How to Make a DIY Cat Scratcher at Home
Cats do not scratch just to wear down their claws. Scratching helps them stretch their bodies, leave scent and visual marks, and is a normal part of feline behaviour.
Making your own scratching post does not have to be complicated. A simple DIY cat scratching post can be made from wood, sisal rope or cardboard, depending on the surface and scratching position your cat prefers. More important than how it looks is whether it is stable, large enough and placed somewhere your cat actually wants to use it.
First, find out how your cat likes to scratch
Not every cat uses a scratching post in the same way. Some prefer a tall vertical post, while others scratch carpets or the side of the sofa and may be happier with a horizontal surface.
Before you start building anything, spend a few days watching where and how your cat scratches.
If your cat stands on their hind legs and stretches their front paws high while scratching, a vertical scratching post makes sense. If they focus on the carpet, a low or completely horizontal scratcher may be more suitable.
Your cat is essentially telling you what you need to make.
DIY cat scratching post with wood and sisal
One of the simplest options is a sturdy piece of wood wrapped in sisal rope.
You will need a wooden board or post, sisal rope and a way to secure the structure safely. If the scratching post will be freestanding, it will also need a sufficiently wide and heavy base.
Wrap the rope tightly, with each row sitting directly next to the previous one so there are no gaps. Secure the ends somewhere your cat cannot normally reach while scratching. Exposed staples, nails or sharp edges create an unnecessary risk.
For a vertical scratching post, consider its height as well. Your cat should be able to stretch comfortably while using it rather than being limited to scratching the bottom few centimetres.
Alternatively, make a cardboard cat scratcher
If your cat prefers scratching horizontal surfaces, corrugated cardboard is a simple alternative.
Cut strips of cardboard to the same width and arrange them tightly next to one another to create a low, stable scratching surface. Once the cardboard becomes worn, it can simply be replaced.
One advantage of a DIY cardboard cat scratcher is how easy it is to make. It also gives you a simple way to find out whether your cat likes this type of surface before investing in something more permanent.
Keep in mind that cardboard gradually breaks down, so you can expect to clean up small pieces around the scratcher from time to time.
Stability matters more than appearance
A scratching post that tips over or moves the first time your cat uses it may quickly be ignored.
This is particularly important with tall scratching posts. The base needs to be wide and heavy enough to keep the post stable. Alternatively, the scratcher can be securely attached to a wall or another solid structure.
Before letting your cat use it, push and pull the scratching post with a similar amount of force to what a cat might apply while stretching against it. If it moves or wobbles significantly, adjust the construction first.
Regularly check the condition of the rope, cardboard and fixings as well. Loose parts are better repaired before your cat starts pulling them out.
Where to put a homemade cat scratching post
Even a well-made scratching post may not work if you put it somewhere your cat has no interest in visiting.
If your cat already scratches a particular corner of the sofa, placing the new scratching post on the opposite side of the room is unlikely to help. Start by putting it directly next to the place your cat has already chosen.
Areas close to your cat's sleeping spots can also work well. Cats often stretch after waking up, and scratching can be part of that routine.
Once your cat is regularly using the new scratching post, you can gradually try moving it elsewhere if needed.
What if your cat ignores the scratching post?
Do not force your cat to use it by moving their paws across the surface. Instead, check three basic things: the material, orientation and location.
A cat that continues scratching the carpet may simply not want a vertical post. A cat that keeps returning to the sofa may be telling you that the new scratching post is in the wrong place.
Playing nearby can help, or you can use a favourite toy to encourage your cat to approach and investigate the new scratching surface naturally.
Sometimes, however, it simply takes time. On the first day, the new scratching post may be considerably less interesting than the box your building materials arrived in.