Diy Scratch Post??

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
Hello. Has anyone tried a do it yourself scratch post? Thinking about taking it on the challenge, but also thinking about just buying the $15 one at Petsmart :-)
If so, would you say making your own is easy on the wallet and better quality than a $20 store bought? The last one I purchased lasted about 2 weeks :(
Low cost, easy instructions, and suggestions are much appreciated :)
 

nese

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
263
Purraise
426
Location
TURKEY
Yes, I have made a diy scratching post for ours and also a cat condo with scratching post. I DEFINITELY recommend to make one instead of a cheap store bought one. The cheap ones at the stores are generally too tiny for adults cats, may only be suitable for 1-2 month kittens.
Our cats really like the long wall-mounted scratching post on the last image, it is about 2 meters long. They climb on it, scratch it, and like to sleep on it.

They love it soooo much that I'm considering to make even another one!
1.png
2.png
3.png
 

nese

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
263
Purraise
426
Location
TURKEY
By the way, for the one in the last image, I didn't spend anything. I took an old empty carton roll from our workplace (normally used for rolling fabrics on it) and covered it with leftover carpet pieces at home.
A pipe can also be used.

For the other one, I just paid for sisal rope. The rest was leftover polywood at home and fabric.
 

Father of furbabies

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Messages
449
Purraise
1,818
Location
Alabama

I bought the sisal posts and cat condo at a local dollar store, along with a throw rug and some plywood I had, to build this. My two furbabies run rampant all over it it. I think it cost me about 20 to 30 dollars and I plan to expand it over time.
 

Graceful-Lily

Extraterrestrial Being
Top Cat
Joined
May 30, 2016
Messages
3,483
Purraise
3,050
Location
Floating Untethered In The Stratosphere
Wasn't easy on the wallet for me at all. By the time my mom and I bought the screws, wood glue, post, ply, fabric, and rope, it came up to over $50. In my opinion, way too much since I could have found one for cheaper and lighter. Felix's post is really heavy and ugly looking. But I wanted to go through that experience of making one for him so I did it. But he uses it all the time now. It has saved our furniture. He doesn't bother with the couch or kitchen chairs now. I also encourage him by dangling something from the top. When he tried to catch it, he always ends up just sharpening his claws.

But I guess this post will last a long time because we've had it for over a year now and it's still got a lot of scratching to go.
 

basscat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 29, 2015
Messages
1,874
Purraise
5,724
Cheaper if you have boards lumber laying around, or know where to go snag some scrap stuff.
If you consider your labor, it's far more expensive to build your own.
But, you do get something that's better made, sturdier, and far superior.
12 x 12 x 3/4 barnwood squares each end.
3ft piece of 4x4 in the middle.
Barnwood squares screwed to each of the 4x4.
Wrapped with a 100ft roll of 3/8" diameter sisal rope. ($20 on eBay).
I stapled the rope to the 4x4 and spread a layer of construction adhesive (liquid nails) about 6 inches down the 4x4. And started wrapping the rope tightly over the liquid nails. When I had wrapped 6 inches down the 4x4, I covered the next 6" of 4x4 with more adhesive, and wrapped it up.
Just worked my along the 4x4, adding glue and wrapping rope, in 6" increments. When I got the end, stapled it.
It's not "tippy" at all for the tabby. But, since tabby cat isn't who uses it most, I lay it down instead of standing it up.
Works great. Big boy uses it, and thankfully uses nothing else. :lol:
 

Father of furbabies

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Messages
449
Purraise
1,818
Location
Alabama
If you go to local business, they might have scrap wood shipping containers you can salvage from. Same for some rug stores, they might have chunks of rug scraps tossed out. Depending on what you are wanting to build, salvage lumber and rugs save lots of money.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
Yes, I have made a diy scratching post for ours and also a cat condo with scratching post. I DEFINITELY recommend to make one instead of a cheap store bought one. The cheap ones at the stores are generally too tiny for adults cats, may only be suitable for 1-2 month kittens.
Our cats really like the long wall-mounted scratching post on the last image, it is about 2 meters long. They climb on it, scratch it, and like to sleep on it.

