Engineering for Cats

May 21, 2018
Delaney, an aerospace engineer, puts his professional experience to work for the feline set in this droll guide to building furniture for cats. The 10 projects range from a simple scratching post made of leftover materials and a basic shelf to more challenging items, like a self-contained drinking fountain, a drawbridge-style cat door, and a cat-sized exercise wheel. Each project addresses a common problem that arises when cohabiting with cats. “Cats are territorial, so when they see where you spend most of your time, such as at your keyboard... or in your bed... interpret those as places of power,” Delaney quips, before introducing the two-tier bunk bed designed to give cats a place of power of their own. (Delaney recommends “placing a clean pair of black pants on them.”) The book includes clear, copious step-by-step illustrations on cuts, installation, and even the splash mechanics of fountains. Specific shopping lists, complete with measurements and quantities, as well as the necessary tools (alternate options, when applicable, are also included), ensure readers have all the required materials and equipment on hand from the get-go. Buoyed with a fun, breezy tone, Delaney’s practical guide gives cat owners everything they need to customize their favorite feline’s environment.