DIY Cat Shelf: Walkway Much Better Than a Cat Tree
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- čas přidán 27. 09. 2021
- I built a walkway for my cats that goes half way around my living room. My cats think it is fantastic to run around up there. They were climbing my furniture and this DIY cat shelf/walkway is to give them something to climb. So if your cats are climbing things that they should not, this type of cat walkway should be something for you to consider.
#9livestolive
I posted a video of my cats playing with their favorite toy on the Skyway. You might like that video and can see it here. • The Best Way to Entert...
Here is the link on Amazon to the toy I used in that video. Just so you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
GoCat Da Bird Rod and Feather Cat Toy
amzn.to/3z4NwgF
I constructed a "cat walk" similar to this 40 years ago. My wife hated it. The cats would lay in wait until she (or anyone for that matter) would pass through the doorway and FFWAAPP., someone got their scalp bopped by one of the cats. I loved it. I installed a carpet runner so they could climb up to the catwalk through a half-moon hole. My wife did not allow this set-up in any subsequent dwelling because of damage deposits. But for a year, the cats really did have the run of the mansion.
LOL! My cats haven't smacked me yet! Thanks for your comment, Rollingthunder.
Time for a new wife,one that's cat friendly
haha! If it was one of my cats she would jump off the ledge onto my shoulder.
@@jfjkdkjfj Wow, I would love that!
I don't see a problem here :D
There is definitely something very sweet and humane about a man who constructs catwalks.
Plenty people seem to forget that pets have needs. But this is exactly the kind of thing that's easy and not in our way, but which a cat loves!
Thanks, Gloweye! Yes, it is out of the way above the normal activities of the house. And they love it.
i absolutely LOVE people like you. It drives me crazy when people are like "my cats so annoying" or wondering why their cat is yowling all the time, or just assume cats are there to pat on the head once a day and then just go lay in the sun. THEY NEED EXERCISE. THEY NEED MENTAL STIMULATION. THEY NEED SOCIAL INTERACTION.
I dont know why this is still news. So I'm always so happy to see people give their cats full and interesting lives.
Thanks for your comment! Cats do need stimulation and interaction! Love it.
My husband and I put up a "cat walk" 12 years ago when we rescued 3 kittens. They all love it and still use it. We just rescued a baby kitten, and I can't wait until he fully joins the family to see his reaction to the elevated playground.
I'm sure the new kitten will love it! Thanks for the comment, Ms Tex!
I especially appreciate the note about cats climbing up, but difficulty climbing down.
I feel like this is something a normal cat owner would not think much about, and is great information to point out
Thanks for your comment, Real Rogue. Yeah, that is the reason outdoor cats sometimes get stuck up a tree.
Yes! Very helpful to give them an intermediate level, or two, so they don't get hurt jumping down!
Cats are good jumpers, but not skilled athletic trainers, so, occasionally, they over estimate their abilities.
The number of cats, yearly, that get stuck up trees and have to be rescued by agile kind fire men or passersby should give people a clue, right? ;-)
@@Kayenne54 Life has taught me not to rely on people's ability to notice clues...many people just do not; and those that do, well, timing is still an issue!
So, when you really need something...hoping someone else will get the hint: bad plan...
Good luck!
The bit where the three of them are watching things outside together is adorable :)
I Know! I just take video when I see them doing something interesting and never know when it might come in useful. Thanks for the comment, Sipos!
I love the way your shelves blend into the rest of the room. It carries the aesthetic well.
Thanks for your comment, Tammi, and for watching. Making the skyway feel like it was something that belonged in the living room was a priority.
"The zoomies!"
How cut! I love it.
And the skyway!
❤❤❤
Francisco, you are a very good communicator. Effective, easy to listen to and understand. Great job, cat dude.
Thanks so much for watching and your comment, TechRescue! I appreciate it!
I actually have 2 store-bought window hammocks for my cats, they absolutely adore them.
Have to move the beds down for the night but in the morning all of my cats just sit and wait for me to put it up again 😂
Windows are really important to cats. It's great you did that! Thanks for watching, Joanna!
Curious 🤔
Why take them down at night? What's happening?
@@niccbeans2939 closing blinds and/or curtains
Cute
My dining room has tall ceilings and a "loft" on one side. My husband and I are slowly turning it into a "cat loft" for our two cats. We have IKEA shelves that create a "staircase" up to the loft but it still needs a lower "step", some soft things to lay on and some decorations. I'm so excited to create a space for them!
