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Cat scratching posts and play areas cost a #@$%@ load

D

dxkj

Lifer
I have some extra plywood lying around so i figured i'd put together something for the cats to play in, sleep in, scratch, as well as a scratching post.

Any advice on what type of carpet/material to use for the outside of the scratching post, and the outside of the cat thing?

Would the easiest thing to do for a post be to get a 4x4 and wrap rope around it?


thanks

catscratchpost.jpg
 
Go get sonotube from home depot. It's a very rigid cardboard and it's cheap. Wrap carpet on it, attach, and you are done.
 
We bought our cat a scratching post. She happily scatches the side of our bed, all rugs in our house, kitchen chairs and the couch right next to the scratching post...but she's never used the post itself. Just as I predicted! What a waste of money that was. Oh, and that stupid cat bed we got...the only time she uses that is when there's no dirty clothes left to sleep on.
 
Originally posted by: PingSpike
We bought our cat a scratching post. She happily scatches the side of our bed, all rugs in our house, kitchen chairs and the couch right next to the scratching post...but she's never used the post itself. Just as I predicted! What a waste of money that was. Oh, and that stupid cat bed we got...the only time she uses that is when there's no dirty clothes left to sleep on.
Click to expand...

What kind of scratching post? What material is it?



Also sonotube? Is this a better/cheaper than a wood post? I can picture what one is, but I wouldnt be able to think of an easy way to attach it to the base.
 
Originally posted by: dxkj
Originally posted by: PingSpike
We bought our cat a scratching post. She happily scatches the side of our bed, all rugs in our house, kitchen chairs and the couch right next to the scratching post...but she's never used the post itself. Just as I predicted! What a waste of money that was. Oh, and that stupid cat bed we got...the only time she uses that is when there's no dirty clothes left to sleep on.
Click to expand...

What kind of scratching post? What material is it?



Also sonotube? Is this a better/cheaper than a wood post? I can picture what one is, but I wouldnt be able to think of an easy way to attach it to the base.
Click to expand...

It looks like a road cone with carpet all over it.
 
I want to put carpet on the top platform on the post and the bottom base so it isnt just bare wood. Im using treated lumber (dont ask) to wrap the sisal rope around.

i went to a few carpet places and their carpet samples had very stiff backing so that would be hard to use to wrap around and staple on the plywood base/platform. Should i just get some cheap bathmats or something for that portion?

Here is how I envision the post ending up

scratchingPostt.JPG
 
My wife and I have 5 cats and like you, had the choice to pay $300.00+ at these pet stores or build it ourselves. I shopped around a bit and found a nice reputable company that sold them on Ebay. They also sell them through thier own site. It retails for $219.00 (shipped) through thier website but I got mine off ebay for $145.00-$160.00 (shipped) for this huge thing 😉 ............. A very good deal and nicely constructed. Easy to put together too. I could'nt build it for that, that's for sure. You have to consider time, materials & quality of the finished product. No one can beat this. I have another smaller one on the screened in porch.

Pics of my 82" Cathouse
Pic 1
Pic 2

Link to Website:
ARMARKAT

 
we've got a wicker hamper off the side of the road. that 2 of the 3 kitties like to scratch. the 3rd prefers an old office chair cushion that was found on the side of the road also. as for sleeping all 3 kitties prefer different things. Desiree likes cardboard boxes and to sleep in the bed with the blankets pulled back, Lacey likes to stretch out on top of things, and Oscar is only happy up on the bed sleeping on a pillow.
 
Originally posted by: CorCentral
My wife and I have 5 cats and like you, had the choice to pay $300.00+ at these pet stores or build it ourselves. I shopped around a bit and found a nice reputable company that sold them on Ebay. They also sell them through thier own site. It retails for $219.00 (shipped) through thier website but I got mine off ebay for $145.00-$160.00 (shipped) for this huge thing 😉 ............. A very good deal and nicely constructed. Easy to put together too. I could'nt build it for that, that's for sure. You have to consider time, materials & quality of the finished product. No one can beat this. I have another smaller one on the screened in porch.

Pics of my 82" Cathouse
Pic 1
Pic 2

Link to Website:
ARMARKAT
Click to expand...


ah thats a bit too big 🙂 we have 9' ceilings upstairs, but they spend most of their time in the 6' 4" basement. going to make 2 scratching posts, then i will"think" about a play area next 🙂
 
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Also, cats suck. Dogs are better.
Click to expand...

Why must dog lovers always crap on threads?

I guess, like pet, like owner.


Seriously tho' -- it's a bothersome trend. I don't think I've ever seen a cat owner go 'dogs suck!' out of the blue in a dog thread, but it happens all the time in any thread where a cat is even mentioned...WTH is up with that?
 
Originally posted by: So
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Also, cats suck. Dogs are better.
Click to expand...

Why must dog lovers always crap on threads?

I guess, like pet, like owner.


Seriously tho' -- it's a bothersome trend. I don't think I've ever seen a cat owner go 'dogs suck!' out of the blue in a dog thread, but it happens all the time in any thread where a cat is even mentioned...WTH is up with that?
Click to expand...


do dogs know how to use a litter box?
 
We have a closed in porch area... that i'm going to convert to a get the cats out of the house area... maybe put a walk way all around the room... and some cat houses...
and lots of stratching surfaces... and an air hockey table
 
Originally posted by: CorCentral
My wife and I have 5 cats and like you, had the choice to pay $300.00+ at these pet stores or build it ourselves. I shopped around a bit and found a nice reputable company that sold them on Ebay. They also sell them through thier own site. It retails for $219.00 (shipped) through thier website but I got mine off ebay for $145.00-$160.00 (shipped) for this huge thing 😉 ............. A very good deal and nicely constructed. Easy to put together too. I could'nt build it for that, that's for sure. You have to consider time, materials & quality of the finished product. No one can beat this. I have another smaller one on the screened in porch.

Pics of my 82" Cathouse
Pic 1
Pic 2

Link to Website:
ARMARKAT
Click to expand...

Those look cool. Our 3 cats are too fat for that. THey'd hop up there and topple the thing over. Our stray cats outside might like that though. I already built them a house for the winter though so I don't think they need anything else.
 
update with picture of 1 of the 2 finished products

catinbox.jpg

catscratchpost.jpg



Made 2 of these, other one just needs to be finished up

$4 for fence post
$20 for sisal rope 200 feet
$2 worth of scrap plywood
$4 of fleece material
$1 of stuffing
$1 of staples/fasteners/screws

$32 fo 2, so $16 each, and these are full 36 inches tall.

woo 🙂
 
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