Pets bring a lot of joy, but also create a lot of problems. When planning to get a cat, you need to think in advance how the issue of smells, fallen hair and claw marks on the wallpaper will be resolved. Of all the accessories needed for a comfortable and comfortable life, the most expensive item is a comprehensive cat scratching post. Do it yourself is not very difficult to make such a device. Therefore, owners often resort to the help of their skillful hands.
What is the claw point for and what should it be
Contrary to its name, adaptation is not necessary in order to get rid of excessively overgrown claws. They can be regularly trimmed by a veterinarian or on their own.
In fact, this is a place where a cat can leave its territorial mark without damaging the interior and furniture. Even the most educated and affectionate favorite deep down remains a beast. The invincible instinct makes the cat in the house mark with its smell the borders of the inhabited territory, hunting trails, the lair and strategically important observation points. If you struggle long and hard with natural needs, the cat will start to leave the smell in a different, even more unpleasant way for the owners.
It is impossible to defeat the nature of the animal, but you can find a good compromise. Devices mounted on stands and walls will attract the animal and help protect things from cat attacks.
There are a few general rules on how to make a cat scratching post with your own hands. Let's consider them in more detail.
The stationary complex with claw points is firmly attached to the side, upper or lower supports, depending on the design and size. The floor construction is made with a stable base: heavy or wide. The claw should smell attractive (e.g. catnip) or neutral. New fabrics often have a pungent odor - it’s best to wash them before use. The surface is checked for safety, for the presence of sharp chips and nails sticking out under the upholstery.
The device, which the cat is actively using, quickly becomes worthless. Therefore, a self-made claw-claw for a cat should be easily recoverable. When designing a complex complex, functional areas should be planned removable or accessible for repair.
Knowing the preferences of your pet, you can make a cat scratching post with your own hands from material that is pleasant for the paws. It should be safe, enjoyable and interesting for the animal. Carpet, tapestry and other upholstery fabrics, jute, sisal, nylon cord, cardboard, soft woods are perfect.
So, how to make a cat scratching post for your cat so that the animal likes it and does not take up much space?
To intimidate enemies and competitors, the cat tries to leave marks as high as possible. Therefore, she will be grateful for the small accessory located 60-80 cm from the floor, and for the high complex with convenient places for sleeping, observation and games.
Experienced breeders and simply attentive owners know that there should be as many claw points as there are places the cat began to mark. Over time, shifting them with each other and reducing their number imperceptibly for a cat, you can leave one or two in acceptable places. To do this, make portable posts on stands, pendant boards or three-dimensional figures.
The cat is an active and inquisitive beast. She has a few activities in the house, and if she liked the rustling of vinyl wallpaper or sofa upholstery, then repairs and new furniture are just a matter of time. You can take a cat by offering her a loose claw-toy. It differs from traditional toys in size (30-40 cm) and functional surface.
Whatever the design, it usually includes simple modules, which are actually claws, upholstered in fabric or tightly wrapped with a rope. The choice of mounts and supports is determined by the room's capabilities and cat preferences.
Flat module
This design is a board upholstered with tightly stretched fabric or carpet. A small amount of filler is allowed - sintepon, foam rubber, coconut fiber, horse hair and so on. Upholstery is cut out with a significant allowance for bending.
On the wrong side, the filler is laid out with a roller, from above it is pressed by the board. With a wallpaper stapler or self-tapping screws, the edge of the fabric bent in two layers is attached to the back of the board. If the module will be used on both sides, the fabric is lapped with a neat row of fasteners. The process of creating such a claw-claw for cats with your own hands step by step in the photo seems simple.
Round module
This is a hollow wide pipe, usually polypropylene, tightly wrapped in cloth. This can be purchased at the plumbing store. To make fastenings to it, it is necessary to tightly plug both ends of the pipe with round corks made of durable material, for example wooden. In the center of the cork, a hole for the dowel is made in advance.
The cork will not allow the walls of the pipe to break with the active use of the claw point. That is what store designs often sin. The fabric attaches to hot glue or liquid nails. Penetrating holes from metal fasteners are not allowed.
Wrapped module
A round base or a simple board can be tightly wrapped with a rope - sisal, jute or nylon. It is more durable than carpet or furniture upholstery. Each coil must be secured with glue or staples. Both ends must be hidden under the winding and secured especially firmly. In the process, the rope is tapped with a hammer so that the turns lie flat, without gaps and the surface does not tuberize.