Lucky cats! And you both sound like great cat parents. Happy New Year.
@@sbffsbrarbrr Aw thank you, you as well!
Sounds like a great plan!
Which shelves did you use and did you cut them or leave them at that size ?
@@nickorange4881 We used the IVAR shelves, no cutting required since they come in different heights.
Great results, 9 Lives to Live! Thanks for sharing! ⚠️One caution: repeated jumping from a height over 2 feet will take its toll on a cats shoulders & wrists!
I cared for a 21 yr old cat in the last 3 years of her life. She came with a cat tree she’d had her whole life (!) and its lowest platform was 26 inches off the floor. Lord knows how many tens of thousands of times she jumped from that platform. But she came to me with a severe repetitive-use metatarsal injury of her right shoulder & wrist. Her shoulder bowed out, her wrist bowed in and you could tell she no longer enjoyed getting DOWN from her tower 😔 She eventually stopped climbing and her wrist really bothered her, sometimes giving out! There are braces for this injury but they are expensive, bulky and heavy.
Of the many things I learned from this lovely aged cat, it was this: just because a cat CAN jump down from a height doesn’t mean they SHOULD! Those jumps down add up, resulting in either a repetitive or acute injury! For a long lived cat, that will leave them with a problematic, disabling injury later in their lives 😿
Make your cats steps closer together and lower to the floor. They won’t always use them, but when they do, you’ll know the cat may already be having discomfort.
Thanks for listening 🕊
Thanks for this very useful information! I did not know that about cats. I might able to add extra steps. Right now they don't even use the last one. Calypso even jumps from the runway directly to the sofa underneath. But I don't worry because the sofa is soft and very cushy. But the hard wood floors are not, so that is a problem.
@@9LivesToLive - I understand. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to create a safe environment for cats. They love to jump! Ramps, larger last steps, cushioned pads (like the couch 😂) for them to land on. Good luck with your pretty kitties 🐈
I love that you see the world through your cats eyes. Cats can be pills. They can be annoying. They can destroy furniture. And you do have to make accommodations to their needs. But most of us cat lovers wouldn’t have it any other way! Love this cat shelf. Too much fun. Now give them stuff to knock off from the shelf. Cats are totally “flat earthers.” Knock stuff off furniture and shelf all the time!
LOL! So true!
What a great cat dad!
Thanks for the comment and for watching, Vintage!
This is so awesome. You did a great job. You're a great cat owner and I know your cats are happier than ever. Thanks for being so kind to animals. I always love that. Take care and much love from Missouri!
Thank you so much, SpecialK! I appreciate your taking the time to comment. And watch!
Youre a great Butler
You are great cat staff, and have mastered listening to their communication to do their bidding! That looks like cat heaven.
They do love it! Thanks for the comment, Strict!
Great for indoor cats! They need more stimulation and it is up to us to provide it!❤️🇨🇦
Wow! Thank you so much. I love cat-lovers!!!
Thanks for watching. I'm glad you liked the video!
Nice work! The cats look very happy.
Thanks for your comment, ET. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for including the European Lynx climbing a tree. Most people don’t know that they do this. Even a lot of biologists are fully aware of the reason for the behavior of Lynx climbing trees.
It's good to see one once in a while.
I made my long hallway a cat gymnasium by placing narrow shelves along the hallway. The shelves are varying heights and slightly spaced apart and she loves jumping from one to another. On one far end I have a freestanding climbing wall made from an old twin mattress that I covered in upholstery material to not look as ugly. She loves climbing up it but uses the shelves and a tall cat tree on either side to get down. She often naps in the mattress. I stationed it so she can be up on the mattress snd see the entire living room and kitchen and down the hallway and into my office. It’s not attached but if I’m climbing she tops it over, since it’s in the hallway it doesn’t have far to tip so never crashes to the ground. She actually enjoys riding it as I push it back in place. I clip some of her dangling toys from it hat she loves to play with and pull down. On the floor I have a few rag rugs that she loves to ride when she runs snd jumps in the hallway. And another plus is when she follows me closely as I walk down the hallway she never has to worry I will step in her which happened a lot before I made it. I rent do I knew I couldn’t make anything permanent or screwed into the floor or walls. This has been a huge hit with her and the shelves are where I store her food and toys and other belongings. And she likes the lower shelves to crawl in to ambush her toys or to watch me doing laundry or getting ready in the morning. Because of this feature snd the furniture I arranged isn’t my bedroom and living room she can now travel from the front of the house to the back of the house, my bedroom, and her feet don’t have to touch the floor. And the hallway is her favorite venue for her favorite game, fetch. I’m still making tweaks to it but so far it’s been a godsend and no building skills required. Not even sewing cuz the upholstery fabric is carefully safety pinned into the mattress. One day I may more permanently tack it on with needle and thread but for one year it’s still going strong so I’m good
Wow! Sounds great for your kitty! Thanks for watching, Kelly!
