Directing instincts in the right direction, or how to make a scratching post for cats with your own hands. How to make a scratching post for cats with your own hands: step-by-step instructions What kind of rope is needed for a scratching post

01.11.2023

We always had a self-made scratching post for cats, but after repairs, we decided to buy a magnificent design for fabulous money. And what do you think, our cats boycotted the expensive design and went to tear up the furniture in the kitchen. I had to make a simple scratching post myself, with my own hands, as always.

Making a scratching post for cats with your own hands is fun and inexpensive, but at the same time, you will not only save money, but also show your love and attention to your pet.

The most suitable shape is a cylindrical shape, and the best material for making it is cotton clothesline. Of course, there is no limit to imagination, which is why our pet stores stock a wide variety of scratching posts for cats.

The form includes cylindrical posts, rings, and a variety of square and rectangular rugs for horizontal and vertical placement on the floor and wall.
Materials. They are made from different materials, but most often they use natural materials: wood, twine, cardboard, coarse fabrics.
A structure made from several items. There may be “towns”, special houses, soft or plastic toys, bridges, shelves, sunbeds, or all in combination.
The sizes are medium, from 80 cm to 1 meter in height, and huge solid ones, reaching the ceiling, attached to the walls.

For one animal, a medium-sized structure will be enough; a large scratching post is not needed in this case. If you have a cat couple or family, then pay attention to complex designs.

It is necessary to place the scratching post, taking into account the natural behavior of the cat - at turns, in places where the animal most often passes, in doorways, in the hallway. Then the pet will very quickly adapt and fall in love with your product.

And don’t let the fact that your pet scratches anything and sleeps all day long not make you happy. Sedentary cats do not exist in nature. If a furry animal does not want to play, it means that he is sick. A healthy pet will gladly accept your gift and will jump and climb on the structure all day long, grinding down its claws in the process.

1 What materials are best suited for the job?

It is very important to take into account the fact that the scratching post for cats must have a hard surface, but such that the animal does not damage its paws and the living part of the claw. Therefore, the material must be chosen that is coarse, but moderately fibrous and rough. It is necessary that the claws do not catch or get tangled when cleaning. In addition, cats react very strongly to static electricity, so it’s better to look for a thick cotton clothesline

or something like that. Otherwise, the cat will not even approach the structure.

— The house can be made from any fabric that is not electrified.
— It is better to make the basis of the structure from thick cardboard, thin plywood or dry boards. Do not use painted, laminated or chemically added material.
— It is better to cover the structure with rigid twine or rope. It is necessary that the material does not contain soft synthetic fibers, since the cat can get caught in its claws and get injured.
— The soft part should not be stuffed with down, wool or straw; it is better to take a padding polyester lining with a hypoallergenic composition.
— The upper part can be made from carpet, after rinsing it in water and drying it in the sun. There is no need to use leather materials, since they slip and are always cold, and cats love everything soft and warm.

The choice of materials requires a lot of attention on your part. Pets are very picky and sensitive, so they immediately react negatively to synthetic materials and will not use a scratching post if they don’t like the smell or get an electric charge.

2 DIY wooden scratching post

We bring to your attention one of the most affordable and simplest manufacturing methods wooden scratching post at home with your own hands.

Step one. Look around you in your yard or park. You will definitely see some kind of log or stump. Take this natural preparation with you. Birch, or any coniferous tree except spruce, is most suitable.
Step two. You need to clean the bark with a brush and dry the workpiece in a dark place.
Step three. Place the dry log in a vertical position, securing it to a strong base. You can divide the log into two halves and attach one half to the wall.

It is necessary to take into account that the proposed design must have the height of the cat without taking into account the length of the tail. Cats love to stretch out, scratching the surface.

Unfortunately, not all whims may like such “handicrafts”. A proud animal can simply walk past your structure, and it is impossible to force it to use the accessory.

3 DIY scratching post made from simple burlap

Build a frame of any size from available materials and stretch burlap over it (you can use other dense fabric folded in layers). Use pieces of quilt to place between layers of fabric. Place your scratching post right next to the furniture set that your pet loves so much. With a little effort, the cat should understand what can be scratched and what cannot.

4 DIY cardboard scratching post

Take pieces of pressed cardboard from plain boxes.
You choose the shape of the product yourself, but the round shape is the easiest.
Cut the cardboard into pieces. Bend each part so that you get a loose spiral. Next you need to tighten the roll, glue it along the edges and inside.
We bring the circle to 50 cm in diameter, fasten it, dry it and decorate it with decor.

The decor can be a ribbon glued in the middle in order to initially attract the cat. Like here:

Although without an accessory, it attracts outflows like this handsome guy.

To make more complex shapes, you must have primary skills in working with the material, be able to design, cut, and sew it with your own hands, using the necessary tools. For example, you can familiarize yourself with the model of a scratching post with an upper bed. It is desirable that such a structure be arranged in the form of a branched tree. Then animal instincts wake up in the pussy, and she uses such an artificial device with pleasure.

