Every domestic cat should have its own scratching post. For what? Not only to save your furniture, wallpaper and curtains from the paws of a pet, but also to make the animal feel that its owner cares about it. A DIY scratching post is absolutely not difficult. This article presents a master class on how to make cat scratching posts yourself at home with photos and videos.
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Why is it needed?
When a pet scratches a surface, it renews its claw. After all, the claws constantly become dull when the animal walks around the apartment. This scratching provides an opportunity for the cat to get rid of the old surface of the claw, thus facilitating the discovery of a more recent layer.
Cat scratching posts can be confidently called exercise machines, because they help not only renew claws, but also strengthen the cat’s body. When an animal sharpens its claws, the muscles of its body are simultaneously trained. Therefore, cat scratching posts have a positive effect on the body as a whole. In addition, if the structure is high, then the pet can climb on it like a real tree.
A cat scratching post also performs some social functions. Indeed, in the spring, the animal reacts more sharply to many external factors. Accordingly, the cat scratching post will experience a much greater load.
Of course, an important purpose of the scratching post is to protect home furniture, curtains and wallpaper from animal activity.
Diversity
A DIY cat scratching post is not that difficult. But before you get acquainted with the master class with photos and videos and start creating such a design on your own, you should familiarize yourself with the possible variations of scratching posts. Moreover, today's pet products market offers a huge variety of different types of such designs for every taste and color.
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Corner
The corner scratching post for a cat or kitten gets its name from the method of its installation. As you can understand, it is installed on the corner of the wall. The advantage is that it can be used by several animals at the same time. The main material for it can be either wood or several interconnected layers of corrugated cardboard.
It is quite possible to make it yourself, especially if you have a master class for this. However, its cost is not particularly high - on average about 300-400 rubles (100-130 hryvnia).
Wall-mounted
It is installed on the wall, as you might guess from the name. Essentially, a wall-mounted scratching post is 1/2 part of a corner structure. In the store you can find a wide variety of different models and shapes. The cost of a wall structure is also small - around 300 rubles on average.
Floor
This cat scratching post can be installed anywhere. It can be periodically moved to another location if necessary. This design can be intended for both horizontal and vertical sharpening of animal claws. In its simplest form, such a scratching post is an ordinary board covered with carpet or other similar material.
But a floor scratching post can be more than just an ordinary board. At the base of this structure there can be a heavy wooden beam, and from it a wooden column, wrapped in the same carpet or similar material, will go up. This way the animal can sharpen its claws while stretching to its full height.
Electric
This is an innovative solution in this area. An electric scratching post is a unit not only for sharpening claws, but also for trimming them. However, for now, domestic consumers do not risk buying such devices in stores, preferring more traditional options. Moreover, their cost is not particularly small - about 800-900 rubles (300 hryvnia). Although you can find cheaper options, our pet owners are not yet ready to use such a scratching post.
How to do it yourself?
Well, the time has come for a master class with videos and photos. Why buy a scratching post for your animal if you can easily make one at home? Moreover, given the arrangement of furniture in the house, you yourself will be able to add some innovations to your design. This procedure is not complicated and, with the right approach, manufacturing the device will take no more than a few hours.
Required Tools
To make a scratching post at home you will need:
- a piece of chipboard or plywood;
- two polyethylene pipes or wooden posts, the diameter of which should be 100 and 150 mm;
- drywall hangers;
- carpet or other similar material;
- construction stapler;
- glue.
Step by step instructions
Below is a master class with photos and videos on creating the device. To do everything correctly, you will first need to develop a drawing or diagram of the device, and then calculate all the dimensions. You need to pay attention to the sizes Special attention, because the scratching post for a kitten must be made in at its best. Using an example, a master class on making a three-story structure will be considered. But you can make things much simpler.
- Take a piece of chipboard or plywood and, using a saw or jigsaw, cut three pieces of the required size and shape from it. These pieces will serve as the basis for the so-called floors of your future structure.
- Take polyethylene pipes or wooden blocks and cut the required pieces. These elements will act as connections between the so-called floors.
- On a piece of chipboard that will serve as the lower floor, that is, the basis for the structure, it will be necessary to mark the installation location of the lower tube. Place a piece of pipe or wooden block and mark the location with a marker. Take your drywall hangers, you need to bend them at a right angle. Using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, secure the hangers to the platform.
- Cut the required piece of pipe or timber and install it on the base of your scratching post. Use the same hangers and screws for this. Secure the pipe tightly.
- The very basis of this device now needs to be covered with carpet or other similar material. On back side The carpet bases must be tightened using a construction stapler.
- Now you need to attach the second level of the structure. Install another board on the back side of the pipe or wooden beam, securing it tightly using canopies and self-tapping screws. First you need to secure the canopies to the pipe, and then mark the place for the hole on the plane. Make these holes by cutting them out with a jigsaw or using a drill to drill small holes in a circle. Put on the second level, and then bend the drywall overhangs and secure the floor with self-tapping screws.
- Install the third floor of the scratching post in the same way. Each level should be covered with carpet, under which soft foam rubber can be placed.
- Now, to complete the kitten scratching post, you will need some rope. The rope is the main element of this design, since the animal will sharpen its claws on the rope. All tubes connecting the levels of this device are wrapped with rope. Once the pipes are wrapped, the ends of the rope should be secured with superglue. They must be securely fastened so that your pet does not tear them off over time.
This concludes the master class on making a scratching post. You can see the video and photos below. As you can see, there is nothing difficult about this. To ensure that the design is reliable and lasts a long time, correctly fulfill all the requirements specified in the manufacturing master class. The tree that serves as the base must not be rotten. And the threads, on which, in fact, the animal will sharpen its claws, must be securely fastened.
Photo gallery
You will find more photos of the original designs below.
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Video “Do it yourself scratching post”
Step-by-step instructions for making a structure for a domestic cat are presented in the video.
You can find a wide variety of cat accessories on sale. But many craftsmen prefer to make them with their own hands. The logic is simple - please the cat and bring your ideas to life. Great scope for creativity opens up the pressing problem of saving furniture from cat claws. Do-it-yourself scratching posts for cats, in addition to their utilitarian purpose, may well become an original design move.
