DIY toy guide
Cardboard Window Lookout Ramp
A sturdy box and a ramp create an easy climb to a favourite windowsill
A strong cardboard box topped with a carpet-covered ramp gives an older or smaller cat an easy, non-slip route up to a favourite window, turning an out-of-reach sill into a comfortable bird-watching lookout.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- A large, strong cardboard box that can bear your cat's weight
- A flat piece of stiff cardboard for the ramp
- An offcut of carpet, a towel or a fleece for grip
- Strong tape to join and reinforce
🔧 How to make it
- Choose a sturdy box tall enough to bridge most of the gap up to the windowsill and tape its flaps closed for strength.
- Cover the top of the box with a towel or carpet offcut so it is a comfortable, non-slip platform.
- Tape the flat cardboard ramp from the floor up to the box top, then cover the ramp with carpet or fabric for grip.
- Position the whole thing snugly beneath the windowsill so nothing wobbles.
- Encourage your cat up with a treat trail and let them discover the new lookout.
💡 Tips
A gentle, grippy ramp is far kinder to stiff or senior joints than a big vertical jump. Make sure the box cannot slide by wedging it against the wall, and place the window perch where your cat can watch birds, leaves or passers-by for hours of enrichment.
Safety: Test that the box reliably holds your cat's weight before leaving it unsupervised, and keep it clear of blind cords or anything that could be pulled down. Replace the cardboard promptly if it softens, sags or is chewed.
📝 Notes
Built entirely from recycling and offcuts, it costs nothing and can be reshaped as needed. Lower the ramp angle for a cautious or elderly cat, or add a second box step for a very high sill.