Make a scratching post for a cat out of wood ideas. Do-it-yourself scratching posts for cats: design, diagrams, manufacturing - for different breeds and characters. Flat floor scratching posts

To prevent a domestic cat from damaging wallpaper, upholstery, carpets and curtains, it must have its own scratching post. You can buy such a device at a pet store or make it yourself at home. You can make a separate scratching post yourself or even with a house. You just need to decide on its dimensions, draw a drawing, select the necessary materials and study the step-by-step instructions from our article.

Why do cats sharpen their claws?

cat claws, like human nails, grow actively throughout life. While people cut their nails with scissors, pets wear them down on hard surfaces. In nature, felines use trees for this. At home, pieces of furniture, walls and even outerwear are used. If cats do not grind down their claws, this can lead to unpleasant consequences for them:

Acquisition or making a scratching post goes away if the cat regularly walks outside. There she will sharpen her claws on trees and will no longer do this at home. But if your pet is a pet, he definitely needs a device with which he can tidy up his claws.

Making a scratching post for cats with your own hands is not that difficult. Before creating the design, you should take a look at the master class and study the video lesson carefully.

There are many options for such a device. They can be made of fabric and rough cardboard, twine and wood. These can be monolithic structures up to the ceiling, large devices in the form of houses, or medium-sized scratching posts up to one meter in height.

Where to install the cat scratching post are divided into the following types:

Today on the pet supply market you can see electric scratching posts that have an additional function - cutting claws.

How to make a scratching post with your own hands?

The sizes of the devices can be different, the main thing is that it is convenient for the cat to sharpen its claws. However, there is no guarantee that your pet will like the new item. He will need to get used to the smell, size and shape of the product. Therefore, it is best to make a scratching post yourself, because if anything happens, it can be remade or try making a different model.

Flat scratching post

This is one of the simplest adaptations for cats. To make it thick cardboard or wooden board is used, a piece of carpet or any other dense fabric. To make your own scratching post, simply cover the board with thick fabric and use furniture hinges to install it on the wall or simply lay it on the floor. Instead of carpet, you can take jute rope and wrap it around a piece of board.

Corner design

You can combine a pet climbing wall and a scratching post into one product. To make it you need to prepare:

• three planks, the width of which should be equal to the width of the door jamb;
• thick fabric or rope;
• screwdriver and screws.

The boards are covered with remnants of carpet or fabric. You can also wrap them with rope, after lubricating the boards with glue. The carpet is attached with the wrong side facing out.

The finished covered parts are installed on the door frame using a screwdriver and self-tapping screws. So that the cat not only sharpens its claws, but also climbs, the structure is made to cover the entire height of the doorway. About such a device pets they love to scratch their sides.

Rope post

It’s easy to make a reliable but simple scratching post in the form of a column with your own hands. To make it you will need:

• a piece of plastic pipe or wooden beam;
• a ball of hemp rope;
• glue;
• heavy base.

It is better not to use synthetic rope, as the cat will slip off it. If you use thin cotton threads to wind a post, they will soon break.

To make a nail clipper the base is wrapped with rope, which must be glued to the post with glue every ten centimeters. In this case, the rope will stick to the base well and will not come off when used by the cat. The post is installed on a heavy base and the structure for sharpening claws is ready.

Scratching post with shelves

Making a more complex design for a cat requires skills in sewing, cutting, designing and working with some tools. We offer step-by-step instructions for the model with a bed on top.

Required materials and tools:

The amount of materials is prepared based on the required dimensions of the product.

Stages of work:

This claw point device can be complemented with toys or various accessories that your cat likes to play with.

Do-it-yourself scratching post-house - diagram, dimensions, photo

If you have all the materials, tools and certain skills, making a cat house will not be difficult. To make it you will need:

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions:

1. Saw wooden blocks along the length of the base.
2. Using a drill for fastening the posts, make holes in the bottom area and under the screw head - countersunk.
3. Glue the covering materials to the base. After the glue has dried, use a utility knife to trim off the excess edges of the trim.
4. Secure the prepared bars around the perimeter.
5. Using a miter box, cut out the bars at an angle of 45 degrees. In this case, there will be practically no gaps between the parts.
6. All parts are attached using a screwdriver and screws.
7. Pets like the house to be slightly elevated. To do this, one long and two short sections are sawn off from a round block. A platform will be installed on the long one, and a house on the short ones.
8. Attach the pieces of bars to the base with screws that are screwed on the back side of the bottom platform.
9. Twine or braided rope is wound around the posts. Its beginning is attached to the posts with screws and a washer.
10. Using a jigsaw, cut out the parts for the house and the entrance, which is previously marked with a compass.
11. Attach the parts to each other with screws and cover with material. To prevent the sheathing from falling and not having to be held, you can clamp the material with clamps.
12. The top platform must be well secured, so a secure fastening will be required. To do this, blind holes are made in the blank for the platform in which the bolt heads will be hidden. Then a hole equal to the diameter of the round block is cut out on a smaller wooden plank.
13. Using screws, connect the mount to the upper platform, then install and carefully screw it to the long bar.

