Storming the Cat Castle

Come on down 
To the cat castle.
We're gettin' down
At the cat castle.
Tell your friends
About the cat castle.
You'll find 
Me-ow at
The cat castle.
I never pass 
On the cat castle. 
I wanna go 
To the cat castle. 
Oh, yeah.
Cat Castle.



The possibilities for the lines inserted in the Cat Castle song are limitless, as are the possibilities for constructing the castle itself. The song is also addictive and indicative of the amount of fun your cat, a small dog--even a large bird or ferret might have with a similar contraption.

The cat castle is a great use of surplus cardboard boxes around the holidays or one's birthday. It's also a great way to remind your pet about forgotten toys.

To build a cat castle, you will need 3 things: A cardboard box, a small saw (or other cutting implement), and lots and lots of toys. So, more than 3 things really.

And don't forget the catnip!  I find a packet of the catnip that comes free with 1-800-petmeds orders dumped in the middle of the main floor is all it takes to get the party started. (Strombeek is huffing the fresh catnip sprinkled on her scratching plank in the background.)

Cut holes of varying sizes--large enough for paws and little heads to peek inside. Then arrange toys so tails and other pieces are easy to grab. They'll often grab one as they're passing by without being able to help themselves. And once the mouse is in their paw they're powerless to stop from batting it all over the floor. The castle keeps them alert and active when otherwise they'd just spend the afternoon in furry couch potato pose.

Tip: If your cat is challenged in the way of claws, make the holes even with the floor as shown above. I also discovered the cats like it if the cardboard is not cut off completely. They enjoy chewing on the jutting pieces and rubbing their faces against them if you cut them at the top or side of the hole. They also like to stick their paws under the pieces at the bottom.

The cat castle began as a single story, which was a big hit. As a single story, it's easier for one cat to hide behind it and push it out at the other cat to scare it. This game is known as OMG, It's Moving!

I cut a drawbridge-type door so the cats can swat at the balls rolling around in there. Usually they lean in, swat out the intended object, and then bat the object around the floor. This is the only time I've seen a cat all the way inside.

But I didn't manage to get a very good shot of the cats swatting at the toys--they're fast! (That's Strombeek knocking a mouse off a skateboard.)

The cat castle worked best as two levels with a stable at the back (the smaller box to the left. Strombeek knocked it off when it formed the third story) but they were also happy with it as a single level. And they would probably be happy with a stable-sized box on its own. There are a plethora of options with a box (or 2 or 3), a cutting implement, and lots of toys.

Once you create the castle, your only upkeep duties are to periodically rearrange the toys your cats have knocked out of place and behind pieces of furniture and to refresh the catnip every so often.


Potential Uses for the Cat Castle:

• As a treat repository (I hide treats behind the doors so the cats can "hunt" for them).
• As a hiding place for the game Hide and Surprise (when one cat hides and then jumps out and attacks the other).
• As a rendezvous point (our cats meet up to fight behind the stable).
• As an intelligence test or problem-solving skills builder (can my cat figure out how to get the mouse out?).
• As the designated place for the cats in your house to meet and have fun!