Cat Shelves
Cat shelves are a type of platform that creates more vertical space for cats. Cats love to climb on things and stay up there, and shelves are a convenient way to give them that fun. To place them, choose a place, the type of shelf and its design. Finally, install them on the wall. Petsoid provide more tips on how to build cat shelves. If you want to read more, check this link https://petsoid.com/how-to-build-cat-shelves/
Choosing a place
- Choose a safe location.
This is very important. Remember that the cat will not only sleep on them but will jump and run on the shelves. This means that they must stay away from things that can be broken.
Shelves should be kept away from televisions, cabinets with expensive items, sofas, and beds. You don’t want him jumping off the shelf at you during a movie or while you sleep.
- The location must be one that the cat frequents.
Do not install the shelves in a room or place that it never will. Access to them must be natural.
If he stays, for example, more in the living room, this is where the shelves should be installed. If he likes to sleep in the guest room, put the shelves in there.
- The height must be adequate.
As for that decision, take into account the height that your cat can jump. If he is fat, elderly or has mobility problems, the shelves should be lower.
Instead of making it jump vertically, you can place several horizontal shelves to create an environment with different heights.
Place some of them closer to each other. Instead of leaving a large vertical space between them, place them closer together.
- Make a map of the cat shelves.
Before installing them, use a pencil to draw lines where you want to place them on the wall. So you can plan your design and layout.
This must be done in advance. Otherwise, it may happen that you don’t like the result and have to take it all out again.
Choosing the cat shelves
- Choose shelves of different sizes.
This will ensure that your cat has access to the variety. Some should be longer and others wider. It is possible to find shelves with various types of rounded edges or in other formats.
Try placing long shelves on top of doors and some short ones to serve as a step. Several cats can use them.
- Decide on a type of cat shelf design
It is possible to arrange the cat shelves in various ways. It can be diagonally, with the shelves forming a kind of ladder.
You can make a zigzag pattern by placing two or three shelves diagonally and change the direction on the way up.
- Cat Shelves Ideas
Use carpet or paint to cover the cat shelves. Be creative and make them match the decor. If you use a carpet, the cat will have something to scratch.
Use square carpeting to add individual colors to objects.
- Buy cat shelves
You can find ready-made cat shelves at pet stores or online stores. It is easier to buy them ready-made, as they already come with the accessories for installation (French hand, screws, etc.).
They can be expensive. Some can cost more than two hundred reais. It is much cheaper to do at home!
- Cat Wall Shelves diy
If you want to make them yourself, use different sizes. For example one 50 cm and the other 80 cm. Or take a wooden board of about 0.6 x 1.80 m and others a little bigger.
It is possible to use shelves of books or objects, easily found in home and construction stores.
Installing cat shelves
- Place the carpet on the shelves.
Cut it into pieces so that they are the right size for the shelf and nail them to the wood.
Try buying square pieces of the carpet instead of a roll. Stores often have patchwork.
- Place the supports on the wood.
For the shelves to be attached to the wall, some type of support will be needed. French hands (L-shaped supports) are a good option. Screw one end under the board, being careful not to go through the wood.
The longest side should go on the wall. Attach the board to the shorter side of the support.
- Buy suitable screws and bushings to support the weight.
If you buy ordinary shelves, it will rise and fall if your cat is too heavy. They usually support a maximum of 5 kg. Therefore, use long, strong anchor bolts on the wall, so that the sets can hold between 20 and 25 kg.
Always check the weight limit of the cat shelves. She needs to take more than the cat’s weight.
- Use a leveler before installing the cat shelf.
Align the shelf and the French hands in the right place and check the level with a spirit level. With a pencil, mark on the wall where you will use a drill to screw.
If someone can help you, it will be even easier, because you can put the screws on the spot.
- Fit the cat shelf to the wall.
After marking the place, place the other side of the little French hand on the wall. Using the drill, secure the bracket to the wall with the screws and plugs.
Make sure the screws are long enough to secure the shelf to the wall.
Cat Shelves for Windows