DIY scratching post house - dimensions and drawings

We make a cat scratching post house with our own hands to match your home and the number of pets.

The simplest house, a bed and a scratching post. The advantages of this house are its small size and the ability to be used both as an ottoman for the owner and as a house for a pet.

A very simple and convenient house for both playing and manicure.

Chic and cozy scratching post and bed from a box

Wigwam house with drawing and cutting

And here are the drawings of scratching posts that you will have to work on.

We must not forget that the device for cats must be made from more durable materials, since the claws of a cat, compared to the claws of a cat, are more durable, although they grow much more slowly.

DIY scratching post MK video

How to make a post scratching post, simply, clearly and quickly in this video:

Corner scratching post

A DIY cat scratching post is often located in the corner. It is very convenient to place it exactly in the corner that your pet has already chosen. There is no need to accustom him to another place.

The simplest corner structure can be made from two boards. Take two boards of a suitable color, wrap them with a clothesline with your own hands, secure the rope on the back of the boards with a stapler, and attach them on both sides to the door frame, for example. Pussies will not refuse to rip their claws there, even those like our stern Dusya.

It is advisable not to use metal parts when constructing devices. They are too hard and the cat may damage its claws.

DIY scratching post with a bed

Animals love to climb higher; provide them with conditions both to lie down and to scratch their claws.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo, but we made such a bed or “sitter” for our cat from an ordinary board, without covering it with anything, and as a result, the entire board was torn. The kitty really enjoyed watching, basking in the sun and immediately stretching and scratching her claws.

A lovely scratching post shelf for comfortable lying on.

DIY scratching post complex for cats>/a>

Wall-mounted scratching post

There is a peculiarity here. You can't make a wall rack too small or narrow. Otherwise, the surface of the adjacent wall will suffer.

Crafts for cats, toys, scratching posts

Hang the toys from the scratching post using an elastic band. Pussies like to grab the toy with their teeth and try to carry it away, but the fact that the toy breaks out and returns to its place attracts the cat and encourages him to play for a long time.

How to accustom a cat to a new scratching post

The cat is a rather narcissistic and fastidious animal. Therefore, it is not easy to change something for your pet or pet. Even if you have the best intentions, you need to find a special approach to your pet so that it follows your lead.

When the scratching post is ready for use, take your animal gently in your arms, talk to it, stroke it. Do everything to make him relax and trust you. And only then take his paw and move it along the surface so that the cat releases its claws. At this time, the glands on the paw will activate, releasing a specific odor. Thus, the new thing becomes marked by your cat. And now he recognizes her as his without much effort.

Release the furry animal into the wild and observe its behavior. After a while, he will sniff the territory and come to the right place himself to stretch out to his full height and thoroughly sharpen the claws on his front and hind paws.

You can also use a trick such as an interesting item attached to the device. A soft ball stuffed with padding polyester with an elastic band or a burlap bag with catnip inside, also attached with an elastic band so that you could take it in your teeth and drag it, and it would break out, the elastic would contract, and the toy would return to its place.

Where is a cat more likely to sharpen its claws?

Please note that when you come home, your pet greets you and tries to sharpen its claws. For a cat, sharpening its claws is not only a hygiene procedure, it is also a manifestation of love and a demonstration of revenge,

and God knows what else a cat puts into such a simple action. I hope there is no reason for us to take revenge on our pets, but we must certainly allow them to show their love for us.

There is an opinion that a pussy sharpens its claws exactly where the owner can admire it, or tears exactly those things that, as it seems to it, the owner loves, well, this is in the case of a manifestation of love and devotion. I'm afraid to imagine that she is in a fit of vindictiveness.

If the cat has chosen the corner of the sofa

If the choice has already fallen on the corner of the sofa, I offer two options:

Don't argue and sew a cover
Arguably, by gluing it with double-sided tape (after checking how easily and without causing trouble for the sofa it can then be peeled off). If you decide to argue, be prepared to immediately offer the mustachioed beauty or handsome man a good scratching post in a good place.

Do cats need a scratching post and can a cat live without claws?

The thing is that a cat’s claws, like the nails of its owner, grow very quickly, and if the cat does not find something suitable for grinding them down in the apartment, then many things will suffer from its manipulations - furniture, carpeting, wooden parts tables and chairs, soft toys and clothes in the hallway.

The owners are unlikely to like this behavior of the pet, but stopping the process of grinding down the claws is very dangerous. The pussy will have cracks and chips on the claws, and this will bring such pain to the animal that even a twisted human nail cannot be compared.

In addition, a cat with long claws cannot fully climb wooden surfaces and vertical planes. Although this is not possible at home, the animal still experiences severe stress due to the fact that it loses its natural ability to climb using its claws. It is stress that causes all diseases, and your beloved furry may die.

With long claws, a cat experiences such an unpleasant sharp pain when moving; every step brings her pain. At first, she doesn’t even understand what’s happening and tries to endure it, but the result is lameness.

