Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. How to Make a Cat Scratching Post From a Log (5 Simple Steps) Skin problems are one of the most common reasons pet parents seek veterinary care. "This toy is cute for a cat without catching too much attention," remarked our tester, but most importantly their cat took to it quickly. When choosing a towel to dress it in, be sure to use a plush material that doesn't have a lot of loose threads, which could cause your furry kitty's claws to snag. Dimensions: 15 x 2 inches | Weight: Not provided, Long enough for full-grown cats to lie down on it, Intriguing design encourages both lounging and interaction, Cardboard scratchers aren't as durable, making it harder to justify the high price point. Watch for the following signs that may indicate your cats ears should be checked by a veterinarian. Cut the fabric to size so that it wraps around the spindle without too much excess (you do want the fabric to overlap a bit so that you can secure it). How to Make a Cat Scratching Post: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow A scratching post is a furniture-saving piece that should be readily available in any home with a cat to help redirect their urge to scratch. It's also made with recycled cardboard and is non-toxic. A very basic yet frustrating question thats asked of me all the time is: With all of the scratching posts I buy for my cat, why do they still scratch my couch?! DIY Cat Scratching Post That Lasts for Years! - Dream a Little Bigger This article has been viewed 537,166 times. Give the book " Ultimate Cat Secrets" a read. What You Should Do for a Cat Bite or Scratch - Cleveland Clinic The nonprofit is moving to 104 S. Miami St., Peru, it announced earlier this month on its Facebook page. If there is any kind of fabric, you may want to use a pet friendly carpet cleaner. Luckily, finding a sturdy but inexpensive area rug for this board is all too easy, and yields a cat accessory you won't have to hide when company comes over. What would be the easiest way to clean them and with wh Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA, Why Everyone Is Decorating With Fake Snow This Christmas. Tutorial: How to Restore a Scratching Post - YouTube Find the center of the top of the 44 and drill a hole. Cardboard scratchers use densely layered corrugated paper product instead of sisal twine or other materials. The perfect build for you will depend on your space constraints as well as the size of your feline friend. Measure out each carpet piece to fit every wall of the shelf individually (top, bottom, back, and two sides). When choosing fabric, look for a textile that goes well with your dcor, and purchase enough to replace when your cat shreds this roll. Additionally, cats who are not groomed appropriately can become mattedthis is especially true for long-haired cats. "I love the playful yet simple design of this scratcher. Here are six easy steps you can follow; #1 Disassemble the entire structure Join us! Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. Start by vacuuming the post. If you have a dirty scratching post, you can take some steps to clean it. And do not attempt to clean the canalprobing inside of your cats ear can cause trauma or infection. The post should be long enough to allow your cat to comfortably stretch on it. From nail trims to bathing, a little maintenance goes a long way. In general, we found that sisal scratchers with rectangular designs are the least visually distractingeven if they're relatively large. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. However, another cat's scent on a scratching post may not even affect whether or not your cat uses it. "The cost effective procedure really helped me a lot along with the fact that everything is readily available! Scratching posts let cats scratch while saving your furniture and carpets! Our testers' favorite is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, which has a stable base and is wrapped in durable sisal that will stand up to years of scratching. Your cat will be able to fully stretch on the 32 tall post that is durable and made from fibrous sisal for them to scratch. Thats why its important to regularly examine and clean your cats paws and make sure theyre wound-free. 6 answers Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Jul 01, 2018 Do you have stains? Sick cats often hide more, too, so it's important to look for other signs of illness that might be happening concurrently, like decreased appetite and vomiting. A clean cat is a happy cat, and we're here to help! Buy a piece that's 2 ft by 4 ft by in (.61 m by 1.2 m by 1.27 cm) or cut it to the correct measurements using a table saw. You can purchase a pack of these inexpensively at your local hardware store. How to Make a Cat Scratching Post From a Log in 7 Easy Steps By Nicole Cosgrove Updated on Jan 20, 2023 Share Cat scratching posts are ideal for encouraging your cat to clean and