How to Build Your Own CH Cat Walker for $20
We all want to do what’s best for our CH kitties, but sometimes that can be very expensive.
For example, if you’ve wanted to buy a walker for your CH cat, you’ve found that commercial pet walkers sell for several hundred dollars, which isn’t practical for many budgets.
I’ve also seen some shelters create walkers for their CH kitties, but some look too complicated to replicate.
Fortunately, these walkers aren’t your only option — you can now make your own for $20!
Scout in his walker
This fantastic homemade CH cat walker was dreamed up and created by Susan Mertz and her husband. As I understand it, they created their first walker for their CH cat Scout.
I personally consider Susan and her husband to be the “poster children” of the walker for CH cats; early last year they posted a video of their CH kitty Scout using his homemade walker. Since then, they’ve received numerous requests to build these carts for other folks’ CH cats. They were even kind enough to donate a few.
The idea has become so popular, the other day the couple released a tremendous CH walker tutorial on YouTube. I was so impressed with it, that I wanted to share it here, in case you or someone you know may need a cart for their pet.
All supplies can be found at your local hardware store (they list all of the necessary supplies at the end of the video), and the process really is quite simple. However, if you’re not very handy, I would suggest building it with someone who would be capable of sawing and drilling holes into the CPVC pipe. Some light sewing is also required.
Have you built your own CH cat walker? How was the process? Do you think you’ll build one for your cat now? Please share in the comments!
Life with Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cats 
I want to build this walker, but I need the directions for cutting the pipe lengths please.
Hi Janet,
I’m so glad that you’d like to build this! You’ll be able to find all of the directions for the pipe lengths, etc., in the video. Good luck!
I can’t play the vido do you have direction?
Thanks
Linda
Oh, no problem! I don’t have them typed out, but you should be able to find them here, under “The ‘Scout’ Walker” http://conta.cc/woa2Yc. If you have any other trouble, please let me know!
Great job! Is it possible to build a submersible treadmill with PVC? My cat had FHO surgery and we are struggling with the passive range of motion therapy.
That’s a good question — you may want to do an Internet search to find out if anyone has done something similar. Good luck!
Our 13 yr. old needs a walker after living through a house fire. I will to make one – I know she’s smart enough to use one.
What if we wanted to make one for a large dog? How would you make it so it was able to go to the bathroom using it? It is a female dog (lab). Thanks.
Hi Sandy,
I’m sure you could make a larger version for her, but I’m not sure if she would be able to go to the bathroom while in it. Most folks who use walkers put their cats in them for a limited amount of time to build up the cat’s strength; it’s not necessarily intended to be used for hours on end or all day. That said, that may work better for you and your lab since she could go to the bathroom during her breaks from it. Another option, of course, is to also consider diapers. But that is an entirely different conversation.
Does that help? Please let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!
amazing site, extremely helpful, especially for those of us who don’t have the money for pre-built carts. This site literally saves lives.
Thank you, Michelle! That means so much to me 🙂
Amanda, I am going to try this one out on my Percy too. Actually, I like the other design I have seen that does not have the bars in front, it has ‘outriggers’ for stability. I may make that instead. It will be my next weekend project.
I finished making my Bucky one this afternoon. I still have to try him in it for proper height but I can see already that it is too high. In your instructions you said to cut 4 3″ pieces but your picture shows very short pieces at the top. Tomorrow I will take the screws out shorten those 4 pieces. I will not stitch the fabric until after that. I also did not like the colored printing on the pipe so I covered the pieces with colorful paw print duct tape. Is there a way I can send you a picture of it when I’m done?
My kitten is about a month old and my dog kind of attacked him and after that he can’t use his rear legs this would be a great help for my cat to start walking again
10 years ago I built a walker for my CH kitty and it is nearly exactly the same as this one, only made of light metal. It took some thinking and some adjustments but when I first put my kitty in it, he quickly figured out how to use it and seemed to truly enjoy the mobility it afforded him. Unfortunately, within less than a year of using it on and off, he became frustrated with it as it didn’t allow him to go absolutely everywhere he wanted to go (hard to squeeze into small spaces with such a frame!) and he eventually simply refused to continue using it. I still think it’s a great concept though, for a kitty who can be content with what it has to offer…
My husband and I are currently making this for our neurological from trauma cat. She acts like a severe CH but can walk very well when I hold her up and walk. This will save my back and I think she will take very well to it. Great instructional video!
Im in need of one but cant afford one…can u help
Oh yes, I will build this. One thing I thought was how to know the proper height of the sling for the cat? I was considering some kind of adjustable strapping at top of hammock around the cross bar, perhaps velcro or those straps on old knapsacks/bookbags?
So many different ideas… the big factor is…. that you need stationary wheels in the back, not swivel ones
We live in China, have a small CH cat, just built this walker. Metric measures but all else the same. Thanks for the plans and video!
Our kitty has severe CH. She seems to be liking the walker as she learns to move in it. How long do your cats like to stay in their walker?
I cannot find the 4 caster inserts.
I have tried Lowes where I got everything else.
And I tried Ace Hardware..
Any help appreciated.
My husband and I had to order casters offline from Amazon because we had trouble finding some as well.
found Ace Hardware
My cat has suddenly, and with no explanation from any vets, gone near completely lame. Her entire left side of her body won’t function. I’m hoping this cart will give her some sort of quality of life while she still lives. Her time may be short (FeLV+) but I want to give her the best while she lives on this earth.
I added up the measurements you gave. It comes to 117.5 inches total so you would HAVE to have a 10′ (120″) length of PVC pipe, correct? 8′ would not be enough. Just a heads up to anyone getting materials. Glad I added it up before going out for supplies. 🙂
THANK YOU though for this great tutorial. Can’t wait to make one for my Punky girl!
I watched video of walker for ch cat after video they showed materials needed was showed so fast was not able to copy Does anyone know the stuff
1/2″ CPVC pipe 8-10 feet long
4 caster inserts for CPVC
4 casters (2 inch)
28 #4 1/2″ or 3/8″ screws
8 1/2″ CPVC T shape pieces
4 1/2″ CPVC 90 degree pieces
Way to cut CPVC
Drill bit
Have you ever made one smaller??
I have 3 severe CH kittens who need
smaller ones.
And I need to build feeding stations for each one.
Any ideas??
Please feel free to email me.
What if your kitten is only about 6 weeks old and it’s a small tiny kitten that has the disability what sizes would we need to make or what sizes would the pieces need to bedeana
I am hoping to convert this for my 10 year old rabbit who can’t stand or sit on his own. I built him a wheelchair but he can’t be in it for too long. I am hoping to use this to prop him up instead of using rolled up towels that keep moving which causes him to fall and get stuck on his side
Great blog you hhave here