"Blocks" of text are hard to read. Next time one idea per paragraph and a blank space between paragraphs.
Yes, I'm a retired school teacher / librarian. 😊
I constructed one around my office which is pretty large and has high walls. I went all out and didn't just do a walkway but like a little town where every few feet is a little shelter with windows that they can hang out or sleep in. Instead of the typical shelf holders, I went to Home Depot and bought large corner braces which are sturdier and look more aesthetically pleasing. They have them in many sizes. The portions that are walkways look nowhere nearly as good as yours though as I built it using literally some scrap wood I had laying around so it's sort of an eyesore but it functions as intended and my cats love their little town in the sky. Yours inspired me to redo it so it could look as nice as yours! Love the carpet. I just sanded down the wood to ensure they don't get splinters but I had intended to cover my walkways with some sort of rubber material. I think the carpet is nicer looking so will definitely go with that when I upgrade mine. Great job and great channel and super cute cats!
WOW! Thanks sounds like a great job! It's given me some ideas. Thanks for watching, Rick!
@@9LivesToLive Do they have any carpets NOT chemically treated? I get headaches when I visit my husband on jobs as many new homes choose carpet. The smell kills my head so I could never stay long. Where did you get your carpet?
@@flowerchild777 Yes, commercially: wool or silk but they are $$$$. You could make a rag rug out of Cotton/linen old sheets or clothes, that you could Velcro down to you catwalk, so that you could remove and wash them. There are many ways (loom, braid, crochet, sew,etc) to make rag rugs.
@@MrsMika the other way is to buy a normal cotton carpet (like the ones for the bathroom) and cut it to measure
You are a wise cat servant judging from my 30+ years of servitude. Stimulated cats tend to do less of the things humans find annoying, and options help keep them stimulated.
We have high cat runs in the living room and in the garage. They adore them and they leave our shelves full of decor mostly undisturbed. The cat shelves were well worth the small investment and effort to install.
I hadn't seen your channel until today, now I'm subscribed.
Sounds like you have a great setup! Your cats must love it. Thanks for watching and your comments.
I appreciate youre creativity for your babies so much! It looks so cool and fun. And your involved in it
Thanks! It is sort of cool. Thanks for watching!
I live in a small appartment and this is exactly my plan! I just need the lumber, and im ready to build my kitties an adventure traIl from room to room. Theres going to be a ropebridge and probaply a small house up there too :)
Great job man!
You can do it, Jukka!
If you're on a budget - take apart some free pallets.
My apartment has very old plaster walls. I'm worried about how I could safely attach a walkway or perches to the wall without wrecking anything.
@@zammmerjammer good point, if that happened in our apartment we'd surely be evicted. It's best to not meddle in summat that'll destroy our apartment walls, so thank you for pointing it out.
@@lovecats_10-23Perhaps… You need to find a domicile that works for you and your creatures, so that life and Harmony for both humans and cats or dogs can. Live
This is why I'm glad I have an indoor/outdoor cat.
That's great!
Your kitties look very happy.
Yes, they are for the most part. Thanks for watching, Mickey!
An elevated walkway also provides them with a sense of security, specifically from the clumsy ambulations of big gangly apes. But it also disentangles points of possible cat conflict.
You are right! Thanks for watching!
Yes, cats love to perch up above their domain and feel safe, but having something to climb for exercise is good too!
Your skyway is a pretty good solution!
Also, it's probably just a couple degrees warmer up there, so cats going to like that, too!
Yes, I think they do like the warmth.
@@9LivesToLive Cats' body temperature is a few degrees higher, so the shorthairs are usually looking for hot spots!
When I was a kid, we kept our cats in the basement, but it had big windows for afternoon sun; after that, their 2 favorite places were in front of the warm air blasting out of the dehumidifier, or, on top of the old color TV, when it was on, or in 'standby' mode; still warm!
Those cats are so lucky to have such a wonderful, capable human!
