In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. A clean cat is a happy cat, and we're here to help! Continue winding the rope all the way to the top of the post, making sure your rows are neat, straight, and very close together. 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. Stitch together the seams where they meet on the back, flip it over, and voila: You have a cat scratching book board. "My cat took to this toy right away," our tester said. Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth and apply over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you have it. We acquired a selection of the latest and most popular cat scratchers available and sent each one to a staffer with a cat or kitten (sometimes both!) Message and data rates may apply. Fold kittys ear back gently and wipe away any debris or earwax that you can see on the underside of her ear. Another benefit? If left without a similar outlet in your home, you may notice your cat replicating this behavior on your furniture or drapes. What is the best way to clean hardwood floors in the kitchen? You can just try to "block" your cat's access to those areas with a scratching post. "This scratcher was strong, sturdy and functional," our tester said. For cats, clawing is a way of life. Follow the instructions for the commercial product. Fold your towel over the book, gift-wrap style. 1 Use a stiff brush. Delicious roasted chicken and rice in a mouthwatering sauce. Remove or hide other appealing things to discourage inappropriate scratching. However, if you see bald patches in your cats fur or notice a significant loss of hair, the underlying cause may be a health-related problem and should be investigated by a veterinarian. Usually, though, you spray it on and let it sit. When there are multiple scratching angles, carpeted base play area, perch, and even bell toys for the cat to play with, you can expect to spend up to $150 - $200 on this cat type of cat scratching post. The Pioneer Pet scratching post is one of the best rated and has a great price attached to it as well. It's small, light, and comes assembled, so your cat can start scratching and your furnishings can breathe a sigh of relief! This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Cats stretch their muscles as they rise on their hind feet, arch their back, extend their legs, and extrude their claws. We tested 19 of the most popular cat scratching posts available, letting our testers' cats flex their claws as we evaluated everything from build quality to how easy each scratcher was to assemble. A wide range of causesfrom external parasites and allergies to seasonal changes and stress, or a combination of thesemay be affecting your cats skin and should be investigated. Gently fold back each ear and look down into the canal. How do I remove the scent of their cat? What would you use to clean paneled walls. Allow for a couple of centimetres of the foam to exceed the length of the wood- these will soon be used to pad the edges. Lift away the dirt and wax rather than rubbing it into the ear. Step 2: To create the base of the cat pole, select one set of wood and foam. Pull taught so there are no folds on the front side; you want a flat, durable scratching surface. Attach Log to Base. Share your video moments with meand maybe the world! http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/diy-cat-scratching-post-that-literally-lasts-for-years.html. It comes in four different shades, White, Black, Espresso, and Gray, so you can select the color that best suits your space, or matches your feline friend. Spray the disinfectant on. Just place some catnip in the places your cat can . This ensures it's tall enough for your cat to stretch. 3. There may be a medical, dietary or stress-related issue that needs immediate attention. Make sure it is centred and firmly screw the post into the base with wood screws. SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post at Amazon, Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy at Chewy, PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge at Amazon, Way Basics Cat Scratcher Incline Wedge at Amazon, SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher at Amazon, 7 Ruby Road Cat Scratching Post at Amazon, Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy with Catnip, Way Basics Premium Cat Scratcher Incline Wedge, SmartyKat Scratch Scroll Cat Scratcher with Feather Toy, PAWMONA 3 Story Cat Tree Condo Barrel Tower, What to Look for in a Cat Scratching Post, The 11 Best Cat Toys of 2023 That Your Cat Will Love, The 10 Best Cat Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 5 Best Catios for Hanging Outside With Your Cat, The 6 Best Cat Repellents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 12 Best Cat Carriers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Cat Litter Boxes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The Internets Favorite Cat Toy Lets Your Kitty Play Pool, The 10 Best Pet Gates of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Dog Crates of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 11 Best Orthopedic Dog Beds of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 10 Best Vacuums for Pet Hair of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 8 Best Cat Pee, Odor, and Stain Removal Products of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, We Tested Eco-Friendly Cat Litters and Found The 6 Best, The 11 Best Cat Litters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 5 Best Automatic Litter Boxes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. Scratching posts let cats scratch while saving your furniture and carpets! How & Where to Spray Catnip for Play, Training, Exercise & More. Staple or stitch the fabric ends together. Scratchers with attached toys are much more likely to stand out. See more. 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. 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. Cats respond best to positive reinforcement yelling, punishing or disciplining your cat just wont work. To clean a cat scratching post, use a stiff brush to loosen and remove any dirt or cat hair. If your cat enjoys weaving through and clawing at your drapes, carpets, walls, and furniture, then this cat post will appeal to them. 