How to Design a Cat Scratching Post
Scratching is a normal behavior for cats, but it is the owner's responsibility to provide an appropriate scratching surface for Kitty. If cat scratching posts found at retailers are too costly, it is easy and affordable to design a cat scratching post the cat will use.
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Things You'll Need
- Sturdy mailing tube or wooden dowel 2 to 3 inches diameter, 30 or more inches long
- Carpet remnants
- Ink pen or marker
- Carpet knife
- All-purpose glue
- Scrap of cardboard or paperboard
- Ball of twine
- Metal Christmas tree stand
- Catnip
Instructions
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Create Scratching Post
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1
Cut a section of carpet in length equal to the length of the mailing tube or wooden dowel and a width equal to the circumference of the tube or dowel.
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2
Roll the tube in the length of carpet with the right side of the carpet facing the tube or dowel.
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3
Use a pen to the back of the carpet where it should be cut to completely cover the tube or dowel.
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4
Cut the carpet along the line drawn in Step 3.
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5
Squeeze glue onto the tube or dowel. Create lines of glue all around the tube. Spread the glue with a scrap piece of cardboard to cover the tube or dowel. The goal is to achieve a thick a surface layer of adhesive.
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6
Wrap the carpet around tube or dowel with right side of the carpet placed against the adhesive.
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7
Run a bead or line of glue down the seam of where the carpet is joined to itself.
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8
Wrap twine around the carpet on the tube or dowel in the same manner as you would see the lines on a barber pole or peppermint stick and secure with a knot The twine will serve as a clamp to hold the carpet in place until the adhesive has dried.
Set Scratching Post into Base
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9
Twist bolts of the Christmas tree holder to the approximate diameter of the tube or dowel wrapped in carpet.
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10
Tighten bolts to clamp tightly into the carpet-wrapped dowel or tube. Tighten all bolts until there is a tight grip and the scratching post is tightly secured.
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11
Rub catnip into the weave of the carpet backing. This will entice kitty into using the post.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Fill the bowl of the Christmas tree holder with marbles, small balls or cat toys.
Tighten each bolt one or two turns then move on to the next in rotation. This will ensure that the post remains as close to center as possible.
Use spray enamel to paint the traditionally red and green stand to a color that coordinates with your décor or the carpet remnant used on the post.
Purchase Christmas tree stands at thrift stores when out of season for best prices.
The Christmas tree stand provides a sturdy base when used strictly for scratching. If the cat enjoys climbing the post, create a more solid and heavier base by securing the Christmas tree stand to a square of plywood with screws. Choose a square of plywood that is at least as wide than the span of the tree stand.
