How to Make a Cat Scratcher

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Oct 30th 2009 @ 10:30AM Filed Under: Cats

erikadotnet/Flickr

While you might want to make something like a cat tree when you've got an afternoon to kill and an overactive kitty at home, constructing a cat scratcher -- just a simple, upholstered post, instead of a whole series of steps and levels -- can quickly solve the problem of clawed-up furniture. Here's the simplest way to build your own cat scratcher.

- Your post should be tall enough so that the cat has to reach the length of its body to touch the top (depending on the cat, maybe three to four feet).

- Use a square-shaped post instead of a round one -- it'll be much easier to attach the carpet. You can have wood cut at a home-improvement store or perhaps find some at a furniture recycling location.

- Use hammer and nails to affix a properly sized carpet sample to your square post, but for now, leave a few inches of wood bare at the top of the post.

- Do the same for your flat, rectangular wooden base, which can even be made out of an old cabinet door, if you don't want to purchase the wood.

- Now upholster that bare section at the top of the post in a colorful, contrasting fabric. It doesn't have to be carpet; any old cloth will do. This will help attract your cat to the post. Some people also glue or nail a little cat toy on top.

- To secure the post to the base, first cut a small hole, an inch or two wide, into the base's carpet covering. Inside that now bare section of wood, use a power drill to make four holes. Center the bottom of the post to this hole and use those four holes to screw the post to the base.

Tags: cat scratcher, cat scratchers, cat toy, cat toys, cats, CatScratcher, CatScratchers, CatToy, CatToys

Can't Miss Galleries

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=754150&pid=754149&uts=1269035019

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs