Making a scratching post with your own hands. Cat scratching post: do-it-yourself manufacturing features

Many do not get a cat for fear of torn or upholstery. Even the most affectionate representative of this family will arrange "scratches" in or chairs. This happens on an instinctive level, after all, the blood of a wild beast flows in them. In nature, they sharpen their claws on tree bark, grass or earth. The best solution is a do-it-yourself scratching post for cats, which can be easily made at home. Today, the advice of the Homius editors will help create ideal, and most importantly, harmless conditions for sharpening claws for your pet.

It is impossible to wean a cat from the instinct to sharpen its claws, it is in their genes. Pet owners need to know why this is happening:

The claws are constantly growing, they are overgrown with a layer of rough skin, causing discomfort to the animal during outdoor games. Therefore, the cat tries to get rid of this cover on a comfortable surface.
While the cat sharpens its claws, it gets great pleasure.
The pet marks its territory. Between the pads of the fingers are glands that secrete a secretion with a subtle odor that only animals can smell. Thus, they mark personal possessions.

This is interesting! In pet stores, you can buy special multi-colored anti-scratches that look like manicures. But not all cats will like this innovation, and the cost of a DIY scratching post will be less.

Claw classification

The most common type of scratching post is a vertical post wrapped with twine. In addition, accessories can be classified according to the following criteria.

Classification	Description
By shape	Floor, hanging, corner in the form of a ring or column.
By type of construction	In the form of a house, multi-tiered, complemented by shelves or bridges, a town with toys.
According to the material of manufacture	A scratching post can be made, wood with twine, fabric is also suitable.
By size	Miniature, medium, large and monolithic.

cat scratching post

How to quickly and easily make a simple scratching post for a cat with your own hands

There are a lot of options for making scratching posts, you can supplement them with interesting toys, or bridges. Consider the simple examples of the principle of creating the most common designs.

Do-it-yourself claw-bed made of cardboard

To make the most budgetary and simple scratching pad, you will need the following materials and tools:

cardboard or corrugated board;
stationery knife;
piece of fabric;
thick paper;
adhesive tape.

Then perform the following steps:

Disassemble the boxes, draw strips more than 10 centimeters wide on the surface.
Cut strips.
Then you need to twist one strip and glue. This will be the middle or core of the scratching post.
Then wind all other strips in the same way around the core, periodically fixing the layers with glue or adhesive tape. Particular attention should be paid to the last layer.
Wrap with cloth and secure.
Put the design on thick paper, circle the perimeter, cut it out and fix the base on the scratching post.

You can watch the master class in more detail in the video below:

scratching post couch

How to make a cat scratching post out of wood

Another budget option is a wooden scratching post. A small log or stump picked up in the forest is suitable as a base. Previously, the workpiece should be cleaned with a brush with a hard bristle and dried in a darkened room.

Wrap the workpiece with twine completely or individual fragments.
Fix the workpiece on a wide base, for this use the corners, and a drill.
Tie some interesting little toys to the top of the scratching post.

Ready-made sharpeners in stores are wrapped with a special tourniquet, and not every seller will answer the name of the rope for scratching posts. If you wish, you can look for a sisal thread, but any tourniquet or twine will completely replace it.

scratching post

How to make do-it-yourself floor scratching posts for cats with a photo of finished designs

A more complex option is floor structures. You can not complicate life and adapt an old small coffee table for this. But we will tell you how to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands in the form of a column, a house and a whole town with photo examples of manufacturing processes and finished works.

Mobile Option: Outdoor Flat Cat Claw Sharpener

A flat scratching post is one of the simplest devices. To do this, you need a small sheet of board or plywood. On both sides, wrap it with carpet inside out or with a bundle. The edges can be sewn with thick threads or secured with a stapler. This design can be used by a pet and as a lounger.

Step-by-step instructions for making do-it-yourself scratching posts in the form of a column with a photo of the process

For the manufacture of a floor claw-post, we offer you to watch a detailed master class. After familiarizing yourself with this process, you can make any of the most complex designs with your own hands.

Illustration	Action Description
	Before you make a scratching post for a cat yourself, you need to cut the base from the sheet. It is important that the corners are not sharp.
	Glue the rope to the base, starting from the end. After the side edge, proceed to fixing the rope on the base.
	For the column, take a tube from a stretch film with a height of no more than 40 cm. For the base, you need to take a piece of wood and make it the same size as the tube.
	Insert a piece of wood into the base of the tube and fix with three self-tapping screws.
	Next, you need to mark the place of attachment of the tube on the back of the base, screw in 3 screws and fix the post.
	From the bottom up, fix the rope on the post with a glue gun.
	Glue the joint of the base and the column with a tourniquet, increasing the turn horizontally.
	So that the cat does not subsequently unwind the end of the rope, you need to unwind it a little, cut off one part and glue it to the base.
	Glue three small ropes to the top of the column, at the ends of which tie knots.
	Make a decorative cap on the column.

The kitten will like to play with an interesting novelty, and in more detail the master class can be viewed on the video

All the nuances of making a do-it-yourself house for a cat with a scratching post

After we have described in detail how to make simple designs, you can complicate the task a little and make it with a scratching post, as well as supplement it with beds. First you need to make a sketch and draw a diagram of the future design. Next, the manufacturing process is as follows:

Cut holes in the base to install the posts.
Make a pattern out of fabric, cut holes for the posts and secure it to the base with a stapler.
You can take as columns. They should be fixed to the base with metal corners and self-tapping screws.
Wrap the twine around the posts.
Make the upper beds according to the principle of flat claws. Attach to the posts with furniture corners.
Fix soft houses for cats on beds.

