It might’ve crossed your mind while reading this that the plywood base and pole aren’t really necessary, and you’re not wrong. Try to pick a natural, non-treated wood. If left without a similar outlet in your home, you may notice your cat replicating this behavior on your furniture or drapes. Assemble the four side panels and the top with glue and nails, using a pneumatic nail gun. The shape of your structure is entirely up to you. Step 2: Make Upper and Lower Plugs.. Start making the upper and lower base plugs by forming 45 mm thick wooden pieces… Cat Tunnel. While the body of your scratching post will be made primarily of cardboard, it has to have a base to build around. Next, we attach carpet to the side and top of the soon-to-be kitty high rise. Make A Simple Cat Scratching Post. The rope for most quality scratching posts will not be glued on, they’ll only be tightly strung, which is how we’re going to string ours too. While this often damages the item being scratched, it provides a benefit to the cat. This will create the template for you to make your cuts. Well, there's the base. This will allow you to secure the pole to the wood more easily, creating a tighter fit. So I thought I'd try to design a cat tree that they would just love. If it is kinking, turn the coil upside down and draw the rope from the opening at the other end. All you need is some cardboard boxes, a plywood base and a piece of wood to build around. Mark the holes with a compass, drill to start them, and finish cutting with a jigsaw. Then, glue it into … All righty. Finally, we join all our poles together by driving screws through the plastic pipe and into the wooden dowels I inserted earlier. A pretty easy scratching and playing item for your cats is a tunnel made out of a cardboard tube covered in carpet. This stuff gets expensive. The scrap wood you choose should be thick enough to support the length of the scratching pole. Now, sit back and watch your cat have a blast with her new cardboard scratching post! Excellent, right. Now we want to add a gymnastic element. You might also be able to find blocks of corrugated cardboard at a hardware or craft store in place of multiple thin boxes. Now we're going to be cutting this out with a jigsaw, so I'm going to drill a starter hole just inside the line that we drew. Making a homemade scratching post is much easier than you think. [MUSIC] And the way to do that is to locate pretty much the center of the hole just by feel here — about right there, I would say, and take the knife, going to go all the way through. This very short video shows you how to make a simple but effective cat scratching post. Drill a hole in the bottom of the pole, then take the wood screw and drill it through the bottom of the plywood and into the base of the pole to attach them together. We're a company of pet lovers with a commitment to quality & making the tastiest product out there. You're kidding. Insert the dividing panel for the floor between the two stories before attaching the last two sides. These are two little kittens found in a dumpster. Now for small- to medium-sized cats, you want these holes to be about 6 inches in diameter. [MUSIC] JEAN: This process will take you all the way down to the bottom; once again nail the end of your rope all the way around the bottom of the post. Apr 21, 2017 - DIY Modern Cat Scratching Post: A while back we made an instructable for a horizontal cat scratching post/pad. Cut, pre-drill, and sand all your wood … JEAN: The tower is two-stories tall and has openings on all side. Follow these step-by-step instructions to get the job done. Step 3: Pole Position. And to make a long story short, to build it I: Attached brackets to the pole with zip ties and Liquid Nails; Measured and cut my platforms; Tacked moulding onto the bottom platform to make sides; Attached platforms to the brackets on the pole [LAUGHS] Jean, thank you so much for bringing them over, they were fantastic. Two easy DIY wall-mounted cat scratcher projects For those do-it-yourselfers out there, we have two easy projects you might want to tackle. Now let's talk about home improvement for pets. With a utility knife, cut the carpet over the holes into neat pie-shaped wedges from the center to the wooden edge. Well, we've got a great place for our feline friends to curl up inside and a perfect perch. Construct a cat tree with a scratching post and cat tower that doubles as a sleeping and play area. Place the scratching post on the side: this is an important step when introducing a cat to a scratching post. Each platform contains 2 parts. They’re there to provide support, but if you’re not worried about