dull their claws without them destroying your furniture or curtains in the process. This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Follow the instructions for the commercial product. Look for a large base that will hold the post even if your cat climbs on one side. Eye conditions that are left untreated can lead to impaired sight or even blindness. Walk away. If you see any discharge, redness or swelling, your cats ears should be checked by a veterinarian. Stack strips on top of one another so that the rough, cut edges form a flat surface. What laundry detergent is safe for my cats? Spritzing it with vinegar or rubbing alcohol will kill germs. Use natural, hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos recommended for use on cats. Cats need healthy feet to scratch, climb and achieve their famed acrobatic landings. In each category, our testers recorded their thoughts and gave the cat scratching post a rating from 1 to 5. If her shedding is due to an underlying medical cause, including allergies, parasites, infections or disease, her health may continue to worsen if you dont seek veterinary care. Smurgle?https://youtu.be/ap8jGH7Ca1gWe have some excellent scratchers on our store. No matter which DIY cat scratching post you choose, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment making something cool and creative for your cat, and you can really make it your own by choosing materials that reflect your own sense of style. ", "We are going to make several and add a second and third floor. :) To really clean it, you'll want to start with cleaning off the hair from the other cat. Several modelsincluding our best overall pick from SmartCatoffer multiple cat color choices, including neutral beiges and grays that can more easily blend into a space. A clean cat is a happy cat, and we're here to help! Providing your cat with a variety of scratching posts and placing them appropriately are good ways to encourage the use of scratching posts. Cat Care DIY Cat Scratching Post: Stretch & Claw the Natural Way In nature, cats scratch on trees to stretch their bodies and maintain their claws. Peru's Scratching Post Cat Rescue expanding - Yahoo News One or two brushings per week will help kitty to keep her healthy glowand youll find that regular sessions are especially beneficial when your cat ages and is no longer able to groom so meticulously on her own. We cover the wood frame with both carpet and all natural sisal rope. Dental Care. Cats require taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health. But if you have a cat in your home, you'll soon realize that your furniture is the target for a lot of this fierce feline behavior. Lift away the dirt and wax rather than rubbing it into the ear. Indoor cats can shed all year-round. Cat Grooming Tips | ASPCA With a steamer, it's best to use one that's meant for upholstery. How to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen? Add staples if the glue doesnt seem to be holding the rope well enough. Happy building! Your cat may be suffering from one of the following health issues: If your cat obsessively licks, bites or scratches, OR if hes losing patches of hair or stops to scratch or bite the same few spots persistently, then its important you take him in for a veterinary exam. The streamlined design incorporates sisal ropewhich most cats find irresistiblethroughout the center pole and three adjustable platforms. Place the rug upside down on the floor and plant the board on the back of the rug. ", "Practical step-by-step instructions and easily available items.". As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Generally, though, spray the cleaner on, saturating the spot. Set it on the floor and let your cat have at it. Follow these steps to ensure minimal stress and maximum efficiency. Usually, though, you spray it on and let it sit. And if given the opportunity, she'll turn your curtains, carpet, or even your couch into shreds to do so. The top of the Ultimate Scratching Post is 7-inches square, which is the perfect size for placing snacks. Whilst it might appear to be an unfavorable behavior or unsightly habit, scratching is really good for your kitty's claws, helping to keep them in tip-top shape. ), and if you do choose to mount it on the wall, you can easily adjust the height to accommodate the length of your cat. Most pet parents learn the hard way their cat needs to scratch this genetic itch. Whatever her reason, you can indulge her with only two common items and a remedial knowledge of sewing. Why do cats need a scratching post? | PetsRadar Spritzing it with vinegar or rubbing alcohol will kill germs. Once you start to notice the scratching surface is wearing out, simply flip it over and your cat has a relatively new surface to sink their claws into. If your cat is constantly squinting or pawing at her eye area, give her eyes a good inspection. Repeat this step with the second set of wood and foam. % of people