It is important! It is desirable to fix a large structure to the wall surface so that cats do not turn it over during games.

scratching post with house

Schemes and sizes of complexes for cats with scratching posts and beds for making with your own hands

You can draw up a scheme for a future claw-drawer yourself or use the proposed ready-made examples from the Internet.

scratching post couch

Features of making wall-mounted scratching posts: photos of finished examples

For a small room, a great option is to fix the scratching post on the wall surface, especially since it is much easier to make it than the floor. And two more advantages: they do not leave cat hair on them, and they cannot be turned over at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, it is ideal for active pets. For work, you will need a sheet of plywood and a harness, which can be pre-painted for decoration.

DIY wall scratching post for cats

The wall scratching post should match the size of the animal. It is optimal to choose a length 10 centimeters longer than the length of the cat in an elongated form. These settings will help keep the wall from scratches. The recommended surface width is 40 cm.

To make a simple wall-mounted claw machine, you will need two sheets of plywood, each should be at least 25 cm wide, but you need to focus on the size and breed of the pet. For a soft layer, you can use a piece of an old carpet or carpet, while fixing them inside out, and a tourniquet or several layers of natural fabric will do. The procedure is as follows:

Cut the canvas according to the pattern with a margin of about 10 cm, secure with a stapler on the back of the plywood. As an option - wrap the sheet with a tourniquet.
Fasten around the perimeter with rails using screws.
Attach the structure to the wall.

wall scratching post

Favorite attraction - scratching post on the corner of the wall

To make a corner scratching post, you need to prepare three boards or sheets of plywood with a width of at least 15-20 cm, first fix the carpet inside out or twine on them. Set the prepared products at the corner, for example, to a height exceeding the length of the cat in an elongated form of about 10 cm. If desired, you can make a design for the entire height of the box, the pet will be able to climb on it during games.

corner scratching post

Road scratching post for a cat: a DIY master class

If a cat is your constant travel companion, be sure to make a travel scratching post. It will not take up much space, and a pet on the road will be happy with his favorite thing. For manufacturing, you will need a small sheet of plywood or board in the form of a rectangle, wood glue, twine, a piece of rope or a strip of leather and a drill. Manufacturing instructions:

Drill a hole in the board or plywood for the cord.
Wrap the structure with a rope, periodically putting it on glue, carefully fix the ends.
In order for the accessory to be hung, for example, on, you need to fix the rope in the holes made earlier.

How to deal with a cat

Sometimes it is not enough to put a scratching post, the cat simply may not understand what to do with it. To accustom your pet to a new accessory, use the following proven tips.

Every owner of a cat or cat knows how the predatory disposition of his pet manifests itself. The ability to attack from around the corner, interest in small moving objects and a special love for furniture and wallpaper. Sometimes it seems that a furry friend is simply playing dirty tricks, ripping off the latter. But it's not. I want to sharpen my cat's claws because of their nature. Therefore, you should not blame the domestic predator for all the sins, but it is better to pick up a scratching post for it or make it yourself.

Why do you need a scratching post

A scratching post (claw scraper, rag) is a device that a domestic cat can sharpen its claws on. By buying them or building them with their own hands, far-sighted owners distract their furry pet from carpets, sofas and wallpapers. The instincts of the cute predator are satisfied, the destructive process in the apartment is stopped.

The scratching post allows your pet to sharpen its claws without harming the furniture and wallpaper.

Why do cats sharpen their claws? This is how they maintain their physical and mental health:

help to renew claws;
relieve stress and spend excess energy;
stretch the spine and strengthen the muscles.

When I accustomed my cat to a scratching post, about a week later I found a claw near it. I was frightened, I decided that the material of the rag was too hard and damaged my pet's claws. After examining his paws and spending 10 minutes on the Internet, I found out that this is normal. Domestic pussies, like snakes, shed dead claws to allow new ones to grow.

Video: why cats sharpen their claws

Types of scratching posts

Scratching posts differ in type and coating material. The most common ones cover:

jute - ropes from the fibers of the plant of the same name. Not too durable material, but safe and economical;
sisal - more durable ropes made from agave fibers (rags covered with sisal are more expensive);
carpet - a material that repeats the texture of carpets;
cardboard - an environmentally friendly, but short-lived material.

The types of scratching posts are distinguished depending on their application and installation.

Photo gallery: products with different coating options

Jute-coated scratching posts are the most popular due to their cost-effectiveness. The sisal-covered scratching post is the longest lasting one on the market. The carpeted scratching post is not very durable, but is ideal for cats who like to sharpen their claws on carpets. Cardboard scratching post - economical, but the most short-lived of the presented

Wall scratching posts

Wall claws are flat boards that are placed on the walls. They are perfect for cats who love to sharpen their claws on your wallpaper. Usually such rags are covered with sisal or jute.

Wall-mounted scratching post is well suited for small apartments

Advantages of a wall-mounted scratching post:

does not take up much space;
a large selection of places to stay;
it cannot be turned over, so the owners will not wake up at night from a sudden roar;
the product can close part of the wall with damaged wallpaper;
low price.

Of the minuses, it can be noted that this claw-drawer is problematic to transfer from place to place. You need to re-drill the wall or drive in a nail to hang the plank. On the other hand, if the cat is used to sharpening its claws in one place, it is hardly worth changing the location of the rag.

corner

An improved version of a flat wall-mounted scratching post - angular. As the name implies, such a board is attached to the corner of two walls. Like flat, this rag is well suited for small apartments, because it is compact and economical.

Changing the location of a corner claw point is even more difficult than a flat one.

The corner scratching post will protect the wallpaper on the corners from the attacks of a domestic predator

Some corner scratching posts are made multi-story. They are complemented by playgrounds, hammocks and other elements.

