Most cats have an innate need to use their claws for scratching, clawing, and kneading. If we do not provide them with their own furniture to scratch and claw, ours will get ruined pretty quickly. Making your cat a scratching post can put worries of ruined furniture behind you once and for all.
Not only will a scratching post keep your cat from ruining your furniture, but it will also help keep them active and physically strong as they age, which can prevent problems like heart disease and obesity. Luckily, there are many fun and effective DIY ideas that you can use to make your own cat a custom scratching post that they will enjoy using every day. Here are five ideas that you may be interested in.
This basic slanted scratching post is perfect for kittens and older cats that do not engage in much running or jumping from different heights. All you need is a piece of 1×4 or similar lumber, a saw, nails, and carpet or rope to get started. Cut the lumber in two pieces so one piece is only about 6 inches to 1 foot in length. Nail the short piece on the end of the long piece of lumber to create a lip or stand.
When placed on the ground, the long piece should be slightly elevated off the ground. Wrap the long piece of lumber with old carpeting or any kind of rope, and glue the ends together so the lumber stays completely covered. You can paint the exposed wood, decorate it with stencils, or leave it plain, depending on your preferences.
This single-post cat scratcher can be made out of a piece of scrap 4×4 and a piece of plywood cut into a small square of at least 12 inches x 12 inches in size. Nail one end of the 4×4 to the plywood base to create the stand. Both the plywood base and the 4×4 stand can be covered for scratching. Consider covering the base and post with materials such as:
Cover the base with a different material than the post to provide your kitty with dual scratching and clawing options. Use basic paste or staples to attach the material so you can remove it and replace it with other options later.
Cats like variety, and this dual post scratcher is sure to satisfy their innate yearning to put their claws to work. Just grab two 2-foot pieces of 2×4 and a piece of plywood or other thin lumber that is roughly 1.5 feet x 3 feet in size. Nail one end of a 2×4 to the edge of the plywood base, then angle the other piece of 2×4 so one end rests on the base and the other end rests on the top of the post that you have already installed.
You do not have to cover the base with any material, but you should cover both the straight and angled posts with the material of your choice so your cat can go to town when they feel like scratching, clawing, and kneading. You can hang a toy from the posts where they connect, to add even more excitement to this interactive toy.
This simple cat scratching post involves finding a base of some kind, which can be anything from a small poured concrete slab or a piece of wood to a 5-gallon bucket lid or a large piece of tile. It also involves attaching a tree stump or thick branch to the base. After the piece of a tree is covered with scratching material, it is ready for your cat to dig into.
The tree stump will likely get stripped of bark as your cat uses their new scratching post, so it is a good idea to cover as much of the tree post as possible to protect the wood and ensure long life performance. If the stump or branch is thick enough, you can attach a small 12×12-inch piece of wood on the top to provide a perching platform for your kitty to enjoy.
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