told us that this article helped them. Try to pick a natural, non-treated wood. Search for cat tree plans check out cat tree towers, condos and other cat furniture for design ideas about how to make a cat tree. Select Your Region (opens a modal dialog), 2021 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. "How to clean mold on the sisal scratching post.". tuft + paw's flushable cat litter formula is the lowest tracking cat litter you'll ever use (like, actually). Pick up one today!https://shop.jacksongalaxy.com/collections/supplies-catification?utm_source=google\u0026utm_medium=social\u0026utm_campaign=jgyt00:00 Cat Advice Intro01:09 My cats are still scratching the couch03:05 Where to place the cat tower03:39 Why cats scratch the couch05:22 Is your cat a horizontal scratcher?07:45 Another option for cat scratching couch08:28 Common mistake cat owners make------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe and ring that bell! Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. It takes up minimal space in a home (our tester put it in a hallway! It really is the only long-term solution to discipline your cat, OP. Our tester noted that the arc is a great shape for cats to lay out on top of, but a larger cat is a tight squeeze underneath. Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 49 inches | Weight: Not Provided. Nick Blackmer began his information-digging career as a library reference assistant, then worked for more than 20 years as a researcher and fact checker in print publishing before moving into digital publishing. It's also stable, with a base 16-inch square base that keeps the post steady and prevents it from sliding across the floor or toppling. Step 2: To create the base of the cat pole, select one set of wood and foam. Why Your Cat Won't Use the Scratching Post It is possible to teach your cat to use the scratching post. Cats need an outlet for their scratching behavior, and you don't have to spend a ton for a store-bought structure that satisfies this instinct. Rub it up and down the surface to help capture hairs. Make sure it is centred and firmly screw the post into the base with wood screws. How to clean paint brushes with paint thinner? Put the post right in front of the sofa arm, so your cat comes to that before the sofa itself. The ergonomic shape of this scratching post is appealing to cats, and also reduces the footprint of the toy in your home. How To Encourage A Cat To Use A Scratching Post - Clean Pet Club Here are five ideas for how to make a homemade cat scratching post using simple, inexpensive items. Does your kitty disappear when the clippers come out? Then, wrap the wound in a sterile bandage. Redirection: The best way to stop your cat from scratching your carpet is to give them something else just as appealing to dig their claws into. Hes worked on content spanning the human life cycle, from pregnancy to palliative care and many points in between. Message and data rates may apply. Place these tacks along the edges lengthwise, where the rug and board meet, in order to secure it properly. Next, wash the wound with mild soap and water. This makes it a great reclining scratcher for fully grown cats. It's an affordable scratching post that's easy to move around, so if your cat likes to follow you into different rooms then this scratching post is a great solution for keeping their idle claws busy and off your sofa. Measure Your Cat Scratching Post Image Credit: Cryptographer, Shutterstock Before you start your build, you must decide how tall and wide your scratching post will be. Checking for hair loss, redness, bumps, cuts, fleas, ticks or other parasites will be a fast way to determine whether you need to go the vet to solve your pets shedding. May 26PERU The Scratching Post Cat Rescue is in the midst of a significant expansion. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. For cats, clawing is a way of life. Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced ocean fish to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life. Empty the bookshelf completely. They have years of built up, cigarette smoke residue on them. It's easy to assemble, more low maintenance than a real cactus, and it won't poke back! You don't have to use the whole box, so even if you quit after just two sections, you'll still have an awesome DIY cat scratching toy to show for your effort. If your cat suffers from any of the symptoms mentioned below, please see the vet right away: A good home eye exam just before grooming can clue you into any tearing, crust, cloudiness or inflammation that may indicate a health problem. It's well made and has a classic design that comes in two neutral colors to coordinate with most home decor styles. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. "This scratcher was strong, sturdy and functional," our tester said. Built for scratching Soft on paws Spot clean or machine wash cold on delicate cycle No frayed mess to clean up