your cat knocking the scratching post around the floor (she might even prefer that) you can simply cut out the layers of cardboard and glue them on top of one another to create one long tower or post for her to play with. You’ll need to cut the platforms out of wood. Now cats love cozy spaces that they can crawl into and out of. Afterward, you’ll want to drill a hold in the center of the plywood to fit a 1.5” wood screw. A few tools you probably already have at home will come in handy, too. JEAN: Ron Hazelton talks with Eddie Griffin, owner of Brown Roofing, and gives you the top questions to ask when hiring a roofing contractor. Wood. And our buddies here, huh? You should also play around the post. There are a few reasons why cats scratch, and it all comes down to instinct You know those canaries, dogs and cats that we all live with, especially cats. First I took my 2″ thick wooden dowel and stapled the jute cord / sisal rope into place a few inches above the bottom of the dowel. When he’s not busy working you can find him hopping across the world looking for new places to climb big rocks. The first thing you have to do is to have the design clear and make your own sketch.We recommend checking different types of scratching posts and evaluate the space you have available at home as well as the needs of your cat.. Take a look in stores and even on the internet to choose the right model. Check out my online boutique on Instagram! JEAN: Once your cut has been made you will want to sand down the base. Whichever you decide to go with, there are a few ways to make sure your cat […] Make a cardboard cat scratcher using corrugated cardboard boxes. The inspiration for this project came from the Sky Scratcher, so that might help you with some ideas. Nice to meet you. I'm going to drop that blade right into the starter hole and cut this circle out. Well, our carpet's on but those cats are going to have kind of a tough time getting to that door right now, aren't they? Our ingredients are gently dehydrated and 100% human grade. Step 1: Remove the top stand from the scratching post using the tool that came with the setup kit. Like a lot of pet paraphernalia, a simple scratching post can also be quite expensive. Cats scratch by digging their front claws into a horizontal or vertical surface, then pulling their feet down or back. That’s where a wood pole will come in handy. Buy a piece that’s 2 ft by 4 ft by ½ in (.61 m by 1.2 m by 1.27 cm) or cut it to the correct measurements using a table saw. I'm going to take four pieces of PVC pipe and create a frame that will come up on all —from all four corners right here. The higher you make it, the more cutting you’re going to have to do. So I'm going to apply the glue and since we've got such a large surface here, I'm going to roll it on with a paint roller. From there you should be able to unwind the rope. Your cat will love yanking on lengths of rope and will be entertained for quite a while. It’s up to you! Or maybe you’re just a fan … Next you will want to nail the base on to the post, use about four nails and pound them through the bottom of the plywood base and into the bottom of the post. I give each section a dab of construction adhesive, fold them around the edge of the opening, then staple them in place on the inside. Using only five supplies (sisal rope, carpet, screws, plywood, and 2x4s), you can make a cool hang out for your feline friends. If you’re feeling froggy you could even add a second pole to the plywood base and create two towers in one. Cut and staple carpet panels to cover the cat tower. One square of plywood for your base will cost you less than $10 at your local hardware store. Yeah, that's good. Not everyone is in a position to do a project themselves. The tower is two-stories tall and has openings on all side. Drive screws through the pipe and into the wooden dowels inserted earlier. Fold your towel over the book, gift-wrap style. You want to try to cut slightly smaller than the circle you traced. Okay. Full Size Cat Scratching / Climbing Post Step 1: What You Need.. For example: A diam. RON HAZELTON: Pull taught so there are no folds on the front side; you want a flat, durable scratching surface. Ron? So we're going to make ours with a very large and heavy base out of 3/4 inch plywood, actually two layers of it, and we're going to hook these together by first glueing them and then screwing them. This is my friend Jean, from the Humane Society. This is a great idea and includes well-designed plans for building a place for your cat to play. Ron Hazelton answers all your questions and demonstrates How to Patch a Hole in Drywall. Mm-hmm [AFFIRMATIVE]. Lay