Reuse and recycle is an earth friendly path to take, and one pretty easy DIY project that uses materials you may have around your house is making a scratching 
post for your cat. I like this project because it doesn’t require much in the way of building skills either!
Materials you will need are: Log (including bark if at all possible), a wood plank and a carpet remnant. Be sure to use wood that’s safe for cats. If you’re unsure on woods that are cat safe, check with your veterinarian before beginning the project.
Once you have your materials, here are the steps to follow:
- Cover the plank with the carpet, pile side down. This will ensure the surface is rough for your cat’s liking.
- Nail the log onto top of the carpeted plank. Hammer the nails through from the bottom of the plank.
- If your cat doesn’t seem to like the scratching surface or becomes bored with it after a while, try wrapping the log with some sisal carpet or burlap to give a new texture.
If the scratching post starts looking a little raggedy, but your cat still enjoys scratching on it don’t be too quick to replace it. Cats usually enjoy scratching surfaces that are well broken in, and after repeated usage the surface will be covered in your cat’s scent.
Replacing a scratching surface may not satisfy your cat, which could lead to inappropriate scratching on furniture or curtains. Even though it’s raggedy to us, a well worn scratcher can be a treasure to your cat!
Do you have a cat-related DIY project you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Email Karen at [email protected] if you have a project you’d like to share with our readers.
Written by Karen
