How to Build a Cat Scratch Tower

If you have a cat but do not want to purchase an expensive cat scratching tower, consider making your own with sisal rope. Sisal rope is made from natural fibers, and often is used by gardeners and for bundling objects when they are shipped. Manufacturers use sisal fabric and rope for cat scratching towers because the material is easy for cats to shred, which is a natural behavioral need. You can make your own cat scratching post in less than an hour with a simple trip to your local hardware store.

Things You'll Need

  • Work gloves
  • ½-inch-wide, non-oiled sisal rope
  • Hammer
  • 35-inch-tall cedar post, 4 inches in diameter
  • ½-inch roofing nails
  • ¾-inch plywood, 16-inch-by-16-inch in diameter
  • 4 coated sinker nails, 1/4 inch
  • Catnip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wear work gloves before handling the sisal rope to avoid irritation to your hands. Hammer one end of the sisal rope to the top of the cedar post with roofing nails. Use a nail to place one end of the sisal rope at the top of your cedar post.

    • 2

      Wrap the sisal rope around the top of your cedar post while continuing to nail it with roofing nails every ½ to 1 inch. Add the roofing nails to the rope around the post until you reach the beginning of the rope.

    • 3

      Begin to wrap the sisal rope tightly around the post. Make sure there is not space between the rope as you wrap it around the cedar post. You will need to wrap the sisal rope very tightly. Once you reach the bottom, nail the end of the rope to the post all the way around until you are back to the first nail.

    • 4

      Cut off the excess sisal rope. Save any extra rope to rewrap the post once it your cat wears out the rope.

    • 5

      Nail the plywood base to the post with the sinker nails. Use four coated sinker nails and a hammer to push the nails through the bottom of your base into the bottom of the cedar post.

    • 6

      Place catnip around the scratching post to attract your cat.