A corner scratching post with a platform will appeal to a cat who likes to jump on cabinets to watch what is happening in the apartment

floor standing

Not all cats sharpen their claws on walls. Some like to do this on carpets or other horizontal surfaces. For such pets, it is better to buy an outdoor scratching post:

Flat. This is a plank, usually covered with sisal. You just need to put it on the floor. These blades are compact and easy to use.
Flat scratching post is easy and convenient to carry from place to place
With curves. Wave-shaped scratching posts allow the cat not only to sharpen its claws, but also to play. They are more expensive than flat ones and require a little more space.
The wave-shaped scratching post allows the cat not only to sharpen its claws, but also to play
Claw toy. Usually such plastic products are covered with carpet on top. After the cat has had enough of playing with the artificial mouse, he will sharpen his claws on the mat on the surface of the rag.
An outdoor scratching post with an artificial mouse inside can become a kitten's favorite toy
From several layers of cardboard. These are the most short-lived scratching posts, but if your pet loves to sharpen his claws on cardboard boxes, he will definitely like such products. Such a rag is very cheap, it will have to be replaced in 4-6 months. Some manufacturers saturate cardboard with fragrances that attract cats, so furry predators immediately show interest in a new toy.
When choosing a cardboard scratching post, you need to be prepared to often sweep the pieces of cardboard torn off by the cat

Columns with platforms

Scratching posts in the form of columns with platforms are perhaps the most popular. When choosing such a rag, you should pay attention to its height. A half-meter column is suitable for a kitten, and for an adult cat - from 70 cm. Sufficient height will allow the fluffy predator to stretch its back and strengthen its joints.

You can choose a scratching post of different sizes, functionality and cost:

One column with a platform is the most economical and compact version of this type of rags. As a rule, such scratching posts are covered with jute that is not very durable.
Corner - designed for cats who like to sharpen their claws on the corners of the apartment. Such models are semicircular, they are easy to rearrange.
The corner scratching post is easy to move to another room or set at another corner
With a house. In addition to the scratching post, the pet gets its own place to sleep and rest. The size of a standard house is 35x35 cm.
Large complexes with several levels. Such scratching posts are supplemented not only with houses, but also with beds, hammocks, ladders and tunnels. This is a great option for an active furry predator.

Buy or make your own

Whether a cat will use a scratching post or not depends on many factors:

whether the pet is satisfied with the coverage;
whether the type of cloth is selected correctly;
did the fluffy predator understand how to use the new toy;
Does he like the smell of the product?

The sense of smell in cats is not as subtle as that of a dog, but nevertheless these animals are able to distinguish natural materials from synthetic ones by smell. The smell of the latter will most likely repel them. That is why pets may refuse to use a product bought in a store. If this is your situation, try making your own scratching post.

Homemade rags will cost less than similar store-bought ones, and besides, you will know exactly the composition of the materials from which the device is made.

How to make a scratching post with your own hands

Before starting work, it is important to understand what a scratching post should be:

stable - it is important that the product withstands the active pressure of a domestic predator and does not fall;
compact - if you have a small apartment, the rag should be small;
durable - the coating material must have sufficient strength;
aesthetic - the design will become an element of the interior, so it is better to work on its appearance.

The scratching post must be stable enough so that the cat does not knock it over.

What materials will be needed

Observe your pet to understand which scratching post cover to choose. Some furry pets love cardboard boxes, while others often sharpen their claws on carpets and upholstered furniture. The first ones are rags made of cardboard, the second ones are made of jute, sisal or carpet.

It is better to choose natural materials for coating. Synthetic ropes have important disadvantages:

can scare away the cat with their smell;
quickly fall into disrepair;
dangerous if ingested (if the pet decides to chew on a rag).

For my cat, I bought a jute-coated bollard. No matter how much my husband and I tried to accustom the little wallpaper pest to the scratching post, he did not show the necessary interest in it. Our pet played with a toy tied to a rag, sat on a platform attached at the top, but flatly refused to sharpen its claws and continued to spoil the walls. The solution came naturally when we bought a new washing machine. The cat took pleasure in pointing the manicure on the box in which the technique was packed. We gave it to the pet to be torn to pieces, and later we made a claw-drawer from sheets of corrugated cardboard. So we saved the wallpaper left in the apartment.

There are also cats who prefer to manicure trees. You can simply bring such pets a beautiful stump or part of a sawn tree pole - and the animals will be happy!

Floor scratching post: a step-by-step master class

For a simple floor scratching post you will need:

wooden plank;
two bars for the sides;
leg-split;
4 screws;
drill;
stapler.

Manufacturing process:

We attach the bars to the sides of the board with screws.
It is important to select screws that securely attach the bars to the board.
We make two holes in opposite corners of the board. We thread the end of the twine into one of them, tie a knot. We wind the twine, fixing it with staples.
You can fasten the twine with staples using a stapler
Outdoor scratching post is ready!
A flat scratching post is best placed where the cat likes to sharpen its claws.

We make a rag-column for a kitten

For a small scratching post-column, you need to prepare:

several empty tin cans (their total height must exceed 50 cm);
piece of carpet;
wooden board;
hot or silicone glue;
jute or sisal;
woolen thread and feathers;
nails.