Some too busy owners rush to seek help from a veterinarian, who suggests removing the claws altogether. But such a procedure brings incredible suffering and pain to the cat. In fact, a natural imbalance sets in, and a cat that has undergone such an operation becomes disabled. Therefore, you should not engage in such “knackering”; it is better to show a little ingenuity and create with your own hands for your beloved pet conditions as close to natural as possible with the help of a scratching post.

How does a cat's claw work?

What is a cat's claw? This is essentially a keratinized finger. Organic substances are constantly supplied to it through the blood. Since this process is in constant contact with air, it hardens, and its ends become fragile and prevent the animal from moving. The cat needs to get rid of these unnecessary particles from time to time. So the cat does not sharpen its claws, but gets rid of too much length.

By its nature, the claw in cats grows in an arched manner, and then cuts into the pad on the paw, which leads to injury, inflammation and sharp pain. The longer the cat's claws, the more dangerous the jump onto a hard surface. When a push occurs, not all parts of the animal’s body provide shock absorption, but only the ligaments on the paws. Such a blow can cause ligament injury. For a cat, a sprain will cause incredible pain.

The regrowth of claws, in addition to the above problems, leads to loss of sharpness. So, cats lose their protective function. Although the pussy does not have to scratch other household inhabitants, much less its owner, it must have confidence in its capabilities.

When a cat “cleans” its claws, it leaves behind its scent, which is released by special glands on its paws. It turns out that the cat is thus marking its territory. And for animals this is a very important aspect in a certain habitat.

A domestic cat that walks by itself in the yard does not require special conditions to shorten its claws. She doesn’t need any special products, because in the yard there are many available “manicure” products. But still, the owner should monitor the condition of his pet’s claws. In the yard, a cat often runs away from dogs by climbing a tall tree, as a result of which it loses a claw or breaks it. With such injuries, it is better not to let a cat out into the yard, even for a walk.

The cat is such a cute creature that always wants to please its owner. But nature takes its toll - and cat’s claws leave their mark on things and furniture. In this case, you should not show dissatisfaction and punish the animal. You must know the natural needs of your pet and always find the right solution. You just need to create the most comfortable conditions for the cat, close to their natural environment. Just a DIY cat scratching post will come to the rescue of both you and your cat.

Yes, and the “design” was given to neighbors, their cats appreciated it and fell in love with it immediately and irrevocably. Here is one of our neighbors' family members.

I hope your cat has found the opportunity to tell you exactly what design she wants and where she agrees to sharpen her claws

Information taken from the sites: meow-cat.com, rem-stroitelstvo.ru, the9life.com and from personal archives

A kitten in the house is always a source of joy and positivity, but it is important not to forget that the pet has its own needs. For example, a timely purchased scratching post will not only save furniture and wall coverings from sharp cat claws, but will also certainly please the kitten. In addition, do not forget that you can easily make a device from wood and strong rope yourself.

Making a scratching post

In animals you can find a wide variety of designs for sharpening claws - overhead, angular, in the form of labyrinths or simple columns. But a self-made scratching post has a number of advantages:

Save money, since a hand-made design will cost several times less than one purchased in a store.
For manufacturing and decoration, you can take any materials, taking into account what will fit into your interior.
If you try, you can construct an entire play complex with a variety of columns, shelves and transitions. Such labyrinths are quite difficult to find in the store.
The design details can be adjusted to the size of the pet. What is presented in specialized stores is produced according to standard sizes and does not always fit the size and age of the animal.

In order to make a regular scratching post, you only need two things - a post and a rope. We'll talk about what rope to use for the scratching post a little later.

Types of scratching posts

What kind of scratching post you get as a result depends only on your desire, skills and the amount of time spent on its manufacture. To make the simplest standard structure in the form of a column covered with rope, it will take a maximum of an hour. If you decide to put together an interesting gaming complex for one or several pets, then you will have to work hard and allocate much more time for this.

The simplest version of the play complex consists of several posts and a shelf fixed on top where the pet can rest. The remaining details depend only on your imagination.

How much rope will be needed?

Any modern rope for a scratching post has a high degree of strength and is resistant to tearing, which makes it an ideal material in this case. Before proceeding with the manufacture or replacement of this element, it is necessary to calculate the length that will be required.

There are two ways to measure footage:

Using old rope for a scratching post. In this case, you need to remove the rope from the old post, measure its length, or take the rope with you to the store so that the consultant can help you choose the material and footage.
Calculation using a special formula:

Rope length = (post height/rope diameter) * 3.14 * post diameter.

For example, there is the following data:

The height of the column is 100 cm, its diameter is 10 cm;
Rope diameter - 0.8 cm.

From here we get: rope length = (100/0.8) * 3.14 * 10 = 3925 cm, that is, 39.25 m.

The optimal rope diameter is considered to be 8 mm, but 6 mm is quite suitable for making a scratching post.

Which rope is better to choose?