The homemade scratching post-house is ready. To help your pet quickly get used to the new place and enjoy using the device, you can use catnip.

Basic requirements for scratching posts

Details of claw point fixtures must be a certain size, and the house and beds are comfortable for the pet:

Not only designs, but also the simplest devices can serve as scratching posts for cats. The simplest and most durable claw clipper is a carpet product, which can be made from an old small rug by simply rolling it up. It will serve as a tool for the cat to sharpen its claws and a place to rest.

Favorite place where Can scratch and sharpen claws, it will become a small tree stump or an ordinary log. Everyone has such a device at their dacha, and it’s not difficult to find it in the city.

A sofa cushion made of thick fabric can be a good scratching post. To attract the animal's attention to it, you can put catnip inside. The cat will also like a braid woven from strips of fabric attached to the ceiling or wall.

All these simple devices will save your wallpaper, furniture and carpets from sharp cat claws.

After studying the master class, looking at the photo and video tutorial, you can easily make a scratching post for your favorite cat with your own hands. To make the structure last a long time and was reliable, all requirements specified in the step-by-step instructions should be strictly followed.

DIY scratching posts for cats

A DIY cat scratching post is an excellent solution in a situation where your pets, for one reason or another, begin to tear wallpaper, scratch furniture and tear up its upholstery. Cats are one of the most beloved pets. However, in addition to joy, sometimes they also bring troubles that you have to somehow cope with.

Stylish floor design with toys

In any case, a cat scratching post is an interesting solution for many situations. However, before you start making it, it wouldn’t hurt to study some of the “cat” theory.

When to use

Many people are interested in why such a design is needed. So, before you make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands, it would not hurt to familiarize yourself with the various cases in which installing this device is simply necessary. Bitten legs of tables and chairs, torn curtains, wallpaper and damaged decorative elements - many breeders are familiar with all this. Sometimes this drives them to complete despair because people do not know what to do in such situations.

Remember! You cannot simply pick up and punish or drive the pet into another room, since any aggressive reaction from the owner is not a way out of the situation.

It often turns out that it is not easy to wean, if at all possible. So, we have to look for some other way out. The optimal solution is to use a special device called a scratching post. If you set a goal, then it’s quite possible to make it yourself very inexpensively. In addition, you can often use many improvised materials or their remains that you have lying around after repairs:

• Plastic pipes and scraps.
• Carpet, fabric and other similar coverings.
• Fragments of old furniture.

Corner design is a great option

Attention! It is better not to use some fabrics, as well as fiberboard (fibreboard), corrugated cardboard and cardboard, since as a result of “cat activity” there will always be a lot of debris from such materials. In some cases, a cardboard base can be used, but not the main outer layer.

Common Causes

Why does a cat need to sharpen its claws? In fact, in this regard, our furry friends are practically no different from us humans. The fact is that their claws grow in much the same way as the nails on our hands and feet. And while we have the opportunity to cut our nails with nail scissors or other similar devices, cats do not have this opportunity. So, they have to sharpen their claws on almost any suitable object.

Parts cats look for both hard and soft objects, including wall decoration, doors, clothes, shoes and much more, and begin to do a kind of manicure. Of course, they do this unintentionally, because they are not aware of the damage that they cause by such actions. And they, meanwhile, often have, to put it mildly, negative consequences:

• Nature dictates that cats climb branches and other vertical surfaces. If they do not have this opportunity, then the horses may begin to get nervous, which negatively affects their behavior in general.
• Excessively long claws can cause some discomfort. And if at first the cat can tolerate the pain that appears, then after a while he will walk with a limp, since painful sensations appear with every step.
• In some cases, sprains may also occur. The fact is that at the moment of a jump, with normal length of the claws, the blow is absorbed both by the pads and by the muscles located in the paws and forearms. If the claws are too long, then only the ligaments take the blow. Yes, it may not lead to serious injury, but, in any case, it will cause pain.
• After some time, chips and cracks may appear on the claws.
• Sometimes, if the length is too long, the claws can bend and begin to grow into the pad, constantly injuring it.
• Any other consequences associated with the fact that the cat did not have the opportunity to sharpen its claws can also be very serious.

DIY cat scratching post: diagram, dimensions

So we must not forget that any pet should be self-confident. Subconsciously, cats feel the need to be able to fight back if necessary. This is not so easy to do with long, blunt claws. And although they almost never have to seriously use their warlike abilities at home, this negatively affects their self-confidence.

