How to Build Your Own Cat Scratching Post

Before we begin with how to build your own cat scratching post let’s first explore the reasons behind the scratching and how to control it.

First of all cats are not as complicated as we humans like to think, they scratch for one reason and that is to keep their claws in good condition. For a cat their claws are an important tool, they use them to kill their prey and they use them to climb. In essence they are only doing what comes natural to them, it is their instinct to scratch and as humans we can redirect where they scratch but we do not control if they scratch.

If your cat has started scratching your couch cover the area with plastic, and see if they will go to the new scratching post you made. Another method is to fill a spray bottle with water and every time you see them scratching where you don’t want them to spray them and firmly say no. when you see your cat using the scratching post, praise her and reward her this will re-enforce the positive behavior. Nothing is easy; cats can be hardheaded so it is important that you work with your cat to get the desired results. Remember cats are only doing what comes natural for them.

In order to make a cat scratching post you will need:

*a measuring tape

*4x4 post

*saw

*3- 2x6 boards 12”long

*2-2x6 boards 18”long

*8-3” screws

*power drill with screw driving bit

*carpet scraps

*staple gun

Optional:

*catnip

*dangling toy

Velzipmur aka Shelly Wyatt