Store Bought Cat Condos Verses Homemade Condos

Whether you purchase a condo at the pet store or diligently made one at home there is usually a difference in the type of materials used. Homemade condos when properly constructed of wood and carpet will last a lifetime where commercial condos use chipboard and plastics and may not last the rigors of many cats and moving. One key thing is replacing the carpet is more difficult than would be with a good wood based condo.

Not all commercial condos are the same. When you shop online or go to a pet store, pay attention to the materials used and when in doubt ask the store manager. Some of the higher end pet stores and websites provide quality wood condos but also command a higher price than homemade.

Not everyone has the tools or the skills to construct a homemade cat condo and will typically purchase one whether at the pet store or a garage sale. I want to flag that idea of a garage sale because there may be an opportunity to purchase a homemade condo at a discount. If you happen to see one and have cats then I recommend purchasing it after a thorough inspection. If you buy from the store then you should pay attention to the rest of this article.

Properly made homemade condos are very easy to maintain because they are made of wood materials. This allows for good nailing and stapling where chipboard and plastics do not perform as well. With a razor knife, pliers, and a hammer you can strip the carpet off a wood condo in under a half hour were chipboard and plastic is not as easy and will take more time and effort. Chipboard may use both glue and staples and plastic uses glue. Depending on the quality of the glue it could be very difficult to remove the carpet and not damage the chipboard or plastic condo frame.

The taller condos, (called trees), whose frames are made of chipboard or plastic can very difficult to replace the carpet without damaging the condo frame. I recommend not doing that unless you are willing to take time and effort. The smaller condos and "scratching posts" are easier but still require care when pulling off the old carpet. Should you attempt to do that, make sure and use good glue such as "hard as nails" glue that can be found in the hardware stores. I do not think the chipboard or plastic will survive more than one re-carpeting and that is why I would use better quality glue at that time.

When re-carpeting, always carpet the bases and pedestals first and do the post(s) last. I share this with my own experience and past mistakes. Should you have a condo that is worn out in appearance and basically shredded by cat claws, by all means try to replace the carpet rather than purchase another one. Remember color and perfect fits do not matter to your cat. Carpet does not have to be new either; it just needs to be in good condition to use so go for it and save a bundle of money.