Know! If your cat spoils furniture and things, then this does not indicate its evil intentions. Often this becomes possible due to a simple oversight.

In cases where the pet takes frequent walks along the street (at the dacha, in a private house, etc.), this problem disappears. In addition, you no longer have to find a solution on how to train your cat to use a scratching post. On the other hand, in such cases it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the animal’s claws. The fact is that if they are damaged or broken, it is advisable to isolate the cat from the street. And in this case, you will already need to learn how to make a scratching post for a cat. DIY scratching post for cats, photo:

Natural instincts

Among the common reasons why furniture is damaged is that it considers a particular place to be its territory and thus tries to express its claims to it. Note: they often “smoke” in the same places, which may indicate that the animal considers this place “its” own. The thing is that our furry friends have special glands on their pads that secrete a substance with which they “mark” territory.

In addition, sometimes cats just like to stretch a little, while lightly scratching the door frame. This, by the way, can apply to both an adult cat and even small teenage kittens. In any case, it is advisable to solve this problem once and for all. You can buy special devices from a pet store, or you can make a scratching post for your cat with your own hands. Cat scratching post house:

Doing something like this yourself is not so easy

What to consider when designing

Don’t think that since a cat scratcher is a fairly simple thing, it means that when making it, you don’t need to pay attention to certain rules and recommendations. Either way, something needs to be considered. Thus, the structure can be wall-mounted (corner or flat), or a portable “column” or “palm tree”, which are not intended for walls, but are placed anywhere in the room. A tall and large structure is better suited for large cats, while house complexes that have a rug with a bed and often “grow” right up to the ceiling are well suited for animals of any size. In any case, different types are designed to solve slightly different problems, so it’s not so easy to talk about which is better.

Note! In some places a whole large house complex would be appropriate, but in others it would be better to put up a compact column or palm tree: both mobile and stationary solutions are good in their own way.

Here are some tips that will help you avoid a number of mistakes so that you don’t have to correct them later:

• If the structure has a closed house, then it is advisable to place it on top, because in some cases, if the position is too low, cats may think that this is a toilet and use it, to put it mildly, for other purposes.
• If the bed or house will be located on top, then, in any case, the height of the scratching post should not exceed 1 meter and the thickness should not exceed 100 mm.
• If this is a complex and there are several beds, try to ensure that they are mounted at the same height. This way, none of your pets will feel like they are in a “lower” position in the cat hierarchy.
• Not all cats are interested in toys that hang on ropes. So, before hanging something like that, observe the character traits of your pet.
• It is better to make the “house” itself half open, and completely closed with a small hole. This will make the animals more confident.

Classification

When thinking about which design is best to choose and which types are most common, we can highlight several of the most popular varieties:

Now a few words about how to choose the size. In those cases, if you have one cat living in your house, then it is better to choose a small design. If there is a couple or a whole pride of cats, think about how to make a more complex and larger structure.

Manufacturing: how to make it yourself

Small step-by-step master classes will help you learn how to make a scratching post with your own hands, as well as how to repair it if it breaks.

From twine

Posts wrapped in rope are one of the most popular types of such devices. If you are in doubt about how to wrap the device, it is better to use natural twine. Here is a short master class step by step:

1. First of all, choose a foundation that is stable.
2. As a pillar, use a wooden round beam or a pipe made of any non-fragile material.
3. Connect the base and pipe and secure them.
4. Wrap it with rope, and this must be done tightly so that each turn is adjacent to the previous one. After 5-7 cm, additionally lubricate the pipe with glue for greater strength.
5. If desired, you can put a sun lounger on top.

You can also additionally decorate the resulting home claw board with certain decorative elements.

Flat design

Here's how to make a flat scratching post for cats with your own hands. The master class consists of the following:

1. Take a flat board (any available block will do).
2. Wrap it up. Carpet material is best suited.
3. Secure the carpet with a stapler or other types of fasteners.
4. Attach the nail clipper to the wall or floor.

Corner designs

In fact, the manufacturing principle itself resembles the previous scheme, with the only difference being that such a structure is manufactured in two planes. It is advisable, in this case, to attach it to the corner of the wall on both adjacent planes. Of course, there are other options for corner scratching posts that are more difficult to make, but this one is the simplest of those that you can make yourself.

Other ways

There are other options for how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands. Moreover, this can be done quickly and easily, with virtually no additional effort.

Few people think about it, but in fact, a simple log or log can be an excellent solution. Scratching it is a pleasure. In addition, you can easily get such a piece of wood: at the dacha, in the village or just in the city at a time when workers from city services are sawing down trees. And in extreme cases, this option can be used instead, as a temporary one.

Advice! As reviews from many breeders say, it is those options that are closest to what animals would encounter in natural conditions that are most suitable for them.

