How to Make a PVC Cat Scratching Post

Any cat owner knows the heartbreak of sharp cat claws on newly upholstered furniture. Better yet is the pain of snagged and pilling carpet when your cat chooses the living room floor as a scratching post. The best solution to both of these problems is to provide your cat with a scratching post of his own. Scratching posts are available in pet stores for a pretty hefty price, but can be made at home easily. Building your own gives you the ability to customize your cat's scratching post to your cat's preferences, which is even better for your home and your cat.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-foot square plywood board
  • 6-inch PVC pipe, cut to length
  • Pencil
  • Epoxy glue
  • Carpet scraps
  • Heavy-duty staples and staple gun
  • Sisal rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the plywood (or have the plywood cut) into a 2-foot square. This will make the base of the scratching post.

    • 2

      Cut the PVC pipe (or have it cut) so that it is long enough for your cat to get a full stretch when he scratches it.

    • 3

      Place the PVC pipe lengthwise in the center of the plywood base. Draw a circle around the pipe using a pencil.

    • 4

      Apply epoxy glue onto the circle you drew. Place the PVC pipe onto the glue and hold it steady until the glue dries. The glue should dry within three to five minutes.

    • 5

      Fit the carpet scraps onto the base of the scratching post, and around the center post. Attach them to the base using heavy duty staples.

    • 6

      Attach the end of the sisal rope to the bottom of the post using a dab of epoxy glue. Hold the rope in place until the glue dries (three to five minutes).

    • 7

      Tightly wind the the sisal rope around the PVC post. Be sure to wrap the rope snugly around the post. It is better to wrap tightly and run out of rope than to wrap too loosely and have to redo all your hard work when your cat tears the rope loose.

    • 8

      Secure the top end of the rope to the post using another dab of epoxy glue. Hold the end in place until the glue dries.

    • 9

      Test the scratching post for safety, making sure that the post is secure on the base, the carpet is secured to the base, and the rope is wound tightly and securely to the post. If the scratching post passes your safety inspection, it is ready for your cat to play with and enjoy.