How to Make a Cat Tree Out of Cardboard Boxes

Place one cardboard box in your home and watch as it magically appears after you’ve ordered something online.

Before you can take it down to recycle it, your cat will have taken ownership of it and made herself a bed.

It’s that natural attraction to cardboard that makes it so ideal for this DIY cat tree cardboard boxes plans roundup.

Purchased cat trees range from $80 to $300 on average, and some cats will completely ignore them, preferring to lounge in their shipping box.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to make a cat tree out of cardboard boxes.

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5 Reasons Why Cats Love Cardboard So Much

Getting to know why cats are drawn to cardboard helps you build a better cardboard cat tree house, because you’ll design around their instincts instead of guessing.

1. The texture is perfect for scratching

Cats scratch to maintain their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. Cardboard hits a sweet spot, soft enough to shred satisfyingly, firm enough to give real resistance.

When you build a cat tree out of cardboard boxes, every surface on that tree doubles as a scratching post.

2. Insulation and warmth

The corrugated layers trap air, which holds heat. Cats run a body temperature around 101°F and actively seek warm spots.

A cardboard enclosure retains their body heat and reflects it, creating a cozy micro-environment.

3. Enclosed spaces feel safe

Small cats are both predators and prey, so enclosed spaces with a single-entry point trigger a deeply wired security instinct.

A cardboard cat castle gives your cat a defensible position with a clear sight line to the room. Ever notice how they always face the opening? That’s not random.

4. Scent absorption

Cardboard absorbs scent far better than plastic or metal. When your cat rubs their face on a box edge or kneads the bottom with its paws, they’re also leaving pheromones.

Within days, that box smells like home, which is why your cat may ignore a brand-new cat tree but immediately adopt a box that’s been sitting in the living room.

5. The sound and feel

Cardboard makes noise when batted, bitten, or stepped on. That feedback is engaging for a predator wired to respond to small sounds.

Our feline friends will paw at, chew on, and wrestle with cardboard in a way they won’t with wood or plastic.

All of this explains why a well-designed cat cardboard box ideas project can outperform expensive store-bought alternatives.

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What You Need to Make a Cardboard Cat Tree

Every DIY cardboard cat tower project in this guide pulls from a common set of tools and materials. Here’s what to stock up on:

• Cardboard boxes– Large for bases, medium for mid-levels, small for top perches. Double-wall corrugated boxes are ideal for structural pieces.
• Box cutter/utility knife – A sharp retractable knife with snap-off blades. Dull blades tear cardboard instead of cutting cleanly, so replace blades often.
• Hot glue gun + extra glue sticks – A full-size gun gives stronger bonds on large panels. Stock up on sticks.
• Non-toxic craft glue – A slower-setting, spreadable adhesive for laminating cardboard layers together. Make sure it’s labeled non-toxic and solvent-free.
• Ruler or measuring tape – A metal straightedge does double duty as a cutting guide.
• Pencil or marker – Pencil for visible surfaces (erasable), marker for interior cuts.
• Packing tape and/or duct tape – Packing tape for internal reinforcement, duct tape for high-stress joints and edges.
• Sisal rope – Wrap it around columns or platform edges for scratching surfaces. Cats prefer sisal over jute or cotton.
• Old t-shirts, fabric scraps, or fleece – Line cubbies, drape over platforms, or wrap rough edges. Fabric that already smells like you helps your cat warm up faster.
• Carpet remnants or carpet tiles – Glue these to platforms for traction. Cats are more confident jumping onto carpeted surfaces than bare cardboard.
• Heavy-duty scissors – For cutting fabric, rope, tape, and thinner cardboard.
• Non-toxic, pet-safe paint – Acrylic craft paints are safe once dried. Avoid spray paints and oil-based paints. Let painted structures air out for 48 hours.
• Self-healing cutting mat – Protects your floors and makes clean, straight cuts easier.

Having this kit ready before you begin any cardboard DIY for cats project means you are already set to handle most of the projects in this guide.