How to train

So now is the time to engage your pet with his new “toy”. How to train a cat to use a scratching post? With kittens you need to do this: place his paw with a pad on the surface of the scratching post and press lightly. He will release his claws. After several repetitions, he will already get used to the fact that it is in this place that he can scratch.

How to train an adult cat? This is also easy. If the animal is accustomed to scratching other places, then it should be weaned off. Strong odors are often used for this purpose. Treat these areas of the wall, doors or furniture with a special compound that can be purchased at a pet store. The pungent odor will be unpleasant to the animal, which will most likely leave its “object of attention.” You can attract a cat to the “right place” by impregnation. Cat scratcher:

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 in the process of 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 designs; 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 (save furniture from cat claws) very little is needed.

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).

• 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 instructions

• Let's prepare the foundation. We cut out 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 attached rope is at the bottom, and secure it with 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 adhere 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 sized 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.

Linen rope can be replaced with hemp rope; it is very pleasant for cat claws. As it is used, individual threads begin to hang from the rope, which can simply be cut with scissors for aesthetics. When the material becomes very frayed and begins to fall off the column, simply repeat the wrapping with a new rope.

Important! The ideal material for these purposes is sisal rope. However, it has a serious drawback: the high price. In addition, such rope is usually sold in large skeins, enough for three scratching posts. If you don't mind the money, you can buy it with a reserve.

On top of the scratching post you can place a shelf made of plywood or boards covered with carpet (you can put a layer of foam rubber between the base and the upholstery, but this is not at all necessary for the cat).

In order to attract your murzik to a new object and tell your pet that you tried just for him, you can hang a ball or other toy from the top of the structure on a long rope that will interest the little hunter and give him additional pleasure.

As you can see, very little time and effort is needed to solve the problem of torn wallpaper and establish an ideal relationship with your pet!

We told you why it is so important for a cat to have its own place in the house, how to choose a house that your pet will appreciate, and described in detail how to make a bed for it. In this article we will continue the topic of creating furniture for our pets with our own hands and tell you how to make a bed with a scratching post at home.

Materials for making a scratching post with a bed

• two rectangles made of chipboard or other solid wood material (sizes are selected individually)
• two fiberboard rectangles (same dimensions as chipboard rectangles)
• pipe made of solid material (diameter 80-110 mm)
• rope (cotton, sisal, jute)
• foam rubber
• metal strip (width about 7 cm, length depends on the size of the bed)
• self-tapping screws
• metal corners
• faux fur or upholstery fabric

Tools for making a scratching post with a bed

• jigsaw
• screwdriver
• drill
• hot glue gun
• furniture stapler
• scissors
• metal cutting scissors
• roulette
• stationery knife
• sandpaper
• pencil, marker

How to make a scratching post with a cat bed

Preparation

First you need to determine what size the structure will be for your cat. To determine the size of the bed, estimate how much space the cat occupies when curled up in a ball and when lying stretched out. Based on these measurements, select a rectangle of a suitable size from which to cut an oval bed. For the base, select a rectangle of the same size. If the base is smaller, the structure may be unstable and the top will look too massive.

To determine the height of the structure, extend the cat along the wall. The highest point that the cat reaches with its paws from the floor will determine the height of the scratching post. The height can be increased a little, since cats like to stretch out when sharpening their claws. It is not necessary to wrap the bottom of the pipe with rope; the cat will not use it anyway. We will cover the bottom of the pipe with the same fabric as the base.

Cut out the main parts of the structure

Having determined the dimensions of the base and bed, we cut out rectangles of the required size. If you only have a hand saw, then to get a straight cut, draw a line along which you will cut and attach a guide to it - another board with a straight edge. If you work at home, keep a vacuum cleaner on hand so you can immediately remove sawdust and avoid spreading it around the apartment.

Before cutting out an oval from chipboard, mark the center on both sides of the rectangle. This should be done in order to accurately determine the place to which we should screw the pipe in the future. (In the photo we marked the center with a marker for clarity; in reality, it is enough to draw small lines with a pencil.)

To cut an oval, you must first draw this oval. We described how to do this in the article.

It is convenient to first draw an oval on a piece of paper, then cut it out and trace it onto the chipboard.

You also need to cut out a rectangle and an oval from fiberboard. We will glue them on the bottom to cover the edges of the fabric. Before cutting out the oval from the fiberboard, mark the center of the rectangle. If there are any rough spots left on the edges of the fiberboard, sand them down with sandpaper.

Additionally, we cut out another oval from foam rubber according to the template. This will be a soft lining for the bed.

Now we cut out the side for the bed. It is also convenient to first cut it out of paper, and only then from metal, tracing the paper blank.

