Kitty Pads

Materials:

metal garbage can
box cutters
plywood disc
hammer and nails
burlap
PVC pipe
sisal
green paints
cat litter

Steps:

1. Peel open the can like a banana with box cutters, tuck the strips under a plywood disc, and nail to secure.

2. Cover the base with burlap, then make a tree out of PVC pipe that has been tube wrapped with sisal (which doubles as a scratching post).

3. Shape leftover garbage-can metal into leaves and paint them green.

4. Pour litter in the can lid and center it in the virtual oasis for your cat.

Keep kitties happy by placing their own personal condominium near your workspace. Since they like to be up high, recycle some old bookshelves and hang them at different height levels. Add pillows, and hang toys from the sides.

Create a serene environment for your cat to relax and dine.

Materials:

tatami* mat
tabletop fountain
two baskets with short sides
scissors
sisal
buckwheat pillow
lava rocks
three pots of wheat grass

* tatami--straw matting used as a floor covering especially in a Japanese house

Steps:

1. Spread a tatami mat out near a tabletop fountain.

2. Use two baskets with short sides and a large enough base for your cat.

3. Cut sisal to fit, and add a buckwheat pillow to one basket to make a meditation mat.

4. For the other basket, add lava rocks to the bottom, smooth them out, then anchor the food and water bowl on the rocks (keeping them close to the edge for easy access).

5. Place three pots of wheat grass behind for your cat to nibble for hairball control.