ArcaMax

If you have an indoor cat (or cats) who can’t use a tree to relieve their anxiety with a good scratch, consider making or buying a scratching post to prevent them from ruining your upholstered furniture, draperies or carpeting. It’s more than a good investment, plus it’s fun to watch a cat release their inner turmoil by scratching and pawing. When our 17-year-old domestic cat Samantha needs a good scratch she doesn’t have a tree to climb to give her claws a workout, so a scratching post provides an opportunity for her to do just that. She goes somewhat wild when we add a catnip spray or leaves on the post; it’s close to cat ecstasy.

At a large pet store you’ll find a variety of scratching posts; and to find them online type “cat scratching post” in a search engine. You’ll find a typical post covered in a rough surface like sisal, rope or carpet that stands 32 inches high, will cost between $25-65. Choose a post with a sturdy base that’s high enough to let your cat get a good long stretch.

You can make one using a few feet of a four-by-four piece of lumber for the post or two pieces of a two-by-four nailed together. Cover the post with glue and a scrap of sisal fabric or carpeting or wind rope around it. To make this a no/low budget investment scavenge the material from a thrift shop. Whether you build or buy a scratching post, it’s our bet your favorite feline will love it.

Pro Cost: $65 — DIY Cost: $35 — Pro time: 0.4
DIY Time: 2.0 — DIY Savings: $30 — Percent Saved: 46%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2024 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.