If you have an indoor cat (or cats) who can’t use a tree to relieve their anxiety with a good scratch, consider making or buying a scratching post to prevent them from ruining your upholstered furniture, draperies or carpeting. It’s more than a good investment, plus it’s fun to watch a cat release their inner turmoil by scratching and pawing. When our 17-year-old domestic cat Samantha needs a good scratch she doesn’t have a tree to climb to give her claws a workout, so a scratching post provides an opportunity for her to do just that. She goes somewhat wild when we add a catnip spray or leaves on the post; it’s close to cat ecstasy.
At a large pet store you’ll find a variety of scratching posts; and to find them online type “cat scratching post” in a search engine. You’ll find a typical post covered in a rough surface like sisal, rope or carpet that stands 32 inches high, will cost between $25-65. Choose a post with a sturdy base that’s high enough to let your cat get a good long stretch.
You can make one using a few feet of a four-by-four piece of lumber for the post or two pieces of a two-by-four nailed together. Cover the post with glue and a scrap of sisal fabric or carpeting or wind rope around it. To make this a no/low budget investment scavenge the material from a thrift shop. Whether you build or buy a scratching post, it’s our bet your favorite feline will love it.
To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.
Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$65—$35—0.4—2.0—$30—46 percent