This is a good idea. My cat use to go walks with me sitting on my shoulder, We would go to a local wood where he would love to climb trees.
I really liked your video it was very easy to see how you made the cats a great environment to tickle their vat imaginations, plus made it safe and melding into your decor. I subscribed as soon as I watched your video just to keep seeing you cats! Thanks very much, you've given me some good ideas.
Thanks for your comment Robert. Glad you liked it!
Very glad you pointed out all these things. High walkways are rather essential. Big thank you.
You're welcome, Emma! And thanks for watching!
i sure appreciate a person that cares enough about cats ( or any animal) to consider their quality of life. It breaks my heart when i see a cat that is stuck in a tiny apartment with no life or just as bad- wondering the streets miserable- but as long as they are fixed- that is something... help the homeless pet crisis by always spaying or neutering
Catification is critical in small spaces! Thanks for the comment, John.
I love a man who loves his cats.
Thanks so much for your comment, Virginia!
Awesome! Your cats are very fortunate.
I love that "zoomies " is basically a technical cat term haha
LOL!
I love that he's created their own space for zoomies - keep that s**t out from under foot
My dogs get them as well 😂❤
You can tell the cats love it bless you. you have a kind heart❤
Thanks for the comment, MsLouisV!
Your such a good cat dad ,
Thanks for watching, Marilyn! I appreciate it!
This is pretty awesome. I want to build something similar for our barn cat. Years ago, our cat showed up and decided this is home, we love him and take care of him. But, 2 in the family are allergic, so he can't live inside. So, he's king of the barn.
I'm sure he will love it!
All I can say is that Jenny is a lucky lady and I am so glad that I found your channel!!❤🐾❤️🐾❤️ Mr. McFall, Calypso ,and Muffin are beautiful cats, and so are Jenny's . Thank you for the climbing ideas. I have two cats, and I am going to see if I can adapt my living and dining rooms to your excellent ideas. ❤🐾❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️
Thanks for your comment, Derry. I appreciate it.
I love it. They are family. Why not make them happy✨🇺🇸✨😊✨💃✨💙💜💚✨
The reason a squirrel is able to climb down a tree easily is not because of the curve of their claws, which curve the same way as a cats. It's because their hind feet can rotate 180 degrees to be able to hang on to the tree as if they were climbing up. So now the claws are at the proper angle to hold onto the tree and that is why they can climb or descend facing in the proper direction.
Great information! Thanks!
You are so considerate building the super-highway for your cats!! I also built one a few years ago for my 4 cats and they loved it. My cats also have access to outdoors.
That is awesome, Northern-BC!
@@9LivesToLive why can't they go outside?????? Cats need the sun grass and nature otherwise get mental Ilness
Yes cats need outdoors for wellness
They get depressed anxious to insane being locked inside
@user-ku5xq3vn8m Just like any other animal, including us human animals.
How lucky for your sweet babies. I love animal people!❤️❤️
Cats are prey? Yes, to my hugs and kisses :D I also build a cat theme park in my room years ago and they really loved it. Especially at 2 a.m. during a work week. Unfortunately, except for one who now lives with my parents as they just have way more time to care for him all the others crossed the rainbow and are terrible missed. Still cherish the years we had together and all the fun play time we could share
Sounds like it was great! Thanks for the comment!
Lo felicito, por su trabajo su creatividad y por el amor que demuestra tener por estos gatitos, que sin duda deben ser muy felices con usted en ese ambiente!!
Gracias, Lorena!
Lovely cats! You did such good job for them 🙂👍
Thak you for watching. I appreciate your comment.
Excellent, you really understand cats and you likely improve the life quality for thousands of cats through these videos!
Thanks so much for sharing! I'm turning my office e into a super highway for my babies. I'll have to send ya pics when I'm done. Thanks for the great ideas!!!
That's great! I'm sure they will love it!
You are kind, knowledgeable, helpful, and your cats are adorable! (Please pet them each for me!) You inspired me to finally order some bulk shelf brackets as my biggest cat projects keep getting put on hold because I can't find any that are the right size in the local stores! (pandemic supply chain issues I guess) Thanks 9 Lives to Live!
Thanks for your comment, Charcoal! Your cats will be happy!
First figure out how u re going to CLEAN all these shelves on a regular basis.
•💟•
Well Done. 🙄 👏
Happy cats. 🐺 🐈 🐱
Thank you for doing such a kind, caring and thoughtful thing for your pets.