The choice of ropes is very large, but the main thing you need to pay attention to when choosing is natural fibers. Environmentally friendly materials of natural origin are the best ropes for scratching posts; they are completely safe for both animals and people, do not become electrified and will not harm the pet. A cat is sure to like a scratching post coated with it, which cannot be said about a store-bought one made from artificial rope. Some pets may be put off by the synthetic smell, as well as the presence of paint and impregnation.

Polypropylene and nylon ropes are several times stronger than natural ones, but they tend to stretch, and cat's claws can get tangled and stuck in the fibers of the material.

A hemp rope wrap for a scratching post will not last long; the material will quickly fluff due to fragments of fibers.

Types of ropes

The question of what cat scratching posts are made of worries many owners who have decided to please their pet. There are several of the most common ones for scratching posts that can be used to wrap a post:

Cotton rope. This material looks great and fits perfectly into any interior, but is much more expensive than other types.

Its cost is much lower, the structure is fleecy, the material is quite strong, durable with a grayish or pale yellow tint.
Jute rope. This material is most often used in scratching posts that are sold in stores. Jute rope for scratching posts is the cheapest, but has less strength compared to previous materials.

All these materials differ radically from each other in a number of basic parameters, which primarily determine how long the scratching post will last. Therefore, next we will look at what ropes for scratching posts are called and compare their types to make it easier to systematize the information for the right choice.

What to choose - jute or sisal fiber?

So, both types are popular due to their affordable cost. This factor is quite significant, because winding a post requires several tens of meters of rope. But you should immediately pay special attention to the fact that no matter what material you choose, the scratching post will not last forever! Any thing wears out over time, and this product is no exception. The lifespan of the scratching post depends on the following parameters:

How often does the pet use it?
Breed of the animal (large representatives have a much larger nail plate).
The quality of the scratching post.

Jute is made from the plant of the same name in the mallow family. Its fibers are mainly used in the textile industry, as well as for making ropes and burlap. Features of jute:

Gray-brown fiber color.
Softness.
Smoothness (fibers do not stick out).
Low cost compared to similar materials.

Sisal rope is much coarser than jute because it is made from raw fibers obtained from the leaves of the agave tree. This plant has unique qualities, which allows it to be used in a wide variety of industries, from food to construction. What features does sisal have?

Quite a rigid structure.
Light sandy shade.
High wear resistance.

Hemp for scratching post

If you just can’t choose or for some reason don’t want to purchase sisal and jute rope, then you can consider another option for winding the scratching post - hemp threads. This material is made from hemp plants, which do not contain narcotic substances. The fibers are used in the production of fabrics and ropes. Although jute and sisal ropes are favored by pet product manufacturers, hemp is just as good, proving that hemp remains an important resource in the industry. New fibers are also mistakenly called hemp - sisal, jute and others. So, let's look at the advantages of hemp threads:

A variety of colors (the shade can be absolutely any, depending on the processing method).
Has an average price.
Its properties are superior to jute rope.
High strength.
Resistance to environmental influences.
High hygroscopic and anti-electrostatic properties.

Conclusion

From the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:

If you decide to purchase or make your own scratching post for a young cat, then you should choose a jute rope for a cat scratching post, since it has soft fibers (this will avoid damage to the claws) and low cost.
If you have an adult cat of a large breed or several pets live in the house, then the best choice would be a sisal rope, which will last much longer and at the same time be safe for your pet’s claws.

The destructive process, which ends sadly for the home environment, is not carried out by cats out of harm. Nature forces them to sharpen their claws.

Although small predators were not successful in size, they retained the basic instincts of their wild counterparts. Well, a cat can’t help but sharpen its claws.

That’s why forward-thinking owners purchase or build scratching posts for their furry pets in advance.

We’ll talk about how to make a scratching post for cats with your own hands.

It is not at all necessary to run to the pet store and buy exquisite works of art in the form of entire wooden spans for sharpening claws. You can build the simplest model of a scratching post yourself. In this article you will learn how to make scratching posts for cats with your own hands.

What is a scratching post for?

In the natural environment, large and small predators of the cat family, take, for example, or, grind their claws on tree trunks.

This procedure is vital for animals.

The claws grow quickly, they begin to interfere with the movement of the predator, and can even grow into the body, causing pain to the animal.

To avoid such troubles, animals constantly grind their claws on hard surfaces.

Domestic cats, be they long-haired breeds like or, are deprived of this opportunity, unless, of course, you have a tree growing at home.

But it definitely isn’t growing, which means you should take care of purchasing a “claw picker.”

Why "claw pickers"? Yes, because, as it seems to you, the cat is tearing up your sofa or carpet, and not sharpening its claws at all.

However, the cunning cat knows that he is doing a manicure, and it is impossible to prevent him from doing this - nature demands it.

This means that you should meet nature and the desires of your pet.

However, it is not at all necessary to run to the pet store and buy exquisite works of art in the form of entire wooden spans for sharpening claws.