They love it soooo much that I'm considering to make even another one! View attachment 265277 View attachment 265278 View attachment 265279
Yes, I have made a diy scratching post for ours and also a cat condo with scratching post. I DEFINITELY recommend to make one instead of a cheap store bought one. The cheap ones at the stores are generally too tiny for adults cats, may only be suitable for 1-2 month kittens.
Our cats really like the long wall-mounted scratching post on the last image, it is about 2 meters long. They climb on it, scratch it, and like to sleep on it.

They love it soooo much that I'm considering to make even another one! View attachment 265277 View attachment 265278 View attachment 265279
Yes, I have made a diy scratching post for ours and also a cat condo with scratching post. I DEFINITELY recommend to make one instead of a cheap store bought one. The cheap ones at the stores are generally too tiny for adults cats, may only be suitable for 1-2 month kittens.
Our cats really like the long wall-mounted scratching post on the last image, it is about 2 meters long. They climb on it, scratch it, and like to sleep on it.

They love it soooo much that I'm considering to make even another one! View attachment 265277 View attachment 265278 View attachment 265279

Oohhh. I really like. What kind of material did you use on the bottom picture? Is that carpet? And I’m seeing most use sisal rope. Is that what You used as well?
Thank you :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
Cheaper if you have boards lumber laying around, or know where to go snag some scrap stuff.
If you consider your labor, it's far more expensive to build your own.
But, you do get something that's better made, sturdier, and far superior.
12 x 12 x 3/4 barnwood squares each end.
3ft piece of 4x4 in the middle.
Barnwood squares screwed to each of the 4x4.
Wrapped with a 100ft roll of 3/8" diameter sisal rope. ($20 on eBay).
I stapled the rope to the 4x4 and spread a layer of construction adhesive (liquid nails) about 6 inches down the 4x4. And started wrapping the rope tightly over the liquid nails. When I had wrapped 6 inches down the 4x4, I covered the next 6" of 4x4 with more adhesive, and wrapped it up.
Just worked my along the 4x4, adding glue and wrapping rope, in 6" increments. When I got the end, stapled it.
It's not "tippy" at all for the tabby. But, since tabby cat isn't who uses it most, I lay it down instead of standing it up.
Works great. Big boy uses it, and thankfully uses nothing else. :lol:
Wow that looks great! The rope looks so good. I’m not familiar with liquid nails, is that kinda like a hot glue gun, which I was thinking about using. And is the 12x12 large enogh to hold up the 3x3? Sturdy?

He loves it
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
Wasn't easy on the wallet for me at all. By the time my mom and I bought the screws, wood glue, post, ply, fabric, and rope, it came up to over $50. In my opinion, way too much since I could have found one for cheaper and lighter. Felix's post is really heavy and ugly looking. But I wanted to go through that experience of making one for him so I did it. But he uses it all the time now. It has saved our furniture. He doesn't bother with the couch or kitchen chairs now. I also encourage him by dangling something from the top. When he tried to catch it, he always ends up just sharpening his claws.

But I guess this post will last a long time because we've had it for over a year now and it's still got a lot of scratching to go.
Geez that is a bit pricy. We have some kitchen stools that we replaced, thinking about trying to use those.. over a year? That’s great. Better than the two weeks or so that our store one lasted. I’m going to check out the rope on eBay that basscat recomended And look more into what kind of glue to use. I think I’m give it a shot! Wish me luck
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
If you go to local business, they might have scrap wood shipping containers you can salvage from. Same for some rug stores, they might have chunks of rug scraps tossed out. Depending on what you are wanting to build, salvage lumber and rugs save lots of money.
That’s a great idea! I have the material for the posts, I think, from kitchen chairs that we replaced. I was thinking about getting cheap car mats from a local farmers market for the carpet on the base. Just need something for the base and purchase some rope and glue. I’m Definitely going to give your idea shot though, they are building commercial buildings close to where I live. I’m sure they’ll have a extra piece of wood and carpet laying around :)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
If you go to local business, they might have scrap wood shipping containers you can salvage from. Same for some rug stores, they might have chunks of rug scraps tossed out. Depending on what you are wanting to build, salvage lumber and rugs save lots of money.

