Craft idea: DIY cat scratching tree - how it works
DIY scratching tree - How it works
Today we have some suggestions how you can build a scratching tree for your house cat yourself. Depending on the design of the scratching furniture, you can create a own little kingdom in your home with just a few materials for your cat. The advantages of building your own scratching tree are obvious:
- individual design to match your furniture
- suitable size for your flat
- Properties exactly tailored to the needs of your cat
You need that:
- Base plate (made of stable, heavy wood)
- Sanding paper and sanding block
- Anti-slip nubs for the floor (e.g. self-adhesive)
- 2-3 wooden boxes (e.g. from the DIY store)
- Sisal Rope
- Wood panel
- Staplers and staples
- Cordless screwdrivers and screws
- if necessary also angles and washers
Building your own scratching tree
Today we show you a quick and inexpensive alternative to the large scratching trees, which will provide variety for your house cat. First of all, plan how your scratching post should look. A small sketch will give you a good overview of what you need. Once you have everything together, you can start:
1. Prepare the base plate
For a simple scratching post you need 2-3 wooden boxes from the hardware store and optionally a straight base plate made of solid wood. You can usually have a base plate cut to the required dimensions at the DIY store. Using a sanding block and sandpaper placed around it, you can now sand down the splintering corners so that there is no risk of injury. Finally, glue the non-slip studs under the panel.
2. Prepare wooden boxes
If the wooden crates are kits, first assemble the wooden crates and pile them up as you imagined. For example, a pyramid-shaped arrangement would be conceivable, where you place two boxes on the base plate and one above it.
3. Create scratching surface
With a wooden plate in the right size of a side part of your wooden box and sisal rope you can easily create a scratching surface for your cat. Tack the rope to one corner of the plate and wrap it tightly around the plate again and again. Tack the rope to the back of the plate from time to time. When you have completely wrapped the plate, you can screw it to the side of your wooden box (use the washers if necessary).
4. Fixing boxes
Now screw your crate arrangement tightly: first the crates together (use the angles if necessary for greater stability) and finally the crates on the base plate. Make sure that the box with the scratching surface is installed in such a way that your cat can easily reach it.
5. Set up
Now your individual cat tree is ready. There are now almost no limits to your creativity in the design, you have a free hand! Maybe the raised box can be converted into a cat's den? A cat pillow invites you to relax and doze at this place. Elsewhere, a dangling cat toy might be just the right element to satisfy the play instinct of your cat.
Our tip: If you would rather offer your house cat the deluxe version of a scratching tree, you can also use a tree trunk, thick, stable branches and several wooden boards to create a large individual scratching tree. The platforms then invite you to jump and rest. Dangling toys and wooden boards, which are upholstered with foam and covered with plush, then form the perfect combination of an activity centre and cosy lounging areas for watching and relaxing.
Have fun planning and building!