it flat on the floor, then place the book in the middle. JEAN: So we're going to have to cut a hole through the carpet. Keep that in mind. She loves it, she loves it. I think — look, look, look. Well, our tower's finished. Okay. DIY Cat Scratching Post: Stretch & Claw the Natural Way In nature, cats scratch on trees to stretch their bodies and maintain their claws. JEAN: Pros: Wood is an attractive material, and scratching posts made of wood tend to be durable, sturdy, and stable. Sure. [BOTH SPEAK AT ONCE] The genius design fits the job description and does wonders to keep your cat mentally and physically active, while distractıng them from destroying your furniture. First, check out Eva’s easy wall-mounted scratching board. Treats will make the scratching post a very positive experience for your cat. You might even have one… Read on to find out how to make some DIY cat scratching devices you may just have all the makings lying around at home anyway! He’s also fanatically obsessed with funding his outdoor obsessions for as little money as possible. As soon as the cat gets used to scratching the post, you can then stand it. How Pilot Holes Make it Easier to Drive Screws and Nails, A Faster Way to Drill Holes and Drive Screws, How to Make a Compass to Draw Large Circles, How to Draw Circles Using Commonly Available Objects, PVC Tiles Are A Stunning Way to Hide Outdated Popcorn Ceilings, Facebook LIVE: How to Patch a Hole in the Wall, Top Questions to Ask When Hiring a Roofing Contractor, How to Build a Custom Insulated Dog House. Use two 3/4-inch plywood panels for the base, glued together with carpenter's glue. I'd say we've got the perch taken care of. [KITTENS MEWLING] They're really impatient. Construct a Carpet-covered Cat Tree with a Scratching Post and Tower . Step 2: Building the Platforms. RON HAZELTON: This is another cat tree that should be very simple to build. How to Make a Cat Tree. Staple it along the perimeter and in the center to hold it securely in place. I added a dab of adhesive and then used a handheld staple gun and just one staple to … We're going to cut out to the edge of the hole till the knife stops right there. I created the cat scratcher pole portion first. Position and cut two 6-inch holes on each plywood side panel and one on the top panel for the hollow 2-story tower. I know. Wow. DIY: 10 Steps For Building Your Own Cardboard Cat Castle, Making a DIY Temporary Litterbox from Cardboard. Tina and Turnip, hey, guys. These dowels also provide a solid core to which we can attach a piece of sisal rope, a favorite scratching material. Choosing a Cat Scratching Post Choose a scratching post that is tall. And make … Who we got? It is extremely easy: Quickly and Easily Hide Popcorn Ceilings with PVC Tiles. They are however, simple to make. Get Ron's videos and articles delivered to your inbox every weekend. Womp.So we built a modern vertical cat scratching post that slides over the arm of our couch, hoping… Cut the square down to a size of about 12” x 12”. Mochi did use it, but the downside is she still clawed our couch too. Do you love the color green? RON HAZELTON: The easiest way to have a cheap cat scratching post, is to make one. They're anxious to try this out. Using cardboard boxes, trace each section of the tower out before cutting it. Cardboard boxes are typically thin, so you’ll be cutting out a few of the same shape for each portion. Out-there designs for DIY cat projects. Add a wide stable base made of two panels of 3/4-inch plywood. First, cut cardboard boxes into strips and score them as you go. Fold the towel in half to double-up the material. You know, they can be really finicky. So we designed kind of a two-story jungle gym here with plenty of entrances and exits. We'll set this in place and then if you can kind of align those marks up for me right there, I'll put the screws in. I'm good, how are you? Cardboard. Cats need to be able to reach … And so I've set up my compass here to be 3 inches, which is half of that. And there we go. A cordless drill will work here, or you might be able to form the hole by hand. This one uses plywood for the base and tower, both covered in carpet, and PVC pipes covered in sisal rope. Square and circular wood poles are available at any hardware store and range between $1 and $3 depending on the size. Drive a screw through the PVC pipe, the end of a piece of sisal rope, and into the wooden dowel. Well, little guys — let's see what we've got for you. [BOTH SPEAK AT ONCE] Draw the rope from the inside of the coil so that it runs smoothly. Cut four pieces of PVC pipe to length and glue wooden dowels into one end of each with