How to Make a Cat Scratching Post


Scratching is an innate and necessary part of being a cat. Scratching cleans and sharpens claws and is something a cat will do regardless of the sanctity of the surfaces in your home. If you want to provide a lure away from the furniture, having a scratching post is essential. Every time your cat scratches the wrong thing, simply pick her up and put on the scratching post so that she gets the message.

If you have a large house, an upstairs downstairs living arrangement or your cat spends ample time in various rooms, having several scratching posts placed strategically throughout the house makes good sense. And to save your budget, it's really easy to make them at home for a lot less than many of the commercially produced ones. Indeed, you can build her own scratching posts out of scrap materials if desired.


Steps:

1.-Decide on the measurements of the post before beginning. The post must be stable, for if it tips easily, kitty may find it unsuitable for continued use. By way of example, the model in the picture measures 28" (71cm) tall, and the base is about 18" (45cm) by 12" (30cm). The post needs to be, at minimum, the length of kitty plus a couple of inches (centimeters) to accommodate her stretch.


2.-Use a 4x4 (12cm x 12cm) post or two 2x4 (6cm x 12cm) pieces attached together, and cut to the length needed. Set this aside for a moment.


3.-Make the base. The base on this model has two layers. The first layer is made by setting three 12" (30cm) sections of 2x6 (6cm x 18cm) side by side. Cut two sections of 2x6 (6cm x 18cm) to match the width of the first layer (16.5" (42cm) as 2x6 are in truth 1.5" (4cm) by 5.5" (14cm)).


4.- Cover the base with your chosen scratching material, something along the lines of Berber carpet or AstroTurf. Or, purchase a carpet mat from the dollar store. Natural rope, like sisal, is nice, but it does take a while to wrap tightly and neatly and needs careful gluing in place. A manual staple gun is perfect for this project, but roofing nails and flat tacks are also good choices.


5.-Place the post in the center of the base. Attach the post to the base by using one screw on each face of the post.


6.-Cover the post with the scratching material, and attach as described for the base.


7.-Attach a favorite toy, or something dangly and irresistible, to the top to entice Kitty to get to know the new post. This image shows a bright dangling rope for the cat to attack.


If you want a double-fun, and double-duty scratching post, attach some old brush heads or something similar about cat's eye level on the post. These are perfect for some awesome feline facials! And for even more fun, rub some fresh catnip deep into the fibers. Your cats will LOVE it.