Before you embark on free creativity, you need to prepare and evaluate your abilities: can you make a scratching post with your own hands? Step-by-step instructions and online master classes do not guarantee the creation of a masterpiece without basic technical skills and tools.
Remember: vertical scratching posts should be twice as long as the cat’s body (without tail). An easy way to measure the size you need is to stretch the cat out in a line and measure the length between the tips of the front and back paws.
For a kitten, it is better to focus on the size characteristics of adult representatives of the breed. Do it “for growth”, otherwise later there will be difficulties in retraining an older cat to a new scratching post that is more suitable in size.
Stock up on valerian or catnip to attract your cat's attention.
With shelves
To make not a simple scratching post for a cat with your own hands, but a structure equipped with shelves, you need to have some ingenuity.
Step-by-step instructions that will also come in handy when making a scratching post with a house or bed with your own hands:
- Stock up on a drawing. In the diagram, it is necessary to take into account not only the height, but also the size and position of the planned shelves. To make it interesting for a cat, you will need at least a couple of tiers.
- Prepare your materials. You will need: plywood or furniture panels, pipes of different diameters, hangers (for attaching drywall), foam rubber, carpet or upholstery with a rough texture, sisal rope or jute.
- Cut out elements of the required size and shape for the future scratching post from sheets of plywood or wooden panels. This can be done with a jigsaw yourself, using pre-made templates, or you can order the service at a hardware store after purchasing everything you need. It is enough to indicate the dimensions.
- Cut pieces of pipes according to the dimensions specified in the drawing. On the board that will become the base for the scratching post, mark the location according to the diagram. The board should be heavy and massive.
- Attach the claw pipe (maximum diameter) with self-tapping screws to the base using hangers pre-bent at right angles. Wooden plugs the size of the hole can be inserted on both sides for security.
- Stretch the selected material onto the board. Pre-make a hole for the scratching post. You will need a construction stapler. The first tier is almost ready.
- Attach the shelf to the pipe of the first tier in the same way as the lower shield.
- The next tier is made using a couple of pipes of smaller diameter. They are fixed according to an already proven scheme - on suspensions.
- The shelf is covered with foam rubber on top, and then decorated with upholstery, threading it through the vertical parts of the structure. You can't do without a stapler.
- The penultimate stage is installing the top shelf. It is firmly screwed to the pipes with self-tapping screws onto the hangers and the top is covered with foam rubber and fabric.
- At the last stage, wrap all vertical elements with prepared rope or rope in a spiral. It is recommended to secure with glue. The pipe of the lower tier can be partially covered with the material used to decorate the base: cats rarely scratch about 15 cm from the floor with their claws. For this you will need glue.
To make the structure look neat, shelves and beds are duplicated from chipboard sheets. They are fixed from below to horizontal planes with self-tapping screws and thus cover the edge of the upholstery.
With a bed
The sequence of manufacturing a bed combined with a scratching post is the same as the version equipped with shelves.
A simple model of a cat scratching post consists of one, lower tier. With a modified shelf on top - oval or round, but with sides. To make it yourself, you need to measure how much space the cat takes up while sleeping and prepare a piece of the appropriate size.
Having consistently connected the base with the pipe and decorated it with fabric, they mount the future bed and immediately begin finishing work: they cover it with foam rubber and upholstery. The scratching post is wrapped with rope, securing the ends with glue.
The last step will be the installation of the side:
- Cut out a piece from a sheet of metal that is the same length as the diameter of the couch or, if desired, smaller to imitate the entrance.
- Cover it with foam rubber. A simple fastening option is glue.
- Glue the upholstery on one side. The piece is cut out so that it completely covers the workpiece on both sides.
- The side is fixed with self-tapping screws to the end of the bed mounted on a scratching post. In this case, the side to which the fabric is glued should be facing inward.
- Then the textiles are turned outward and pulled onto the underside of the future cat bed with a stapler.
With a house
Cat house. Every owner's dream. You can combine a scratching post with a house with your own hands.
If you, thanks step by step instructions to make a complex with shelves, you can already imagine the sequence of actions; adding a house to it is a simple task.
For a scratching post with a cat house made by yourself, you need to prepare a few additional parts and assemble them into a single whole:
- Two truncated circles of plywood, 54 cm in diameter, for the front and back walls of the house. The place of truncation is the “foundation” of the house. On the front, an “entrance” for the cat (diameter 22 cm) and “windows” (diameter 5.5 cm - three pieces) are cut out.
- Along the perimeter of the walls, seven coinciding points are marked at equal distances.
- 7 slats are cut from a wooden blank with a cross section of 3-4 cm. Size – 37 cm.
- Connect the front wall to the slats using self-tapping screws. They need to be slightly recessed into the workpiece so that the caps do not protrude. Then, on the other side, they attach to the slats back wall house.
- A piece of foam rubber is cut to the size of the “foundation”.
- The facade and back of the cat house are covered with upholstery fabric using glue. First outside, then inside. The openings are decorated with stripes to make them look neater.
Then follow the steps of the instructions for making the first tier of a scratching post with shelves. However, the lower shield must be made large, taking into account the size of the house. It is recommended to start with parameters of 45x60 cm and install the claw pipe not in the center, but in one of the corners, for example, behind the house.
Before stretching decorative textiles onto the prepared shield, glue foam rubber the size of the “foundation” in the place designated for the house.
When the vertical scratching post is installed, you have designed the design, you can begin finishing work:
- The cat house is fixed to the base with self-tapping screws using the bottom slats, which are then covered with material. The “foundation” should coincide with a piece of foam rubber.
- A “roof” is cut out of chipboard, a rectangle that will cover the slats on top. Approximately 40x122 cm - the size depends on the degree of truncation of the walls of the house. Cover with cloth. Fix it to the slats with a furniture stapler.
- From the inside, you can glue the entire surface of the “roof” with upholstery.
From cardboard
Cats' love for cardboard boxes can be realized by making a scratching post out of it. The model is simple to implement:
You will need three wooden elements. A massive rectangular or square base, to which a beam with a square or rectangular cross-section is fixed perpendicularly in the center. This is done using a screwdriver or screwdriver. A small strip to secure the cardboard on top will come in handy at the end.