epoxy. RON HAZELTON: JEAN: RON HAZELTON: Now I'm going to have some pals coming over in a little while from the Humane Society to check this out and they'll be here shortly, so we'd better get started. For example, your base should be stacked 4”, the next portion 3.5” and so on until you reach the total height you’re aiming for. Do you like plants? Now we're going to deal with the scratch and climb by covering all of this in carpet. Add a wide stable base made of two panels of 3/4-inch plywood. If you’re varying your sections to create a unique design, set a limit for each part. Cover the edges of the base with neat corners. [SAWING SOUNDS] Well, we've got all of our doorways cut, those cats have got plenty of ways to get in and out. That's why I've partnered with HomeAdvisor.com to provide you with free quotes from qualified local professionals. Trace the end of the PVC pipe with a pencil to create a circle in the center of the wood piece. One square of plywood for your base will cost you less than $10 at your local hardware store. I went with an oval shape for the … Using a box cutter, cut out the pieces of your structure. First, we need to make 1 base platform. Because the pole is divided by a spacer, ... For example, if your cat scratches the living-room rug, consider buying a carpeted cat-scratching post instead of one with sisal rope. Wand toys also make it more effective. Make A Professional Looking Cat Scratching Post. So now — okay, we're going to have it for you. There we go. What cat scratching posts are made of. To attach that at the top though, I've got to put something into this hollow pipe, a piece of dowel. We never use fillers, by-products, preservatives or any other nasty additives. [BOTH SPEAK AT ONCE] We have in here — this is Tina and Turnip. JEAN: Now we're going to begin to construct the box or should I say the kitty cottage and we're going to be doing that by taking the sides, top and bottom and putting them together with glue and nails. Place the PVC pipes in the four corners of the tray and bring them to a single point above the tower in a pyramid-like shape. And then we'll take a piece of our dowel and just slide this right inside. Now we need to make 4 platforms. Purchasing a scratching tower for a cat seems a little silly when you consider how easy and affordable it is to make one yourself. I cut a piece here that drops right inside our base as you can see. Beginning with a base that starts out wider and narrows toward the top is a good choice as it’ll help provide balance while also giving your cat something to lean on and stretch across without the fear of her tumbling it over. Now some folks feel that the cat trees that you buy in stores don't really have stable bases. In a dumpster. Scratching is an important part of a cat's health and wellbeing. JEAN: Let's start by putting some glue on the side right here. Now that's a sturdy base. Begin by removing the sisal rope from the cat tree. RON HAZELTON: Ten, ten weeks old. To make a simple cat condo with a scratching post, wind sisal rope from the top to the bottom of a vertical support and attach the support to studs in one wall. I'm going to hold this in place with some staples. Make the platforms. Construct a cat tree with a scratching post and cat tower that doubles as a sleeping and play area. You can also sprinkle catnip on the post while applying this method. Tightly roll these strips and glue the strips together to make one very long rolled strip. I'll take our second piece of plywood and just put this right on top. Easy to do and kitty will love it. Spin the PVC pipe with an electric drill and bit stuck in the wooden dowel while a helper guides the rope in tight wraps. For this project, you’ll want to go with either a 36” or 48” post, depending on how high you want to make your tower. Now we're going to start on the apartment complex. I mixed up some quick-setting epoxy and I'll spread it on the inside of the pipe. Then I drill some countersunk shank holes and drive in a few screws. Oh, aren't they precious. That carpet's not going to go anywhere. Jean, could you hand me that last one there. You can glue the pieces together to make them sturdy if you choose, but this will prevent you from changing the shape of the tower or taking it apart down the road. Drill countersunk shank holes and drive in screws to secure the panels and wooden strips as a lip around the perimeter. RON HAZELTON: That will sit right inside the base, just like that. How to Build a Cat Tree Complete With Scratching Post and Tower ; Replacement Cat Tree Sisal Posts ; Tips. This is it right here. 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