You can build the simplest model of a scratching post yourself. It will cost you much less than buying it.

And you will get much more pleasure from your own creativity than from a finished product.

Before we begin construction, we will determine the properties that a self-made scratching post for cats must meet.

Sustainability. The design must withstand the active pressure of the animal, seeking to eliminate the factor that is bothering it. Simply put, your scratching post must withstand the weight of the animal and not fall under the pressure of its powerful paws, even if it is a large breed, or.
Compactness. It’s great if you live in a large apartment and can afford to create a personal office for your furry pet. Then a multi-level bookcase can be built, but most often we don’t have enough space anyway. This means that our scratching post should be small in size.
Durability. Seeing what furniture upholstery turns into after several cat manicure sessions, it’s worth thinking about the reliability and durability of the materials for the scratching post.

If you are interested in a complete list of large breed cats, you can read the article

Beauty. No matter how you turn it, the cat in the toilet or hallway won’t even pay attention to your work. The scratching post is installed in one of the rooms, freely accessible for the animal. Since it automatically becomes an element of the decor, it is necessary that the product fits organically into it.

Scratching posts can be horizontal or vertical, but the design of the structure is chosen by the one who builds it.

Let's take the simplest option for construction, having mastered it, you can create a more complex structure over time.

Important! Observe your cat to find out in what position she prefers to sharpen her claws. Just look at what gets more use in the house, the back of the sofa or the carpeting.

Materials for production

Let's make a list:

A wooden block 50 - 70 cm high (two lengths of your cat's body without a tail) and a square side of 5-6 cm.
Hemp or jute twine, thread diameter 4 - 7 mm. We don’t measure the length of the twine; we buy 2 ready-made skeins in the store. If you don't have enough, you can always buy more. You can use hard carpeting as a material for a nail clipper; choose what is preferable to you.
A piece of plywood or board for the base. The square size is 40x40 cm and 15 - 20 mm thick.
A scrap of faux fur, tapestry, or furniture upholstery for finishing the base. We take the size so that it is enough to cover the top and sides of the base.
A piece of the same material as used to cover the base, but smaller in size to cover the top of the block.

In the toilet or hallway, the cat will not even pay attention to the scratching post. It is installed in one of the rooms, freely accessible for the animal. Since it automatically becomes an element of the decor, it is necessary that the product fits organically into it

Important! Choose only durable natural materials for twine; cellulose twines quickly fray and can harm the animal’s health if they get inside it.

Tools for work

Wood glue
Screwdriver
Self-tapping screws
Hacksaw or jigsaw for cutting parts

Assembly

If required, we cut out the parts according to the specified dimensions.

Now that we have everything ready, let's start assembling.

We wind twine onto the block, coating the surface of the block with glue every 100 mm.

This procedure will help secure the twine more firmly. Having reached the top of the bar, we carefully glue the last two turns.

We also apply a layer of glue to the top of the block and cover it with a fabric flap. Trim off excess material.

We cover the base with material. We cut a hole in the fabric, in the center, with a side length slightly less than the side of the bar. (The hole can be cut in advance).

We attach the block to the base using self-tapping screws. After securing, check for looseness: the block should not act as a pendulum, it must stand firmly.

If the base lifts, weigh it down with additional weight.

Our scratching post is ready. All we have to do is wait for her acceptance by our beloved cat.

Too lazy to look for a block, use only a sheet of plywood. It must be covered with twine in the same way and placed horizontally on the floor or nailed to the wall.

Important! Don't be alarmed if you find your pet's claw near the scratching post. The thing is that the cat does not sharpen its claws; like a snake, it sheds dead plates, making room for the growth of a new claw.

If you buy a multi-level cat house, most likely there will already be a built-in scratching post. But it’s more interesting to do it yourself, isn’t it?

The imagination of folk craftsmen, as always, is limitless.

Cat owners familiar with carpentry create scratching posts disguised as real works of art.

We have prepared options for a DIY scratching post for cats, photos of which we present to your attention.

The scratching mat looks very aesthetically pleasing. And you need less materials for it, and it is convenient to place it.

Some craftsmen offer their pets not just a rug, but a “sea wave” with several bends.

The scratching post can be turned into an amazing ottoman that will fit perfectly into any interior. Or give the design the shape of a fish.

The scratching post with the figure of a dog looks great. The subtle subtext makes you smile, and the cat enjoys taking revenge on the eternal enemy with health benefits.

If you try, you can combine it with a scratching post for a cat. A shelf with edges is attached to the top of the block, and the structure is ready.

For those who have more than one pet in the house, a multi-tiered composition would be the best option.

Advice: You can paint the scratching post any color, it doesn’t matter to cats, but for your interior the color combination will definitely play a positive role.