- Prepare a drawing of the template: there should be a hole in the center that coincides with the cross-section of the board attached to the lower shield. The outer part is any: square, round, figured. The configuration of the scratching post can be changed in tiers.
- Cardboard sheets are marked according to the template. You can cut them with a stationery knife and sharp scissors.
- The cut out parts are put on the board, gradually creating a volume of cardboard around it. They are not glued, so it is easier to replace them.
- It is fixed on top with a wooden plank and a screw.
Wall-mounted
If the question of how to make a cat scratching post with your own hands confuses you due to lack of time, then the easiest option is a wall-mounted scratching post.
It is a rectangular panel fixed on any vertical surface. One of the types is a corner scratching post, consisting of two end-to-end panels.
- A sheet of plywood or a wooden board of appropriate sizes will be suitable as a base.
- 6 holes are punched into the base using a drill: a pair in the corners and two more in the middle. Fastening screws are inserted into them.
- The base is covered with carpet (you can use a construction stapler) or wrapped with sisal rope.
- The finished wall-mounted scratching post is strengthened in a permanent place.
A DIY cat scratching post should have the following qualities: reliability and stability, compactness, external conformity to the home, easy care. And then the whole family will be proud of you.
A DIY cat scratching post is an excellent solution in a situation where your pets, for one reason or another, begin to tear wallpaper, scratch furniture and tear up its upholstery. Cats are one of the most beloved pets. However, in addition to joy, sometimes they also bring troubles that you have to somehow cope with.
Stylish floor design with toys
In any case, a cat scratching post is an interesting solution for many situations. However, before you start making it, it wouldn’t hurt to study some of the “cat” theory.
When to use
Many people are interested in why such a design is needed. So, before you make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands, it would not hurt to familiarize yourself with the various cases in which installing this device is simply necessary. Bitten legs of tables and chairs, torn curtains, wallpaper and damaged decorative elements– many breeders are well familiar with all this. Sometimes this leads them to complete despair, because people do not know what to do in such situations.
Remember! You cannot simply pick up and punish or drive the pet into another room, since any aggressive reaction from the owner is not a way out of the situation.
It often turns out that it is not easy to wean, if at all possible. So, we have to look for some other way out. The optimal solution is to use a special device called a scratching post. If you set a goal, then it’s quite possible to make it yourself very inexpensively. In addition, you can often use many improvised materials or their remains that you have lying around after repairs:
- Plastic pipes and scraps.
- Carpet, fabric and other similar coverings.
- Fragments of old furniture.
Corner design is a great option
Attention! It is better not to use some fabrics, as well as fiberboard (fibreboard), corrugated cardboard and cardboard, since as a result of “cat activity” there will always be a lot of debris from such materials. In some cases, a cardboard base can be used, but not the main outer layer.
Common Causes
Why does a cat need to sharpen its claws? In fact, in this regard, our furry friends are practically no different from us humans. The fact is that their claws grow in much the same way as the nails on our hands and feet. And while we have the opportunity to cut our nails with nail scissors or other similar devices, cats do not have this opportunity. So, they have to sharpen their claws on almost any suitable object.
Parts cats look for both hard and soft objects, including wall decoration, doors, clothes, shoes and much more, and begin to do a kind of manicure. Of course, they do this unintentionally, because they are not aware of the damage that they cause by such actions. And they, meanwhile, often have, to put it mildly, negative consequences:
- Nature dictates that cats climb branches and other vertical surfaces. If they do not have this opportunity, then the horses may begin to get nervous, which negatively affects their behavior in general.
- Excessively long claws can cause some discomfort. And if at first the cat can tolerate the pain that appears, then after a while he will walk with a limp, since painful sensations appear with every step.
- In some cases, sprains may also occur. The fact is that at the moment of the jump normal length claws, the impact is absorbed both by the pads and by the muscles located in the paws and forearms. If the claws are too long, then only the ligaments take the blow. Yes, it may not lead to serious injury, but, in any case, it will cause pain.
- After some time, chips and cracks may appear on the claws.
- Sometimes when too long length the claws can bend and begin to grow into the pad, constantly injuring it.
- Any other consequences associated with the fact that the cat did not have the opportunity to sharpen its claws can also be very serious.
DIY cat scratching post: diagram, dimensions
So we must not forget that any a pet must be confident in yourself. Subconsciously, cats feel the need to be able to fight back if necessary. This is not so easy to do with long, blunt claws. And although in home environment They almost never have to seriously use their warlike abilities; this negatively affects their self-confidence.
Know! If your cat spoils furniture and things, then this does not indicate its evil intentions. Often this becomes possible due to a simple oversight.
In cases where the pet takes frequent walks along the street (at the dacha, in a private house, etc.), this problem disappears. In addition, you no longer have to find a solution on how to train your cat to use a scratching post. On the other hand, in such cases it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the animal’s claws. The fact is that if they are damaged or broken, it is advisable to isolate the cat from the street. And in this case, you will already need to learn how to make a scratching post for a cat. DIY scratching post for cats, photo:
Natural instincts
Among the common reasons why furniture is damaged is that it considers a particular place to be its territory and thus tries to express its claims to it. Note: they often “smoke” in the same places, which may indicate that the animal considers this place “its” own. The thing is that our furry friends have special glands on their pads that secrete a substance with which they “mark” territory.
In addition, sometimes cats just like to stretch a little, while lightly scratching the door frame. This, by the way, can apply to both an adult cat and even small teenage kittens. In any case, it is advisable to solve this problem once and for all. You can buy special devices from a pet store, or you can make a scratching post for your cat with your own hands. Cat scratching post house:
Doing something like this yourself is not so easy
What to consider when designing
Don’t think that since a cat scratcher is a fairly simple thing, it means that when making it, you don’t need to pay attention to certain rules and recommendations. Either way, something needs to be considered. Thus, the structure can be wall-mounted (corner or flat), or a portable “column” or “palm tree”, which are not intended for walls, but are placed anywhere in the room. Tall and large design would be better suited For big cats, while house complexes, which have a rug with a bed and often “grow” right up to the ceiling, are well suited for animals of any size. Anyway, different types are designed to solve slightly different problems, so it’s not so easy to talk about which one is better.