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How To Make a Cat Tree Out of Cardboard

1. Diy Cat Tree Cardboard Boxes

What You’ll Need:

• Corrugated cardboard
• 1 wooden dowel
• 1 plywood board
• 1 wood screw (1½ inch)
• X-Acto knife + spare blades
• Power drill
• Cutting mat
• Pencil
• Ruler

Instructions:

1. Drill a hole in the center of the plywood base and into the bottom of the dowel, then screw the dowel upright into the base.
2. Draw a building-shaped template on a piece of cardboard, a tall rectangle with stepped roofline notches to look like a skyline, then cut it out to use as your stencil.
3. Trace the template onto cardboard and cut along the outline, repeating until you have enough layers to stack thickly around the dowel.
4. Cut or drill a center hole in each piece, slide them one by one down the dowel, and press them snugly together so the corrugated edges face outward as the scratching surface.
5. Pack the layers tight enough that they hold by friction alone, or add a dab of glue between every few layers to keep the stack from shifting.

That was a solid starter, but the next one goes full vertical. We’re talking multiple platforms, a cat house at the top, a ladder, and sisal-wrapped columns your cat can climb from the floor up.

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2. A Multi-Level Diy Cardboard Cat Tower

What You’ll Need:

• 1 large double-wall cardboard box (at least 22 × 16 inches)
• 1 medium square box (about 12 × 12 inches)
• 2 medium flat boxes for mid-level platforms
• 1 medium rectangular box (roughly 20 × 14 × 10 inches)
• 2 round cardboard pieces (16-inch diameter)
• 4 heavy-duty cardboard tubes
• Extra cardboard sheets
• Sisal rope or twine
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Non-toxic craft glue
• Box cutter
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Pencil
• Packing tape and duct tape
• Scissors
• Fabric scraps or fleece
• Carpet remnants (optional)
• Non-toxic acrylic paint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Close all flaps on both base boxes, tape every seam, and glue two or three flat cardboard layers inside each bottom to create a reinforced floor.
2. Cut your four tubes to height: one at 68 inches, two at 47 inches, and one at 33 inches, joining shorter pieces with glue and duct tape if needed.
3. Cut snug circular holes in each base box, three on the large base, one centered on the small base, and slide each tube in until it hits the reinforced bottom.
4. Hot glue around each tube where it meets the box, then add duct tape spokes and small cardboard gusset triangles for extra support.
5. Laminate two or three cardboard layers for each mid-level platform, cut holes to match the tubes, and glue them in place at roughly 16 and 24 inches up.
6. Wrap every tube with sisal rope from bottom to top, securing the ends and adding a line of hot glue every 8–10 wraps.
7. Reinforce the rectangular box for the cat house, cut a 7-inch circular doorway on the front, and line the floor inside with fleece or fabric.
8. Mark where the two mid-height tubes meet the underside of the cat house, cut holes at those marks, slide it down onto the tubes, and glue it firm.
9. Glue carpet or fleece onto your two 16-inch cardboard circles, cut a center hole in each, and secure them at the top of the tallest and shortest tubes.
10. Laminate two long cardboard strips for the ladder sides, glue five short tube rungs between them at even intervals, wrap each rung with sisal, and lean it against the lowest platform.
11. Cut peek-through holes in any platform where your cat might climb from below, and line surfaces with carpet or fabric for traction on this DIY cardboard cat tower.

If you’ve got a couple of carpet tubes lying around from a renovation or flooring project, idea #3 turns them into a scratching tower your cat won’t leave alone.

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3. Carpet Tube Scratching Tower

What You’ll Need:

• 2 large cardboard tubes
• 1 sturdy wooden board or thick shelf for the base
• Scrap wood block for internal support
• Jute or sisal rope
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Wood glue
• Handsaw or jigsaw
• Stanley knife or box cutter
• Fabric scraps for platform covers
• Non-toxic paint (sample pots work well)
• Small dangling toys
• Screws and screwdriver
• Sandpaper

Instructions:

