How to Make a Cat Scratch Tree

Cats like to scratch.

Cats have a natural tendency to want to scratch and knead with their front paws. If the cat has claws, it uses this behavior to sharpen its claws as well as keep them trimmed down. For a cat that is declawed, it will continue this behavior out of instinct. Providing your cat with a scratching post will help save your furniture and carpet from your cat's scratching habits. Commercial scratching posts are expensive, but making your own takes little effort and saves you money.

Things You'll Need

• 4-inch by 4-inch by 24-inch fence post
• 18-inch by 24-inch by 3/4-inch plywood
• 12-inch by 18-inch by 3/4-inch plywood
• Four wood screws
• 20-inch by 26-inch carpet piece
• 14-inch by 20-inch carpet piece
• Staple gun
• Drill
• Hot glue
• 3/8-inch sisal rope spool
• Hammer
• Two nails

Instructions

1. Place the bottom of your fence post in the center of the larger piece of plywood. Use a drill to attach the two pieces of wood together using two wood screws going through the plywood into the fence post. Once you have attached the pieces together, you should have the plywood as a flat base and the fence post sticking straight up in the center of the plywood.

2. Cut a 4-inch by 4-inch hole in the center of your larger piece of carpet. Slide the piece of carpet over the fence post and rest it on top of the larger piece of plywood. Roll the edges of the carpet over the edge of the plywood and use a staple gun to attach it in place.

3. Attach the second, smaller piece of plywood to the top of the fence post using two more wood screws.

4. Place the second, smaller piece of carpet on top of the smaller piece of plywood. Roll the edges of the carpet over the edge of the plywood and use your staple gun to attach it in place.

5. Apply a bit of hot glue on the loose end of spool of 3/8 inch sisal rope. Press the loose end of the rope to the base of the fence post where it meets the carpeted plywood base. Hold in place for a moment to allow the hot glue to harden. Then hammer one nail through the end of the sisal rope to further attach it in place.

6. Wrap the sisal rope around the fence post. Press each layer of rope down onto the layer below. Make sure the rope is as tightly wrapped as you can get it. Pull the rope taut after each wrapping to ensure it is snug. Continue to wrap the entire fence post until you reach the top of the post where it meets the smaller piece of plywood. Cut the rope away from the spool.

7. Apply another dab of hot glue to the end of the sisal rope and press it against the top of the fence post. Hold in place to allow the hot glue to harden. Hammer a nail through the end of the rope to further secure it in place.

Tips & Warnings

• The amount of sisal rope you need depends on how tightly you wrap it. A 200-foot spool should be more than sufficient.

• Wear work gloves when working with the sisal rope. The rope is rough and can wear on your bare skin.

References

• Feline Furniture Factory: Cat Furniture
• Catsplay.com: Cat Furniture