Maine-coons need a clawcloth no less than the usual outbred Vaski and Murka. Or maybe even more: after all, unlike yard cats, these furry giants are rarely allowed to walk freely. So, they have no opportunity to sharpen their claws on trees. So, any Maine Coon owner sooner or later asks whether it is possible to make a claw-tip yourself and how to do it.
What models exist?
It would seem that it’s difficult: to bring a log or a board from the street, put it against the wall - and you don’t have to worry about the safety of furniture and wallpaper. In fact, everything is more complicated. Each cat has its own character and habits. Therefore, you need to select a claw tip individually, after having previously observed your pet.
There are several varieties suitable for Maine Coons:
- Bedclaw claw.
- Column.
- Vertical claw point mounted on a wall.
- Game house.
Maine Coon Scratcher: Features
The weight of most cats does not exceed 3-5 kg, and the body length is, on average, 50-60 cm. Maine coons grow up to 1 m. And they weigh, of course, respectively. Not every claw point can withstand 10 kg of live weight. Several requirements follow from this:
- Any item for Maine Coon should be much stronger than a similar one for cats of other breeds.
- For furry giants, the clawfish will have to be made larger than for the British or Persian. Accordingly, it will be necessary to spend more materials.
- Maine Coons love to jump from item to item. So the claw-point for them should be not only strong, but also stable. Ideally attached to the floor or wall. In extreme cases, have a weighted base.
What can be made of a vertical scratching post?
This model is most often chosen by cat owners. To make it, you will need:
- a wooden beam about 20 cm thick or a pipe of suitable diameter;
- a skein of sisal or jute rope (although ordinary twine, burlap and a piece of an old palace are suitable, in a word, any hard natural material);
- PVA glue;
- heavy board for the base;
- durable fabric that can decorate the podium.
To determine the height of the future claw-post column, entice your pet with a toy or treat and note where it reaches out by standing on its hind legs.
As a basis, you can use not only wood, but also any other material on which you can fix the column. For example, some make a cardboard box and fill it with cement.
Putting a Scarlet Post
The manufacturing process itself is quite simple:
- Coat the column with PVA glue and cover it with the selected material. The burlap will have to be laid in several layers, otherwise it will quickly wither away. The rope is enough just to wrap tightly around the pillar.
- Prepare the podium. It is best to cover it with a strong fabric, fixing it on the sides with a stapler or glue.
- Fasten the post to the base. The easiest way to do this is with large self-tapping screws.
- Make a decorative “hat” from the rest of the fabric and close the top of the pillar with it.
- You can hang some kind of toy upstairs, and the Maine Coon claw is ready.
There is a simpler option: find a softwood log, shorten to a suitable size and install on a solid platform. But not every cat agrees to use such a "simulator".
By the way, a vertical claw-tip can also be made simply from a board covered with rigid fabric. This model is fixed to the wall or cabinet using self-tapping screws. But you need to consider that the impressive weight of Maine Coon can damage the surface, which serves as a support for the feline "simulator".
Making a horizontal claw point
This model in execution is even simpler than a column. It is a platform upholstered in dense material. Before making a scratching post, observe where your pet most often likes to lie. Cats usually do manicures after sleep. So the option of a couch, combined with a claw-dog, would be a good solution.
You will need a dense base material: a board, a strong wooden box, corrugated cardboard (it will have to be glued in several layers), etc. The resulting pedestal will need to be covered with a piece of carpet, burlap or fabric for upholstery. A jute or hemp rope is perfect.
When making a horizontal claw claw for Maine Coon, you need to consider several rules that are not so important for other breeds:
- The maximum height of the bed above the floor should not exceed 110 cm.
- The podium should be equipped with 1-2 steps. Maine Coons love to jump, but because of their weight they can injure themselves when they land their paws.
- It is better to equip the claw with low sides by 10-12 cm.
- The size of the "simulator" should correspond to the growth of the animal. The optimal parameters are 75 cm in length and 45 cm in width. However, it all depends on the growth of your pet: the furry giant should not be crowded.
Combined model for active cats
Maine Coon is an extremely “social” breed. These animals do not like to be alone and rarely feel like hiding in a secluded dark place. Therefore, they rarely need a classic "house". A much more successful option would be a model that combines the functions of a claw point and a game complex. And here it all depends on the imagination of the owners. For calm animals, you can do with a platform on which a column for sharpening claws and 1-2 beds of different heights will be installed. For active cats, it is better to make a model with hanging toys and game tunnels. The latter can be made of thick cardboard or a piece of large diameter pipe. Note that the tunnel should be short and wide enough so that the animal does not get stuck in it.
It’s quite possible to make a scratching post with a house yourself. This task is more time-consuming than the manufacture of a column or bed, but there is nothing super complicated in this:
- Take a board, plywood or chipboard and make blanks for the future house. You will need 2 side parts, a floor, a roof and a rear wall.
- Fasten all the elements with screws or corners.
- Cover the inside with a thick cloth and make a soft bedding or pillow. The same can be fixed on the roof, so that the animal had a choice where to lie.
All elements, regardless of their quantity, must be firmly fixed on a heavy pedestal. It is best to make a general framework. However, the game town can be assembled from several separate items.
Where to place the claw tip
For Maine Coon, it is important that his game house is in the room in which one of the house is constantly located. An ideal place would be the corner of the living room, which offers the best view.
2-3 models located in different rooms will also be an excellent option. And it’s better to make them different. However, the largest is better to place in the place where your pet spends the most time, or where his desire to play more often visits. This will save your furniture, and Maine Coon will please.