1. Secure the base by screwing or gluing both tubes upright onto a sturdy wooden shelf or board, spacing them far enough apart that a cat can move between them.
2. Cut horizontal slots into each tube with a handsaw where you want the landing platforms to sit, making the slots wide enough for a cardboard or wood shelf to wedge into the tube.
3. Shave the corners off a scrap wood block and press-fit it inside the top of the tallest tube, then screw it in place from the outside to stop the tube from flexing.
4. Slide your platform shelves into the slots you cut and hot glue them firmly in position so each one bridges between or juts out from a tube.
5. Paint the tubes and the base with non-toxic acrylic paint and let everything dry completely for at least 24 hours before handling.
6. Wrap one full tube in jute or sisal rope from base to top, gluing the starting end and adding a bead of hot glue every 8–10 wraps to keep the spiral tight.
7. Cover each landing platform with a piece of fabric, pulling it taut underneath and hot gluing or stapling it in place so the surface is smooth.
8. Cut small cardboard step pieces and glue them in a staggered path up the side of the taller tube so your cat can climb to the top platform on this cardboard box cat tower.
9. Tie two or three lightweight dangling toys to the underside of the highest platforms so they swing freely and catch your cat’s attention from below.

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4. Simple Stacked Box Cat Tree

What You’ll Need:

• 3 – 4 cardboard boxes in descending sizes (large, medium, small)
• Extra cardboard panels for reinforcement
• Non-toxic craft glue
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Box cutter
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Packing tape
• Fabric scraps or fleece
• Sisal rope (optional)
• Non-toxic acrylic paint (optional)
• Dangling toy or feather wand

Instructions:

1. Tape every flap shut on all boxes and reinforce each one by gluing an extra layer of flat cardboard inside the bottom and top panels.
2. Set the largest box down as the base, center the next-smallest box on top of it, and trace its footprint with a pencil so you know exactly where it sits.
3. Apply a generous layer of hot glue inside that traced outline and press the second box firmly into place, holding it for 30 seconds until the bond sets.
4. Repeat the stacking and gluing process for each remaining box, working from largest at the bottom to smallest at the top like a tiered cat tree from cardboard boxes wedding cake.
5. Cut a doorway (roughly 7 inches wide) into the front of each box so your cat can enter, exit, and peek out from every level.
6. Cut a paw-sized hole in the top panel of each lower box so your cat has the option to climb through between levels from the inside.
7. Run your finger along every cut edge and cover anything rough or sharp with folded strips of packing tape.
8. Glue fabric or fleece to the floor of each box to give your cat a soft surface to land and lounge on.
9. Wrap a strip of sisal rope around one corner of the structure from bottom to top to create a built-in scratching surface on this cardboard cat tree house.
10. Tie a dangling toy to the rim of the top box so it swings freely and draws your cat upward through the levels.
11. Weigh the base box down by placing a flat paving stone or a bag of rice inside before sealing it if the structure feels top-heavy.

You May Also Like:

• 21 Easy & Fun DIY Cardboard Furniture Ideas for Cats
• 13 Easy DIY Cat Puzzles On A Budget
• 40 Easy & Cute Cat Crafts For Kids And Adults

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5. Cardboard Cat Castle

What You’ll Need:

• 9 – 12 medium cardboard boxes
• Box cutter
• Scissors
• Packing tape or duct tape

Instructions:

1. Cut the top flaps off every box so each one becomes an open-topped cubby, then lay them all out on the floor and sketch a rough layout before you start cutting any holes.
2. Use the box cutter to cut entry holes into the sides where boxes will connect, making each opening at least 8 inches wide so your cat can pass through without its whiskers pressing against the edges.
3. Line the boxes up so the entry holes align to form tunnels and larger connected rooms, then tape each joint generously on the inside and outside with packing tape or duct tape.
4. Once the ground floor is solid, repeat the same process for a second level, cut flaps, cut holes, tape together, and stack it on top, taping the bottom of the upper boxes firmly to the top edges of the lower ones.
5. Resist the urge to build more than two levels high unless you’ve reinforced the lower boxes with extra cardboard layers inside, because a third story on single-wall boxes will buckle under a cat’s weight.
6. Run your fingers along every cut edge and cover any rough spots with folded tape so nothing catches fur or skin on this cardboard cat castle.
7. Set the finished fort in a room your cat already spends time in and toss a few treats into the deepest tunnels to spark that first investigation.

Idea #6 works with nothing but scrap cardboard squares you’d normally toss. Stack them on a rod with a slight twist between each one, and the finished post looks far more expensive than it is.

