PETOMG CAT WALL PLANNING GUIDE · 07
Do not begin with the first hole.
Begin with the first unresolved risk. Confirm the wall, position the entire route, and decide whether the installation should remain a DIY project—before drilling begins.
Run the three installation gates
By the end of this guide, you should be able to answer:
“Is this route ready to position and drill—or should I stop and ask for help?”
Confirm the wall
Identify the wall structure and the installation method required by the specific product.
Position the route
Mark every module together and test the route against furniture, obstacles and movement.
Decide to proceed
Continue only when the structure, instructions and full-wall positions are resolved.
GATE 01 · WALL FIRST
Name the wall before choosing the fastener.
“It looks solid” is not a wall assessment. The visible surface may hide framing, a hollow cavity, masonry, services or deterioration. Identify what is behind the finish and follow the instructions for the exact PETOMG product.
If the wall type remains uncertain, installation is not ready.
Solid wall or confirmed structural support
Use the product-specific method and hardware appropriate to that substrate. Mark every prescribed mounting point; do not improvise the mounting pattern.
Next: verify the complete route.Drywall or plasterboard
Do not treat the surface alone as structural. Confirm the framing or the approved anchoring method described in the relevant PETOMG instructions.
Next: resolve every mounting location.Tile, damaged, damp, fragile or unknown wall
Do not guess. Hidden services, weak material or an unfamiliar wall system change the installation method and the risk.
Stop: consult a qualified installer.GATE 02 · POSITION EVERYTHING
Make the wall reveal the mistake before the drill does.
Use paper templates, cardboard silhouettes or painter’s tape based on the actual module dimensions and backplates. Position the entire route at once—not one piece at a time.
- Mark the structure. Note confirmed supports, no-drill areas and unresolved locations.
- Place every module. Include mounting footprints, not only the visible product outline.
- Trace the journey. Entry → connection → pause or turn → destination → return.
- Check the room. Open doors, move curtains and account for furniture, outlets, controls and human circulation.
THE NO-DRILL WALKTHROUGH
Four checks should survive the mock-up.
Entry
Can the cat reach the first unit from the intended starting point?
Continuity
Does each approach face the next usable surface without an obstacle?
Pause & turn
Is there a meaningful place to stop, reposition and change direction?
Return
Can the cat leave the destination without relying on a risky reversal?
CONTROL THE FIRST INSTALLATION
Install as a sequence of decisions.
A correct first mark can still become the wrong final route if later modules drift. Pause after each fixed module and compare the remaining marks with the full layout.
Plan
Resolve wall type, route and mounting method.
Prepare
Open the exact instructions and gather the specified tools and hardware.
Position
Level and mark all prescribed mounting points for the module.
Fix
Follow the product mounting pattern; do not skip a prescribed point.
Check
Recheck the module and the remaining route before continuing.
IF A POSITION IS WRONG
Stop the chain reaction.
Do not add a random connector, enlarge a hole or continue the route simply because the first mark has already been made. Return to the complete mock-up and identify what changed.
If a hole has already been drilled, the correct relocation and repair depend on the wall construction. Treat that as a wall-specific decision—not a universal patch.
BEFORE THE CAT USES IT
Check the installation, then open the route.
- The unit sits as intended against the wall.
- Every prescribed mounting point is installed and tightened according to its guide.
- No component, fastener or wall surface shows visible damage or movement.
- The route remains clear after the real products replace the templates.
Stop use and reassess if a unit loosens, moves, cracks or becomes damaged.
GATE 03 · STOP CONDITIONS
A professional handoff is a successful decision.
DIY should end when the uncertainty is structural—not when the installer has already spent too much time to turn back.
The wall is still unknown
You cannot identify the substrate, framing or suitable mounting method.
Hidden services may cross the area
Electrical, plumbing or other concealed services cannot be ruled out.
The surface is compromised
The wall is damaged, damp, deteriorating, fragile or otherwise unsuitable for confident DIY work.
The method exceeds your tools or experience
The material, working height, module handling or instructions are outside your capability.
The installed unit moves or damages the wall
Do not allow use while the cause remains unresolved.
The instructions conflict with the real wall
Ask PETOMG and a qualified local professional before adapting the method.
INSTALLATION READINESS CHECK
Find the unresolved item before drilling.
Select only what you have actually confirmed. This check does not approve an installation; it shows which decision still needs an answer.
Five confirmations are required.
Complete the check to reveal what still needs to be resolved.
ASK A BETTER INSTALLATION QUESTION
Send context, not only “Can I install this?”
1. A full photo of the intended wall
2. Close-ups of the surface and any damage
3. Wall measurements and known wall type
4. Product SKU and intended module positions
5. The exact step or condition blocking progress
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