All that remains is to saw off a piece of pipe of the required length and reinforce it with wooden blocks. You can take any pipe of suitable diameter, for example, plastic, used for laying sewers. We took a thick cardboard pipe left over from a roll of linoleum. The wider the pipe, the more stable the structure will be, but the more rope will be required for winding.

We insert wooden blocks into both ends of the pipe and secure them with self-tapping screws. We will screw the base and the bed to these bars. You can simply screw the pipe with corners, but with bars the structure will be much more stable.

Assembly of the structure

Now you can start assembling the structure. We try on the pipe in the center of the rectangular base; you can outline it with a pencil for clarity. We remove the pipe and mark two points at which we will screw the base to the block. At the marked points we drill holes several millimeters deep. These recesses are needed so that the screws do not protrude beyond the plane of the base. Select the drill according to the diameter of the screw head.

We place the pipe on the floor, install the base on it, check that it is exactly in the center, and fasten it with self-tapping screws in the places where the recesses were drilled.

We check whether the pipe is well secured. For stability, you can screw the pipe to the base with metal corners. It is convenient to use corners for attaching drywall.

We cover the base with faux fur. We place the base on the fabric and measure the desired rectangle, taking into account processing allowances of 4-5 cm on each side.

We cut off this rectangle, turn it fur side down, put the pipe in the center and trace it. Cut out the outlined circle.

We also measure on the fabric and cut out a small piece that will cover the bottom of the pipe. You can wrap the entire pipe with rope, but, as we have already written, the cat will still not use the lower 10-15 cm of the scratching post, and a small piece of fabric will cost much less than the several meters of rope needed to wrap this part of the pipe.

Glue a piece of fabric to the bottom of the pipe. It is best to use a hot glue gun and appropriate glue. Strong-smelling glue like Momenta can scare away a cat.

We put a piece of fabric with a round neckline on the pipe and glue it to the base. We glue the round neckline well so that the cat does not tear off the fabric.

We turn the structure over and glue the edges of the fabric left for allowance to the base.

For reliability, we attach the fabric with a furniture stapler. Using a stapler, we attach the fabric only from the bottom so that the staples are not visible. If the staples do not go in completely, carefully hammer them in with a hammer.

We place an oval piece of fiberboard on the pipe so that its center coincides with the center of the pipe, draw a circle, and then cut it out. If there are any rough spots left on the edges of the fiberboard, we clean them with sandpaper. We put the oval on the pipe through the cut out round hole.

We screw the oval top in the same way as we screwed the base: we make two recesses in the center, install them evenly and screw them to a block inserted into the pipe.

Glue the foam. We cover the oval couch with faux fur. For strength, we similarly attach the fabric with a furniture stapler (only from the bottom).

Using a furniture stapler, we attach a rope on which the cat toy will hang. The staples must go through the rope, otherwise the cat will eventually pull the rope out from under the staples.

We cover the metal strip with foam rubber, which will serve as the side of the bed.

We trim off the excess so that the foam matches the rounded sides.

We cover the side with fur. We glue the fur only on the inner side.

We screw the side to the oval bed. First of all, screw the center of the side and check whether the edges are located equally relative to the middle. If all is well, screw the edge around the perimeter.

We stretch and smooth the fur on the side, glue it and staple it to the bottom of the bed.

We glue the fiberboard to the bottom of the bed to hide the glued fabric and staples.

We turn the structure over and glue a rectangular piece of chipboard to the bottom to hide the edges of the fabric and brackets. If this is not done, the fabric may crumble and peel off when the structure is moved across the floor.

Wrapping the scratching post

When choosing a rope for a scratching post, it is important to consider the following points:

• the rope must be wear-resistant;
• the rope should not have a strong smell (the smell may scare away the cat);
• it is better if the rope is made of natural fiber;
• aesthetics of the rope.

Cotton rope looks best, but it is also the most expensive. Sisal rope is also a good option. This rope is cheaper, but more “shaggy” and has a yellow or gray tint. Jute rope is even cheaper, but it is the darkest and does not look as aesthetically pleasing.

We wrap the rope tightly around the pipe. To keep the rope in place, glue 2-3 outer turns to the pipe.

All that remains is to attach the toy to the end of the rope hanging from the couch. As a toy, you can use a fur ball, a toy mouse, or a monkey fist knot. We attached a “fur eyeball”. We will tell you how to make it and other toys in the article “Toys for cats. We do it ourselves.”

Everything is ready.

Our cats immediately fell in love with their new furniture. However, it may happen that the cat will need time to get used to the new thing. It is important to be patient. Recommendations on how to help a cat get used to a new place can be found in the article.

To clean and sharpen their claws, pets will tear at all things in the house that are suitable for this purpose. A scratching post is an indispensable device that saves furniture, carpets and wallpaper on the walls. Of course, it’s easier for the owner to come to a pet store and buy a finished product. But it’s cheaper, although more difficult, to make the original cat “scratch” yourself.

