How to build a cat agility course at home

You'll need

• 2 dining chairs
• broom handle or cardboard tube
• large boxes; 45 to 50 cm hoop
• 6 bottles or toilet roll tubes
• step stool/books; non-slip mats; small treats

Why it matters

Cat agility gear need not be bought. Home-made obstacles let you start low, keep sessions short and change the layout as your cat improves. Exploring first makes the gear mean treats, not surprises.

Before you start

Pick a carpeted room, at least 3 by 3 metres if you can. Clear breakables. Choose a quiet time with no visitors.

Step by step

1. 1

   Make the tunnel

   Open both ends of 2 or 3 large boxes and tape them into a line, or use a fabric play tunnel. Keep it short (60 to 90 cm) to start.

   Move on when: Tunnel stands on its own without sagging

   Tip: Cut a top window so your cat sees light and you can drop treats in.

2. 2

   Make a bar jump

   Rest a broom handle across two stacks of books or the low rungs of two chairs, 5 cm off the floor. It must fall off if bumped.

   Move on when: Bar rolls off with a light touch

   Tip: Never tape or tie the bar down.

3. 3

   Make hoop and poles

   Tie or tape a light hoop between two chairs, bottom edge on the floor. Line up 6 bottles or tubes in a straight row, about 50 to 60 cm apart.

   Move on when: Hoop stands upright; poles stay up when brushed

   Tip: Part fill bottles with water so they do not tip.

4. 4

   Make steps and table

   Use a sturdy step stool or a solid box (pause table) no taller than your cat's elbow at first. Put a rug on top.

   Move on when: Nothing wobbles when you press it with your hand

   Tip: Press down hard on every corner; if it shifts, it is not safe.

5. 5

   Lay out a loop

   Place the obstacles in a loose circle with 1.5 to 2 metres between each, running counter-clockwise like a CFA ring. Put a mat under each take-off and landing.

   Move on when: Clear path around every obstacle

   Tip: Leave space to walk alongside your cat on the outside of the loop.

6. 6

   Free exploration

   Scatter treats on, in and around each obstacle and let your cat sniff and wander. Click and treat any look, sniff or step onto gear. Do not lure or ask for anything.

   Move on when: Cat explores at least 4 obstacles calmly in one visit

   Tip: Repeat for 2 or 3 days; leave the course up if you can.

The cue

Say

“None”

Hand signal

None: this lesson is setup and exploration

If it isn't working

Ignores the course

Play a wand toy near and over the gear, scatter higher-value treats; try again when a little hungrier.

Scared of tunnel or hoop

Take it down to one box or lay the hoop flat; feed meals near it for a few days.

Knocks things over and gets fright

Rebuild lower and heavier; a scare can last, so stop and go back to treat scattering.

Not enough space

Use 3 obstacles in a line down a hallway; small course trained well beats big one trained badly.

Mastered when

Course set up with at least 5 obstacles; cat walks round it calmly and touches 4 of them on its own

Video check: Film your cat exploring the course for 30 seconds, then pan round to show each obstacle

Variations

• Hallway straight line
• Outdoor course on grass for harness-trained cats
• Fold-away course stored under the bed

Teach this first

• Clicker training for cats: how to charge the clicker →

Learn next

• How to teach your cat to follow a lure over agility obstacles →