11 ideas on how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands

Scratching posts are a must for both the safety of your furniture and the happiness of your cat. With a few basic materials and a little imagination, you can create your own scratching post at home instead of purchasing one.

Not only can you build a scratching post yourself to save money, but you can also alter it to suit your space and your cat’s tastes. It’s also an enjoyable project that you can finish quickly.

This post will go over 11 simple ideas for making your own scratching post that are sure to please your feline companion as well as you.

The most popular homemade scratching posts (manufacturing instructions)

A scratching post for a pet can be made by any owner. First, decide on the kind of product you want to make and gather the necessary supplies.

Scratching post made of corrugated cardboard

This variety is the most affordable and eco-friendly, and it can be made quickly.

Materials needed: thick paper, PVA glue or adhesive tape, corrugated cardboard or cardboard boxes, and a knife.

This is an example of a scratching post made by Andrey Deveykin, one of the bloggers. I appreciate him providing the pictures.

• lay out the cardboard boxes, draw strips on them about 10-15 cm wide;

• cut out the resulting strips and start rolling them. The very first strip is the base of the structure. It needs to be rolled as tightly as possible and secured with PVA or adhesive tape;

• gradually increase the volume by gluing the strips and fixing them with tape or PVA;

• the last strip needs to be secured especially carefully so that it holds the entire structure and does not allow it to fall apart after the cat"s first attempt to sharpen its claws;

• the resulting scratching post needs to be placed on thick paper, traced along the edges and cut along the line. Glue the resulting paper figure to the bottom of the structure.

Corner scratching post

You will need boards the width of a door frame to construct a corner model. Over the boards, dense fabric is fastened, or a thick rope fashioned of natural materials is wound. When the product is prepared, it is fastened to the outer corner on both sides.

This is an illustration of how to make a corner scratching post step-by-step:

• Take a board 200 mm wide and 1.2 meters long.

• Saw it in half.

• As a result, you get two identical boards that need to be connected using dowels. It is better not to use self-tapping screws (since the cat, when sharpening its claws, can hit their caps). By the way, do not forget to process the cut edges so that our cat does not hurt himself.

• Connect the two blanks and make marks every 8 cm, in these places there will be dowels.

• We take dowels with a diameter of 6 mm and a length of 30 mm. Accordingly, in one of the blanks, you need to drill holes 15 mm deep (with a 6 mm drill) in the marked places, from the end.

• Dowels need to be hammered into the resulting holes to the same length, for this you can use a square.

• In the other blank, the holes need to be drilled from the front side.

• Then fasten the blanks using glue and wait until it dries.

• You can use carpet for upholstery, first dividing it into two equal parts.

• You can fix the carpet with a stapler on the inside of the scratching post. The remaining part needs to be covered with glue and glued to the boards. And the other end of the carpet should also be attached with a stapler.

• You can attach the scratching post to the wall using corners (bottom and top). You need to drill holes in the wall where the corners are attached, and then hang the scratching post using screws.

• Afterwards, do not forget to check that the scratching post is well held by hanging the cat on it).

Wall-mounted scratching post

It is made using the same principle as the corner version, but to make it work, take one wide board and fasten it to the wall so the cat can readily get to it and stand to its full height. The cat must have unrestricted access to the scratching post. It is preferable to avoid placing it in the hallway or bathroom. The pet’s device should be placed in the area where it spends the majority of its time.

Scratching post

You’ll need a bar that is at least 5 cm wide and 70 cm long, as well as a 4 cm thick round or square wooden support, for this task.

How to put together a scratching post:

1. On the support of the future scratching post, draw one line in the middle and the second one perpendicular to it, connecting them in the center. Later, we will fix the stand at the intersection. We place the prepared beam in the middle of the support, then outline its borders for further placement of screws or screws.
2. We connect the support to the beam with glue and fasten them with screws.
3. We either leave the beam in its original form, or we cover it with fabric, cutting out a piece of width equal to the diameter of the stand, adding a couple of centimeters for seams.
4. Tightly wind a thick rope over the fabric, tying it at the bottom of the beam with a tight knot. By the way, the rope can be painted in several places, then the scratching post will look much more beautiful. The rope can be glued if it does not hold well.

Floor scratching post

This particular model is quite practical as it doesn’t occupy much space in the apartment and can be easily moved and transported when needed. The most basic kind of floor scratching post is just a standard board with carpet covering it. A thick rope or twine can also be wound around the base.