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6. Twisted Cardboard Scratching Post Tower

What You’ll Need:

• A large stack of cardboard
• 1 sturdy box or wooden board for the base
• 1 threaded metal rod
• 3 nuts and 1 washer to fit the rod
• Box cutter
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Drill
• Non-toxic craft glue
• Sandpaper
• Heavy weight for the base

Instructions:

1. Cut cardboard into identical 6 × 6-inch squares, you’ll need enough to stack about 20 inches high, so cut generously and use a cardboard template to speed things up.
2. Drill an 8mm hole through the center of every square, stacking several together and drilling through the batch to save time.
3. Secure the threaded rod vertically into the center of your base box or board by drilling a hole, sliding the rod through, and locking it in place underneath with a washer and nut.
4. Weigh the base down with a paving stone or bag of rice packed tightly around the rod inside the box, then tape the box shut so nothing shifts.
5. Slide the cardboard squares one by one down the rod, giving each piece a slight twist so the stack forms a spiraling cardboard cat tree column with textured edges.
6. Once all the squares are stacked, thread a nut onto the top of the rod and tighten it just enough to hold the stack firm without crushing the cardboard.
7. Sand any rough edges on the top piece, place the finished post near your cat’s favorite lounging spot, and tuck a pinch of dried catnip between a few of the cardboard layers to draw your cat in.

The next DIY idea barely uses any glue at all. Instead, it relies on a clever interlocking rafter system to support the entire second story.

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7. Two Story DIY Cardboard Cat Castle

What You’ll Need:

• 3 cardboard boxes (same size works best)
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Pen
• Packing tape
• Fabric scrap or old cloth for bedding

Instructions:

1. Fold the bottom flaps of the first box inward for a solid floor, cut the top flaps off, and cut a walk-in doorway into one side.
2. Cut two or three wide rafters from the third box, slit each one halfway, and slide them together into an interlocking grid that rests across the top of the first box.
3. Cut a floor panel and a small balcony perch from leftover cardboard, lay both across the rafters, and tape lightly in place.
4. Set the second box on top as the upper room, tape it down, and cut a side doorway that opens onto the balcony of this cat castle DIY cardboard boxes build.
5. Cut two right-angle triangles for staircase rails, tape small rectangular steps between them, and lean the finished staircase against the first-floor wall so your cat can walk between levels.
6. Line the upper room with an old cloth for a sleeping spot.

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8. Dual-Platform Cat Tower with Climbing Post

What You’ll Need:

• 1 large cardboard box for the base
• 3 – 4 cardboard mailing tubes or wrapping paper tubes
• Sisal cord
• Thick scrap cardboard for reinforcement
• Fleece or fabric scraps
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Box cutter
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Stuffing or batting (optional)
• Dangling toys, pompoms, or ribbon
• 2 heavy books or a paving stone for base weight

Instructions:

1. Fold the top flaps of the base box inward and cut a large arched doorway into the front, sizing it a couple of inches wider than your cat.
2. At two corners of the box, cut 1.5-inch slits through the folded flaps to create side grips, and push each corner inward to form a square collar. Slide a fabric-wrapped tube into each mount for the lower platform posts.
3. Cut a thick rectangular platform from doubled-up cardboard, wrap it in fleece, and rest it across the two posts about halfway up.
4. Wrap sisal cord tightly around a rigid mailing tube from bottom to top, gluing every few inches, to create the climbing post for this cardboard cat tree house.
5. Cut a circular cavity into the underside of a second platform and another into the base support below so the sisal tower recesses snugly into both, then secure it with cardboard tabs through the top.
6. Mount the upper platform higher than the first using a third mailing tube and collar joints, and glue a short cardboard backrest along one edge so your cat has something to lean against.
7. Pad both platforms with batting and cover them in fleece for traction, then tie dangling toys to the edges of each platform.
8. Splay the bottom flaps of the base box outward across the floor and set heavy books or a stone on them to anchor the whole structure.

The next project proves cardboard can look like real architecture. We’re talking windows that let fresh air in, a peaked roof, and a two-story layout your cat can move through freely.

