used for this project:

• High-quality sisal rope (about 200 feet, just to be safe)

• Hot glue gun with plenty of glue sticks

• Staple gun with half-inch staples

• Scissors

• Patience (lots of it)
  

Step-by-Step: How I Revamped Mittens’ Tower

1. Prepping the Posts First things first, I had to remove the remnants of the old, shredded rope. This was a tedious task, but necessary to ensure a clean surface for the new rope. Once I had the posts bare, I cleaned them thoroughly to remove any remaining glue or fibers.
   

2. Measuring and Cutting the Rope Next, I measured out enough rope to cover the two posts that Mittens uses the most, which are conveniently located at the bottom of the tower. It’s important to measure a bit more than you think you’ll need to ensure complete coverage. I ended up cutting about 100 feet of rope for each post, giving me a little extra to work with.
   

3. Wrapping the Rope I started at the base of the first post. Using the hot glue gun, I applied a generous amount of glue to the bottom of the post and began wrapping the rope tightly around it. The first few coils are crucial because they set the foundation. After every few inches of wrapping, I would apply more hot glue to ensure the rope stayed in place.

4. Securing the Rope with Staples To add extra security, I used the staple gun to fasten the rope at the beginning and each of the ends of the posts. I thought about adding staples every so many inches but decided that I didn't want the chance of the cat getting hurt on a staple. He is a very aggressive scratcher. I also used a LOT of hot glue to make sure the rope was as secure as possible. This method ensured the rope was tightly secured and wouldn't easily unravel with Mittens' enthusiastic scratching.
   

5. Finishing Touches Once I reached the top of the post, I cut the rope and secured the end with more hot glue and a few staples. I repeated the same process for the second post. The entire project took about 2.5 hours, but it was worth every minute.
   

The Final Product

When I stepped back to admire my handiwork, I was pleasantly surprised. The new rope gave the cat tower a fresh, sturdy look. My daughter was thrilled, and even Mittens seemed to appreciate his refurbished scratching posts. He immediately started testing them out, and I’m happy to report that the high-quality rope seems to be holding up well, but only time will tell.

To Paint or Not to Paint

Now, the two posts that Mittens doesn't use as much are still bare. I’ve been toying with the idea of painting them to match the rest of the tower. It would be a quicker, easier fix compared to wrapping them with rope, and it could add a fun splash of color. I might tackle this part of the project on another rainy day.

Reflections on this DIY Experience

Taking on this project was more than just fixing a cat tower. It was a reminder of the small, sometimes unacknowledged, acts of love we do for our family. Mittens might not be my favorite, but my daughter loves him dearly. Seeing her happiness when she saw the revamped tower made all the effort worthwhile.

In all honesty, the project wasn’t as daunting as I initially thought. The key was having the right tools and taking it one step at a time. If you’re facing a similar situation with your cat's furniture, I highly recommend giving it a shot. Not only does it save money, but it also allows you to customize the tower to better suit your pet's needs.

Tips for Your Own DIY Cat Tower Project

• Choose High-Quality Rope: Investing in good sisal rope makes a world of difference. It’s more durable and safer for your cat.

• Take Your Time: Rushing through the project can lead to mistakes. Set aside a good chunk of time and be patient.

• Secure, Secure, Secure: Use a combination of hot glue and staples to ensure the rope stays in place, especially if your cat is a heavy scratcher like ours.

• Involve Your Family: If possible, make it a family project. It can be a fun bonding experience, and everyone will appreciate the end result more.

Refurbishing Mittens' cat tower was a project born out of necessity and love. It took a bit of time and effort, but the end result was a sturdy, good-looking cat tower that both my daughter and Mittens adore. Sometimes, it's the little things that make the biggest difference in our homes. Whether it's a small DIY project or an act of kindness, these efforts bring us closer as a family and remind us of the love that holds us together.

Thanks for reading, and happy crafting! If you have any questions or want to share your own DIY pet projects, feel free to leave a comment below. Until next time!

Your Friendly DIYer,