How to Build a Simple Cat Scratching Post from Recycled Products

Training your cat to use a scratching post can prevent a lot of damage to household furnishings. Follow these easy directions to make your own affordable cat scratching post from recycled wood and carpeting or upholstery fabric.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 piece scrap 1/2 inch plywood, approx. 1 foot square
• 1 piece scrap 1/2 inch plywood, approx. 3 feet square
• 1 4x4 or other heavy wooden post, approx. 3 feet long
• old carpeting, burlap, or upholstery fabric, enough to cover wood
• 8 small, L-shaped metal brackets
• 3/8-inch screws to fit brackets
• heavy-duty glue
• long straight edge
• marker
• screwdriver
• sharp scissors or utility knife

1. Cut carpet/fabric to fit the larger board, plus a few inches of overlap. Mark the exact centers of both the board and your carpet/fabric by drawing a diagonal line with your straight edge and marker from corner to corner both ways.

2. Cut a piece of carpet/fabric the size of the smaller plywood square, adding a few inches all around. Glue it securely, wrapping the overlapping carpet/fabric to the opposite side (bottom)of the board. With carpeting or heavy fabric, you may have to trim the corners to make it lie flat. This is the perch for the top of your cat's scratching post.

3. Fasten the center of the perch to one end of your 4x4 post with four of the metal brackets, one on each side of the post, screwing them securely to both pieces of wood.

4. Cut an opening in the exact center of your carpeting/fabric, just large enough to fit over the post.

5. Secure the bottom of the post(with the remaining four brackets)to the center of the large piece of plywood, using the diagonal lines as a guide.

6. Fit the carpet/fabric over the post and glue it to the plywood, overlapping and trimming the corners as for the perch.

7. Cut a piece of carpet/fabric to wrap around the post, and glue it in place. Once the glue is thoroughly dry, introduce your cat to his new scratching post!

Tips & Warnings

• Find wood and carpeting to recycle from household reconstruction, demolished buildings, or scraps left over from other projects.
• Thrift stores and rummage sales are budget-conscious and ecologically-friendly places to find old rugs and fabrics.
• Leave the upright post uncovered if your cat seems to prefer to scratch on wood.
• Put your cat's scratching post in front of a sunny window where he can enjoy a nap on the perch.
• Use non-toxic glue if possible. If you use a glue that has noxious fumes, put the scratching post outside in the fresh air for a few days until they dissipate.
• Use at least 1/2" plywood for the bottom of the scratching post, so it is stable and won't tip easily. You could get by with thinner plywood for the perch if it's what you have available.

[JeanneGrunert]

on 3/25/2009 Great directions. My kitty says thank you!