Many people do not get a cat for fear of torn or upholstery. Even the most affectionate representative of this family will make “scratches” in or chairs. This happens on an instinctive level; after all, the blood of a wild animal flows in them. In nature, they sharpen their claws on tree bark, grass or ground. The optimal solution is a DIY cat scratching post, which you can easily make at home. Today, the advice of the Homius editors will help you create ideal, and most importantly, harmless conditions for sharpening claws for your pet.

It is impossible to wean a cat from the instinct to sharpen its claws; it is in their genes. Pet owners should know why this happens:

The claws are constantly growing, they are overgrown with a layer of rough skin, causing discomfort to the animal during outdoor games. Therefore, the cat tries to get rid of this cover on a comfortable surface.
While the cat sharpens its claws, it gets great pleasure.
The pet marks its territory. Between the fingertips there are glands that secrete a secretion with a subtle aroma that only animals can smell. In this way they mark personal possessions.

This is interesting! In pet stores you can buy special multi-colored anti-scratch pads that look like a manicure. But not all cats will like this innovation, and the cost of a homemade scratching post will be less.

Classification of claws

The most common type of scratching post is a vertical post wrapped in twine. In addition, accessories can be classified according to the following criteria.

Classification	Description
By shape	Floor, hanging, corner, ring or column.
By type of design	In the form of a house, multi-tiered, complemented by shelves or bridges, a town with toys.
According to the material of manufacture	A scratching post can be made from wood with twine, or fabric will also work.
By size	Miniature, medium, large and monolithic.

scratching post for cats

How to quickly and easily make a simple cat scratching post with your own hands

There are a lot of options for making scratching posts; you can supplement them with interesting toys or bridges. Let's look at the principle of creating the most common structures using simple examples.

We make a scratching post out of cardboard with our own hands

To make the most budget-friendly and simple scratching post pillow, you will need the following materials and tools:

cardboard or corrugated cardboard;
stationery knife;
piece of fabric;
thick paper;
adhesive tape.

Then do the following:

Disassemble the boxes and draw stripes more than 10 centimeters wide on the surface.
Cut strips.
Then you need to twist one strip and glue it. This will be the middle or core of the scratching post.
Then wind all the other strips in the same way around the core, periodically securing the layers with glue or adhesive tape. Particular attention should be paid to the last layer.
Wrap it in cloth and secure it.
Place the structure on thick paper, trace the perimeter, cut it out and secure the base to a scratching post.

You can watch the master class in more detail in the video below:

scratching post bed

How to make a scratching post for a cat from wood with your own hands

Another budget option is a wooden scratching post. A small log or stump picked up in the forest is suitable as a base. The workpiece should first be cleaned with a stiff bristle brush and dried in a dark room.

Wrap the workpiece with twine completely or individual fragments.
Secure the workpiece on a wide base, use corners and a drill to do this.
Tie some fun little toys to the top of the scratching post.

Ready-made sharpeners in stores are wrapped with a special rope, and not every seller will answer what the rope for scratching posts is called. If you wish, you can look for sisal thread, but any rope or twine will completely replace it.

scratching post post

How to make floor scratching posts for cats with your own hands with photos of finished designs

A more complex option is floor structures. You can keep things simple and use an old small coffee table for this purpose. But we will tell you how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands in the form of a column, a house and an entire town with photo examples of manufacturing processes and finished works.

Mobile option: floor-mounted flat cat claw sharpener

A flat scratching post is one of the simplest devices. To do this you will need a small sheet of board or plywood. Wrap it on both sides with carpet, wrong side up, or with a rope. The edges can be sewn with thick threads or secured with a stapler. This design can also be used by your pet as a bed.

Step-by-step instructions for making a scratching post in the form of a column with your own hands with photos of the process

To make a floor-mounted claw post, we suggest watching a detailed master class. After becoming familiar with this process, you will be able to make any of the most complex structures with your own hands.

Illustration	Description of action
	Before you make your own cat scratching post, you need to cut out the base from a sheet. It is important that the corners are not sharp.
	Glue the rope to the base, starting from the end. After the side edge, proceed to securing the rope to the base.
	For the column, take a stretch film tube no more than 40 cm high. For the base, you need to take a piece of wood and make it the same size as the tube.
	Insert a piece of wood into the base of the tube and secure with three self-tapping screws.
	Next, you need to mark the place where the tube is attached on the back side of the base, screw in 3 self-tapping screws and secure the post.
	Using a glue gun, secure the rope to the post from bottom to top.
	Glue the joint between the base and the post with a tourniquet, increasing the turn horizontally.
	To prevent the cat from subsequently untwisting the end of the rope, you need to unwind it a little, cut off one part and glue it to the base.
	Glue three small ropes to the top of the post and tie knots at the ends.
	Make a decorative cap for the post.

The kitten will love playing with this interesting new product, and you can watch the master class in more detail in the video

All the nuances of making your own cat house with a scratching post

After we have described in detail how to make simple designs, you can complicate the task a little and make it with a scratching post, as well as supplement it with beds. First you need to make a sketch and draw a diagram of the future structure. Next, the manufacturing process is as follows:

Cut holes on the base for installing posts.
Make a pattern from fabric, cut holes for the posts and secure it to the base using a stapler.
You can use . They should be secured to the base with metal corners and screws.
Wrap the twine around the posts.
Make the upper beds according to the principle of flat claw pads. Attach to the posts using furniture corners.
Attach soft houses for cats to beds.

