How to Build a Cat Scratching Post & Climber

If you have an indoor cat, you have more than likely experienced scratched or completely ruined furniture. Cat scratching is annoying to pet owners, but a natural cat behavior. Cats scratch their claws on furniture, floors, trees and table legs to mark territory and to sharpen their claws for use in catching prey and self-protection. Build your cat a scratching post and climber to concentrate her scratching away from your furniture.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden plank, 1 inch thick and 2 feet long by 1 foot wide
  • Wooden post, 4 inches wide by 4 inches thick and 6 feet long
  • Power screwdriver
  • Sandpaper
  • Shag carpet
  • Utility knife
  • Carpet glue
  • Staples
  • Staple gun
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set one narrow end of the wooden post into the center of the 1-inch-thick plank and drive a single wood screw through the plank and into the end of the post. The plank will form a base and support piece for the post so that your cat cannot knock it over.

    • 2

      Sand all surfaces of the wooden post and bottom support. Sand by hand with sandpaper until you have rounded down all corners and edges.

    • 3

      Measure and cut two pieces of carpeting to fit over the post and the bottom support piece. You should have one piece of carpeting 18 inches wide and 73 inches long, and another piece 16 inches wide and 28 inches long.

    • 4

      Cut out a 4-inch-square hole in the center of the smaller piece of carpeting to accommodate the post.

    • 5

      Staple through the overlapped section of the carpet and on the end of the post as your assistant continues to hold the carpet taut.

    • 6

      Apply glue to the top of the base piece and set the carpeting into place.

    • 7

      Wrap the carpet down over the edges of the wooden plank and use staples to attach the carpet to the underside of the plank. Allow the carpet glue to dry overnight before you let your cat play with and on the scratching post.