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As any cat owner could tell you, a scratching post is a necessity of life that helps a cat let out it's aggression, keep its claws healthy, and prevents a cat from finding other objects to use in it's place. A scratching post that is bought in a retail store can be fairly expensive and a if particular cat may not like or use it, an owner has basically wasted their hard-earned money for nothing. Making a scratching post for a cat at home is relatively easy, moderately cheap, and allows a pet owner to experiment with different materials and designs until they find the one their cat will utilize most often. For the price of a single commercially made scratching post, four or five can be made at home and will probably be better constructed for longer use.

The dimensions of a scratching post should be customized for match the size of the cat it is intended for, and needs to be determined before starting a project. A good rule of thumb is to measure the length of a cat from it's head to the base of it's tail, add 6 inches for stretching room, and this will be the measurement for the height of the scratching post. The basic frame of a scratching post can be made from a 4 inch by 4 inch post, and the base can be cut from a sheet of plywood. The base should be at least an 18 inch by 18 inch square, so the scratching post is stable and will not tip over when used. Simply screw the post to the base using 3 inch wood screws and a drill, and the frame is quickly completed.

Once the frame is assembled some type of material needs to be chosen to cover the scratching post for a cat's comfort. Carpet scraps can be purchased fairly cheaply at a local carpet store and attached around the scratching post using carpet glue, a staple gun, or even carpet tacks. Select a Berber or commercial type of carpet with a short fiber, so the cat will not get it's claws stuck when it uses the scratching post. Another excellent material to wrap the scratching post with is a natural fiber rope such as Manila Hemp because of it's durability. Start at the base of the scratching post and affix the end of the rope using a nail, then just wind the rope tightly toward the top of the post and secure it with another nail.

Especially in the case of a pet owner with a younger cat, a scratching post is essential to preventing damage to furniture in the home. Think of it as an investment in your cat - $10 spend to make a scratching post can save $1,000 in damage to a family heirloom as the result of a bored cat.

Learn more about this author, Thom W. Conroy.
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