You May Also Like:

• 9 Easy Cat House Cardboard Box DIY Ideas
• 20 Cool Cat Trees | Modern & Stylish Cat Towers
• 16 Easy-to-Make DIY Cat Toys

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9. Windowed Cat Playhouse with a Peaked Roof

What You’ll Need:

• 3 same-size sturdy cardboard boxes
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Retractable utility knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Self-healing cutting mat or thick scrap cardboard

Instructions:

1. On the first box, pencil a rounded door on one side and a few square windows on the adjacent sides, then slide your cutting mat inside and carefully cut them out, score the door down the center so it swings open on both sides.
2. Seal the bottom of this box by folding two opposite flaps in, coating them with hot glue, and pressing the remaining two flaps over them.
3. Cut windows into the second box to match, then trim the top flaps of this box into peaked triangles by drawing a line from the center of each short flap down to both corners and cutting along one line while scoring the other.
4. Glue the second box on top of the first, lining up the openings so your cat can move freely between floors inside this cat playhouse cardboard.
5. Cut a single large panel from the third box, crease it down the center, and glue it over the peaked flaps to form the roof, leave one side unglued so your cat can peek out from underneath.

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10. Garden-Themed Cat Tower

What You’ll Need:

• 3–4 cardboard boxes (assorted sizes including one shoebox)
• Scissors
• Box cutter
• Packing tape or hot glue gun
• Fake vines and plastic plants
• Colored paper
• Markers
• String
• Cat toys
• Towels for bedding

Instructions:

1. Plan your layout on the floor, then stack and arrange the boxes, large one as the base, smaller ones on top and to the side.
2. Cut doorways and windows into each box, then tape or glue everything together so your cat can move between all levels.
3. Cut leaf and flower shapes from colored paper and glue them across the walls, then drape fake vines over the edges.
4. Score parallel slits along the top of the front doorway so small flaps curl upward as a built-in back scratcher.
5. Bend scrap cardboard into a mailbox shape, hang it on the side with string, and tuck treats inside the window box of this cardboard cat tree house to lure your cat in.

Have you ever wanted your cat’s house to have more appeal than your own home? We believe this next one does. It’s complete with a fireplace, planters, a painted front door, and a full roof with overhang.

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11. Cat House Out of Cardboard Boxes

What You’ll Need:

• 2 large cardboard boxes for the house structure
• 1 extra box for the roof panels and add-ons
• Exacto knife or box cutter
• Metal ruler
• Measuring tape
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Painters tape
• Non-toxic spray paint
• Non-toxic acrylic craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Pencil
• Fake mini hedges or moss

Instructions:

1. Flatten both boxes, remove all tape and stickers, then sketch your design on paper first, mark where the door, windows, roofline, and cat access hole will go.
2. Draw your cut lines directly on the cardboard with a pencil and metal ruler, then cut everything out with the x-acto knife.
3. Cut the roof triangles on one side only, then flip the cutaway piece and trace it on the opposite side so both angles match perfectly.
4. Use scrap cardboard to build the add-ons, score a single piece with a light blade pass to bend it into a fireplace shape, a front step, and two small planter boxes.
5. Unflatten both boxes, glue them together with the cat access holes aligned, fold the top flaps upward as ceiling support, and glue the roof panels on top with a 2-inch overhang on each side.
6. Glue the fireplace, step, and planters in place, holding each piece with painters tape until it dries.
7. Spray a white base coat, let it dry, then paint the details, try a bold door color and contrasting trim to give this cardboard cat house DIY easy build real curb appeal.

The next design requires only 15 minutes and consists of a wooden dowel, some cardboard squares stacked together, and a decorative knob on top. Easy, neat, and it works great as a scratching post!

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12. Stacked-Square Scratching Pole for Cats

What You’ll Need:

• Large stack of cardboard
• 1 wooden dowel
• 2 wooden boards
• 1 decorative cabinet knob
• Drill
• Utility knife or paper cutter
• Screw
• Carpet square samples (optional)
• Double-sided tape (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the cardboard into uniform 4 × 4-inch squares and drill a hole through the center of each one, stack several together and drill through the batch to save time.
2. Drill a hole completely through one wooden board and a partial hole into the second, then screw the dowel into the partial hole from underneath and slide both boards together as a heavy, tip-resistant base.
3. Optionally tape or glue carpet square samples to the top of the base board before threading the dowel through, giving your cat a ground-level scratching surface.
4. Slide the cardboard squares down the dowel one by one, pressing each down with slight friction so they hold in place on this cardboard cat tree.
5. Screw the cabinet knob onto the top of the dowel to lock everything together.

