7 DIY Cat Scratching Post Ideas Your Furniture Will Thank You For
If your cat treats your couch like a personal nail salon, it’s time to give them a better target. A scratching post not only saves your furniture, but it also keeps your cat’s claws healthy and mind busy.
The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune on store-bought ones.
With a few tools, some rope, and a bit of creativity, you can make a scratching post your cat will actually use—and you’ll be proud to display.
7 DIY Cat Scratching Post Ideas
1. Wall-Mounted Sisal Climbing Post
A great choice if your cat loves climbing and scratching high places. It saves floor space too.
Items Needed:
- Sisal rope
- Hot glue gun or staple gun
- PVC pipe or thick wooden pole
- Wooden mounting base (round or square)
- Screws and wall anchors
- Drill
How to Make:
Wrap the pipe or pole tightly with sisal rope, gluing or stapling as you go. Attach the wrapped post to a wooden base, then mount the whole thing securely to a wall stud.
By the way, if you're into DIY Hacks stuff, you’ll wanna check this one out: 15 Cat-Friendly Plants That Purify Air and Look Great Too
2. Flat Floor Scratcher With Wood Frame
This one is perfect for cats that scratch low and love laying on their scratcher.
Items Needed:
- 4 wooden planks
- Sisal rope or a jute doormat
- Staple gun
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper
How to Make:
Make a rectangle frame with the planks. Stretch and staple the sisal or mat between the long edges. Sand any rough parts to keep it safe.
Oh, and speaking of DIY Hacks, here’s another one you might like: 5 Clever Cat Organization Ideas Every Pet Owner Needs
3. Rustic Wood Log Scratcher
For a more natural look, this raw wood post feels like outdoor bark under the claws.
Items Needed:
- A thick natural wood log or beam
- Plywood base
- Screws
- Drill
- Sandpaper
How to Make:
Sand the wood to remove any sharp bits but keep the texture rough. Screw it firmly to a wide base so it stands upright and stable.
Also, just throwing this in—this DIY Hacks post is a fun read too: 5 Cat Nook Ideas Your Kitty Will Thank You For
4. DIY Cardboard Box Scratcher
This is the cheapest option, but cats still go wild for it.
Items Needed:
- Cardboard strips
- Shallow cardboard box or tray
- String or hot glue
- Scissors or box cutter
How to Make:
Cut cardboard into equal strips and stack them tightly in the box. Tie with string or glue the pieces together to stop them from shifting. Replace strips when they wear down.
5. Classic Vertical Sisal Post With Perch
This one’s a classic. It has a carpeted base, a sisal-wrapped post, and a round top perch your cat can chill on after a good scratch session.
Items Needed:
- Wooden base
- PVC pipe or wooden dowel
- Sisal rope
- Round wood disc for top perch
- Carpet or felt for base
- Hot glue gun, drill, screws
How to Make:
Cover the base with carpet or felt. Wrap the vertical post tightly with sisal rope. Screw the post into the base, then attach the round wooden perch on top. You can wrap the perch too for extra scratching area.
6. Cactus-Shaped Scratcher
This fun cactus design adds a playful look to your home while giving your cat multiple angles to scratch.
Items Needed:
- PVC pipe or pool noodles
- Sisal rope
- Wooden base
- Hot glue gun
- Drill, screws
- Pom poms or toys for decoration
How to Make:
Build the cactus shape using pipes or foam arms attached to a central pole. Wrap everything with sisal rope. Fix the structure onto a stable wooden base, and add hanging toys for extra playtime.
7. Vertical Cardboard Stack Scratcher
This version uses compressed cardboard sheets stacked between wooden sides to form a vertical scratching block.
Items Needed:
- Cardboard sheets
- Two wood planks for the sides
- Bolts or long clamps
- Drill
- Box cutter
How to Make:
Cut cardboard sheets to the same size and stack them tightly. Sandwich them between two wooden planks and hold everything together using bolts or clamps. The texture is perfect for digging in, and you can easily replace the cardboard later.
