How to Build a Cat Sisal Tree

Cats need to claw to keep their claws healthy and to stretch and exercise. But if you don't want your cat to use your furniture or woodwork as a scratching post, you can build him a scratching-post tree using sisal-fiber rope, plywood and carpet remnants.

Things You'll Need

  • About 400 feet of sisal rope
  • Two four-foot lengths of two-by-four-inch wood
  • Two two-foot square pieces of plywood
  • One one-and-a-half foot square piece of plywood
  • Carpet remnant or heavy upholstery fabric and batting
  • Four quarter-inch-diameter, three-and-a-half-inch long lag bolts and washers
  • Drill and drill bit, including one for countersinking
  • Ruler and pencil
  • Staple gun
  • Staples for staple gun
  • Glue
  • Hammer
  • Wood clamps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use the wood glue to glue the two squares of plywood together to create a sturdy, heavy base. Clamp. Allow to dry thoroughly.

    • 2

      Place the base on the floor in front of you. Measure eight inches in from the right side and a foot from the top edge; drill a hole at the spot. Measure eight inches in from the left side and a foot from the top edge; drill a hole there as well. Countersink the holes so the bolt heads won't scratch the floor. Take the other sheet of plywood, which will be a shelf for the cat to sit on. Measure four and a half inches in from the right side and nine inches down from the top edge; drill a hole at the spot. Measure four and a half inches in from the left side and four and a half inches up; drill another hole here as well. Drill centered holes in the ends of each two-by-four.

    • 3

      Cover the base with heavy upholstery fabric and batting or with carpet. Attach this covering with staples on the bottom of the base, so the cat will not be able to get at the staples. Cover the smaller piece of plywood in a similar manner. So you can put the lag bolts in the holes, cut the covering so it is attached by a flap; after assembly, you'll glue the flaps down.

    • 4

      Staple the sisal rope to one end of the post. Starting at the bottom, wrap the sisal snugly around each post. Tap the rope with the hammer every few turns to keep it snug. When you reach the top, attach the end of the sisal with another staple.
      Repeat with the other post.

    • 5

      Slip the washers over the lag bolts. Pass a bolt through the base into a two-by four post. Position the post so one of its four-inch sides faces the base's corner. Tighten the lag bolt securely. Repeat with the other post. Position the shelf atop the posts and attach it securely with the other lag bolts. Glue the flaps of covering down so the bolts are covered.