It is important! It is advisable to attach a large structure to the wall surface so that cats do not turn it over during games.

scratching post with house

Schemes and sizes of complexes for cats with scratching posts and beds for making yourself

You can draw up a diagram of the future claw blade yourself or use the proposed ready-made examples from the Internet.

scratching post bed

Features of manufacturing wall-mounted scratching posts: photos of finished examples

For a small room, a great option is to mount the scratching post on a wall surface, especially since it is much easier to make it than a floor one. And two more advantages: there is no cat hair left on them, and they cannot be turned over at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, this is an ideal solution for active pets. To work, you will need a sheet of plywood and a rope, which can be pre-painted for decoration.

DIY wall-mounted scratching post for cats

The wall-mounted scratching post must correspond to the size of the animal. It is optimal to choose a length that is 10 centimeters longer than the cat’s extended length. These parameters will help protect the wall from scratches. Recommended surface width is 40 cm.

To make a simple wall-mounted nail clipper, you will need two sheets of plywood, the width of each should be at least 25 cm, but you need to focus on the size and breed of your pet. For a soft layer, you can use a piece of an old carpet or rug, securing it with the inside out, and a rope or several layers of natural fabric will also work. The procedure is as follows:

Cut the canvas according to the pattern with a margin of about 10 cm, secure it with a stapler on the back side of the plywood. As an option, wrap the sheet with a tourniquet.
Secure along the perimeter with slats using screws.
Nail the structure to the wall.

wall-mounted scratching post

Favorite attraction: scratching post on the corner of the wall

To make a corner scratching post, you need to prepare three planks or sheets of plywood with a width of at least 15-20 cm, first fix the carpet on them with the inside out or twine. Install the prepared products at a corner, for example, at a height exceeding the length of the cat in an elongated form, about 10 cm. If desired, you can make a structure the entire height of the box, the pet will be able to climb on it during games.

corner scratching post

Travel scratching post for a cat: DIY master class

If your cat is your constant travel companion, be sure to make a travel scratching post. It will not take up much space, and your pet will be happy with its favorite thing on the road. To make it you will need a small sheet of plywood or rectangular board, wood glue, twine, a piece of rope or a strip of leather and a drill. Manufacturing instructions:

Drill a hole in the board or plywood for the cord.
Wrap the structure with a rope, periodically placing it on glue, carefully fixing the ends.
In order for the accessory to be hung, for example, on, you need to secure the rope in the holes made earlier.

How to negotiate with a cat

Sometimes it is not enough to put up a scratching post; the cat simply may not understand what to do with it. To accustom your animal to a new accessory, use the following proven tips.

The main weapon, and as you know, weapons need to be carefully monitored. In the wild, cats do not have to sharpen their claws; this happens naturally during hunting, climbing trees, etc. But at home, conditions for this are unsuitable, so your cat, if you don’t help him, will definitely start tearing apart the wallpaper in the house, upholstered furniture and everything that comes to hand. Therefore, a scratching post for cats is an absolutely necessary thing in the household.

You can, of course, buy a ready-made one at a pet store, but it is much more interesting to be creative (especially since we are talking about a consumable material, it is destined to live for only a few months, then it will have to be replaced). For those who want to please their pet and preserve the integrity of the apartment, we offer an easy-to-follow method of making a scratching post with your own hands - step-by-step instructions with photos.

Did you know? It has been proven that the claws on a cat’s front paws are sharper than those on the hind paws, perhaps because the scratching posts mainly come from the Murzik’s front paws. However, this does not mean at all that with the blows of its strong hind legs with its claws extended, a small cat is not capable of tearing your hand so that you will remember for a long time the meeting with the “affectionate” little animal!

Purpose of the design

In addition to its main purpose - to provide a cat with a “legal” opportunity to sharpen its claws with impunity and for its own pleasure without compromising your budget, the design proposed for production solves another problem: it is an excellent toy for an animal, because various balls and “mice” can be adapted to it. and other entertainment for active games and hunting.

Variety of scratching posts

You can make a scratching post for cats with your own hands using a wide variety of patterns; As for the size, much, of course, depends on the age and breed of your pet, but it’s difficult to go too far here.

Important! The cat loves heights very much; this tendency is inherent in it by nature. Climbing higher, the animal carefully observes what is happening below. Therefore, do not be afraid to make tall structures with various shelves and planks, even for a small kitten, if, of course, you have enough time and available materials for this.