You can see the claw-claw for cats in the photo.
On the winding of a round pipe with a diameter of 20 cm and 10 cm long, about 10 meters of a sisal rope are needed. It is worth stocking up with materials in abundance. The remaining rope over time will be needed to restore the worn out areas.
Corner construction
From two single-sided flat modules, you can make a cat scratching post in the form of a book cover by connecting them with a vertical strip of the same fabric that was used for upholstery. Iron loops on top and bottom are screwed onto both inner sides of the claw point.
The design is hung on a protruding angle by four self-tapping screws so that when used it does not move. Standing on its hind legs, the cat should not reach the very top of the product. So that the animal, carried away by the process, does not continue the wallpaper exercise, wall claws are made with a smooth plastic or oilcloth frame. Cats do not like a cold slippery surface that resembles a touch of water.
DIY claw claw for cats (step by step)
This design consists of a wooden base, a round module and a dowel.
Instruction:
Step number 1. A hole for the dowel is drilled in the center of the base. It is already in the module.
Step number 2. The base is upholstered with fabric using a wallpaper stapler.
Step number 3. A dowel is inserted and fixed into the hole. Make sure that the hat will not stick out and scratch the floor, and the claw point will be stable.
Step number 4. The upper section of the module is covered with an upholstery cloth, a suitable plastic cover or sealed with a coiled rope. You can attach a small toy to it on a piece of rope.
Another option for floor construction. Here, instead of a round module, a wooden profile with identical cardboard cards mounted on it is used. Cardboard is very densely pressed, but not glued. Damaged areas can be easily removed by removing the top cover and replaced with new ones. Such a DIY claw-cat for cats, the photo of which is presented below, is done quickly and easily.
Cat tree
This is the name of the complex for cats with several levels, claws, a house, hammocks, attached toys, beds and other amenities.
Creating a do-it-yourself house for cats with a scratching post, you do not need to place them on one base. Cats very clearly divide the space into functional zones. Most likely, the animal will not use an accessory located close to the place of sleep. Much more interesting will be a multi-tiered claw-cat for cats with a house.
With your own hands you can assemble a unique design. To connect the tiers, wound modules are usually used. At least two support modules are attached to the bottom. The upper tier - a shelf or a house, is installed on them and so on.
Particular attention should be paid to the stability of the structure and the reliability of the fasteners. Since upholstery will require large parts, it is better to glue upholstery over the entire area. The house is not upholstered inside. But it can be supplemented with a small pad.
Approximate dimensions
For an average cat 3-5 kg of weight:
- flat module - 30-40 cm in length and 20 cm in width;
- round - not less than 20 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length;
- a box for a house not less than 40 * 40 * 40 cm;
- inlet - from 15 cm in diameter;
- Lounger - at least 35-40 cm;
- shelf for the game complex - 35 * 35 cm.
A self-made claw-cat for cats should be the size of a pet. To use a claw-tip, the cat will stretch as long as possible. In the house and bed, the animal should freely straighten its back, and on the shelf, stand - stand on all four legs.
Toy claw
From two ordinary jute bags you can make a fun toy sharpener. One bag is wrapped in a tight bundle. A cover is cut out from the second for this convolution. The stretched cover can be tied up, stepping back a bit from the edges, so that you get candy. If you drag the bundle in several places, the cat will have a bunch of huge sausages.
Another option for such a claw point is a box of about 30 * 10 * 15 cm wrapped in a hemp or sisal rope. A button, nut, or handful of dried peas laid inside will make the accessory even more attractive to the cat.
Natural clawfish
The saw cut of the tree cleared of bark or an ordinary log will serve as an excellent accessory. A resilient apple tree or vice versa, a soft and supple pine. Only a skilled craftsman can make a cat scratching post for a cat with his own hands, as in the photo.
A simplified version is available to almost anyone. The main task is to firmly fix the tree in a comfortable position: vertically or with an inclination. After use, the cat will leave a small amount of sawdust nearby each time. Therefore, it is better to make the base fleecy, for example, to cover it with plush or carpet. So the garbage will linger near the scratching post, and not spread around the house.