A kitten scratching post can be made not from a wooden block, but from tin cans or a piece of plastic pipe

Manufacturing:

We cut the carpet in the form of a board with a margin. Glue it to the board. We put weighting agents and wait for complete drying.
In order for the glue to grab better, it is better to put weights on the carpet
We glue the cans to each other - we get a base pipe. First, you need to put a weighting agent in the bottom (a piece of wood, a weight, or just a bag of cereal). Glue the pipe to the bottom platform. Cover it with carpet.
You can glue the cans to each other, and then glue them with carpet, or glue each one individually, and then assemble them into a single structure
We process the middle section with glue. Until it dries, we wrap this part of the pipe with a cord of jute or sisal. We make a toy from woolen thread and feathers and attach it to the top.
Having fun with the toy, the kitten gradually gets used to the scratching post

Video: how to make a do-it-yourself scratching post game complex

Where to place the rag

Place the scratching post where your pet likes to sharpen its claws. The cat has taken a fancy to the wallpaper and is scratching the wall in a certain place? It is worth it to hang a rag there. A small predator directs a manicure on the sofa? Place a post next to it on the site or lay a floor clawshoe.

If you decide to buy or make a whole play complex or a multi-level scratching post, there is not so much choice for placing the structure. Put the rag where it is convenient for you, and gradually accustom the cat to sharpen its claws there.

How to teach a cat to sharpen its claws on a scratching post

There are several ways to train a cat to sharpen its claws on a rag:

put some kind of toy on the structure or hang it on it - the animal will reach for it and involuntarily touch the coating with its claws;
teach your pet by personal example - pretend that you are sharpening your nails on a scratching post;
rub the cover of the claw brush with a cloth that you previously ran over the fur of another cat - your pet will begin to mark the territory, scratching the surface with a strange smell.

Be sure to praise the cat for sharpening its claws in the right place. Stroke him, treat him with delicious treats. But in no case should you force a pet to direct a manicure on a scratching post. By plunging its claws into the coating and running the paws of the animal along the surface, you can unwittingly hurt your pet. It is not worth rubbing the coating with valerian - its smell inhibits the cat's instincts.

Video: how to teach a cat to a scratching post

The scratching post helps the domestic cat maintain its normal health without harming the interior of the apartment. It is worth choosing a product, focusing on the preferences of a pet. If you decide to build a structure yourself, it is important that it is safe for the pet and has an aesthetic appearance.

Along with the huge positive charge that cats bring to the house, the owner has a lot of trouble associated with this event. One of the most common problems is the need for a cat to grind its claws, causing damage to the owner's utensils.

The solution to the problem is the arrangement of a place where the pet could satisfy its needs without harming furniture, parquet or wallpaper.

What is the claw point for?

Teeth and claws are the main weapons of a predator. Claws grow throughout life, so they need constant care. It is impossible to wean an animal from the ritual of grinding regrown claws.

If the animal has the opportunity to be outdoors, the length of the claws is controlled in a natural way: climbing trees, pebbles, dense ground, sand. A pet that permanently lives indoors will be helped by a “claw grinder” for cats to cope with the problem.

Walk in the street

You can buy a finished item at a pet store. They choose a fixture that harmoniously fits into the interior, corresponding to the habits and characteristics of the animal, so that its dimensions correspond to the allotted place. However, not always the proposed range can fully satisfy the needs of the buyer. Sometimes it can be difficult to choose which scratching post is better, whether it will interest the cat or not get his attention.

Those who prefer to make their own hands know how to make a scratching post for a cat and what materials are best to use for this. When developing the design of a cat accessory, they very often create not just an object for sharpening claws, but a whole play town, a kind of cat simulator, which is at the same time a unique element of the interior.

General design principles

A self-made scratching post for cats must meet the following requirements:

Have sufficient height. A vertical scratching post is fixed at a height exceeding the length of the animal. Grinding its claws on such a surface, the cat bends its back as much as possible, stretching the muscles.
Guaranteed strength and stability of the structure. A shaky scratch for cats will not be used by the animal for its intended purpose: the lack of a reliable support will not allow full stretching.
Maximum use of natural material in production. The claws of the animal must freely penetrate the material from which the scratch is made, and also be removed from there without injuring the animal.

materials

Do-it-yourself cat nail sharpener begins with the development of a project that can be a fun activity for all family members. At the same stage, having analyzed what scratching posts are usually made of, they select natural material for work:

wood;
rope or rope for winding;
burlap;
corrugated cardboard;
cotton wool;
carpet on a fabric basis.

Jute or sisal rope (rope) is most often used as a winding. Both types of winding are made from environmentally friendly plant material.

Jute is used mainly in the textile industry, sacking is made from it. Gray-brown material has the following characteristics:

fibers are soft to the touch;
the surface of the rope is smooth, there are no protruding fibers;
lower cost.

Sisal is obtained from agave leaves. The widespread use of light sand-colored ropes in various industries is explained by:

their more rigid structure;
the surface of the rope is slightly more fleecy;
high wear resistance.

How to understand: jute or sisal, which is better for a cat? If the scratching post is being made for a kitten or young cat, it is best to use jute because of its relative softness. The owner of a large adult cat is better off opting for sisal, which will last longer. This choice is especially relevant if several cats live in the house.

Devices for cats are so diverse that it is almost impossible to describe all possible design options. Consider the most popular models and algorithms for their creation.

Cat scratching posts are mounted or floor, simple or complex, equipped with beds, houses, toys. Play towns, viewing platforms, placed under the ceiling, it is more expedient to arrange for several individuals. For one animal, it is better to make a simpler model.

All cats are not indifferent to paper packages, boxes. The simplest cardboard scratching post will definitely interest a cat.

It is necessary to cut strips 10-12 cm wide from store cardboard boxes. Having previously softened each blank with a rolling pin (as the dough is rolled out), tightly twist the cardboard tape, fixing the end with adhesive tape or glue. We also attach the next tape here and wrap it around the workpiece, gradually increasing the “washer”.

When the diameter of the product reaches 50-60 cm, we fix the last strip, decorate the end with a bright dense fabric or self-adhesive film. For greater stability, you can attach legs cut and glued from the same cardboard to the lower part on four sides, after wrapping them with decor.

