Tips for Building Your Own Cat Scratcher

I have been a cat owner and shelter volunteer for a long time, and I'm all too familiar with the fact that cats love to scratch and shred things to pieces. They do it to mark their territory, to stretch their muscles, and because it just plain feels good.

After noticing that my cats' favorite scratcher was in dire need of replacement, I headed to the pet store to pick up a new one. I paced up and down the aisle of cat furniture while looking at price tags anywhere from $20 to $50. I'll say that again. $50. For a scratch post.

I ended up leaving the store empty-handed and in utter disbelief because I couldn't justify spending $50 on some plywood and rope. On the way home I stopped at the hardware store, picked up some sisal rope and went home to refurbish the trusty old scratcher myself. So take that, pet store!

Lately I've been thinking some more about how easy it would be to build a scratch post from, well, scratch. There are several free tutorials online for do-it-yourself scratch posts. I haven't tried any of them yet, but if you're like me and have more time and DIY spirit than cash, check out this list of tips I put together for anyone out there who is thinking of making their own scratcher.

Get to know your cat's preferences.

Before building a scratch post, take some time to observe your cat's scratching habits. Ask yourself the following questions.

Does my cat prefer a vertical or horizontal scratch surface?

If you don't take the time to learn your cat's preferences, you might end up with a scratcher that serves no purpose. Cats that strongly prefer to scratch horizontal surfaces will likely pay no attention to a vertical scratch post, and your time and effort will be wasted on this project.

How high or long should this scratcher be?

To find the answer to this question, try to measure the distance between the front toes and the back toes. This can give you a better idea of how high or long you should build your scratcher. If you already have an old scratch post in your home, take note of the most worn areas and let that be a guide to creating the new scratcher. A good rule of thumb is to make the scratcher high or long enough for your cat to fully extend her body.

What material does my cat prefer to scratch?

The three most common options for scratch surfaces are carpet, cardboard, and sisal rope. Feel free to expose your cat to different types of scratch surfaces before deciding which is right for you. Each type has pros and cons, so use whatever option works best to keep your kitty's claws out of your furniture.

Many people have old or leftover pieces of carpet laying around which makes this a convenient and affordable option. Try to use carpets that are dense and durable. Shaggy carpets shed over time, and your cat may try to eat the fibers. Additionally, if your whole house is covered in carpet, you might want to think twice. Some cats may not understand that sometimes it is ok to scratch carpet, but other times it is not. If you decide to use carpet, try exposing the reverse side. This should give your cat a satisfying scratching surface without the mess and confusion that comes with the plush side.

Some of my cat-owner friends swear by their cardboard scratchers. These scratchers are easy to replace, and you can buy them in a store or make them yourself. The downside to these scratchers is that they can get very messy. If you don't mind little pieces of cardboard everywhere, this may be the option for you.

My own cats prefer sisal rope. I like this option because it seems to last the longest and it isn't as messy as cardboard. It's also easy (and cost effective) to replace rope without having to replace the entire scratcher. I have also heard that sisal fabric is a good option for scratch posts, but I have never actually seen it in use.

Make it safe and sturdy.

If you present your cat with a new scratch post and she attempts to use it, you've won half the battle. However, this critical moment when your cat evaluates the scratch surface can make or break the entire project. It is crucial that you have made sure your scratcher is safe and sturdy.

To protect your cat's claws, be sure to inspect all exposed areas of the scratcher and cover all of the nails, screws or staples that could get in the way. Also make sure that the scratcher won't fall over while your cat is using it. If this happens, even once, your cat may never use it again.

Make it fun.

If your cat isn't familiar with scratchable furniture, don't be afraid to attach some toys or rub some catnip into your scratcher to entice her to use it. If you have taken the time to find out what kind of scratcher she needs, she will eventually get the hang of it.

Don't try to 'teach' your cat how to use the scratcher by demonstrating it for her. She knows what she's doing, and you will just look silly.

Don't stop there.

There are lots of tutorials and plans available for all kinds of cat furniture. The links below are some of the best ones I found. Please let us know if you find some other good ones, and show us some cat furniture you have made yourself!

Tree

Shelves

Litterbox

Rocket Ship

Image Credits: petfinder.com, thecatvet.co.uk