On a note! In some places a whole large house complex would be appropriate, but in others it would be better to put up a compact column or palm tree: both mobile and stationary solutions are good in their own way.
Here are some tips that will help you avoid a number of mistakes so that you don’t have to correct them later:
- If the structure has a closed house, then it is advisable to place it on top, because in some cases, with a lower position, cats may think that this is a toilet and use it, to put it mildly, for other purposes.
- If the bed or house will be located on top, then, in any case, the height of the scratching post should not exceed 1 meter and the thickness should not exceed 100 mm.
- If this is a complex and there are several beds, try to ensure that they are mounted at the same height. This way, none of your pets will feel like they are in a “lower” position in the cat hierarchy.
- Not all cats are interested in toys that hang on ropes. So, before hanging something like that, observe the character traits of your pet.
- It is better to make the “house” itself half open, and completely closed with a small hole. This will make the animals more confident.
Classification
When thinking about which design is best to choose and which types are most common, we can highlight several of the most popular varieties:
| Difference | Characteristics |
| What are they made from? | They can be made from cardboard, fabric, wood, twine, carpet, sisal, and artificial materials. |
| By design | With a house, shelves, levels, tiers, crossing bridges, toys, a hammock, as well as a “town” for several cats and a “tower”. |
| By shape | Wave, wood, vertical rug on the wall or horizontal on the floor, ring. |
| To size | Dimensions can be different: small, large and stationary to the ceiling. |
Now a few words about how to choose the size. In those cases, if you have one cat living in your house, then it is better to choose a small design. If there is a couple or a whole pride of cats, think about how to make a more complex and larger structure.
Manufacturing: how to make it yourself
Small step-by-step master classes will help you learn how to make a scratching post with your own hands, as well as how to repair it if it breaks.
From twine
Posts wrapped in rope are one of the most popular types of such devices. If you are in doubt about how to wrap the device, it is better to use natural twine. Here is a short master class step by step:
- First of all, choose a foundation that is stable.
- As a pillar, use a wooden round beam or a pipe made of any non-fragile material.
- Connect the base and the pipe and secure them.
- Wrap it with rope, and this must be done tightly so that each turn is adjacent to the previous one. After 5-7 cm, additionally lubricate the pipe with glue for greater strength.
- If desired, you can put a sun lounger on top.
You can also additionally decorate the resulting home claw board with certain decorative elements.
Flat design
Here's how to make a flat scratching post for cats with your own hands. The master class consists of the following:
- Take a flat board (any available block will do).
- Wrap it up. Carpet material is best suited.
- Secure the carpet with a stapler or other types of fasteners.
- Attach the nail clipper to the wall or floor.
Corner designs
In fact, the manufacturing principle itself resembles the previous scheme, with the only difference being that such a structure is manufactured in two planes. It is advisable, in this case, to attach it to the corner of the wall on both adjacent planes. Of course, there are other options for corner scratching posts that are more difficult to make, but this one is the simplest of those that you can make yourself.
other methods
There are other options for how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands. Moreover, this can be done quickly and easily, with virtually no additional effort.
Few people think about it, but in fact, a simple log or log can be an excellent solution. Scratching it is a pleasure. In addition, you can easily get such a piece of wood: at the dacha, in the village or just in the city at a time when workers from city services are sawing down trees. And in extreme cases, this option can be used instead, as a temporary one.
Advice! As reviews from many breeders say, it is those options that are closest to what animals would encounter in natural conditions that are most suitable for them.
How to train
So, now is the time to engage your pet with his new “toy”. How to train a cat to use a scratching post? With kittens you need to do this: place his paw with a pad on the surface of the scratching post and press lightly. He will release his claws. After several repetitions, he will already get used to the fact that it is in this place that he can scratch.
How to train an adult cat? This is also easy. If the animal is accustomed to scratching other places, then it should be weaned off. Strong odors are often used for this purpose. Treat these areas of the wall, doors or furniture with a special compound that can be purchased at a pet store. The pungent odor will be unpleasant to the animal, which will most likely leave its “object of attention.” You can attract a cat to the “right place” by impregnation. Cat scratcher:
To clean and sharpen their claws, pets will tear at all things in the house that are suitable for this purpose. A scratching post is an indispensable device that saves furniture, carpets and wallpaper on the walls. Of course, it’s easier for the owner to come to a pet store and buy ready product. But it’s cheaper, although more difficult, to make the original cat “scratch” yourself.
What is a cat scratching post?
Free-living cats use trees to groom their claws. Pets have to scratch walls, furniture and door frames. The owner immediately understands whether he needs a claw hammer (in English - a scratcher). This device helps cats clean their claws of horny scales that flake off and cause itching.
In addition, scratches indicate that the territory belongs to the cat living here. Daniel Yoder, an American from Seattle, invented and made the first scratching post for sale. In 1932, he started a black and white cat
. Unfortunately, history is silent about what it was called. At the same time, Yoder opened a company and began selling products for cats living indoors. And three years later, he officially registered his copyright for the invention, called the “standing cat scratcher.” The device was very simple: a block of wood was covered with coarse fabric, which was secured along it with a wooden rod. The column itself was connected to the stand with a narrow protruding part. From above, so that the edges of the fabric did not fray, they were pressed with metal brackets. There is a hole hollowed out inside the wooden block for the catnip liner. It is difficult to judge how strong and durable this design was. But getting a patent proves that the scratch stand sold well.
The first scratch post, patented by Daniel D. Yoder on June 25, 1935, had a simple design The scratching post can be made separately or with a house or a shelf-bed.
It is always included in large play towns for cats, which are sold in pet stores.
- Types of scratching posts by location:
- floor - located on stands;
- double - have both a fabric and an open wooden surface for scratching;
- corner - designed for placement on door jambs and walls;
- vertical tension “trees” from floor to ceiling.
The shape of a cat’s “scratch” can be any, for example, in the form of an animal, a fish, or the silhouette of an exotic plant. Here, as they say, the scope of imagination is not limited.
