Ask A Detroit Expert: Tips For Building A Cat Tunnel
Premier Pet Supply
31215 Southfield Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025
(248) 647-4310
www.premierpetsupply.com
Premier Pet Supply is a family owned and operated store. Alex Eaton has been working at this store for over eleven years, and she is knowledgeable when it comes to various pets' wants and needs. Alex is very comfortable working with cats because she has had cats her entire life. When customers come into the store, she is the person they turn to for their cat questions. She's answered hundreds of cat questions, and she herself has had experience making sure cats have toys and places to run. With proper food, toys and play areas, both owner and cat can be happy.
It is important to have a base for a tunnel. A simple solution is to use paper bags to create the walls and sides of a tunnel. To increase the tunnel length, cut bottoms off of bags and link bags together with tape. The tunnel can be short, or the tunnel can be long. Cats love the sound of paper bags and the darkness. Running through the paper bags provides excitement to the cat.
Expand the paper tunnel by adding layers. To create layers, use plastic bottles as the posts and cardboard as doorways and floors. Cut small, round holes into the corners of the cardboard and stick a bottle in the hole. Then stick the other end of the bottle on the cardboard or paper bag. If needed, use duct tape to secure edges.The more loops and levels, the happier a cat will be.
Now add burlap around certain areas of the tunnel to add support. Sew the burlap into place. Also add cotton, silk, tweed, denim, felt, nylon, mesh or rope into the tunnels. This will create layers and textures in different areas. Use fabric to wrap around beads and bells, then sew the fabric, and place this type of flooring in the tunnels for noise.
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Cats love catnip. If you want your cat to use the tunnels immediately, spray catnip inside and outside of the tunnels. Also put catnip on some of the inside fabrics and hanging toys.
Add bells, mice, strings, etc. from the tops of the tunnels. Let the toys dangle down so the cats can bat at the toys as they are in the tunnels. Not only will this be a fun zone, but it will become a safe zone too.
With time, add layers using Styrofoam and wood. Then use stronger posts such as wood posts or metal rods. Add cat windows in the walls; add ladders to climb; and even include rope poles as the tunnels twist and turn around the home.
Premier Pet Supply carries pre-made cat tunnels. If building your own tunnel isn't working, stop by and check out the selections they carry in store.