Build #13 is by far the quickest project in this guide. All you need are four or five boxes, some hot glue, and your cat has a new condo in less than 20 minutes.

You May Also Like:

• Cat Cardboard Box Ideas: Easy DIY Toy Box
• 12 Best Cat Trees For Multiple Cats
• How To Choose A Cat Tree & Their Ideal Height

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13.  DIY Cat Tower From Cardboard Boxes

What You’ll Need:

• 4 – 5 thick cardboard boxes
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Box cutter
• Weights for the base

Instructions:

1. Glue down any loose flaps on each box, then stack them in the order you want and hot glue each box to the one below it at the corners and edges, holding firmly until the glue sets.
2. Cut doorways or peek holes into whichever sides you like so your cat can enter, exit, and climb between levels of this DIY cat condo cardboard tower.
3. Drop weights into the bottom box before sealing it so the whole structure stays anchored when your cat launches onto the upper levels.
4. Set it in your cat’s favorite room and let them investigate on their own terms.

One thing most DIY ideas tend to skip on is lighting. This next project incorporates a string of little LEDs hidden beneath the roof, and you still only need an afternoon to get it done.

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14. DIY Cat Playhouse Cardboard With LED

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cardboard boxes
• 1 thick cardboard sheet
• Hot glue gun + glue sticks
• Utility knife
• Metal ruler
• Pencil
• Wine bottle LED string lights
• Pet cushion or blanket
• Extra cardboard strips for siding

Instructions:

1. Flip one box upside down to hide any printing, glue the bottom shut, then fold the flaps inward and glue them flat against the walls to double their thickness.
2. Cut three wall panels from the thick cardboard sheet and glue them upright inside the base to create a sturdy back and two sides.
3. Cut the second box in half, nest one half inside the other to double the roof’s strength, and glue cardboard braces underneath so it won’t sag when your cat walks on top.
4. Wrap the LED string around the underside edge of the roof and tuck the battery pack out of sight before gluing the roof onto the tops of the walls.
5. Glue thin cardboard strips horizontally across the outer walls as decorative siding, then add a facade panel across the front with a doorway cut into it.
6. Slide a pet cushion and blanket inside and set the finished house in a quiet corner your cat already likes.

Our last build is by far the most involved one on this list. Every tiny piece of cardboard used is cut and glued by hand. This makes for a very sturdy build, a two-story castle even a toddler could climb in and sit!

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15. Brick-By-Brick Cardboard DIY for Cats

What You’ll Need:

• A large supply of cardboard boxes
• Hot glue gun + a bulk pack of glue sticks
• Utility knife or box cutter
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Thick cardboard sheets for the floor divider between levels

Instructions:

1. Cut cardboard into small 1 × 2-inch rectangles and treat each piece like a miniature flat brick. You need to cut many pieces.
2. Start the first level by laying a circular or square base row of bricks with hot glue, then stack each new row offset from the one below it the same way real brickwork is laid.
3. When you reach the height where you want a window, pause the walls and build a frame in whatever shape you like. Make sure to add several layers around the opening before continuing.
4. Once the first-story walls reach full height, cut thick cardboard to fit snugly inside as a floor divider and glue it in place with multiple layers for strength.
5. Build the second story the same way, bricking row by row upward, adding windows and a doorway as you go.
6. Leave the rough overlapping edges as they are; that uneven texture doubles as a built-in scratching surface across every wall of this cardboard cat castle.

You May Also Like:

• 25 Easy & Fun DIY Cat Stuff
• 11 DIY Cat Calming Treats You Can Make At Home
• Homemade Cat Treats: A Simple Chicken Cat Treats Recipe

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7 Mistakes That Make DIY Cat Trees Fail

Making a cat tower out of cardboard boxes can be forgiving because cardboard isn’t expensive, you can always restart, and your cat won’t notice minor aesthetic mishaps.