How to make a scratching post at home
For self-made scratching posts, you need to draw up a drawing or diagram of the future product with exact dimensions. The length of the surface of the scratching post is such that the pet can freely stretch out to its full height. This is at least 60–95 centimeters. Materials are selected with safety in mind. The scratching post must be stable, withstand the weight of the cat and not fall if he jumps on it.
Natural materials for making scratching posts:
- parts of wood (birch or maple);
- woven/twisted hemp products (carpet backings, ropes);
- jute hemp;
- tapestry furniture fabrics;
- corrugated cardboard boxes;
- sisal ropes or pressed fabric.
Do not use metal nails or staples to secure the stand, fabric upholstery or rope in places where the animal could pull them out or cut themselves on them.
What if a cat swallows an iron part? Therefore, all metal parts for connecting fragments of the scratching post are positioned so that they are not visible from the outside of the product. Nails and staples are hammered down to the base.
PVA glue is a safe material for outdoor use. When choosing a scratch resistant coating, do not use cotton fabric and twisted ropes, from which fibers immediately fall out when pressed. There have been cases where pets have torn off pieces of material from the scratching post and swallowed them. They also do not use plastic, which has bad smell
, and cats are very sensitive to it - they will immediately reject the proposed product. Cardboard tubes are not suitable for scratching posts - they become loose and quickly break.
A scratching post will be a good alternative to furniture and wallpaper for your pet.
I chose the simplest version of the cat “scratch” - a pillow stuffed with padding polyester or technical wool, half-woolen batting: whatever was at hand was used. Cutting out a blank for it is the easiest way. I take a piece of white soap, since the fabric is dark, and use a ruler to mark the length of one side on the fold of the fabric - 50 cm, and on each of the other three sides - 51 cm, along with the seam and fold allowance. I needed a piece of upholstery fabric measuring 102–103 cm in length and 51 cm in width. If there is no piece of furniture upholstery the right size, we connect the shreds together different fabrics. Of course, you can use sisal fabric, but you have to go to the store to buy it. I basted two seams from the inside out and stitched them. One side of the pillow remains open. I sewed it 10 cm from the edges to the center. I turned the workpiece right side out and stuffed it with padding polyester. old jacket- few. Added batting. It remains to sew up the last 30 centimeters. I did not use foam rubber for stuffing, because I know from experience that it crumbles from claws and will begin to spill out of the holes left by scratching. To make scratching the cat’s claws interesting, I sewed a ball of fur on a 20 cm long piece of fur to the surface. I don’t have carpet on the floor, so I put the finished scratching post pillow in a tray made of a cardboard box with sides 5 cm high. I placed it against the wall. My cat did not immediately accept the work; at first she played with the ball, and after a few days she began scratching the pillow.
Wood floor sharpener
To make a floor scratching post you will need a thick rough fabric or hemp rope, which is used to wrap a base - a wooden board or piece of plywood 30 cm wide and 60 to 80 cm long.
Operating procedure:
- We put the fabric on both boards, glue it with PVA glue, and for additional strength we sew the edges folded inward. One of the boards will be the scratching post, and the other will be its vertical support.
- Now we wrap the rope around the scratching area. To get a strong rope surface, there is a trick: wet the hemp with water and wrap the base, securing the ends with staples. Leave until completely dry. Then we will seal the ends of the rope with PVA and pull out the staples or hammer them in with a hammer.
- We cover the bottom edge of the board with plush or other decorative fabric.
- We fix the scratching post on the stand obliquely using two boards at right angles. We use nails or screws from the back of the board.
Photo gallery: options for floor scratching posts
There are many options for the location of a floor scratching post, for example, you can simply put it on the floor, placing a small block under it 
Cats, like people, love unusual objects; they will definitely like the log scratching post 
A cat can also sleep on a wave-shaped scratching post. To make scratching posts, you can use not only hemp rope, but also cardboard 
Cardboard scratching posts are less durable, but more environmentally friendly. A scratching post on a stand made of two boards with a hemp rope covering will definitely attract the attention of your pet.
Wall-mounted corner scratching post
Attaching such a scratch requires holes for placement on the wall. Drywall will perfectly hold the product. On a wall made of putty, the corner scratching post is less easily secured.
For work we will need:
- sharp scissors;
- screwdriver;
- plywood panels in the form of a board 20 cm wide;
- marker or pencil;
- ruler with a length of 60 cm;
- electric drill;
- screws and anchor plugs for them in the amount of 8 pieces;
- a ball of sisal rope.
Let's prepare two identical pieces of plywood panels. We begin work by marking the holes on both workpieces, measuring with a ruler and marking 4 future holes with a pencil.
Assembling the scratching post structure:
- We place the plywood on a thick block and drill 8 holes with a drill.
- We attach both blanks to the wall at the place of fastening and use a pencil to mark the locations of the drilled holes so that they coincide.
- We place plugs for screws on the pencil marks.
- We wrap the sisal rope tightly around the plywood, first laying the end of the rope from top to bottom, and laying the turns so as to cover it completely. We put screws into the holes when winding. We untangle the second end of the rope and use a screwdriver to wrap it under the coils. We cut off the excess with scissors.
- We mount both parts of the scratching post on the wall, using a screwdriver to screw the screws into the plugs on the wall.
- We cover the upper edges with scraps of plywood or cover them with decorative fabric.
It is better to place such a scratching post in the corridor or in the corner of the room.
Photo gallery: homemade corner “scratches”
A corner scratching post can be made by simply covering the corner with carpet from floor to ceiling 
A corner scratching post made of two halves is the simplest version of the product 
You can use any upholstery fabric to make a scratching post. 
Hanging the corner scratching post requires only two holes in the wall. Parts from faux fur will attract the pet to use the scratching post for its intended purpose
The simplest option for a corner scratching post is to cover the walls with carpet to any height, even up to the ceiling. It will be very pleasant for your pet to climb on it and sharpen its claws.
DIY claw post
To work, you will need two important wooden parts: a beam 75 cm long, one side of which is 5 cm wide, and a support stand made of plywood, glued in several layers to a thickness of 3-4 cm. It’s good if you have a piece of an old tabletop or thick board. The shape of the stand is round or square, with a diameter of 35 cm. The entire structure will be heavy enough, weighing from four kilograms, so that the cat does not drop it. The height of the scratching post corresponds to the length of the pet with outstretched paws. Before starting work, dry the wooden parts in the sun.