Wall scratching post

In a small apartment, it is better to resort to making a wall scratch. Its basis is a rectangular panel fixed on a vertical surface. You can build a corner model from two planks butted together if the pet has already chosen the corner of the wall for its occupation.

You will need plywood, wooden slats or a wooden board (at least 20 cm wide and 50-60 cm long), winding material. If you use several rails, then they must first be glued together, holding, for example, in a vise. Stepping back from the edge of 5-10 cm, you need to stick the edge of the rope on the base, securing it.

Next, tightly wrap the board with a rope, putting it on PVA glue. At a distance of 5-10 cm from the bottom, the edge of the rope is fixed again. In the upper part of the board, you need to make two holes into which a leather cord or the same rope is threaded. For it, the product is attached to the wall at the required height from the floor.

Vertical scratching post

Required:

massive base made of wood;
wooden beam, log or pipe 70-80 cm long and up to 20 cm in diameter;
rope or natural carpet (if a plastic pipe is used under the rack, the thickness of the rope must be at least 8 mm);
PVA glue or glue gun;
material for sheathing the base (carpet on a natural basis or burlap).

Top down cat rack smeared with glue, and coil after coil tightly wrapped around the rope. Every 10-15 turns, the winding is compacted with a hammer. You need to fix the end of the rope at a distance of 10-15 cm to the intended base of the rack. If carpet is used for winding, the timber is wrapped tightly with it, securing it with a stapler. Then the excess parts of the material are cut off, and the staples are nailed more tightly with a hammer.
The stand must be attached to the base using corners and screws.
The base is covered with carpet or burlap folded in several layers. You can leave the wooden structures as they are.
A wooden cover can be attached to the top of the rack.

Similarly, you can make a scratching post-shop using two racks covered with a board as a support. The bed is upholstered with a soft, dense material.

Complicated scratching post

Craftsmen often make multi-level structures with their own hands, connecting them with transitions, bridges, planks. A scratching post house is often harmoniously woven into such a complex.

During the manufacture of such a do-it-yourself combined scratching post, a step-by-step instruction should be at hand in order to keep track of the completed items, and also not to miss important details when proceeding to the next step.

Develop a design project. At this stage, you need to think over a sketch and a scheme for connecting parts, which should contain the necessary dimensions (length, width, height of each element, taken taking into account the size of an adult individual of a particular breed), the location of the parts of the complex relative to each other and fastening elements.
Make a list and purchase all the necessary materials and tools.
Make templates for structural elements, cut out all parts of the structure from boards or plywood along them.
Cut pipes if necessary, which can be used as racks and connecting elements.

Choosing a solid solid board as the base, apply markings on it indicating where the elements of the complex will be attached.
Main scratching post(a pipe or several pipes of the largest diameter), fasten to the stand with fasteners for drywall and self-tapping screws.
The stand must be covered with the selected upholstery material by making a hole in it for the pipe. To fix the fabric, a construction stapler and a hammer are used.
Next tier shelf(second in a row) attaches to stands in the same way as the base.
On this tier, racks of a smaller section are used. Fixing them is carried out in exactly the same way as it was done in paragraph 6.
The second shelf is covered with soft material(for example, foam rubber or synthetic winterizer), and then stretch the upholstery by making slots for the uprights, again using a construction stapler and a hammer.
On top of the structure, the top shelf is installed on the racks, fix it with self-tapping screws and hangers, fit it with a cloth.
All vertical racks are wrapped with a rope or rope, tightly laying the turns and compacting them with a hammer after 10-15 turns. The ends of the ropes are fixed and hidden under the upholstery.
You can install cat scratching posts on the shelves, the dimensions of which will correspond to the size of an adult cat of a particular breed. Attach them in the same way as above.

The figure shows an approximate layout of a cat house with a scratching post with dimensions applied.

Despite the mass of positive emotions that cats give us, a positive attitude can be spoiled if you find traces of their natural instincts in your apartment: scratched furniture, torn wallpaper, puffs on curtains and other “charms”.

To avoid such surprises, it is necessary from the first day of the cat's stay in the house to provide her with the opportunity to sharpen her claws in a convenient place.

But this does not mean that you should urgently go for expensive claws: such a device is very easy to do with your own hands.

Let's learn about the best techniques and see a photo of how to make a scratching post step by step - corner, wall, floor, with a cat house - with your own hands.

Corner scratching post for cats, photo

What to consider before making a scratching post?

A home-made cat scratcher for cats has many advantages. At a minimum, this is an opportunity to create a convenient fixture for the point of claws that is suitable in size and shape, harmoniously fit it into the interior, use improvised materials and avoid high waste.

A durable, functional and beautiful scratching post will delight not only a pet, but also the owners themselves.

The first thing to do is to decide on the general scheme and dimensions of the cat scratching posts with your own hands. If it will be a house, it is important to take into account the age of the cat and anticipate that over time he will need even more space.

If it is to be a separate fixture with a specific function, the main concern will be to provide enough space for the possibility of simultaneous point of claws on both paws, so do not make it too narrow.

Attention! The height of such a product should exceed the length of the body of an adult pet twice.

When starting the do-it-yourself cat scratching post master class, consider some more points in advance:

material for claws. It must be durable and wear-resistant, but at the same time, comfortable enough for the animal;
fastening method claws. Most often they have a wide stable base or are mounted on a wall;
decide Will the claw sharpener be used for other purposes as well?. Often they are supplemented with a bed or devices for games (mice, birds, feathers and other items).

House with a scratching post for a cat, photo

It is important to consider that any scratching post can be subjected to “attacks” from cats, so it is better to securely fasten the product. Next, we will talk about the most common options for claws with and without a house, which can be made from improvised materials.

