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8 DIY Cat Scratching Post Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Every cat parent knows our furry friends like a good old scratch now and again. After all, it’s part of their evolutionary DNA!

So, if your cat has been scratching on your favorite couch – we have the answer! Cat scratching posts are the perfect solution. They provide somewhere for your cat to sharpen their claws and stretch their muscles while leaving your furniture intact.

We’ve hunted out 8 of the very best plans to teach you how to build a cat scratching post. There’s something to suit all budgets, house styles, and levels of DIY skill.

For each plan, we’ve included a list of the materials and tools you’ll need, as well as the skill level required.

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The 8 Best DIY Cat Scratching Post Plans

1. Dream a Little Bigger DIY Cat Scratching Post

DIY cat scrattching post
Image Credit: Dreamalittlebigger

Skill Level: Medium

This heavy-duty scratching post designed by Dream a Little Bigger is sturdy enough to keep even the biggest kitties satisfied. It includes some decorative wood trim around the sides and top as well as a carpet base that you can easily match to your existing décor, and you can learn how to make a cat scratching post with rope in these instructions.

Materials

  • Plywood
  • Wooden post
  • Wood trim
  • Wood glue
  • Nails
  • Sisal rope
  • Wood stain
  • Carpet or rug
  • Screws
  • Decorative cap
Tools
  • Miter box
  • Hack saw
  • Hammer
  • Power drill
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2. WikiHow DIY Scratching Post with Rope for Cats

Skill Level: Medium

This easy to make scratching post from WikiHow can be covered in either sisal rope or carpet. Make one of each and see which your cat prefers!

Materials

  • Plywood
  • Carpet or sisal rope
  • Staples
  • 4×4” wooden post
  • Wood screws
  • Beveled wood square
Tools
  • Saw
  • Scissors
  • Staple gun
  • Screwdriver
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3. DIY PVC Scratching Post by DIY for Homeowners

Skill Level: Medium

This video tutorial by the mother-daughter team at DIY for Homeowners is easy to follow and makes use of a cheap piece of PVC pipe to create the post that is then covered in sisal rope.

Materials

  • Wood circle
  • Felt
  • Spray adhesive
  • Glue
  • Saw
  • Screws
Tools
  • Pen
  • Craft knife
  • Hot glue gun
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
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4. DIY Extra-Large Cat Scratching Post from The Craft Chronicles

Skill Level: Beginner to Medium

If you’ve got a large breed cat then you might find that standard height scratching posts just aren’t tall enough for them to stretch out fully.

This video tutorial from The Craft Chronicles is extra-tall so it will suit your larger-than-life cat perfectly.

Materials

  • Sisal rope
  • Plywood
  • 4×4” wooden post
  • Paint
  • Edge binding
  • Varnish
  • Hot glue
  • Screws
Tools
  • Saw
  • Sandpaper
  • Hot glue gun
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
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5. DIY Cactus Cat Scratch Post by Create & Craft TV

Skill Level: Medium

This tutorial from Create & Craft TV will take you step-by-step through the process of making a vibrant cactus cat scratcher!

Materials

  • Plywood
  • Fake grass
  • PVC piping
  • Concrete
  • Green sisal rope
  • Hot glue gun
  • Spray paint
  • Felt flowers
Tools
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Hot glue gun
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6. Instructables DIY Cardboard Cat Scratcher

DIY cat scratching post
Image Credit: Instructables

Skill Level: Beginner to Medium

This eye-catching scratching post from Instructables is made by building layers of cardboard up around a central post. Some cats love to scratch on cardboard and the bonus is that you can refresh this by replacing it once it’s all scratched! We love this DIY cardboard cat scratcher!

Materials

  • Cardboard
  • Mortar
  • Box
  • Wall putty
  • Washer and nuts
  • Threaded rod
Tools
  • Drill
  • Wrench
  • Ruler
  • Knife
  • Saw
  • Trowel
  • Basin
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7. DIY Tiger Stripes Cat Scratching Post by Instructables

DIY cat scratching post
Image Credit: Instructables

Skill Level: Beginner to Medium

If your tabby thinks they’re a bit of a tiger, indulge them with this stripy scratching post from Instructables! Using a cardboard tube as the post makes this plan cheap and easy too.

Materials

  • Cardboard tube
  • Sisal or jute rope
  • Plywood or MDF
  • Screws
  • Tiger-striped carpet
  • Jar lid
Tools
  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Screwdriver
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8. DIY Minimal and Modern Cat Scratching Post by Evan and Katelyn

DIY cat scratching post
Image Credit: Instructables

Skill Level: Beginner to Medium

If you’re looking for something a bit different, this minimal and modern cat scratching post by Evan and Katelyn is designed to sit comfortably over the arm of your couch.

As this is where your cat loves to scratch anyway, this is a great option! While the YouTube tutorial uses a lot of tools you can achieve the same with a lot fewer!

Materials

  • Wood
  • Screws
  • Sisal rope
Tools
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill

Conclusion

That’s it! Hopefully, you found something in our roundup of the best 8 cat scratching posts which catches your eye.

Whether you’re after a minimal post or a fun and bright one sure to be a conversation piece, there’s plenty to teach you how to build a cat scratching post to the likings of your feline.

We’re sure your cat will thank you!

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Featured Image: EbneRol, Shutterstock