The procedure for assembling the scratching post:
- We draw two lines equal to the diameter of the shape of a circle or square of the support, at right angles, their intersection is the center of the support. Then we draw a square, one side of which corresponds to the size of the side of the beam. We divide it into four fragments of 2 cm each, and put a point in the center of each of them. This is a mark for self-tapping screws. You can also fasten it with long nails. We draw in the same sequence on the back side of the stand.
- Glue the stand with the block.
- We strengthen the block on the stand with nails or self-tapping screws. We nail or screw them into the stand, placing it on the lower end of the bar.
- The wooden support does not need to be painted if it looks attractive. To cover it with fabric, cut out a piece as wide as the diameter of the stand, adding 3–4 cm of support thickness and a 5 cm allowance for loose fitting. Inside the piece, measure the center and cut out a square to fit the size of the block.
- We fasten the end of the rope from below with a tight knot, sewing with thick synthetic thread for strength. Coat the entire block with PVA glue. We wind the turns tightly and often so that the wooden surface of the block is not exposed. We tie the end of the rope and sew it with thick threads.
The stand for the scratching post must be strong and wide so that the pet does not turn the product over by climbing onto it with a running start.
- We are waiting for the glue to dry under the rope. In the meantime, we are preparing an item that will become decorative decoration at the top end of the column. This is a switch cover or a miniature fur pillow. A cat toy of the appropriate size is suitable for this. Attach it with glue or other in a convenient way. A hanging string with a ball will complement the scratching post and will attract the cat's attention.
Homemade scratching post appearance can complement the interior of the room, fulfilling its main purpose
- We trust the strength of the creation of our skillful hands. Now we call the pet - the claw sharpener is ready.
A cat “scratch” in the form of a column does not need to be wrapped in rope or sheathed with fabric with filler. Cats will like an uncoated wooden block just as much as a standard device. But before use, it is washed with soap or a solution of potassium permanganate to remove dirt and dried for several days in the sun. Don't be surprised if it cracks over time - this is a property of natural wood.
Video: making a scratching post on a double stand from a dry tree branch
A heavy structure made from a dry tree branch with a stand is the simplest version of a floor scratching post, but it requires the ability to perform carpentry work. You need to choose a strong branch, with a small amount knots with one or two forks so that the cat can sit on it.
Nail sharpener with cardboard house
The model of a removable scratch with a house made of corrugated cardboard packaging was undoubtedly invented by a woman. Not owning any construction tools, she gave her cat a wonderful gift. Even if such a structure is short-lived, it is not stuffy in a cardboard house, and the hanging scratching post is convenient to change.
Cardboard scratching posts are short-lived, but easy to make
I liked the idea so much that I decided to make a similar one. For the work, 8 cardboard boxes were needed, and 4 of them were the same size, 23 cm high and 29 cm wide. The rest were smaller. So, I laid out the box for the first floor of the house. I pasted sheets from other boxes onto the “walls” to make them thicker and stronger. I drew a circle on the side with a compass for the entrance with a diameter of 18 cm and after 10 cm I marked a ventilation circle with a diameter of 6 cm. In the smaller side of the box there was a hole of 8 cm. I cut out the marked holes with a stationery knife. For the second floor I made an entrance of the same diameter as on the first, but on the smaller side of the box. I placed three 8 cm wide holes in the side walls on both sides. Now it’s the turn of the hanging scratching post. In the six circles remaining from the cut holes, I pierced holes in the center with an awl, then put the circles on a pencil, removed and glued three pieces of PVA. I cut out the remaining parts of the scratching post, 6 cm wide, in the amount of 30 pieces, using the first circle as a stencil. Having made holes for the cord, I glued them together, and then pulled the rope through with a pencil. I assembled a scratching post from 8- and 6-centimeter disks, pierced the wall of the house, inserted a rope and tied a knot near the edge of the disks, and long ends She passed it further inside and lowered it to the floor. The cat will not pass by the hanging ribbon. Then I taped the bottom and top of the boxes together with adhesive tape. I stacked the finished frames of the house on top of each other and secured them with glue. I added three layers of cardboard to the roof. I left the house to dry until tomorrow. I decided not to make a second cardboard scratching post-mat, as in the photo. She placed a scratch pillow on the roof of the house. However, the ceiling could not bear the weight of the cat and caved in. In general, the experience can be considered successful, but a serious drawback is that the cardboard “scratch” is nothing but garbage.
I advise everyone to use corrugated cardboard, especially in the absence of engineering knowledge. This will help you clarify the dimensions and estimate what the finished product will look like.
Scratching post with house and bed
The design of a scratching post with a house on a stand, made of plywood and upholstered with furniture tapestry or carpet, requires helpers to make it. It is difficult to assemble the parts alone. It is better to use glue to assemble the house, rather than steel corners, if you make it without a scratch post on the roof. This is safer for the animal.
To make a scratching post with a house on a stand, you will need an assistant
The order of assembly of product parts:
Claw in the play complex
The most difficult thing to do with your own hands is an entertainment complex for cats with scratching posts, a house, beds, ladders, hammocks, etc. However, it’s worth a try, although the costs are considerable. The main advantage of such a homemade design is strength and durability, since it is made of thick wooden blocks and plywood. If you have carpentry tools (electric jigsaw, drill, stapler and screwdriver) and experience in assembling furniture, then let's start making a play gift for cats.
We will need the following materials:
- jute rope 105–110 meters long (preferably with a reserve) and 1 cm thick;
- 5 types of metal corners from small (15×20 mm) to safety (55×25 mm);
- 3 bars, one of which is 2.2 meters high;
- 6 sheets of plywood 1.2 cm thick and 75x50 cm in size;
- packaging of staples for a stapler;
- Whatman paper or cardboard as a stencil with slots marking the location of the support pillars;
- carpet - 5 meters.
Having purchased the listed materials, we bring everything home and get to work. Diagram of the complex: three pillars with five shelves and a rectangular house are fixed on a stand.