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. Place these tacks along the edges lengthwise, where the rug and board meet, in order to secure it properly. To help save your possessions from destruction, this 2-in-1 cat scratching toy from Frisco features a rolling ball around the perimeter and a corrugated cardboard scratching center. Cats often don't like to be watched exploring a new contraption. A cumulative score informed our best list and takes into account a cat's willingness to engage, durability, the appeal of the design, special features and toys, and a cat's overall enjoyment of digging their claws in over the duration of the testing period. Spritzing it with vinegar or rubbing alcohol will kill germs. They instinctually use their sharp paw extensions as tools to climb, hunt, and hold down their prey. Aggression Toward Other Pets or Humans in the House Hot glue or upholstery tacks are other adhesive options if you're willing to make this space a permanent home for your kitty. Kittens can scratch away at the corrugated cardboard surface, and also play with the ball-and-track toy. You can make one using particle board, a square post, and carpet or rope. The post should be long enough to allow your cat to comfortably stretch on it. 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. Ask your vet about the following treatments: Shedding is a cats natural process of losing dead hair. "This toy is cute for a cat without catching too much attention," remarked our tester, but most importantly their cat took to it quickly. tuft + paw's flushable cat litter formula is the lowest tracking cat litter you'll ever use (like, actually). Whatever her reason, you can indulge her with only two common items and a remedial knowledge of sewing. When making a cat scratching post, use a natural, non-treated wood to avoid chemicals that could be harmful to cats. This cactus-shaped scratching post, made with natural sisal and resting on a soft but sturdy base, will intrigue your cat while bringing a delightful dose of amusement to your space. I have wooden, paneled walls in a trailer house. in their home. Available in two colors, Ash with Natural Sisal Rope and Black Ash with Misty Gray Sisal Rope, to blend in with one's home decor style. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/aid5975604-v4-728px-Clean-a-Cat-Scratching-Post-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}. It is important to have some information about the cat that has scratched you. If you find any of the above symptoms, you should immediately call your vet. Having trimmed the excess material, use longer nails to secure it. Secure the carpet remnants with your tack, hot glue, or similar adhesive. The 6 Best DIY Scratching Posts Plans 1. Instructions. Hiding Cats that feel stressed might choose to hide. After obtaining a history and performing a thorough physical examination of your cat, your vet may perform some of the following diagnostic tests in order to find the cause of your cats symptoms: Because of the wide ranges of causes, cats of all ages and breeds are susceptible to issues involving skin. ", "We are going to make several and add a second and third floor. Draw a line straight out from each side of the base to the end of the carpet so you have squares extending from the corners. The new space is more than double the floor space that the nonprofit currently operates in at 600 Chili Ave. As such, it will better handle the scope . ), our tester was very impressed with the sturdy nature and durability of this cat scratching post. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Her articles have appeared in AAA's Via Magazine, PetCareRx, and other outlets. Put two staples on each side of the post, rather than on the top. Note: The cat pictured above loved this scratching board so much that he refused to move for a very long time. Once secured, flip the post back over onto the newly attached base and admire your handiwork! As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Persistent scratching and pawing of the ear area, Redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal. Fold the towel in half to double-up the material. We have cats too. For tips on how to clean tough stains, like cat vomit or urine, keep reading! If you want to provide a lure away from the furniture, having a scratching post is essential. Try to get a detergent with the word "bio" in the name, as these contain more organic ingredients that will be less likely to pose a health risk to your pets. But we also tried out several other scratching posts that our testersand their catsloved. They naturally crave the sensation of sinking their nails into the surfaces they encounter and, according to the ASPCA, this behavior psychologically helps cats mark their territory. Generally, though, spray the cleaner on, saturating the spot. Once it's sat for a while, wipe it off with a clean, wet rag, then let it dry. Ideally, your scratching post should be as tall as your cat is long, from nose to tail. I have wooden, paneled walls in a trailer house. Implement a flea-treatment program recommended by your veterinarian. Finally, make sure that seams are smooth and nails are flush to keep your cat happy and safe from injury. One of the following may be causing an abnormality with your cats skin and should be investigated: You should visit your vet for an exam as soon as you notice any abnormality in your pets skin, such as excessive hair loss, flaking and scaling, redness and bald patches, or if your pet begins to excessively scratch, lick and/or bite areas on his fur. We use a 3/8" thickness rope. And in order to do that you need to give your cat something more irresistible than your carpet. Go up and down the post, moving the brush in short, heavy strokes across it. The perfect build for you will depend on your space constraints as well as the size of your feline friend. First, decide where the DIY cat tree will go, so you'll know how big to make it. Join us! A cat scratches for a variety of reasons: to shed the outer layer of her claws (which you may find around the house), stretch her body, and leave her scent to remind you who the real boss is in the house. Despite our tester's cat's best efforts it has remained attached, "my cat tends to rip those off immediately and hasn't been able to yet.". 2) Extra tips audio program which includes basic first aid and tips on my favourite kitty calming remedy.