I live in a one-bed, first-floor flat so Mika will be a house cat. She is 6 months old and starting to climb.

My carpenter friend has promised to build me some climbing shelves in my living-room. In his house he has one branch going up to a little corner platform for his cats. However after noticing how Mika likes to climb and balance I’m thinking she needs something a bit more complex and challenging. So I would love to hear (or see if you have photos) what climbing structures and shelves you have for your Bengals so I can brief my friend fully.

Also, has anyone come up with a good solution for ensuring your cat doesn’t climb out onto a window-sill? At this time of year it isn’t a problem as my sash windows are only open an inch, but in the summer I will need to open them higher. And in my bedroom I have a double-glazed window that folds out at the bottom. I’m thinking I might need to use chicken-wire at the bottom??

Many thanks,
Lucy

Well this isn't shelving, but my OH made a simple cat tree that they *LOVE*, really simply with just bits of old shelf and 2x4, but it could just as easily be shelves built out of the wall:



They now climb most of the way up the tall straight bit of wood at the front, hanging on for dear life with their claws. Really good for scratching, climbing and sleeping!

I'm sure I've seen a website linked on this forum of houses basically designed around cat shelves.

Have you tried just googling cat shelves? That'll give you a good idea to start with!

Here is a cat ledge the hubby built me/the cats for Christmas one year. Its not overly challenging, more a sleeping area, but it might give you an idea on the climbing pole. The crew loves the carpet covered pole the best really.

http://epetmeadow.com/2009/12/cat-ledge/

We have a second simple shelf and pole, this one gets a ton of use (the first photo in the series).

http://epetmeadow.com/2011/01/scratcher/

The hardest part in most DIY projects is the initial design. Careful planning saves mistakes, time and money.

Shelves are easy, but it is more of a one-off creative process to make them look good in your home and be functional too for the cats. To me this is more interior design than construction.

How about a big tall tree? You could check out as many cat trees being sold as you can, find one you like and have your friend copy the design and build it for you. Much easier than planning it from scratch.

On your window, have your carpenter make a temporary screened frame that can be used for those 'open' times and thus still be easily removable but secure enough to prevent an escape.