In another three weeks we will be bringing home our first MC (we are SO excited.) Can anyone recommend a good place to buy a climbing tree/scratching post for our baby? All the ones I've seen in stores look so short and it seems he would outgrow it quickly. Or, if anybody has any blueprints they can send my way I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

Answers

My husband built one using a 4x4 piece of wood for the main post, about 5 feet hight and then made 2 platforms with sides but left the ends open. Before we put the platforms on the post we covered it with carpeting using a staple gun. I wrapped lots of sisal rope, the thick kind, around 2 parts of the post. It was easy to do but I reccomend a guy with some power tools like a power screw driver and a saw... The base is just a square piece of wood we actually screwed into the floor because once they reach full maturity and start bounding up this thing it could easily topple over. He loves it. The store bought ones are not nearly big enough for these guys. If you leave the ends open they can easily sprawl out but still have the sides to hold them in. Good luck! Linda

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2000

I have 2 posts and brought them in a cat/dog catalogue. The prices are OK, I have ordered one from a magazine but it cost me $300, but all 3 of my cats love it and each trys to be the king of the top. I find that the magazine has a better choice than the stores or if you are handy you or someone else can make it.

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2000

I found a website for cat trees that are less expensive than any others we have looked at. The web address is: www.bjmarketers.com/catposts.htm

We build ours by looking at pictures in magazines and on the web. We have four Maine Coons and six other cats, so we use ours a great deal. All of our cats just love their trees, and I know that your new baby will too.

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2000

I did an extensive search for the "perfect tree" last December and found quite a few internet sites selling them. Some of the prices are steep for the real neat looking ones, so be ready. But, I found a reasonable one. Do a search for "cat furniture" on your favorite search engine. You will find quite a few.

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000