Building a Carpet Scratching Post for Cats

Cats love to scratch, even if they have been declawed. If they are not given something appropriate to scratch, they will usually go for your expensive living room furniture or rugs and carpets. There are plenty of scratching posts available on the market for a price, but one can be made simply with only a few materials. These can even be recycled or reclaimed materials that you can acquire for free. This is a great way to go, because cats can be picky, and it is frustrating to spend a lot on an item for your cat that goes untouched.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 square pieces of plywood, about 15x15 inches, and about 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 wooden post, 4x4 inches by 30 inches long
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Staples
  • Carpet, cut into two 18x18-inch pieces and one 17x32-inch piece
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wrap the 4x4 post with the 17x32 inch piece of carpet. The 32-inch end should be wrapped longways, so that the post is covered by carpet with one extra inch on either end, and 1 extra inch around the circumference. Staple the carpet around the post on the top, bottom, and side so that it is completely covered.

    • 2

      Wrap one plywood board with a 18x18 inch piece of carpet so that the top is completely covered, with several inches of overlap on all sides of the bottom. Staple the carpet in place.

    • 3

      Flip the covered plywood board over to expose the wood. Measure and mark the center. Place this board carpet-side-down on top of the post, and nail it through the center to connect the two pieces of wood.

    • 4

      Flip the structure back over, so that you have a carpeted base to your scratching post. Measure and mark the center of the other piece of plywood. Place this on top of the post and nail it down.

    • 5

      Wrap the top board in the remaining piece of carpet, and staple the carpet to the underside of the board.