Forget Tiny Wobbly Cat Trees With This Epic IKEA Cat Tower Hack

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Forget flimsy store-bought cat trees. Savvy cat owner Samanta has conquered the high cost and low quality of commercial options with a clever IKEA hack. Using two KALLAX shelving units and some creative thinking, Samanta built a “Cat Castle,” a multi-story cat tower fit for her two large cats.

DIY Cat Tower For Large Cats

“Commercial cat trees are just too expensive and weak for my two active cats,” Samanta explains. Driven to create a sturdy and stimulating environment for her cats, she embarked on a 3-hour IKEA hacking project. The total cost? A budget-friendly €150 (approximately $160), a fraction of the price of a high-end cat condo.

The IKEA Solution

The hack starts with a solid foundation. Samanta secured the first KALLAX unit horizontally to a wooden base, ensuring stability for the climbing structure. Next, she strategically placed two store-bought cat trees onto the KALLAX, serving as pillars for the second level. The final touch involved carefully setting the second KALLAX unit on the cat trees, creating a multi-level playground. She added another cat tree with a perch above the upper KALLAX unit for even more height.

A Hack with Secure Heights

But how did Samanta ensure the upper KALLAX stayed securely in place, given the KALLAX is famously hollow?

“We used M8 bolts to secure the KALLAX units to the two short cat trees,” she explains. The smaller cat trees, sourced from Amazon, come with an M8 bolt fastening system on both ends, making this part of the hack easy. The trees are also wrapped in sisal rope, especially for cats.

The Pillar of Support

The large cat tree pillar, which held up the other end of the KALLAX, was a different story. This centerpiece was Samanta’s creation. She used a cardboard cylinder covered in sisal rope for the exterior of the tower and a sturdy wooden core to support it. This step is crucial in ensuring the cat tower supports the weight of the KALLAX unit.

“We cut into the cylinder, creating a notch to support the KALLAX and fixed (the KALLAX) with screws to the internal structure of the cylinder,” she explained.

The extra step in securing the upper unit guarantees the stability of the entire cat tower, creating a safe and wobble-free zone for her playful kitties.

A Large Cat Tower Hack

The result is a “strong and big enough” castle that can comfortably accommodate Samanta’s two adult cats. The upper KALLAX placement was the trickiest part, she admits, but it was worth the extra effort. Now, the tower provides a sturdy top level for the cats to climb and play.

Satisfaction Is The Best Reward

Samanta is thrilled with the final product. “Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” she says. She’s not the only one who likes the IKEA cat hack; her cats absolutely love it. They spend hours climbing, napping, and looking down on humankind from their new multi-level cat castle.

Cat Tower Finishing Touches

Samanta completed the DIY cat tower with a KALLAX cat cave, and non-slip mats on the platforms. Shelves and perches were added to the cat trees to complete the playground.

If you liked this, you may also like our other IKEA Cat hacks.

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