How to Make a Scratching Pole for a Cat

Is your cat scratching up your furniture and curtains leaving them in ruins? Before you throw the cat out, or have it declawed in desperation, consider making a simple scratching pole. If you can make a scratching pole that your cat prefers over anything else, you may solve your problem and save your furniture and curtains from further destruction. It is actually quite easy to make a scratching pole for a cat.

Things You'll Need

  • One board 10-inches-by-10-inches
  • Two boards 2-inches-by-4-inches-by-18-inches
  • Nails about 10 three-inches long
  • Carpet remnant 16-inches-by-18-inches
  • Carpet remnant 12-inches-by-22-inches
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Toy (optional)
  • Catnip (optional)
  • Carpet glue
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the base where you will attach the scratching pole so it will stand up. This piece of wood should be approximately 10-inches-by-10-inches and about one-inch thick. Next, you will cut the pieces to make the pole that will go in the center of the base. From a board 2-inches-by-4-inches cut two pieces that are each 18-inches long to make the scratching pole.

    • 2

      Cover the base with your 12-inches-by-22-inches carpet remnant wrapping the carpet all the way around the board. You may want to cover the board with carpet glue before putting the carpet around it for a more secure attachment. Then use your staple gun every inch or two to secure the carpet to the board, covering the sides of the board as well.

    • 3

      Nail your two boards that are 2-inches-by-4-inches-by-18-inches together making one 18-inch long four-by-four.

    • 4

      Paint the four 18-inch sides with carpet glue and then wrap 16-inches-by-18-inches carpet remnants around the pole. Do not paint the top or bottom.

    • 5

      Staple every inch or two to secure the carpet to the pole, taking special care on the edges to put the staples closer together.

    • 6

      Nail the pole to the center of the base using several nails to secure. Set the pole on a flat secure surface. Lay the base on top of the pole and hammer the nails through. Turn it over.

    • 7

      Sprinkle a little catnip on your new scratching pole to attract your cat's interest. Once interested, you probably won't need to repeat the application. You can also attach a toy to the top of the pole to help attract your cat. Hammer a nail into the piece leaving about a quarter of an inch sticking out. Tie a piece of 8-inch yarn around the nail head and then tie a toy such as a ball or toy mouse filled with catnip onto the other end of the string. Allow it to hang down and entice your cat.