Cat Scratching Post Ideas

Easiest

• Cut strips of cardboard and stack them on top of one another until they're about 6 inches high, then glue the layers together. Place the creation flat on the floor and sprinkle catnip over it to get your cat to scratch.

  The downside to this design is that it doesn't last long. Once the cat scratches it, it begins breaking, and it usually doesn't take a cat long to scratch all the way through. Of course, it's easy to replace every couple of weeks or so.

Dimensions

• For a traditional scratching post, begin with a base and make it wide and sturdy. If the base is flimsy or not wide enough, the post might tip over, which might stop you cat from using it.

  The height of the post should be just a couple of inches higher than your cat when she sits up on her hind legs and stretches out her front paws. This is a common scratching position, and if the post doesn't accommodate your cat, she might go back to scratching furniture.

  The width of the post isn't quite as important, but many cats like to get on top of their scratching posts and survey the ground below. If you would like your cat to be able to do this, make sure the post is wide enough. You can also add another wide piece of wood on top to make a platform.

Materials

• Wood is the most common material for building a scratching post. Use wood screws to attach the tall post to the middle of the wide base, then cover the post with material your cat will scratch on, like sisal rope. Sisal rope has a slight amount of give, so a cat's claws sink into it (which is most enjoyable for a cat), but also is very strong and doesn't fray easily, so it lasts a long time. Wind the sisal rope tightly around the post, working from the base upward. Make sure there aren't any gaps, and use staples, brads or nails to attach the rope to the top of the post.

Extras

• To make the post even more fun for your cat, attach a ball full of catnip by a string to the top of the post with a staple.