Scratching is an innate behavior that cats need. This is how cats clean and sharpen their claws, and cats will do it regardless of the type of scratching surface in the house. You can prevent your cat from damaging the furniture in your home by providing a special pole for them to scratch. These poles can be made using particle board, square poles, and carpet or rope.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Creating the Base
Step 1. Cut or buy base wood
Use plywood, particle board (board made from sawdust), or MDF to make the base of the scratching post. Purchase wood that is 0.5 m x 1 m x 1 m, or cut it to size using a hand saw. Be careful when using sharp objects (saws).
Do not choose natural wood that has not been processed. Do not use wood that has been treated with chemicals because it can harm the cat
Step 2. Cut the rug for the base of the post to size
You will need a rug measuring at least 1 m x 1.5 m to ensure it fully covers the base of the post and is firmly attached. Also use an X-Acto knife and a ruler to get a straight, neat cut.
Choose a stiff rug, such as Berber, so that the posts last longer
Step 3. Make notches for the corners of the base of the post
Turn the rug over and place the base of the post in the middle.
- Draw a straight line from each side of the base of the post to the end of the rug. Thus, you get a square that extends from the corners.
- Draw a straight line 2 cm long from the corner of the base of the post that intersects the previously created square.
- Cut along straight lines first, then cut along the lines you made extending from each corner of the rug.
Step 4. Cover the base of the post with a carpet
Secure the carpet to one side of the base of the post with a stapler, and leave a 5 cm gap between each staple (use 1.3 cm staples). Pull the carpet tight and the stapler at the base of the opposite side, leaving a 5 cm gap between each staple. Repeat on the remaining two sides, making sure you glue all the way to the ends so the corners are neat.
Part 2 of 2: Making Poles
Step 1. Choose the right pole
Purchase 10 cm x 10 cm wood from a wood shop or building materials store. Otherwise, connect two 5 cm x 10 cm pieces of wood and make sure that their surface is even. Also make sure there are no nails sticking out so as not to injure the cat.
Again, buy wood that has not been treated to make it safe to use
Step 2. Attach the post to the base wood
Place the base of the post upside down (carpeted side facing the post) on top of the post. Make sure the posts are centered on the base wood, and secure them together using 5 cm wood screws. Then, flip the base of the post so that it touches the floor, while the scratching post is on top of it.
You can choose the length of the pole to your liking, but make sure the wood is long enough for the cat to scratch. To help you determine the length of the scratching post, measure the length of the cat from the nose to the tip of the tail, and add a few centimeters
Step 3. Cover the top of the post
Get wood with a beveled edge measuring 10 cm x 10 cm for the top of the scratching post. You can buy it at a hardware store. Use wood glue to glue the top of the pole to the scratching post.
Otherwise, you can line the top of the post with carpet and secure it with a stapler. Attach two staples to each side of the post, instead of attaching them at the top
Step 4. Cut the pile rug to the right size
You will need a carpet that is at least 50 cm wide so that it can be wrapped around the poles. Use an X-Acto knife and a ruler to make the cut straight and neat.
Step 5. Wrap the carpet on the posts
Start at the corner and attach the staples at a distance of 2.5 cm vertically. Wrap the rug until it completely covers the post and staple it at a distance of 2.5 cm to create a vertical “seam”. Trim any excess carpet and make sure the staples are securely in place so the cat's claws don't tear the carpet.
Step 6. Use rope as an alternative
You can wrap a sisal rope around a pole instead of a rug. Cover the posts with non-toxic glue to prevent the rope from unraveling.
- Wrap the string around the base of the post and secure it with a stapler.
- Continue to wrap the rope all the way to the top of the post, making sure the bandage is neat, straight, and very tight.
- Attach staples if the glue isn't strong enough to hold the rope together.
Step 7. Flatten all the staples
Use a hammer to flatten the staples on the scratching post. Stapler guns sometimes don't give an even finish, and you need to make sure your cat's claws don't get caught or loose from the staples sticking out of the posts.
Tips
- Used materials are everywhere! Ask neighbors or friends if they have the ingredients you need.
- If your cat is very rough or heavy, we recommend using a larger, heavier piece of wood for the base of the post to make it more stable.