May the skyway bring all of you many years of delight.
•💟•
Thanks for your comment, Miss C, and for watching!
Amazing! I’m a single 66 year old woman and do many projects myself. I have 3 cats, one over 17 and has kidney disease. I’ve wanted to make something like this for the younger ones.
Thank you for sharing this! So many people have cats and don’t realize or care what they need or what would enrich their lives.
I'm sure your younger cats would appreciate it!
..I love it: TOTALLY OPEN YOUR OWN BUSINESS where you around and add this to homes
LOL! Maybe I'll think about that! Thanks for the comment, Gwendolyn!
Beautiful job, Francisco!!! Your cats are very fortunate to have such a caring owner. Without your woodworking skills I will need some assistance but already have a vision of where a skyway will work. My three girls have good, carpeted window perches and large condos by other windows but your skyway is the BOMB❣️
Thank you very much, Tiger8. Window perches are great! I'm glad your girls have those!
New sub here. I love listening to you. Your gentle accent, your clear delivery, and you obviously care deeply for your cats. They are gorgeous, btw.
Thank you so much, ProgressiveHeart! I appreciate your comment and watching.
I felt exactly the same way lol
Wow, pawsome 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛💕💕💕👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you! Cheers!
I think the tiny railing is the perfect finishing touch.
Thanks, CrowOnThePowerLines! The cats sure love to rub against it!
Great job. Love it. They're living the dream!
Yes they are! Thanks for watching BlackCoffee!
Beautiful cats ❤🐱 and wonderful environment for them. Congrats!!🎉
Thank you, Robsmoar!
Such beautiful work. Lucky cats!
Thank you!
I just wanted to critique your video, and not the content. I liked the pace of it. You went through the process at a good pace, without rushing it. You showed how you did some things without the need to describe how you did it. I wish all You Tube videographers would follow that method. If I had cats, I would follow your channel. Good work.
Thanks Steve. I appreciate your comment.
I love what you have done and i
would really welcome something
like that for my cat 💖
Thanks for sharing this with us 🐱
I'm glad you liked it, Vivienne! Thank you so much for watching and your comment!
You are a dutiful cat slave. I really like how you made the runway fit your home decor.
Yes, I am, LOL! Thanks for watching, Lyle!
I love it. It gives me so much joy to watch happy indoors cats like yours
So happy that you think so!
Look at the benefits for the cat guardian: those areas of the room with a catwalk will be free of spiderwebs.
LOL! They sure will. Thanks for your comment, Bruce!
There must be something primordial about that... I think cats love being up high... ready to pounce! LOL. Such adorable cats!
Thanks for your comment. I agree!
Loved this ~ obviously CZcams was reading my mind again!! LOL
I have been looking all over the house where Lorenzo jumps and coming up with ideas so thank you that was really fun😻
Great! Glad it helped give you some ideas!
Love this all cats need a cat walk, that would be great. ❤
I know! I think so to!
We know why they climb, and it is from their primal instincts.
They like to be able to survey (overlook) the territory around them. Like a leopard/panther.
Yes! Thanks for watching!
Gorgeous. I want to do this so bad for my cats. I would love to see how you did the climbing post step by step.
Thanks for your comment, bhumane. Maybe I will do a step-by-step video. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@9LivesToLive the whole entire cat skywalk that Francesco made in his video was brilliant. I liked in your video when you were describing things about cats the snippets of videos of cats climbing and exploring in a tree was entertaining when it matched perfectly with what you were talking about. It'd be great if you had a step by step video on how to make this, and all the stuff needed to make it. I don't have a power drill or know what type of wood I could buy, or afford, or the size boards, or I forget what you called the wooden supports underneath the boards. What about living in an apartment with our 3 cats and not wanting the property manager or neighbors to be complaining about all the noise, I was thinking about what we do have is a claw hammer, but you used a power drill. I've been wanting so bad to build this so all of them have more energy, combat boredom, lose weight and have a better quality of life with a substantial cat appropriate skywalk. I 💕it.
I wish I have someone like you to do it haha. I live alone, 31yo cat lady 🤦♀️
I bought my cat a tall cat tower but it's never enough, he wanted to reach the ceiling 😂
You could try just putting up one wall shelf near the top of the cat tower. Put some carpet on the shelf so that it isn't slippery and make sure it is put us securely so your cat doesn't fall.
