How To Make A Cat Scratching Post

Want to know how to make a cat scratching post? Making a cat scratching post is an inexpensive way to prevent your cat from clawing your furniture or home. A scratching post should be placed in an area where the cat spends a lot of time. If the cat has already scratched something in your home, try placing the new scratching post in the same area so your cat will see this as an approved alternative for scratching.

To make a cat scratching post, you will need:

• 1 square of plywood. You will want at least 16 inch square, but it can be any piece of plywood you have around your home.
• 1 square of carpet that is at least two inches larger than the size of the plywood.
• 1 wide wooden dowel or a piece of a fence post. The post should be between two and three feet tall
• 1 roll of 3/8" sisal rope or other strong, durable rope

1. Cover the plywood with the carpet. Cut the carpet down to the size of the plywood square, leaving one inch of extra carpet on each side. Trace the shape of the post in the center of the carpet square and cut out a hole where the post will be placed. Using a glue gun, attach the carpet square to the plywood. Fold the edges under the plywood to make clean edges and glue or staple in place. You can select a carpet that will fit the look of the room and help the cat scratching post blend into your home.
2. Attach the post. Holding the dowel or fence post flat against the center of the plywood, nail the fence post to the plywood. our nails should be best to keep it securely attached and even. Check to be sure it is level.
3. Wrap the post. Tightly wind the sisal rope around the post. Be sure to periodically check to make sure there are no spaces between the rope. Attach with glue and nail the ends in place.
4. Allow to dry. let the glue dry and be sure everything is in place before allowing your cat to use the post.
5. Make it appealing. While cats will be attracted to the rope as a good scratching surface, you can rub some catnip on the new scratching post to make it more appealing at first. Offer plenty of positive reenforcement when your cat scratches the new post as opposed to the furniture.