However, here are some of the overlooked structural errors that may potentially ruin your hard work:

1. Using flimsy boxes for load-bearing parts

Thin, single-wall boxes can crush easily. We recommend you use double-wall corrugated cardboard for platforms, bases and columns.

If you only have single-wall cardboard boxes, you can make them thicker by laminating two or three together with glue.

2. Skipping reinforcement

Cardboard has high tensile strength across its corrugations, but perpendicular to them it is quite weak. Install interior columns, cross bracing, or stacked plating on any horizontal surface.

The difference between a homemade cat condo made out of cardboard that will last you several months and one that falls apart the second day is often just this component. 

3. Using toxic adhesives or paints

We recommend you Use hot glue and white school glue. Avoid excessive amounts of super glue, rubber cement, spray glue, and oil-based paint.

You’ll want to look for ASTM D-4236 Certified on labels if you are not sure about the product, you’re about to buy.

4. Building with a narrow base

Cats pounce on furniture like bullets and shift their weight erratically. Your foundation should be wider than the tree’s tallest point.

If you’re unable to widen the base, brace the contraption against a wall or secure the bottom with a paving stone.

5. Not accounting for your cat’s weight

When building for bigger breeds aim to double the platform layers, and press every surface with at least 20 pounds of hand pressure yourself before allowing kitty access.

6. Leaving sharp edges exposed

Run your finger along the edge after every cut. Tape over anything rough, fold the edge over and glue it down, or sand lightly. Special attention needs to be paid to doorways and places of entry.

7. Making openings too small

Cats also dislike being confined in spaces where their whiskers are simultaneously touched on both sides.

Measure the width of your cat’s shoulders, then add two inches or more. For a cat playhouse cardboard, make sure each doorway allows the cat to quickly retreat if frightened.

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How to Get Your Cat to Actually Use It

Once you’re done building and the cardboard box cat tower looks amazing, you may now call your cat over to inspect it.

But unfortunately, your cat may sniff the air cautiously, then stalks off to the opposite side of the room, while avoiding the tower completely. This is normal.

Cats are afraid of new things until they aren’t. Trying to force the issue by setting the cat atop the tree usually fails spectacularly. Here are a few things you can try to make your cat use the tree:

1. Put it where the cat already hangs out

Set your cat tree DIY cardboard near a window, next to their favorite napping spot, or wherever they spend the most time. Move it later once they’ve adopted it.

2. Let familiar scents do the work

Drape an old t-shirt or blanket the cat already sleeps on over a platform. Place a used towel inside a cubby. Cats make territory decisions based on scent more than anything else.

3. Use catnip or treats strategically

Sprinkle dried catnip on the platforms and scatter treats on the lower levels. The cat investigates on its own terms, finds a reward, and starts to view the tree as a good place.

4. Add a dangling toy

Tie a feather or small toy to an upper platform so it hangs and sways. Batting at it naturally leads the cat onto the structure, and once they’ve climbed it during play, the barrier is broken.

5. Let the cat watch you build

Don’t shoo your cat away if they are sniffing boxes, sitting in half-finished cubbies or batting scraps as you work.

They are marking the materials with their scent and claiming this cat house made out of cardboard boxes as theirs before the glue dries.

6. Be patient

Every cat is different. Some will investigate the tree within an hour, while others may take a week. Leave the tree up, refresh the catnip daily or every few days, and try not to interfere.

One day, you’ll wake up to find your cat sleeping on the highest level as if he climbed right up there himself.

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Conclusion

Every project in this guide starts with boxes that would otherwise hit the recycling bin. That’s the beauty of a DIY cat tree cardboard boxes build

You don’t need fancy woodworking skills, and there’s no expensive lumber needed for these builds. All you need is just boxes, glue, a blade, and the hard work you put in.

The best thing about making something special for your cat is that they will not judge your craftsmanship. They won’t notice if the corners aren’t square or the paint is uneven.

What your cat will notice is a new vertical space to claim, a warm cubby to curl up in, and the satisfying texture of corrugated cardboard under its claws.

If a design fails, feel free to rebuild it or try something different. If your cat destroys a section of the cat tower from cardboard boxes, it’s always a good idea to replace that piece.