Making a rope pole

This type of scratching post remains the most popular due to its convenient shape and relatively small size. The product consists of a stable base and an inner part, mainly of a cylindrical shape.

What to make a rope scratching post for a cat? The whole device is wrapped in a special rope (many do not know the name of the rope for the scratching post - ask for a hemp rope in stores).

Scratching post for a kitten, photo

Advice: make sure that the rope is not slippery, and also does not tear into small pieces at the first touch of the claws.

How to make a scratching post for a cat with your own hands? In addition to the coil of rope, you will need a plastic pipe or wooden beam, as well as dense material for the lower base.

Do-it-yourself scratching post: step by step instructions, photo

The pipe is tightly wrapped with a rope: for a lasting effect, use glue every 10 cm. The base of the claws can also be wrapped with a rope or decorated with a thick cloth.

If desired, the claw scratcher can be supplemented with a comfortable shelf for the cat to rest. But in order for such a shelf to support the weight of the animal and firmly hold on top of the scratching posts, it is necessary to calculate all the proportions in advance. Too wide "shelf" will warp the product, so the base should prevail in size.

Another option is a bed, as in the photo:

Do-it-yourself scratching post for a cat, photo

Scratching posts of this type are quite often supplemented with special toys and other accessories. Before you start creating a functional device for cats, look at the photo with variations of rope posts.

Rug on the wall

Now we will discuss the step-by-step instructions for a do-it-yourself scratching post, which is attached to the wall. It is believed that this is the best option for the owners, since the product is made very quickly and takes up a minimum of space in the apartment.

You will need a thick fabric (preferably carpet or tapestry), fastening strips and self-tapping screws.

Start by cutting out a suitable piece: remember that the cat should easily extend the front paws for the claw point, so the fabric should be long enough. The patch can be mounted directly on the wall or on a similarly shaped wooden base.

For fastening on each side, use self-tapping screws and rails.

DIY wall scratching post, photo

Advice: Show your imagination - and create a scratching post of an unusual shape. For example, in the form of a paw print of your pet.

That's all. Now it's up to the little things: treat the textile fragment with your favorite scents of the cat - and soon your pet will use the new device every day.

Flat shaped scratcher

This scratching post looks like a rope post. The scheme of how to make a scratch for a cat of this type with your own hands differs only in the shape of the central element: a flat board or other material is used instead of a cylinder or pipe. Securely fix the flat piece on the base - and cover the entire surface of the sharpener with carpet or other type of fabric.

If desired, you can use a jute or hemp rope, as in the first description. And with the help of special furniture hinges, such a product can be fixed on the wall.

Floor scratching post for cats

Angled scratching post

The corner scratch for cats has similar features to the vertical and wall scratches, since it is often held both by the floor base and by wall fasteners. This option is especially loved by pets, since the specific shape of the claws allows the cat to climb on top.

To create this product at home, you need to take three boards that have a width corresponding to the door jamb, a screwdriver and self-tapping screws, fabric or rope for external decoration.

To begin, wrap all the boards or cover with carpeting, which is fixed on the base with the wrong side. In the case of using a rope, do not forget to glue the material, as well as secure the edges of the rope with a construction stapler for greater reliability.

Now it remains to fix all the boards at the door frame or wall. For this you will need a screwdriver. As a rule, such scratching posts are made to the entire height of the opening, but you can choose other options.

Wooden claw point fixture

When creating a cat scratcher, it is not at all necessary to use a rope or cloth. Wood is an excellent material for such purposes, so you can take a wide branch without leaves - and turn it into a sharpener for cat claws with simple manipulations.

Attention! For such a scratching post, you can take branches with knots and branches so that the pet can play.

DIY cat scratching post

On a wooden base, you can make both a separate scratch and a whole cat house with a scratching post with your own hands. For the convenience of fixing the product, it is better to align the inner side. Then the sharpener will be easier to place on the wall or floor, and also to install at an angle.

By the way, a wooden claw-catcher fits perfectly into the home interior, regardless of the chosen style of space design.

Other options

To ensure maximum safety of furniture, textiles, accessories and other interior items, you can implement other ideas of homemade claws:

Teaching a pet to a new scratching post

After making a cat scratcher, it remains to help the pet get used to the allowed place. To do this, attach the cat's paw to the surface - and press on the pad. As soon as the kitten releases its claws, run your paw over the scratching post: this way he will understand that this can be done here.

If over time you notice that the cat has forgotten where it is possible and where it is impossible to sharpen its claws, let him understand that it is wrong to do this.

Do not offend the pet: just scold him and bring him to the claws.

Do-it-yourself cat claw sharpener

In some cases, you can lure the animal to a permitted place using aromatic treatment. For example, you can spray the scratching post with valerian or another product that cats like for its smell.

A scratching post should be in the house in any case, since scratching is a natural necessity for every cat. Therefore, you will not be able to wean the animal from sharpening its claws, but by taking care of the creation of the device in a timely manner, you will save your home from damage.

If there is no time to create a homemade scratch, buy a finished product, but do not forget to accustom the cat to it as soon as possible. If he develops a habit of sharpening his claws elsewhere, weaning a pet can be difficult.

Video

Watch a video with a do-it-yourself cat scratching post master class:

If your cat or cat constantly disappears in the closet, scratches the wallpaper or sofa, hides under the covers and this bothers you, try making a cat corner. A properly made house for a cat or a cat will be a favorite place to spend time. All kinds of cat corners, with and without scratching posts, are full in stores, but this is not the same at all ... Made by yourself is better and more reliable ... You can develop it personally for the needs of your pet.

Which option to choose?