@@9LivesToLive What type of carpet do you recommend? :)
@@BioLivbanon I just got a piece of remnant carpet. But all you really need is something to cover the wood. I think that thin indoor outdoor carpet will work fine for the walkways and you really can't see it. But tack it or staple it so that you can replace it if the carpet gets worn down. For the post, you might want something with more tooth, but avoid carpet with big loops because they tend to snag and are harder to climb. For the post, I glued the carpet on the front of the post and stapled the back to avoid having the cats accidentally snag a staple and damage a nail. It will be a small amount of carpet, so I suggest finding a remnant that matches your home decor.
This is absolutely insane. I love it so much!!!!
Wonderful and intuitively correct
Thanks for the comment, Donna!
I’ve seen pictures of cage tunnels built around the outside of a house. Inside you might get a lot of fur and dander falling down. Cats do love to climb and explore. Keeps them active and stimulated. An outdoor catio enclosure is also the perfect area to give cats a secure outdoor space with fresh air and sunshine.
Thanks for watching, Sharon. You are absolutely right about outdoor cat enclosures. I have a video on that topic in case you are interested. czcams.com/video/_99wWUCrDfU/video.html
But virtually impossible for people who live in high rise apartments - hence indoor kitties
Thank you for your informative video. I enjoyed it very much. I'm sure my cats would love to have anything like this!!! I've been trying to think of a way to give them a run in front of my picture window that wouldn't interfere with the blind....
Thanks for your comment! I also have struggled with the idea of a run in front of a window. But I have not come up with a good solution yet. Maybe soon! Let me know if you get a good idea.
Well done all around ! The window sill ; relax / observation station , is a winner .
Thanks for your comment!
That`s the cats meow, mine like to sit back behind the shears and watch so the squirrels won`t see them.
You just can't beat the creativity and determination of a cat!
LOL. No you can't!
Very nicely presented. Good information on cat claws. Thank you.
Thanks for your comment, Kerry!
wow, that's amazing - you did a great job for your fluffy friends! :)
Thank you, Yana! I appreciate your comment!
The fact that you did this is the sweetest thing in the world!
Beautiful work! I use the highest shelf of my wall bookcase for a cat run & have a 6' cat post my 4 like running up and down. I have often wished I could expand my walkway around the livingroom, but I physically can't do it myself and financially cannot afford to hire it done. My cats enjoy what they do have plus a hanging outdoor catio with 4 shelves to enjoy in good weather!
I think what you have done is great! Anything that helps them look down on us, they will love! LOL. Thanks for watching, Janet!
That's great! I've been thinking of making something similar for some time, I think this was the last push I needed to actually get it done! :)
Go for it, Martin! Thanks for watching.
Great Job and Well Done....
Thanks for your comment, James. And thanks for watching!
Aww lucky cats! They're beautiful.
Thanks so much, Boomtown!
Hi Francisco, Thank you very much for sharing your fabulously catified home, and how you made it. I love the way your home looks with what you have done for your fur-babies. I've been trying to figure out how to catify my home without breaking the bank, along with still looking good, and your ideas are the #1 best! I absolutely love this! I live in an apt style condo so have very few tools, therefore I've ordered some very long, deep and thick shelves that will be perfect for this and will look great in my home. Now I'm working on getting some wall mounted climbing poles to get my kitties up to the walkway. ***Question: What are the dimensions of your stair pieces on your wall, that your kitties use to climb down from the walkway?*** I'd like to get something similar to what you have because they appear to be the perfect size. Thank you so much for these great ideas, and all of your informative and entertaining videos! My cats and I are forever grateful, for this one, in particular.
-Deb
Thanks for your comment, Texadelphian! The little shelves are about 12 to 14 inches long and I used 8 inch wide board (actual dimension is 7 1/4 inch). I hope that helps! Good luck with your project.
@@9LivesToLive Thank you very much! It does help. Thank you for the luck!
Aww, your kitties look so content
Also like how unobtrusive this is - had considered something similar but wasn't sure if kitties would cope with high narrow walkways. Obviously not an issue
Yes, if they are climbers, they don't mind. The shelves are wider than most tree branches, and cats walk on those.
@@9LivesToLive yes but branches are curved so they kinda tilt their paws sideways and dig claws in.
My other concern about the skywalk system is I'd be tempted to use it as more shelf space 😏🤭
@@susie9893 The cats would "take care of" anything that you put onto their walkway!
