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4 DIY Cat Bridges You Can Build Today (With Pictures)

Our cats love to hang out and all kinds of weird places. With some kitties, it seems like the higher up they can get, the more they want to be there. After all, they are superior. If you have a kitty who loves to climb, creating a place to perch is a terrific idea. Not to mention, cat bridges look pretty darn cool.

Instead of buying one outright, you can make one all by yourself. Your skill set doesn’t have to be outlandish, but you will need to be comfortable working with wood pieces. If you’re crafty and ready to roll, take a look at some of these DIY cat bridges you can make today!

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Our Favorite DIY Cat Bridges

1. DIY Cat Rope Bridge

DIY cat bridge
Image Credit: Theownerbuildernetwork

This DIY rope bridge for cats provides a list of materials and step-by-step video instructions so you can get the full-on bridge experience. You don’t need very many things to get you started, but it does require using specific tools.

In the example, they secure the platforms for this cat bridge to create a perch experience with lots of exploratory room. If you aren’t used to working with the tools used in this DIY, no worries! There is also video material, so you can watch someone who is a little more experienced do it first.

Materials:
  • Plywood
  • Upholstery tacks
  • Joints
  • Shelf brackets
  • Carpets
  • Sisal ropes
  • Varnish
  • Wood glue
  • Screws
  • Screw plate
Tools:
  • Sander
  • Paintbrush
  • Measuring tape
  • Circular saw
  • Drills with bits
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2. Instructables Cat Adventure and Escape Wall

DIY cat bridge
Image Credit: Instructables

This DIY Cat Bridge is a little bit different than the first. It’s quite an adventure space for your little feelings to play. Plus, it doubles to store your books, which is an extra perk—and your cat doesn’t even have to know about it.

This DIY rope bridge for cats is a much more intricate design, incorporating bookshelves and a cat-shaped hide just for your kitty. Not only can your cat meander across the bridge—they can also nap on the bookshelf whenever they want.

If you don’t feel up for the challenge, you might want to look at the detailed plans to see if you can pull it off. You don’t have to get as in-depth in the design as the maker, so you can pick and choose the parts that work for you.

Materials:
  • 3—5/4” by 8” by 8” premium pine boards
  • 1—11.25” x 48” stair tread
  • 1—2’ x 2’ birch plywood
  • 1—.25” by 3” by 48” poplar strip
  • Oak dowel
  • 4’ of carpet runner
  • Upholstery tacks
  • Roughly 40 #10 biscuit joints
  • 7 types of shelf brackets
  • Radio Shack LED strip
  • Turning knob
Tools:
  • Miter saw
  • Wood clamp
  • Scroll saw
  • Drill with bits
  • Table saw
Cost:  Under $100
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3. DIY Suspension Bridge Between Cat Trees

This DIY Suspension Bridge Between Cat Trees is a YouTube video tutorial that walks you through all of the details with ease. The builder already had two cat trees: one is 5 feet and the other is 6 feet. He got the brilliant idea to create a bridge between the two.

He walks you through each step in his woodshop, showing you the boards and cuts you need to make. He cuts each board down to 12-inch pieces. The bridge winds up being 5 feet long when it is finished.

You will need a miter saw to cut down the boards if you don’t buy precut pieces—but you can absolutely purchase 12-inch boards at a home improvement store to cut out some of the woodwork. Follow his visual instructions to drill and attach the panels together.

The video is a little over 7 minutes, and you can pause if you need to catch up. There is no breakdown of the necessary supplies, time, or cost—but if you’re handy, you can easily spot the tools, brackets, and materials to do so. Here’s what we saw this DIYer using in the video:

Materials:
  • 12+ 1” x 6” wood squares
  • Baling wire
  • U-shaped fencing nails
  • Thick twine
Tools:
  • Hammer
  • Miter saw
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4. 1001 Pallets DIY Pallet Cat Tree

DIY cat bridge
Image Credit: 1001Pallets

With this DIY, you can create quite the cat exploring space right above your head. Using recycled pallets, this is an inexpensive option rather than buying traditional lumber in the store. Many places give away pallets for free, or you can buy them for very cheap.

It might look intimidating at first, but you might be surprised at how simple it is. This DIY walks you through the process step-by-step. You can also add some cat scratching posts, cat beds, and perches to create quite the kitty sanctuary.

Materials:
  • Wood pallet boards
  • Premade cat tree
  • Wood glue
  • Sisal rope
  • Drapery rod
  • D-ring carabiners
  • Copper pipe strap
Tools:
  • Glue gun
  • Drill and bits

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Final Thoughts

You can get pretty creative with these options making them all your own. You can choose the color or keep it natural depending on the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. You can select different route material or spruce up things with some personalization—you have all the creative freedom you need.

No matter how you choose to put your own spin on it, these DIY rope bridges and cat trees are simply guidelines and tools. Each will help you create a visually pleasing hanging bridge both your cat and company will love.

See also:

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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