Building a house for a cat is not so difficult, but you need to choose the right design. After all, I want something made with my own hands to be actively exploited, and not just standing there to collect dust. To make your cat or cat like the house, take a closer look at where the pet prefers to spend time, what he likes to do, where he prefers to relax - climbing higher or on the floor ... In general, you need to select the design of the cat's house based on the habits of your pets.

How to develop a design

The preferences of cats and cats may differ. For example, cats prefer houses with two entrances - in case of emergency evacuation of offspring. Therefore, many people like pipes or structures similar to them. At the same time, they do not like a hole that is too large, as it is necessary to feel in a shelter. Therefore, the entrance / exit to the house must be made not too large so that the pet can easily pass into it, but no more. And one more thing: not all cats like houses that stand on the floor - cats live in them with kittens. "Singles" prefer shelters at a height, although this is also not a fact, and depends on the habits of the individual.

Cats prefer to spend time at height, watching everything that happens around them. They rarely sit in the house, but on the playgrounds they can wallow for hours. If you have a cat, make more areas, and of solid size - so that the animal can lie stretched out to its full height without the risk of falling. Railings, if needed, are only for the highest shelves and obviously not around the perimeter, but only from the back and a little from the sides. In general, males feel great even on sites without any fences: there are no fences on the trees. Railings are needed more for the peace of mind of the owners than for cats.

And by the way, there are cats who like to sit on the playgrounds no less than cats. So they also need viewpoints, just like cat houses. You never know, maybe he will be in a bad mood and he will decide to hide from you there. So yes, we have not simplified the task of choosing, but this is exactly the case - until you try, you will not understand what your pet needs.

What to add

When the owners say “cat house”, they usually mean a whole cat complex, in which, in addition to the house itself, there are playgrounds and a number of additional devices. Usually one or two sites are actively used, while the rest are only occasionally visited. But the fact is that you don’t know in advance what your pet will like.

Useful additions to the cat's house are scratching posts and climbing frames. Scratching posts are vertical surfaces that are usually wrapped with natural fiber rope. Climbing boards - horizontal and inclined boards, on which cats can move from one level to another. Scratching posts, by the way, can also be used as climbing frames - animals climb onto them on the upper tiers.

What else can be in a cat complex? Hammocks. Usually it is a piece of rectangular fabric, fixed on two crossbars. Another option is also possible - a rigid frame with a fabric sewn to it or a piece of fabric suspended at four corners from the site.

The combination of a hammock and a pipe is one of the "light" options for a corner for a cat

Some other cats like pipes. They are sewn from fabric, for rigidity a circle or an oval of wire is inserted into both ends. One end is fixed higher, the other is thrown down. The main thing is that a gap is visible at the end of the tunnel, otherwise you won’t lure the cat any tighter. It turns out a good place for an ambush, in which some furry hunters like to spend time.

There is another feature that cats like, but which not many people know about - clothes brushes nailed to vertical surfaces at about the level of your pet's back. The bristles on the brush are artificial, of medium hardness. Try it, your pet will be happy!

Height selection

In general, for cats, the rule is true - the higher the better. Therefore, the height of the house that you want to make with your own hands can be whatever you are ready to make it - even to the very ceiling. And no matter how many tiers it has, most often the top one will be occupied. And if there are several cats, there will be a “leader” at the top, and it is this place that will always be contested.

The minimum height of the cat corner is about a meter. Such low structures are safe even for kittens, however, they quickly grow up and then want to climb higher.

Wall options

Not even the largest house for a cat takes up about a meter of free space on the floor. It is not always possible to allocate such a space. For such cases, there are wall options for cat corners. Houses and platforms are attached to the wall in the chosen place by any available method. Where directly - with nails to the wall, somewhere with the help of brackets. Transitions are made between the fixed parts. From boards - straight and inclined, rope ladders, rungs are stuffed at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, steps are made in the form of a ladder ... In general, everything is limited only by your imagination.

Wall "simulators" for cats

Such wall corners for cats are also called shelves for cats, since the construction is very similar to traditional bookshelves. By the way, the furry ones love them very much and actively move around.

Material selection

The cat house, with all the additions, is usually assembled from construction debris. This is quite justified, because many (or all) surfaces of the finished structure will be sheathed with fabric, textiles, entangled with ropes, etc. So if there are leftover building materials, you can use them. There are two requirements for materials (all):

They should not have a strong odor. In any case, one that perceives the human nose. Natural smells (wood, wool, etc.) do not count. If the material was recently purchased and there is a chemical smell, hold it outside to let it air out.
Materials must not be electrified. Static discharges are very unpleasant for cats, so they do not like open plastic surfaces. Also, do not use silk.

All requirements, but there are still wishes. Do you want your cat to quickly and actively master the house? Soak building materials for a while in the house. They will be saturated with familiar smells, will be examined by a curious beast. The complex made “from settled” materials in the house will be accepted with greater favor.

Foundation materials

If you look at the photo, the cat house consists of different parts and they can be made from different materials. The list of basic materials is as follows:

Explanations require only a tree trunk, as a material for a cat complex. Everything is literally: take a tree, clean it from the bark if it crumbles. Branches are used as stands for placing houses, playgrounds, baskets.

How to sheathe

A twisted rope made of natural fibers is suitable for arranging scratching posts: jute, linen, hemp, sesal, etc. Take a thicker diameter and several tens of meters at once - if the base is not wooden, you will have to wrap all the pipes with a rope.

Shelves and houses are sheathed with dense material with a short pile, usually carpet. The shorter and denser the pile, the better. Long and shaggy only look good, and while they are new - over time, dust, wool, various garbage fill up in them and the cat's house becomes the cause of allergies (yours or cat's).

