has anyone built a cat scratching post?

**RaineyDaye** · 12-17-2009, 09:58 AM

My new kitten is a demon on my furniture and woodwork. I am considering building a cat tree/scratching post (way too expensive to buy). Has anyone built one and / or have any suggestions? I found some plans online and I would like to build one high enough so my cats could have a perch to look out of the window. I also would like to use scrap lumber as much as possible. I have some 2 by 4's and plywood, and a small scrap of carpet I think I could use. I will need to buy sisal rope to make the scratching post part, but I need so more ideas for using "found" materials if possible.

**Russ** · 12-17-2009, 10:11 AM

I built 3 of them for gifts one year.
We bought some pine fence posts (cheap) like you find at TSC (tractor supply) and used them as the leg. We used scrap lumber and sisal rope just like you are planning.
It was more like a house and we also rubbed some catnip into the carpet.

the houses last for years.

**savvy_sniper** · 12-17-2009, 11:45 AM

My brother had brought a piece of wood in and set it on the floor. It was SUPPOSED to go in the fireplace. The cat started scratching on it; so it became her scratching post.

**shoiji** · 12-17-2009, 05:13 PM

I used a slab of wood for the base and a square piece of wood as a post. Nailed the two pieces of wood together. Then I bought sisal rope and spiraled it around the post. I used nails to hold the rope in place. Used some soft material to cover the base. My cats enjoyed it very much especially when they were young and I kept yelling at them when they went for the upholstery. They soon knew what to use. Just make it tall enough so that when they grow up they will still use it.

You can also make one that hangs from a doorknob. Just use a small piece of wood and wrap the sisal rope around it. Make sure to leave enough rope on the end so you can hang it from a door knob.

**MyMelody** · 12-17-2009, 05:15 PM

I'd think you could glue and staple some thinner carpet around the posts and bases of the thing to give plenty of scratching area. Check with carpet stores for discontinued samples of carpet that they might be willing to give away. If you think you could break down pallets for lumber to use, look for a few places that give them away. Just make sure the finished product is heavy enough/has a broad enough base that the cats can't knock it over. Mine leap on theirs with a running start!

**bluedog** · 12-18-2009, 04:40 PM

Mine would scratch the new post and still the furniture! They do really like those sorta corrigated paper ones I get from WM and they last a really long time. When I had my couch recovered the man put strong thin clear plastic over the favorite scratching places and it workes like a charm!

**shoiji** · 12-18-2009, 05:14 PM

I would also make sure the lumber is not treated. Don't wont to bring in those bad chemicals in the house.

You could see if those pallets used in shipments might be helpful. Don't know if they are treated with anything. Have seen that some people will burn them for firewood. But may be a free source of wood.

Even thick enough tree branches could be drilled to a wood beam. Would make a very interesting cat tree. Although my cat would probably try to eat it since it would smell like plant. lol

**celina** · 12-18-2009, 06:09 PM

my mom's cat just scratched on plain wood flat on the ground, adored that thing...

so maybe leave exposed wood too! have fun..

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-18-2009, 09:52 PM

See if anyone in the neighborhood just got carpet and take the scraps. Use a staple gun to put it on.
Someone threw out a white towel/shoe stacker the other day. I thought about grabbing it and putting padding and carpet around it. I buy bulk nip at xmas and wipe it on cat toys. I missed it and could kick myself but I was running late to take DD to school for an exam.
How big did you want? A tree or just a sm.post. The trees are worth making because the trees are over $100.