The primary requirement for creating such a scratching post is stability and weight to prevent it from dragging on the ground when the cat decides to sharpen its claws.

Why does a cat need a scratching post

Like any other domestic animal, cats are wild animals with innate instincts. Claws are an essential component of all members of the feline family.

Animals that have claws are able to climb trees and mark their territory with special scent glands secreted from the pads of their fingers. Claws also help animals stay balanced during movements and jumps.

Additionally, cats can defend themselves in the event of an attack by another hostile animal thanks to their claws.

Cats in the wild maintained the strength and form of their claws by honing them on dry grass, stones, and tree bark.

Although domestic cats do not need to hunt, they still need to keep their claws in good condition.To. If they are overly lengthy, the animal will have difficulty walking and may even experience pain.

Without a claw, wallpaper, carpets, and upholstered furniture will be used, none of which are likely to make the owner happy. This is the reason it’s crucial to have a specialized tool at home so the cat can saturate its claws.

About the dangers of claw removal

It takes a great deal of patience and time to teach a cat to use a claw. Many pet owners can choose to have an onhectomy, or the removal of the claw phalanx (Operation "Soft legs"), if they do not want to take on the responsibility of raising a pet. You can read a different article about this operation on our portal, by the way.

People overlook the permanent harm they inflict on the cat when they see this procedure as the answer to their problems with a misbehaving animal. The pet loses his ability to move normally and must literally learn how to walk again, shifting his center of gravity from his fingers to his heel. If someone cuts his fingers on his feet, this is equivalent to it.

The pet’s neuro-motor system is negatively impacted by this procedure, and internal organ issues could arise. In addition, the cat will become utterly "unleash" due to the removal of its claws, making it unsure and bashful. An animal of this type is not likely to survive long on the streets.

Thankfully, a lot of veterinary clinics vehemently oppose onhectomy and won’t accept owners applying for this service.

Excellent substitute for "soft paws": anti-ticked. Visit our website to learn more about what to get and how to properly wear them on a cat.

How to teach a cat to use a claw

As soon as a cat clawk entered the house, you have to draw the animal’s attention to something new. To get your pet to notice, you can hang a ball, a bow, or a toy from it.

To let the cat know that its owner is okay with its behavior, you should give it attention and give it a pat when it comes near the scratching post. To help the cat learn how to use the object, you can gently take the pet’s paw in your hands, place the pads on the surface of the scratching post, and move the paw down.

Take your pet calmly to the scratching post if it has forgotten about it and is damaging other items. This will help the animal understand that it is not allowed to sharpen its claws there, but that it is allowed here.

If you apply a few drops of valerian on the device’s surface, the pet will undoubtedly not pass by in certain situations.

It is inappropriate and unjustified to try to wean a cat from sharpening its claws because the animal will always do this out of natural necessity. A scratching post can be made by you or purchased already constructed from a pet supply store.

Which is better – a store-bought scratching post or a DIY one

Pet stores offer a wide variety of scratching posts, ranging in price from 3,000 rubles and up to simple to complex designs at the lowest possible price (roughly 700 rubles).

The fact that store-bought scratching posts are rarely stable is a drawback. This is a crucial component because, in the event that a cat—even one of a larger breed—decides to suddenly climb on it, the design must be able to support its weight. Furthermore, the apparatus needs to be composed of robust and long-lasting materials, and scratching posts from pet stores hardly ever fulfill these requirements.

An excellent and long-lasting design for sharpening cat claws will cost a lot of money, which many owners cannot afford. Using leftover materials to construct a scratching post by hand will yield greater financial rewards.

With a few simple materials and a little imagination, making a scratching post for your cat can be easy and entertaining. Using materials you most likely already own at home, we’ll go over 11 simple and useful ideas in this post to help you construct your own scratching post. These do-it-yourself fixes will not only save you money but also keep your cat content and prevent scratches on your furniture.

Materials from which you can make a scratching post

Cats are far more perceptive of scents than humans, so you need to make sure the scratching post is constructed entirely of natural materials like cardboard, wood, burlap, fabric, and twine.

A cat can rip out its claw because artificial materials are stronger than real ones, which makes them dangerous. The pet will not only be in excruciating pain from this, but it will also be highly infectious.

