How to Make Cat Scratching Climbing Posts

Cats love to scratch. It sharpens their claws and leaves a visible calling card---an obvious mark that can be easily identified by other cats. It is the cat's way of saying, "Honey, I'm home!" Additionally, cats like to climb. It affords them a better view of the world. But who has not seen a trembling kitten clinging to a branch unable to get down? If you can transfer a cat's destructive behavior to something safe, like a scratching post, you can avoid injury to your furniture and avoid cat-in-tree house calls from the fire department. By making the post yourself, you can save money and customize it to match your furnishings. To make a post that will allow your cat to scratch and climb safely, follow these instructions.

Things You'll Need

  • One square of plywood, 16-by-16 inches, 3 inches thick Two squares of stiff carpet, 24-by-24 inches Scissors or utility knife Staple gun and staples One wood post, 4-by-4 inches, 4 feet long Bundle of non oiled sisal rope, ½ inch wide (approximately 200 feet) Hammer Eight brad nails, 1 inch long Measuring tape Marker Eight sinker nails, 3½ inches long One square of plywood, 10-by-10 inches, 1 inch thick
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cover the large square of plywood with carpet. Cut the carpet at the corners and remove excess carpet material. Secure the carpet at the bottom edge of the square with staples. This is the base for your scratching post.

    • 2

      Nail one end of the sisal rope to the top of the post using a brad nail. Pulling the rope tightly, nail the rope all the way around the top of the post, using one nail in the center of each side.

    • 3

      Pull the rope tightly and wrap the sisal around the post, leaving no spaces between the layers. When you reach the bottom of the post, secure the sisal around the bottom with nails, placing one nail in the center of each side of the post.

    • 4

      Measure the base with the measuring tape and mark the center with a small X. Turn the base over and repeat this, making an X on both sides.

    • 5

      Place the base on top of the rope covered post, centering the post on the X. Join the two pieces by hammering four sinker nails into the bottom of the post, through the base placing one nail in each portion of the X.

    • 6

      Measure the smaller plywood square and mark the center with an X on both sides. Centering it on the top end of the post, attach it with four sinker nails.

    • 7

      Cover the square with carpet the same way you covered the base. Secure the carpet to the bottom of the square with staples. This will provide climbing cats with a place to lounge and enjoy the view.