Is your cat tearing up your furniture? You can make a scratching post from everyday items. It’s easier than you think. Here are a few sets of instructions on how to make a scratching post.
Scratching post 1:
Materials:
Empty one gallon bottle (or larger)
Water
Carpet scraps or fabric
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
Find an empty one gallon or larger bottle with a flat bottom. It could be a bottle that held bleach, soda, sports drink, water, etc. just be sure to rinse it out before hand. Then fill the bottle with water. Sand or dirt are possibilities too if you find the water isn’t heavy enough. Once full place the lid on tightly. Now you need a hot glue gun and fabric. Most recommended would be carpet scraps but corduroy, denim, terrycloth, or just about anything thick with texture will do. Cut the fabric to fit around the bottle and hot glue onto the bottle. You now have a simple and easy to make scratching post.
Scratching post 2:
Materials:
2 x 4 scraps
Flat stepping stone
Strong adhesive
Optional: carpet scraps or fabric
Take the 2 x 4 scraps and glue together to create the post part of the scratching post. Use a strong adhesive from the hardware store or wood glue to secure the scraps. Build up the post until it is sufficient in height and width for your cat. Let dry according to the glue’s instructions. Now take the flat stepping stone (found in the garden), brick, or any heavy object with a flat surface, and with a very strong adhesive glue the wood post to the center of the stepping stone. Let dry according to adhesive’s instructions. You can either leave as is or glue carpet or fabric to the post.
Scratching post 3:
Materials:
Piece of wood covered in bark at least 12 inches high and 6 inches across
Screws
Hammer, screwdriver, and possibly a drill (depending on the dry wall screws / anchors or wood screws you buy)
First you will need to find a place in your house that you will be comfortable having a scratching post. This may be by the back door, in the kitchen, the den, wherever you would be okay having a piece of bark attached to the wall. All you have to do is find a spot low to the ground, attach to the wall with a screw or two, and you’re done. Cats love bark. It’s what they naturally sharpen their claws on outside. If you are concerned your wall may also get scratched up then you may want to attach the bark onto an inexpensive piece of furniture instead.
When making a scratching post, keep your particular cat in mind. Does your cat tear up one specific piece of furniture? Then find similar fabric to use on the scratching post. Same if your cat tears up the carpet. A carpet covered scratching post would be more likely to attract your cat than a plain wood one.
You will have to teach your cat to use the scratching post. If your cat starts scratching anywhere else in the house take the kitty to the scratching post. Be consistent and soon enough your kitty will get the idea and use the scratching post, sparing your furniture. Rewarding the use of the scratching post with a kitty treat will reinforce their good behavior, so when you cat is done sharpening its claws be ready with their reward. If all else fails put catnip on the scratching post. That will be sure to lure your cat right over.