Making a play set for cats is not an easy task, but the product itself will solve the problem of not only sharpening claws for a long time, but also entertaining pets
Stages of work:
- We apply a stencil from whatman paper and cut out the corners on the shelves and stand using the prepared slots, going about 1 mm beyond the lines, so that later it will be easier to fasten them to the support bars. We assemble the pillars, stand and shelves to check the design.
Before starting assembly of the complex, you should check the design of the future product for compatibility of the main parts
- We disassemble and start covering all the shelves with carpet until they are screwed to the posts. We use an electric stapler, since a hammer and nails require several days of work.
- We make markings for attaching the shelves and stand to the support bars on four sides of each post so that the shelves are parallel, without distortions.
- We screw the corners of the first shelf to the posts, and for the next shelves we place the corners on the bottom of each of them.
The corners are screwed to the posts and shelves with a screwdriver.
- We assemble the structure and make sure that everything is secure.
- We make a cat house: we divide two pieces of plywood 75x50 cm in half, from four parts we assemble two walls, a top and a bottom. We screw the 15x20 mm corners inside the house. We already have a piece of plywood for the entrance (a remnant from one of the shelves with a corner cutout). To ensure the stability of the house, we pass the support beam near the corner of its walls. It’s easier to cut out the corner of the finished house and mount the corner on the beam. We cover the house with carpet outside and inside.
From the inside, the walls of the cat house are fastened with small corners
- Using a screwdriver, screw the corners to the posts and to the bottom of the finished house.
- We wrap the support posts with jute rope, securing them with staples using an electric stapler. For every 15 cm of bar height, more than four meters of winding were used.
Every cat owner knows how the predatory nature of his pet manifests itself. The ability to attack from around corners, interest in small moving objects and a special love for furniture and wallpaper. Sometimes it seems that your furry friend is simply playing a dirty trick, ripping off the last ones. But that's not true. I want to sharpen cat claws because of their nature. Therefore, you should not blame the domestic predator for all sins, but it is better to choose a scratching post for him or make it yourself.
Why do you need a scratching post?
A scratching post (claw pad, scraper) is a device on which a domestic cat can sharpen its claws. By buying them or building them with their own hands, forward-thinking owners distract their furry pet from carpets, sofas and wallpaper.
The instincts of the cute predator are satisfied, the destructive process in the apartment is stopped.
The scratching post allows your pet to sharpen its claws without harming furniture or wallpaper.
- Why do cats sharpen their claws at all? This is how they maintain their physical and mental health:
- help renew claws;
- relieve stress and expend excess energy;
stretch the spine and strengthen the muscles.
When I trained my cat to use a scratching post, about a week later I found a claw near it. I got scared and decided that the material of the cloth was too hard and damaged my pet’s claws. After examining his paws and spending about 10 minutes on the Internet, I found out that this is normal. House furry cats, like snakes, shed dead claws to allow new ones to grow.
Video: why cats sharpen their claws
Types of scratching posts
- Scratching posts vary in type and coating material. The most common ones cover:
- jute - ropes made from fibers of the plant of the same name. Not a very durable material, but safe and economical;
- carpet - a material that repeats the texture of carpets;
- cardboard is an environmentally friendly, but short-lived material.
The types of scratching posts are differentiated depending on their application and installation.
Photo gallery: products with different coating options
Scratching posts with jute cover are the most popular due to their cost-effectiveness. 
The scratching post covered with sisal is the most durable of the ones presented. 
A carpet-covered scratching post is not very durable, but is ideal for cats who like to sharpen their claws on carpets. 
A scratching post made of cardboard is economical, but the most short-lived of those presented.
Wall scratching posts
Wall scratching posts are flat boards that are placed on walls. They are ideal for cats who love to sharpen their claws on your wallpaper. Usually such rags are covered with sisal or jute.
Wall-mounted scratching post is well suited for small apartments
Pros of a wall-mounted scratching post:
- does not take up much space;
- large selection of accommodation options;
- it cannot be turned over, so the owners will not wake up at night from a sudden roar;
- The product can be used to cover part of the wall with damaged wallpaper;
- low price.
One of the disadvantages is that it is problematic to move this claw tool from place to place. You need to re-drill the wall or drive a nail in order to hang the board. On the other hand, if a cat is used to sharpening its claws in one place, it is hardly worth changing the location of the cloth.
Corner
An improved version of a flat wall-mounted scratching post is a corner one. As the name suggests, this board is attached to the corner of two walls. Like the flat one, this rag is well suited for small apartments, because it is compact and economical.
Changing the location of a corner scratching post is even more difficult than a flat one.
A corner scratching post will protect wallpaper on the corners from attacks by domestic predators
Some corner scratching posts are made multi-story. They are supplemented with platforms, hammocks and other elements.
A corner scratching post with a platform will appeal to a cat who likes to jump on cabinets to watch what is happening in the apartment.
Floor-standing
Not all cats sharpen their claws on walls. Some people like to do this on carpets or other horizontal surfaces. For such pets, it is better to buy a floor-mounted scratching post:
- Flat. This is a piece of wood, usually covered with sisal. You just need to put it on the floor. These rags are compact and easy to use.
The flat scratching post is easy and convenient to carry from place to place
- With curves. The wave-shaped scratching post allows the cat not only to sharpen its claws, but also to play. They are more expensive than flat ones and require a little more space.
The wave-shaped scratching post allows the cat not only to sharpen its claws, but also to play.
- Scratching post toy. Typically, such plastic products are covered with carpet on top. After the cat has had enough of playing with the artificial mouse, he will sharpen his claws on the mat on the surface of the rag.
A floor-mounted scratching post with an artificial mouse inside can become a kitten’s favorite toy.
- Made from several layers of cardboard. These are the most short-lived scratching posts, but if your pet loves to sharpen its claws on carton boxes, he will definitely like such products. This type of rag is very cheap and will have to be replaced in 4-6 months. Some manufacturers impregnate cardboard with aromas that attract cats, so furry predators immediately show interest in the new toy.
When choosing a cardboard scratching post, you need to be prepared to often sweep up pieces of cardboard torn off by your cat.
