I didn't realize it was plastic.  I should have read the description better.  The directions could have been better, but I figured it out.  After putting it together my first thought was to return it, but after all the effort, decided to give it a try.  I put store the cat food on the cubby shelf and put their food on the top shelf.  It took them 2 days to get adjusted, but now they jump up and eat with no problem.  Dog food goes in the main compartment and I put their 'normal' bowls in/on the ones that came with it as one of my dogs use a bowl with bumpers and it doesn't fit in the hole.