How to Make Cardboard Scratchers for Cats

Scratching is a natural behavior for your feline friend. Many people believe it is an aggressive act to destroy furniture or other items. Cats scratch chairs, couches and other textured items to remove uncomfortable husks from around their claws. They also scratch to stretch out their bodies and to mark their territory. Cat scratching posts are often quite expensive and many cats refuse to use them or grow bored with the post. Making a scratching post of cardboard is an economical way to provide a safe area for the cat to scratch.

Things You'll Need

  • Carpet scrap or old rug
  • Utility knife
  • Plywood (optional)
  • Large pieces of cardboard
  • Pencil
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • Catnip
  • Sharp scissors
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Instructions

  1. Carpet Post

    • 1

      Cut the carpet scrap so it is approximately 32 by 20 inches. Use a utility knife and cut along the back of the carpet to make this easier. Place it on a piece of plywood or other surface to prevent damage to your work surface. Another option is to use an old rug that has cloth fibers.

    • 2

      Set the carpet scrap on a large piece of cardboard and trace around it with a pencil.

    • 3

      Cut out the rectangle on the cardboard with a sharp pair of scissors.

    • 4

      Glue the back of the carpet to the cardboard with the hot glue gun. Every time you find your cat scratching on something other than the scratching mat, pick the cat up and place it on the mat. Gently lift its paw and rub it along the carpet fibers to demonstrate how effective it is for scratching.

    Disposable Mat

    • 5

      Cut out four square shapes -- approximately 28 by 28 inches -- out of the piece of cardboard.

    • 6

      Set one cardboard piece on the floor and sprinkle it with a small amount of catnip.

    • 7

      Attach the second layer of cardboard on top of the first by using a hot glue gun.

    • 8

      Sprinkle the top cardboard with catnip and glue another piece of cardboard on top. Repeat this with the third layer. Now you have a thick cardboard mat.

    • 9

      Scratch the top section of the cardboard with the pointed end of your scissors. Do this repeatedly over the surface. This provides an effective surface for your cat to scratch. Pick up your cat and gently rub her paw over the surface to encourage her to use the mat. Discard the mat once it is worn out and make another one.