Mei from SweetFurr Family sent in photos of this fun see-through cat tunnel she created for her kitties. Using simple materials, she made a kitty playland that her cats clearly love.
The tunnel structure is made with the support frames from collapsible drying nets, simply remove the mesh from the frame to re-purpose it. Mei experimented with using cellophane for the outer portion of the tunnel, because she wanted it to be transparent, but the cellophane was a bit too flimsy so she made another tunnel with a clear shower curtain.
The outer covering was attached to the frame with metal clips, no sewing or gluing required.
Mei added ribbons to the inside of the tunnel. I would NOT recommend this if you have cats that like to chew long strings, like my cats do, because if they ingest the ribbons it could cause serious problems, but Mei’s cats don’t seem to chew on the strings, instead they quite entertained by them.
Leave a comment to let us know what you think of this DIY project and if you’ve made something fun like this for your cats, please submit your photos!
Thanks to Mei for sending this in. Read more about this project and watch a video of Mei’s cats in action over on the SweetFurr Family blog.
Great idea, very attractive tunnel, and what great help she had in putting it together 😉 <3 <3
Amazing! I was just thinking of how to build one. Clever thing the main structure, I was thinking os using wood, like the one we use to suport fabric when making embroidery. Thanks!
Mei: What a wonderful job you did. I love your cat tunnel. Very clever and imaginative of you.
This is really cool! What a great idea 🙂
I buy the ones they make for kids this size at garage sales for $2, I’ll stick with that they love them and like to hide from their sisters and brothers.
That is amazing.
That’s ingenious! Love that it’s transparent. My Golden just destroyed the cats other one.
Great concept poorly executed. The plastic is just an intestinal blockage waiting to happen. It would be better if the plastic portion was replaced by one long sheet of crunchy butcher paper which cats love almost as much as cardboard boxes or brown paper sacks on cardboard boxes. Not as eye appealing for the owners as the plastic version but much safer for the kritter kids to play in. Same effect can also be achieved on a small scale basis with a large oblong cardboard box taped open on both ends and several long sheets of brown packing paper scrunched and strung through it with a little protruding from both open ends of the box. Fun Jungle and crunchy Fall leaves effect.
The article clearly states that her cats are not chewers so the plastic should not be a problem. I think she did an excellent job. I would think you could also use large metal macramé rings as supports too.
Maybe hoola hoops for the armature. I think they even come in different diameters. My cat will tear paper into bits. I was considering fabric for the tunnel.
Great cardboard box idea…don’t know why I never thought of making a “tootsie roll” style box with added butcher paper…kinda like a “kitty Christmas Cracker”…and I can decorate the outside of the box to make it cute….what a great CHEAP idea 🙂
Sincere thanks
–The Seacliff Seven
What a creative and great idea to make something better than what is in the stores and less expensively. I think I will make one . Smart lady.
Will probably encourage kitties to climb shower curtains…we have to put our shower curtain out of reach by looping it over the rod when not in use or our little smilodon will use it to climb on.
The tunnel is awesome, but I’m REALLY drooling over the CurveyNest in the background (1st photo)! I’m in Seattle and the manufacturer is in the process of getting distributors in the US. I love how Mei’s home is totally tricked-out for the cats!
That is just brilliant!
Great idea – no ribbons and because I have a raggie that likes to eat shower curtains, that wouldn’t work either. I am sure some other material would work just as well
Oh my….such BEAUTIFUL kitties and innovative idea! This tunnel is so pretty and done with class! It looks like wonderful of fun for the furry babies!
great idea – not!! the plastic shower curtain wont last long with cats claws, and as for the ribbons great way to strangle your cat!! dangerous and pointless , nice they wanted to make something for their cats but why bother when you can pick up a vast allsortment of tunnels quite cheaply anyway, kids play tunnels, cat tunnels rabbit tunneks all work just as well and far more robust and definitely safer.
That was a bit rude don’t you think? Completely uncalled for. It is your opinion though and your entitled to that, but next time please try to make it less hostile, thank you.
Although it may have come across as hostile to you, they have a point. Big eye opener comment in my opinion if you have a more playful cat or destructive cat. My cat plays rough, meaning this would be a waste of time and money. And yes for $10 you can buy something like this but much studier and safer.
With that in mind, good base idea but definitely choose materials based on your cats personality. I was looking for a way to repurpose extra material from building a house but all these require me to spend extra money. Cute but not cost efficient
Small hoola hoops for armature & remnant fabrics for tunnel?
i love the design and the idea! super cute and looks fun to make!