What is a cat scratching post?

Free-living cats use trees to groom their claws. Pets have to scratch walls, furniture and door frames. The owner immediately understands whether he needs a claw hammer (in English - a scratcher). This device helps cats clean their claws of horny scales that flake off and cause itching. In addition, scratches indicate that the territory belongs to the cat living here.

Daniel Yoder, an American from Seattle, invented and made the first scratching post for sale. In 1932, he brought a black and white cat into his home. Unfortunately, history is silent about what it was called. At the same time, Yoder opened a company and began selling products for cats living indoors. And three years later, he officially registered his copyright for the invention, called the “standing cat scratcher.” The device was very simple: a block of wood was covered with coarse fabric, which was secured along it with a wooden rod. The column itself was connected to the stand with a narrow protruding part. From above, so that the edges of the fabric did not fray, they were pressed with metal brackets. There is a hole hollowed out inside the wooden block for the catnip liner. It is difficult to judge how strong and durable this design was. But getting a patent proves that the scratch stand sold well.

The first scratch post, patented by Daniel D. Yoder on June 25, 1935, had a simple design

The scratching post can be made separately or with a house or a shelf-bed. It is always included in large play towns for cats, which are sold in pet stores.

Types of scratching posts by location:

• wall-mounted - mounted vertically on a door or wall;
• floor - located on stands;
• double - have both a fabric and an open wooden surface for scratching;
• corner - designed for placement on door jambs and walls;
• vertical tension “trees” from floor to ceiling.

The shape of a cat’s “scratch” can be any, for example, in the form of an animal, a fish, or the silhouette of an exotic plant. Here, as they say, the scope of imagination is not limited.

How to make a scratching post at home

To make your own scratching post, you need to draw up a drawing or diagram of the future product with exact dimensions. The length of the surface of the scratching post is such that the pet can freely stretch out to its full height. This is at least 60–95 centimeters. Materials are selected with safety in mind. The scratching post must be stable, withstand the weight of the cat and not fall if he jumps on it.

Natural materials for making scratching posts:

• parts of wood (birch or maple);
• woven/twisted hemp products (carpet backings, ropes);
• jute hemp;
• tapestry furniture fabrics;
• corrugated cardboard boxes;
• sisal ropes or pressed fabric.

Do not use metal nails or staples to secure the stand, fabric upholstery or rope in places where the animal could pull them out or cut themselves on them. What if a cat swallows an iron part? Therefore, all metal parts for connecting fragments of the scratching post are positioned so that they are not visible from the outside of the product. Nails and staples are hammered down to the base.

PVA glue is a safe material for outdoor use.

When choosing a surface for scratching, do not use cotton fabric or twisted ropes, from which fibers immediately fall out when pressed. There have been cases where pets have torn off pieces of material from the scratching post and swallowed them. They also do not use plastic, which has an unpleasant odor, and cats are very sensitive to it - they will immediately reject the proposed product. Cardboard tubes are not suitable for scratching posts - they become loose and quickly break.

A scratching post will be a good alternative to furniture and wallpaper for your pet.

"Scratch" in the shape of a pillow

I chose the simplest version of the cat “scratch” - a pillow stuffed with padding polyester or technical wool, half-woolen batting: whatever was at hand was used. Cutting out a blank for it is the easiest way. I take a piece of white soap, since the fabric is dark, and use a ruler to mark the length of one side on the fold of the fabric - 50 cm, and on each of the other three sides - 51 cm, along with the seam and fold allowance. I needed a piece of upholstery fabric measuring 102–103 cm in length and 51 cm in width. If there is no piece of furniture upholstery of the required size, we connect together scraps of different fabrics. Of course, you can use sisal fabric, but you have to go to the store to buy it. I basted two seams from the inside out and stitched them. One side of the pillow remains open. I sewed it 10 cm from the edges to the center. I turned the blank right side out and stuffed it with padding polyester from an old jacket - not enough. Added batting. It remains to sew up the last 30 centimeters. I did not use foam rubber for stuffing, because I know from experience that it crumbles from claws and will begin to spill out of the holes left by scratching. To make it interesting for the cat to scratch her claws, I sewed a ball made of a piece of fur on a 20 cm long rope to the surface. I don’t have carpeting on the floor, so I put the finished scratching post pillow in a tray made of a cardboard box with sides 5 cm high. I placed it against the wall. My cat did not immediately accept the work; at first she played with the ball, and after a few days she began scratching the pillow.

Wood floor sharpener

To make a floor scratching post, you will need thick coarse fabric or hemp rope, which is used to wrap the base - a wooden board or piece of plywood 30 cm wide and 60 to 80 cm long.