I’ve got this in a hall and a bedroom. They love it. I left the top, you can’t see, unfinished. They do their nails on it.
Thanks for the idea!
I would love this for my 4 babies in our very small house!
The smaller the space, the more important these things are. Good luck!
This is just amazing, I wish I had half your skill to build something my cat would enjoy. I know just how much he like climbing, and I can't find anything that could help him with that aside from those "wall cat trees", but it is so expensive. :(
I know. It's hard to find the right thing. But it does not have to be a big system, even one wall shelf could help if he can jump up to it.
Very beautiful.
Is there any recomendation of the type of wood, carpet, and any other resources where I can learn how to build one.
I have 3 cats too.
And I look forward in building one for them.
I used 8-inch knotty pine boards for the walkways and 2x3 posts to support them and create the brackets. The post to climb up was a 2x4 framing stud. The carpet was a remnant piece I purchased cheaply. Unfortunately, I don't know of any step by step instructions available now, but I might make a video as there has been a lot of interest in just that. Thanks for watching the channel, Arima. I appreciate it.
I have them in our house. I used IKEA floating shelves and added carpet
When my sister's cat was with living with us, we had a tall TV shelf and she would climb up there to look down upon us and then when she wanted to come down she'd leap from there to the couch. I never thought about the difficulty of climbing downward. I just thought she enjoyed the adventure of the jump.
One of mine jumps from the shelf to the couch when she's in a hurry.
Hands down, and one of the best walkways I've seen... thank you for sharing!
I have an 18ft high stairwell and, this year ('22) I'm putting up a series of "flying" shelves for my two cats to clamber about on.
PS. Cat Chess. No mere human can fathom out all the rules of Cat Chess, but two which I am certain of are that "check" is the result of being either (a) higher up than any other competing cat or (b) able to see every other cat *without being seen by them* .
LOL Love the cat chess rules! Cats love stuff to climb. I would be cautious of putting a shelf 18 ft. high. Mr. Muffin jumped off my Skyway (about 6 1/2 feet) to the floor. He was not injured, but I could tell it hurt. He never did it again. And Calypso almost fell off one time rolling around up there. So, I say move forward, but don't put the shelves too high. Cats can fall. Thanks for watching, Anna.
@@9LivesToLive Well, the highest shelf will be about 15ft above ground level, but the others will be staggered, so they can jump from one to the other. I'll be screwing a cat tree to the floor on the top landing, so it's an easy leap, and then the shelves will be arranged at jumpable intervals. The lowest one will be about 6ft above ground level. I think it'll be safe.
PS. I've always had "cat flap" moggies up until now, but have recently inherited two indoor cats. I take them outside (under supervision) but I doubt they will really be pukka outdoor cats. Hence the shelves.
PPS. Thanks for an interesting and informative video, and give strokes to all 3 cats from an English cousin, please!
@@9LivesToLive good point about cats still being able to fall, we've occasionally seen it happen. We have a top-of-stairwell window with a 15' drop that attracted a couple of ours so my better half found an art piece to cover it.
Of our other two cat perches one only hits 5'5" and it's down to a padded carpet floor but the other 8' high run in the garage comes down to concrete so I moved our garage couch underneath it.
You are a wise cat servant, Mr. 9 Lives To Live, your happy, beautiful kitties make me smile.
@Anna Lieff-Saxby, cat chess is fascinating to watch (and that's a great term, BTW!).
@@mbryson2899 Yes, it is a great term!
I did have a cat with a fear of heights. He had a small mishap with the stairs when young. He lived a long and happy life, so it wasn’t a big problem. ❤
Too bad! Mt cat, Mr. Muffin, uses this skyway, but does not climb on the book shelves like the others. You never know what they will do.
Your an amazing guy! Thank you for sharing and helping us cats livers to better care for our babies. 💖
Thanks for your kind comment!
Yes, it all about decorating with cats in mind. This looks like a good solution to the cowboy kittens running through. Former barn cats want to climb! Thanks for this video. It’s great that you love your cats enough to take the time to build them cat runways! Will try to get my husband install this. 😊
That's a great idea!
I am glad that you went to such lengths to allow your cats to exercise their instinct for climbimg and being in high places. It shows that you care for your pets. My only concern is the possibility of a cat falling off the catwalk and being injured or killed.
Several comments have mentioned the possibility of falling. They have never come close to falling. I think they have some sixth sense about it. Although, Mr. Muffin once jumped to the floor from up there. He was not injured, but never did it again.