The color of the upholstery is generally unimportant for cats - they do not react to colors. Therefore, you can choose "under the interior", the most "practical" color, the color of the pet's coat, contrasting with the cat's coat ... any.

Fastening

In order for a do-it-yourself cat house to be safe, you should think about fasteners. It is undesirable to use self-tapping screws, since wool can cling to them, staples should not be used either - they can be dangerous for claws (both types of fasteners are suitable if they are covered with upholstery). It remains, in fact, only two types of fasteners: glue and nails, and the glue is only PVA. It is normally tolerated by cats, since after drying it does not smell. Ropes and upholstery are glued to it, and shelves, houses and everything else are nailed.

You can also make it safe to use self-tapping screws. Under the cap, drill a hole with a diameter greater than the diameter of the cap, install fasteners, cover with putty. Yes, just like in the manufacture of furniture, but what can not be done for the safety of the pet.

And one more thing: if the cat complex turned out to be too high, it is better to fix it. To the floor or to the wall, or both to the floor and to the wall. Otherwise, there may be problems - there were cases when cats brought down the structure.

Photo with dimensions

No matter how much they talk about the construction of a cat house, the best way to understand the dimensions is to allow drawings with dimensions. If you look closely at them, you will notice a solid run. This is understandable - there are large and small cats, respectively, and the size of the cat house will be larger / smaller. You can adjust them yourself depending on the size of your pets or the available area.

The height of the presented buildings is rather big - 180 cm and above, but you can reduce it by removing the floors that you think are unnecessary. All these dimensions can be taken as a basis to develop your own layout, put down approximate dimensions. Having a drawing in hand, you can start purchasing materials and manufacturing.

Instructions for making a house for two cats

The family has two cats. The older one is an aggressor cat and the younger one is more mobile. Therefore, the design was designed so that the younger one could hide on the highest platform, and the older one, due to his weight, could not get there. They decided to place the house high, as both cats prefer height. They made it larger in size so that both individuals could be there at the same time.

For this design, thick furniture plywood (12 mm) 75 * 50 cm in size, poles made of timber 50 * 70 (4.2 m), jute-based carpet - 1 * 2.5 meters, 20 meters of rope were purchased. Fasteners - corners. For a house - 15 * 20 mm, for fixing platforms - 40 * 45 mm, 55 * 20 and 35 * 40 - for insurance, and a couple of large ones - for attaching to the wall.

We prepare the platforms and attach to the poles

There are three pillars in the chosen design: one is 220 cm, the second is 120 cm and the third is 80 cm. They will be attached to the plywood sheet base. On the base it is necessary to place the pillars so that the longest one is closer to the wall. In order not to confuse, when marking on a sheet, using a ruler and a pencil, they first drew a stencil on paper, on which the arrangement of the pillars relative to each other was applied. From the finished layout, the markup for installing pillars was transferred. They were fastened with long nails through the base (4 pieces each), having drilled holes of a slightly smaller diameter in the plywood. Then they were fixed outside with corners 55 * 20 for a large pillar and 35 * 40 for smaller ones.

Using the same template, on the platforms they marked the place where the pillars passed, then, according to the markings, holes were cut out for them. To do this, they took a 12 mm feather drill, drilled holes in the corners marked for the installation of squares, into which the jigsaw blade fits perfectly. From experience: it is better to make cuts under the pillars a millimeter or two more. Platforms are still held by the corners, and if you make the slot too small, you have to finish it with a file or sandpaper for a long time.

Before installing the platform, we “try on”, adjusting the slots if necessary. Having placed the platform horizontally (using the building level) at the desired level, mark with a pencil where the platform stands. According to this markup, we then set the corners, so that we make clear marks, from all four sides. When all platforms are properly installed, we upholster them with carpet.

Assembling the body of the house

Two pieces of plywood 75 * 50 cm cut into 4 rectangles. They made a roof, a floor and two side walls. During the manufacture of one of the shelves, a piece of plywood with a semicircular hole on the side was left. It was decided to make it an “entrance”, and the back wall was cut out from one of the pieces. It remains to assemble the house, which is not difficult at all. Small metal corners were used, which were fastened with short self-tapping screws.

Preparing a "nest" for a cat

Before covering the house with a roof, it was beaten from the inside, thus closing the fasteners and increasing comfort. Working inside the case is not so convenient, but you can handle it. The roof was beaten on both sides, after which it was fixed using the same corners, but placing them outside. Not very pretty, but not deadly. The finished house was fixed in the place allotted to it. The corners helped out again, but larger ones - 35 * 40 mm.

We wrap the poles

The last stage - we wrap the poles, making a scratching post. Fastening the rope to the pole is easiest with staples. A few staples and you're done. Further, tightly pressing one turn to another, we wrap the pillars in a spiral. We reach the barrier, fix the rope with staples again and continue on the next section.

As it turned out, the rope must be knocked out with a hammer ...

From experience, it must be said that no matter how hard they tried, the turns of the rope did not fit one to the other very tightly, over time, they “mellowed out” and began to “ride” up / down a little. Having done the work on the mistakes, they found a way: after laying a few turns, we knock them out with a hammer. Everything is simple, but if I knew in advance ... That's all, we made a house for a cat with our own hands. It took about 6 hours.

A similar design is seen in the video below.

House from a box and a T-shirt in two minutes

For the simplest and most budgetary option, a minimum of “ingredients” is required:

Cardboard box of suitable size;
Old T-shirt;
Wide tape.

Of the tools you will need only a mounting knife and scissors.

Photos of interesting cat houses/complexes

Living for years next to us, cats become not just pets, but family members. I want to create all the conditions for them to be comfortable, so the owners are trying, inventing more and more new devices / designs. We have collected some interesting ideas in this section.