Columns with platforms
Scratching posts in the form of columns with platforms are perhaps the most popular. When choosing such a piece of cloth, you should pay attention to its height. A column of half a meter is suitable for a kitten, and from 70 cm for an adult cat. Sufficient height will allow the furry predator to stretch its back and strengthen its joints.
You can choose a scratching post of different sizes, functionality and prices:
- One post with a platform is the most economical and compact option for this type of rags. As a rule, such scratching posts are covered with jute, which is not very durable.
- Corner - created for cats who like to sharpen their claws on the corners of the apartment. Such models are semicircular and easy to rearrange.
The corner scratching post can be easily moved to another room or installed in another corner
- With a house. In addition to the scratching post, the pet gets its own personal place to sleep and rest. The size of a standard house is 35x35 cm.
- Large complexes with several levels. Such scratching posts are complemented not only with houses, but also with beds, hammocks, ladders and tunnels. This is a great option for an active furry predator.
Buy or make it yourself
Whether a cat uses a scratching post or not depends on many factors:
- whether the pet is satisfied with the coating;
- whether the type of rag is selected correctly;
- did the furry predator understand how to use the new toy;
- Does he like the smell of the product?
Cats' sense of smell is not as subtle as a dog's, but these animals are still able to distinguish by smell natural materials from synthetic ones.
The smell of the latter will most likely repel them. This is why pets may refuse to use a product purchased in a store. If this is your situation, try making your own scratching post.
Homemade rags will cost less than similar store-bought ones, and besides, you will know exactly the composition of the materials from which the device is made.
How to make a scratching post with your own hands
- Before starting work, it is important to understand what a scratching post should be like:
- stable - it is important that the product withstands the active pressure of a domestic predator and does not fall;
- compact - if you have a small apartment, the rag should be small;
- durable - the coating material must have sufficient strength;
aesthetic - the design will become an element of the interior, so it is better to work on its appearance.
The scratching post must be stable enough so that the cat does not knock it over.
What materials will you need? Observe your pet to understand which scratching post cover to choose.
Some furry pets love cardboard boxes, while others often sharpen their claws on carpets and upholstered furniture. The first ones are rags made of cardboard, the second - from jute, sisal or carpet.
- It is better to choose natural materials for coating. Synthetic ropes have important disadvantages:
- can scare away a cat with their smell;
- quickly become unusable;
dangerous if ingested (if the pet decides to chew the fluff).
I bought a post with a jute cover for my cat. No matter how hard my husband and I tried to accustom the little wallpaper pest to the scratching post, he did not show the necessary interest in it. Our pet played with a toy tied to a rag, sat on a platform attached at the top, but flatly refused to sharpen its claws and continued to damage the walls. The solution came naturally when we bought a new washing machine. The cat happily began to apply his manicure on the box in which the equipment was packed. We gave it to our pet to be torn to pieces, and later we made a claw holder from sheets of corrugated cardboard. This is how we saved the remaining wallpaper in the apartment.
There are also cats who prefer to get their nails done on trees. You can simply bring such pets a beautiful stump or part of a pole of a cut down tree - and the animals will be happy!
Floor scratching post: step-by-step master class
- For a simple floor scratching post you will need:
- wooden plank;
- two bars for the sides;
- leg-split;
- 4 screws;
- drill;
stapler
- Manufacturing process:
It is important to select screws that will securely attach the beams to the board
- We make two holes in opposite corners of the board. We thread the end of the twine into one of them and tie a knot. We wind the twine, securing it with staples.
You can secure the twine with staples using a stapler
- The floor scratching post is ready!
A flat scratching post is best placed where the cat likes to sharpen its claws.
Making a rag post for a kitten
For a small scratching post you need to prepare:
- several empty tin cans(their total height must exceed 50 cm);
- a piece of carpet;
- wooden board;
- hot or silicone glue;
- jute or sisal;
- wool thread and feathers;
- nails.
A scratching post for a kitten can be made not from a wooden block, but from tin cans or a piece of plastic pipe
Manufacturing:
- We cut the carpet according to the shape of the board with a margin. Glue it to the board. We put weights on and wait until they dry completely.
To make the glue stick better, it is better to put weighting agents on the carpet
- We glue the cans to each other - we get a base pipe. First, you need to put a weighting agent (a piece of wood, a weight, or just a bag of cereal) in the bottom one. Glue the pipe to the bottom platform. We cover it with carpet.
You can glue the cans to each other, and then cover them with carpet, or glue each one separately, and then assemble them into a solid structure
- We treat the middle section with glue. While it is still wet, we wrap this part of the pipe with a jute or sisal cord. We make a toy from wool thread and feathers and attach it to the top.
While playing with a toy, the kitten gradually gets used to the scratching post.
Video: how to make a play complex-scratching post with your own hands
Where to place the rag
The scratching post should be placed where your pet likes to sharpen its claws. The cat has taken a liking to the wallpaper and is scratching the wall in a certain place? It's worth hanging the rag there. Is the little predator putting his manicure on the sofa? Place a post nearby on the platform or place a floor claw clipper.
If you decide to buy or make a whole game complex or a multi-level scratching post, large selection there is not much to accommodate the structure. Place the cloth where it is convenient for you, and gradually teach your cat to sharpen its claws there.
How to teach a cat to sharpen its claws on a scratching post
There are several ways to train a cat to sharpen its claws on cloth:
- put some kind of toy on the structure or hang it on it - the animal will reach for it and involuntarily touch the coating with its claws;
- teach your pet by example - pretend that you are sharpening your nails on a scratching post;
- rub the cover of the nail clipper with a cloth that you previously rubbed over the fur of another cat - your pet will begin to mark the territory, scratching the surface with a foreign smell.
Be sure to praise your cat for sharpening his claws in the right place. Pet him and treat him with treats. But in no case should you force your pet to do its manicure on the scratching post. By plunging its claws into the coating and running the animal's paws along the surface, you can unwittingly hurt your pet. You shouldn’t rub the coating with valerian either - its smell inhibits the cat’s instincts.
Video: how to train a cat to use a scratching post
A scratching post helps a domestic cat maintain its health without harming the interior of the apartment. You should choose a product based on your pet’s preferences. If you decide to build the structure yourself, it is important that it is safe for your pet and has an aesthetic appearance.