Making a scratching post is a process in which your creativity is not limited in any way. We offer the simplest option, consisting of one single column. If desired, you can make several of them, connecting them with original transitions and ladders, along which the animal will climb with pleasure, honing not only its claws, but also flexibility, balance and ingenuity.
You can also use additional elements in the design - driftwood brought from the dacha, cleared of bark, baskets where the animal will build its nest, etc. In general, the more complexities, the better. But to accomplish the minimum task (saving furniture from cat claws) you need very little.

Requirements for a homemade design

The most important design requirements are environmental friendliness and safety. We use only natural materials and carefully ensure that there are no nails, staples, sharp corners, etc. sticking out anywhere that could injure the animal.
In addition, it is important that the design is not too low, otherwise the cat will find it uncomfortable and the animal will look for other options. Stretch your pet lengthwise, holding the front and hind legs with different hands, as experts do at shows, and invite your household to measure it in this state. Multiply the result by 1.5 and get the minimum column height.

Important! A cat sharpens its claws by standing on its hind legs and fully stretching up, so the animal simultaneously stretches its muscles, so if you have a kitten, the factor of its growth must be taken into account when choosing the height of the pipe.

The scratching post must be quite stable, because the animal makes remarkable efforts moving its paws along its surface. You can't sharpen your claws on a swaying tree. For the same reason, all structural parts must be held firmly, otherwise your homemade product will not live long at all.

How to make a scratching post with your own hands

How to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands at home? We stock up on time, the necessary materials, involve the main hero of the occasion in the work - and act in accordance with the instructions.

Did you know? The vast majority of cats hide their claws when walking. The only exception is the cheetah. Perhaps the fact is that this animal is capable of overtaking any prey (as is known, not a single living creature on earth is capable of moving faster than a cheetah), while other representatives of the felines are forced to ambush the victim, which means they must be able to get close as close to her as possible. Hidden claws and soft movement on the paw pads allow this to be done almost silently.

Material and tools

For the most primitive design you will need:

cardboard or plastic pipe (you can find a piece from leftovers) with a diameter of 80–100 mm. We have already decided on the height;
a board, an old table top or a piece of plywood for the base of the scratching post (it is preferable that the size is large enough and the material is heavy enough, otherwise the structure will turn out to be unstable, and your Murzik will easily knock it over);
rope or rope (as was said, the rope for the scratching post should be natural, not synthetic);

Important! If you want to buy according to calculations, you will have to tinker with calculating the amount of rope. It all depends on the thickness of the rope and the diameter of the pipe. Assume that to wind a column with a diameter of 80 mm you will need approximately 65 m of rope with a thickness of 8 mm.

a piece of upholstery fabric or carpet for upholstering the base;
a tennis ball, a small piece of plywood or other material for the top of the scratching post;
thrust bearings or other legs for furniture - 4 pieces (optional).

From the tools:

construction stapler (or hammer and nails);
drill;
three corners for attaching the pipe to the base;
screwdriver;
three to six screws.

Did you know? In a vertical jump, a cat overcomes a height that is five times the animal's height, so don't expect that your little animal won't be able to reach the top shelf where something interesting is hidden!

Step-by-step instruction

Let's prepare the foundation. We cut a piece of carpet of such a size that we can cover the tabletop with it (the carpet should bend under the tabletop on all sides with a good margin).

We mark a circle in the center of the tabletop equal to the cross-section of the pipe. Draw the same circle in the center of the prepared piece of carpet and cut out the corresponding hole.

We drill a hole in the upper part of the pipe, a couple of centimeters from the edge, of such a diameter that a rope can be inserted into it.

We thread the rope through the hole and tie a knot at the end of the rope to secure the end inside the pipe.

Now we need to attach the pipe to the base of the scratching post. We place the pipe vertically on the intended circle so that the end of the pipe with the tied rope is at the bottom, and secure it using corners and screws. Since this part of the structure will not bear any special load, it is enough to screw one screw into the upper and lower parts of each corner (thus, you use six screws in total).

We place a prepared piece of carpet with a hole cut in the center onto the fixed pipe and carefully sew the carpet to the tabletop using a construction stapler or a traditional hammer with nails.

Attach legs if desired.

Now we begin to wind the rope around the pipe. This is the most time-consuming and complex process in all the work; most likely, you will even need outside help. You need to wind it very tightly and very tightly, otherwise your cat will instantly unwind the rope with its claws and turn it into rags. From time to time, compact the layers of rope so that they are adjacent to each other, without leaving even the slightest gap.

When the entire column is wrapped, we make two holes at the top of the pipe, thread the end of the rope into one, then into the other and tie it tightly in a knot.

All that remains is to seal the pipe from above. For this purpose, you can use a suitable size rubber ball or any other material that you have at hand.

We install the structure closer to the place where your animal has adapted to sharpen its claws, bring the cat there and clearly explain why a new interesting object has appeared in the house. Voila!

The method outlined above is nothing more than the basic idea. If you couldn’t get a pipe, you can perfectly replace it with a thick branch (you can even with a fork, this will have its own charm), only it needs to be cleared of bark, thoroughly dried and treated with special means so that bugs do not infest.