How to build a Cat Gym in the Garden

Using simple or free materials, anyone can make their garden more fun for their cats (and therefore keep them in the garden, instead of looking for mischief elsewhere).

I used free pallets, found materials (a building site down the road put out wood scraps on the roadside that they were happy to give away), and repurposed garden edging. Obviously if aesthetics or permanence are important then you might want to plan out a design and use more durable materials.  But for me, I just started with a few pieces, watched whether the cats used them, or not and went from there. If areas weren't used, I could rip them down, or change.  Popular features were repeated elsewhere.

As I have a wooden boundary fence, this was the easiest way to create simple features for perches, and stairs.

A simple perch, created using off cuts of wood, nailed to the fence.  Make sure they're stable and plan a series of perches so that they can be used both as steps up/down and as sitting/sleeping areas.

Pallets can be cut up and repurposed.  Obviously if you gather all your materials at the start you can create a planned design, but putting up little bits and pieces as you go will create ongoing interest for the cats. 

Painting will make it blend into the background more, and last longer - but if cost is an issue using free and found materials will be ideal.  It will still take unprotected wood several years to deteriorate, and then you just replace it (and probably change the design to something new too).

Always check that old nails (or new ones) aren't sticking out, and that platforms are fairly stable.  Having some wobbly items is good for climbing practice, and teaching balance. I've also used garden edging for hanging bridges with a bit of wobble, and some of the cantilevered pallet platforms have a bit of bounce in them, and gaps between the pallet wood.