Operating procedure:

1. We put the fabric on both boards, glue it with PVA glue, and for additional strength we sew the edges folded inward. One of the boards will be the scratching post, and the other will be its vertical support.
2. Now we wrap the rope around the scratching area. To get a strong rope surface, there is a trick: wet the hemp with water and wrap the base, securing the ends with staples. Leave until completely dry. Then we glue the ends of the rope with PVA and pull out the staples or hammer them in.
3. We cover the bottom edge of the board with plush or other decorative fabric.
4. We fix the scratching post on the stand obliquely using two boards at right angles. We use nails or screws from the back of the board.

Photo gallery: options for floor scratching posts

There are many options for the location of a floor scratching post, for example, you can simply put it on the floor, placing a small block under it
Cats, like people, love unusual objects; they will definitely like the log scratching post
A cat can also sleep on a wavy scratching post. To make scratching posts, you can use not only hemp rope, but also cardboard
Cardboard scratching posts are less durable, but more environmentally friendly. A scratching post on a stand made of two boards with a hemp rope covering will definitely attract the attention of your pet.

Wall-mounted corner scratching post

Attaching such a scratch requires holes for placement on the wall. Drywall will perfectly hold the product. On a wall made of putty, the corner scratching post is less easily secured.

For work we will need:

• sharp scissors;
• screwdriver;
• plywood panels in the form of a board 20 cm wide;
• marker or pencil;
• ruler with a length of 60 cm;
• electric drill;
• screws and anchor plugs for them in the amount of 8 pieces;
• a ball of sisal rope.

Let's prepare two identical pieces of plywood panels. We begin work by marking the holes on both workpieces, measuring with a ruler and marking 4 future holes with a pencil.

Assembling the scratching post structure:

1. We place the plywood on a thick block and drill 8 holes with a drill.
2. We attach both blanks to the wall at the place of fastening and use a pencil to mark the locations of the drilled holes so that they coincide.
3. We place plugs for screws on the pencil marks.
4. We wrap the sisal rope tightly around the plywood, first laying the end of the rope from top to bottom, and laying the turns so as to cover it completely. We put screws into the holes when winding. We untangle the second end of the rope and use a screwdriver to wrap it under the coils. We cut off the excess with scissors.
5. We mount both parts of the scratching post on the wall, using a screwdriver to screw the screws into the plugs on the wall.
6. We cover the upper edges with scraps of plywood or cover them with decorative fabric.

It is better to place such a scratching post in the corridor or in the corner of the room.

Photo gallery: homemade corner “scratches”

A corner scratching post can be made by simply covering the corner with carpet from floor to ceiling
A corner scratching post made of two halves is the simplest version of the product
You can use any upholstery fabric to make a scratching post.
Hanging the corner scratching post requires only two holes in the wall Faux fur details will attract your pet to use the scratching post for its intended purpose

The simplest option for a corner scratching post is to cover the walls with carpet to any height, even up to the ceiling. It will be very pleasant for your pet to climb on it and sharpen its claws.

DIY claw post

To work, you will need two important wooden parts: a beam 75 cm long, one side of which is 5 cm wide, and a support stand made of plywood, glued in several layers to a thickness of 3-4 cm. It’s good if you have a piece of an old tabletop or thick board. The shape of the stand is round or square, with a diameter of 35 cm. The entire structure will be heavy enough, weighing from four kilograms, so that the cat does not drop it. The height of the scratching post corresponds to the length of the pet with outstretched paws. Before starting work, dry the wooden parts in the sun.

The procedure for assembling the scratching post:

1. We draw two lines equal to the diameter of the shape of a circle or square of the support, at right angles, their intersection is the center of the support. Then we draw a square, one side of which corresponds to the size of the side of the beam. We divide it into four fragments of 2 cm each, and put a point in the center of each of them. This is a mark for self-tapping screws. You can also fasten it with long nails. We draw in the same sequence on the back side of the stand.
2. Glue the stand with the block.
3. We strengthen the block on the stand with nails or self-tapping screws. We nail or screw them into the stand, placing it on the lower end of the bar.
4. The wooden support does not need to be painted if it looks attractive. To cover it with fabric, cut out a piece as wide as the diameter of the stand, adding 3–4 cm of support thickness and a 5 cm allowance for loose fitting. Inside the piece, measure the center and cut out a square to fit the size of the block.
5. We fasten the end of the rope from below with a tight knot, sewing with thick synthetic thread for strength. Coat the entire block with PVA glue. We wind the turns tightly and often so that the wooden surface of the block is not exposed. We tie the end of the rope and sew it with thick threads.

   The stand for the scratching post must be strong and wide so that the pet does not turn the product over by climbing onto it with a running start.

