How to Make a Cat Scratching Post
Ranked #2,285 in Pets & Animals, #58,960 overall
Save your furniture and woodwork with a cat scratching post that is inexpensive and easy to make
Our cat insisted on scratching the furniture and woodwork around our house. The soft pine door jambs are her favorite, and she left her claw marks everywhere. When sisal and carpeted scratching posts didn't capture much of her interest, I made this scratching post from some old boards, adding a compartment at the top to fill with catnip. While our doors and furniture still get the ocassional clawing, the wooden scratching post takes its share of abuse.
Constructed from recycled pine and cedar boards, this scratching post features a top compartment to fill with catnip. When one corner or side gets torn and shredded, simply turn the post around to expose a fresh edge. After the wood is worn out, the cat scratching posts are easy and inexpensive to replace.
The 36" height of the scratching post is high enough to allow most cats to stretch up and out to their full length for a 'maximum scratch". Build several for different areas of your home and let your kitty scratch away!
Photos and Plans by the Author
Make A Cat Scratching Post
Cat Scratching Post:
Cut a ¾" thick board into the following parts:Part A (front and back) 36" L x 5" W each
Part B (sides) 36" L x 3" W
Part C (Base) 10" L x 10" W
Part D (Lid) 6" L x 6" W
Part E (Top) 4" L x 4" W
Part F (Inserts) 3" L x 4" W (quantity of 3)
Assembly:
Start the assembly of the scratching post by making the square column. Using one of the inserts (Part F) as the bottom for column, line up the end of a side sections (Part B) to the insert, and attach using finishing nails. Attach the second side piece to the opposite site of the insert, forming the bottom of the post and two uprights for the column.
Center the front (Part A) between the sides, allowing for a 1/8" overhang (known as a reveal) and nail the front to both of the side pieces. The reveal forms a recessed corner, which is visually appealing and the cats find interesting to scratch. Repeat this process with the back section (Part A), forming a rectangular box.
Slide one of the inserts (Part F) down into the open end of the box, about halfway down. This will form the bottom of the compartment for adding catnip. Measure and mark the location of the insert, and nail into place.Drill several ¼" holes on all four sides, just above the insert to allow the aroma of the catnip to escape and attract kitty's attention. Before drilling, layout the hole positions to create an attractive pattern.
Attach the post assembly to base (Part C). The cat scratching posts should stand upright and stable.
Center the remaining insert (Part F) onto the underside of the lid (Part D), and nail into place. Then center the top (Part E) onto the top side of the lid, and secure with nails. The completed lid should fit snugly onto the top of the cat scratching post.
Sand all of the edges smooth to remove any splinters or burrs, add catnip to the compartment, and place the posts in areas where your cats like to scratch.
Make sure that the cat scratching posts are stable and secure. If the post tips or wobbles when a cat tries to stretch out and scratch, then the cat won't use it. To correct an unstable scratching post, try using a larger base (Part C).
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glutenallergy
Apr 27, 2012 @ 3:51 pm | delete
- I found out that all I needed to do was leave a rather large box out (it's a box that contains something I will be shipping elsewhere and just haven't done it yet). My cats have been going nuts sharpening their claws on it! Made me realize that there is a reason why some manufacturers sell scratching boxes full of pieces of cardboard.
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A-Redneck
Mar 30, 2012 @ 9:45 pm | delete
- Okay I admit that I had to watch the video just so I could watch the cute little kitten. What a sweet kitty. I think she just wanted to get at all the cat scratch posts rather than listening to how they worked though lol.
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canoz
Jan 6, 2012 @ 6:42 am | delete
- Love my cat to pieces. It's a big thing because my husband didn't want an animal in the house and I've been 20 years before getting the cat shaped hole in my heart filled. Obviously I wanted her on her best behaviour.... but she did scratch sometimes. I have found the solution is to clip her nails. Between times she scratches on the outside mat so I think we've come to some understanding!! Thanks for your lens. Catnip idea is a good one!
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Tipi
Dec 24, 2011 @ 10:02 am | delete
- Returning with some fresh angel 'catnip' for that secret compartment...shhhh...
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Dec 21, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- What a great project! Wish I had done this when I first rescued some kittens. So much for my leather couch. Youch. My newest adoptee loves cardboard file boxes. She almost exclusively sharpens her claws on the corrugated cardboard, which is great. I never thought about the catnip idea to attract cats to a scratching post. Thanks for the wonderful ideas and options.
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