Types of scratching posts

A cat owner can select from a vast array of scratching posts for their feline companion, ranging from basic models to exquisite and unique items.

In the form of a pillow

The easiest and most affordable solution is a scratching post-pillow. The product is affixed to the wall and has a felt finish applied to the surface. Playful cats are unlikely to find this device interesting and will likely continue to scratch the owner’s furniture, which is a drawback of such scratching posts.

Wall-mounted

These scratching posts are practical because their size is perfect for small apartments, where the owner is unable to install multi-level cat towers. It is ideal for a wall-mounted scratching post to be twice as long and as wide as the animal, though smaller options will work just fine.

Floor

These floor-mounted scratching posts come in three different varieties:

• combined with a bed and a house;

The most well-liked scratching posts among owners are these ones. Flat ones take up less room in the apartment because they are tiny and placed directly on the floor.

It is much more difficult with beds and a house and posts. It’s crucial that the structure of any scratching post you purchase or make yourself is sturdy and won’t tip over or collapse under a cat.

If it isn’t sturdy and heavy, a safe floor scratching post will need to be fastened to the ground.

Corner

Both useful and practical. All the owner has to do is designate any exposed corner of the house for the cat. Even though this model doesn’t take up much room, the animal can live with it.

From table legs

In case the house is severely cramped, you can use the owner’s furniture as a scratching post by placing it on the table leg and covering it with thick rope or carpet.

In a play complex

A play complex is the most advantageous choice for a whole cat family consisting of two or more individuals. These buildings have multiple stories and levels, as well as toys that will keep a cat occupied for a considerable amount of time. Additionally, a tall version of the complexes with a length that reaches the ceiling is offered for pets who wish to climb higher.

With a shelf

A design with a shelf atop a post where the cat can rest is simpler, more affordable, and ideal for a single cat. However, these scratching posts are rarely stable, so the owner must consider this beforehand.

Travel

Scratching post miniatures are ideal for portability. Owners typically bring flat devices because, well, they don’t take up much room. Tiny cone-shaped models work well too.

Original

The masters can be contacted by those who wish to provide their pet with a special scratching post that also blends in with the interior design of their home. They will create an original product and customize its look and functionality to suit the owner’s preferences.

These can be floor vases that double as scratching posts; you can construct a scratching post-cabinet that can hold any kind of object. They can even be scratching posts shaped like a winding tree with hammocks for cats.

The owner can design the structure and make the concept a reality if he possesses sufficient creativity and talent.

Idea	Description
1. Rope-wrapped post	Wrap a sturdy wooden post with sisal rope for a simple, durable scratching surface.
2. Carpeted block	Attach a piece of carpet to a wooden block for a soft, textured option.
3. Cardboard tower	Stack and glue cardboard pieces together to create a tall scratching surface.
4. Tree branch post	Find a sturdy tree branch and attach it to a base for a natural scratching post.
5. Wall-mounted board	Attach a scratching material like sisal or carpet to a flat board and fix it on the wall.
6. PVC pipe post	Cover a PVC pipe with rope or carpet for a lightweight and durable option.
7. Hanging rope	Hang a thick rope from a hook or beam to create a fun, hanging scratching post.
8. Log post	Use a small log as a scratching post by securing it to a wooden base.
9. Upholstery fabric wrap	Wrap a piece of upholstery fabric around a wooden block for a different texture.
10. Pallet post	Use scrap wood from pallets, attach carpet or rope, and mount it vertically.
11. Recycled rug post	Wrap an old rug around a sturdy post and secure it with staples or glue.

Building your cat a scratching post is a satisfying and enjoyable project. It saves your furniture and provides your cat with an area to exercise and satiate its innate needs.

You can create a custom scratching post that matches the design of your house and the tastes of your cat with a little imagination. One can create intricate structures with multiple levels or more straightforward cardboard designs—the options are endless.

Making it yourself allows you to alter the design and materials to fit your cat’s requirements as well as your budget. It’s also a fantastic way to recycle materials and practice crafting simultaneously.

Video on the topic

How to make a SCRATCHING POST for a Cat?

3 ways to make a scratching post with your own hands

DIY scratching post for cats / how to make a scratching post / #shorts

How to make a scratching post with your own hands

How to make a scratching post with your own hands. My cats are delighted!

How to make a scratching post. Cat house. DIY.

I Made a Play Complex for Cats in 24 Hours