6. We are waiting for the glue to dry under the rope. In the meantime, we are preparing an object that will become a decorative decoration at the upper end of the column. This is a switch cover or a miniature fur pillow. A cat toy of the appropriate size is suitable for this. We attach it with glue or another convenient way. A hanging string with a ball will complement the scratching post and will attract the cat's attention.

   A homemade scratching post can complement the interior of the room in appearance, fulfilling its main purpose

7. We trust the strength of the creation of our skillful hands. Now we call the pet - the claw sharpener is ready.

A cat “scratch” in the form of a column does not need to be wrapped in rope or sheathed with fabric with filler. Cats will like an uncoated wooden block just as much as a standard device. But before use, it is washed with soap or a solution of potassium permanganate to remove dirt and dried for several days in the sun. Don't be surprised if it cracks over time - this is a property of natural wood.

Video: making a scratching post on a double stand from a dry tree branch

A heavy structure made from a dry tree branch with a stand is the simplest version of a floor scratching post, but it requires the ability to perform carpentry work. You need to choose a strong branch, with a small number of knots, with one or two forks, so that the cat can sit on it.

Nail sharpener with cardboard house

The model of a removable scratch with a house made of corrugated cardboard packaging was undoubtedly invented by a woman. Not owning any construction tools, she gave her cat a wonderful gift. Even if such a structure is short-lived, it is not stuffy in a cardboard house, and the hanging scratching post is convenient to change.

Cardboard scratching posts are short-lived, but easy to make

I liked the idea so much that I decided to make a similar one. For the work, 8 cardboard boxes were needed, and 4 of them were the same size, 23 cm high and 29 cm wide. The rest were smaller. So, I laid out the box for the first floor of the house. I pasted sheets from other boxes onto the “walls” to make them thicker and stronger. I drew a circle on the side with a compass for the entrance with a diameter of 18 cm and after 10 cm I marked a circle for ventilation with a diameter of 6 cm. In the smaller side of the box there was a hole of 8 cm. I cut out the marked holes with a stationery knife. For the second floor I made an entrance of the same diameter as on the first, but on the smaller side of the box. I placed three 8 cm wide holes in the side walls on both sides. Now it’s the turn of the hanging scratching post. In the six circles remaining from the cut holes, I pierced holes in the center with an awl, then put the circles on a pencil, removed and glued three pieces of PVA. I cut out the remaining parts of the scratching post, 6 cm wide, in the amount of 30 pieces, using the first circle as a stencil. Having made holes for the cord, I glued them together, and then pulled the rope through with a pencil. I assembled a scratching post from 8- and 6-centimeter disks, pierced the wall of the house, inserted a rope and tied a knot near the edge of the disks, and threaded the long ends further inside and lowered them to the floor. The cat will not pass by the hanging ribbon. Then I taped the bottom and top of the boxes together with adhesive tape. I stacked the finished frames of the house on top of each other and secured them with glue. I added three layers of cardboard to the roof. I left the house to dry until tomorrow. I decided not to make a second cardboard scratching post-mat, as in the photo. She placed a scratch pillow on the roof of the house. However, the ceiling could not bear the weight of the cat and caved in. In general, the experience can be considered successful, but a serious drawback is that the cardboard “scratch” is nothing but garbage.

I advise everyone to use corrugated cardboard to construct complex play complexes for cats, especially if they do not have engineering knowledge. This will help you clarify the dimensions and estimate what the finished product will look like.

Scratching post with house and bed

The design of a scratching post with a house on a stand, made of plywood and upholstered with furniture tapestry or carpet, requires helpers to make it. It is difficult to assemble the parts alone. It is better to use glue to assemble the house, rather than steel corners, if you make it without a scratch post on the roof. This is safer for the animal.

To make a scratching post with a house on a stand, you will need an assistant

The order of assembly of product parts:

Claw in the play complex

The most difficult thing to do with your own hands is an entertainment complex for cats with scratching posts, a house, beds, ladders, hammocks, etc. However, it’s worth a try, although the costs are considerable. The main advantage of such a homemade design is strength and durability, since it is made of thick wooden blocks and plywood. If you have carpentry tools (electric jigsaw, drill, stapler and screwdriver) and experience in assembling furniture, then let's start making a play gift for cats.

We will need the following materials:

• jute rope 105–110 meters long (preferably with a reserve) and 1 cm thick;
• 5 types of metal corners from small (15×20 mm) to safety (55×25 mm);
• 3 bars, one of which is 2.2 meters high;
• 6 sheets of plywood 1.2 cm thick and 75x50 cm in size;
• packaging of staples for a stapler;
• Whatman paper or cardboard as a stencil with slots marking the location of the support pillars;
• carpet - 5 meters.

Having purchased the listed materials, we bring everything home and get to work. Diagram of the complex: three pillars with five shelves and a rectangular house are fixed on a stand.