This is Raji. We LOVE him! But, we do have a furniture scratching issue {SIGH}. Hard to believe that he is this cute that he can be such a stinker! We were in need of a new and better scratching post.
My black cat, Raji. Love the guy but he can be trouble!
My favorite family room chair is his usual victim!
I was in a fabric store and I saw some fun printed burlap on the shelf. I started thinking that the material on my chair kind of resembled burlap. He was able to really get his claws in there when he was scratching.
I started digging in my 'give away' pile. I found an old cork board and two quilted shams. I had everything handy to make a big cat scratching post / board.
Supplies
Rougher fabric, like burlap
Old cork board (bulletin board)
Quilt padding or quilted old shams
Instructions
I wrapped the quilted pillow shams around the front of the bulletin board and stapled the quilted fabric from the shams on the back (If you don't have something handy, buy some cheap quilted material or even some batting. No one will see it!). I used just a regular stapler, but, if you have thick layers to staple through, I would recommend a more industrial type of stapler.
Then, iron the material that will go on the front. I used the burlap material because it felt similar to my chair. Ironing will make it look nice and flat once you staple it on the board. Lay your bulletin board that is already wrapped with the quilted material, onto your final material. Trim the material to about 4 - 5 inches all the way around.
I did put some cat nip on the board before I put the material on. But, I know there are sprays you can use also. After you do this (if you chose to) pull the material tightly and staple it on the back.
Flip it over after everything is well stapled and you are done!!
At this point, I am just putting it on the floor so Raji can sharpen his nails on it there. I am not sure yet if I want to attach it to the wall, but, that may happen!
He does love it. Instead of hanging out on my chair, he's been hanging out on his new scratching board! And, I've seen evidence that it's getting used for it's intended purpose!
Two big problems solved!!
mommyhoodsdiary
Raji is adorable and I can see he really love his scratch board. We're glad he liked Purina Muse®. Thanks #client
momcrieff
Honestly, my cat likes what I made him more than the overpriced scratching posts. My cat is a little 'big boned' right now so most can't hold his weight : ). Thank you for taking in so many kitties! They've done nothing wrong and all they want is a little warmth, food and some love! You are a kind and wonderful person!
imarancher
Brilliant posting. I have five cats, people dump their pets on country folk and if we can get to them before the coyotes do then we fix them and bring them in to barn or house. Some get loose long enough to breed and then we have ferals which we also bring in. At the height of the depression/recession I had 13 of them but have thinned out the herd thanks to forgiving and kind friends. This is country so we make many things that others buy. This is better than my current scratching posts (the fur-niture) and I am going to rustle up some material and see what happens.
pestep81
I have a cat who is 15 years old and she is starting to get very finicky about her food. I'll have to try this one. Thanks for the idea.
Sarah Phillips
Just wanted to say your Raji is adorable. This DIY scratching post is genius and I'm sure he appreciates it <3 I really love the burlap cloth you used...it's unique antique design makes it look super trendy & I imagine it would fit well in just about any room.
My husband and I have 2 black cats and only one of them is a scratch fiend. He has a thing for cardboard boxes though...so we always save our leftover cardboard for him and he is thrilled to tear them to pieces. He won't pay any attention to store-bought scratching posts though...just his cardboard lol Isn't it funny how every cat has their own favorite thing to sink their claws into? Burlap is a new one for me!
Anyways, great post from a fellow cat lover! Looking forward to more feline related posts 🙂