I bought the sisal posts and cat condo at a local dollar store, along with a throw rug and some plywood I had, to build this. My two furbabies run rampant all over it it. I think it cost me about 20 to 30 dollars and I plan to expand it over time.
You got the roap from the dollar store? Score!! I never thought to look there. They probably have lots of useful materials.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
By the way, for the one in the last image, I didn't spend anything. I took an old empty carton roll from our workplace (normally used for rolling fabrics on it) and covered it with leftover carpet pieces at home.
A pipe can also be used.

For the other one, I just paid for sisal rope. The rest was leftover polywood at home and fabric.
I see, it is carpet. How tall is that one in the last picture?
 

tarasgirl06

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 19, 2006
Messages
24,708
Purraise
64,894
Location
Glendale, CATifornia
Anything basscat basscat builds is BOUND to stand up to -- well, to THAT CAT. :climbcat:
Just be careful in building your own -- staples are not great to use because they can come out and be dangerous to cats if stepped on or swallowed. And the materials you're using should be non-toxic and safe for cats.
There are some really great-looking ones on these threads! My ex (sometimes with my help) built a lot of different cat things including attachable cat houses, modular cat houses, and cat trees, and did re-covering of store-bought scratchers and climbers when the carpet and/or sisal wore out. Sisal is by far the best scratching surface to use on the verticals! Carpet can be a problem because some cats will understand that it is okay to scratch carpeting in the house, if you have it.
The cardboard scratcher is wonderful, Tobermory Tobermory !!! :wow:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

Stephg143

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
Messages
43
Purraise
36
Anything basscat basscat builds is BOUND to stand up to -- well, to THAT CAT. :climbcat:
Just be careful in building your own -- staples are not great to use because they can come out and be dangerous to cats if stepped on or swallowed. And the materials you're using should be non-toxic and safe for cats.
There are some really great-looking ones on these threads! My ex (sometimes with my help) built a lot of different cat things including attachable cat houses, modular cat houses, and cat trees, and did re-covering of store-bought scratchers and climbers when the carpet and/or sisal wore out. Sisal is by far the best scratching surface to use on the verticals! Carpet can be a problem because some cats will understand that it is okay to scratch carpeting in the house, if you have it.
The cardboard scratcher is wonderful, Tobermory Tobermory !!! :wow:

Right? basscat basscat must do some sort or carpentry or construction for a living.
I have seen those board, do they last? Looks to me like they would get destroyed in no time.
 

nese

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
263
Purraise
426
Location
TURKEY
I see, it is carpet. How tall is that one in the last picture?
It is about 2 meters long. Carpet worn out in about a year with the help of three cats :) Then I upgraded it with sisal rope, it is much more durable now.
But carpet is more cheaper than sisal rope of course.
 

Antonio65

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Messages
6,054
Purraise
9,684
Location
Orbassano - Italy
Hello. Has anyone tried a do it yourself scratch post? Thinking about taking it on the challenge, but also thinking about just buying the $15 one at Petsmart :-)
If so, would you say making your own is easy on the wallet and better quality than a $20 store bought? The last one I purchased lasted about 2 weeks :(
Low cost, easy instructions, and suggestions are much appreciated :)
I had made mine using a cardboard tube (1 meter high) found outside a printing shop, some meters of sisal rope (10 mm thick), some vinylic glue, two wooden discs for sale in any DIY, and ten screws.

First thing I put the wooden discs (which have an outer diameter the same as the internal diameter of the cardboard tube) at the two ends of the tube, and blocked them with 4 screws each.
Then I stopped and end of the sisal rope at one end of the tube with a screw, and started wrapping the tube with this rope. On the tube I had previously applied a coat of vinylic glue enough for 10 rounds of rope, again for the next ten rounds of the rope and so on till the end of the tube.
Another screw would stop the end of the rope at the other end of the tube.

The whole thing was then screwed vertically on an old timber plank with four rubber feet.
I made it in April 2012, it was used till this last summer, shortly before my cat died... And it is still in great conditions.

I spent less than a third of what I would have spent if I had bought it in a shop.
 
Top