Fun Cat Play Stand and Scratching Post
If you have a cat, a cat play stand with scratching post has an important role in the home - it gives your cat a place to exercise and flex his or her claws without damaging your furnishings.
19/06/2022
allaboutdiy.com
When it is winter, there is an opportunity for you to do some pruning and trimming in the garden, or perhaps you know of someone else that is trimming trees or large shrubs. As an alternative to disposing of large cut sections of trees or shrubs, you can put these to good use by making a cat play stand that incorporates a scratching post.
Cats love to scratch and they will invariably scratch at upholstered furniture, wood and even carpets if there isn't anything else around so scratch on. It is natural for a cat to want to keep its claws sharp and scratching is their way of doing this. If you want to prevent damage to your personal property, installing a scratching post or pad is the way to go.
This cat play stand serves not only as a scratching post but also a place where your cat can hang out, climb, and chill. It is easy to make if you have a large section of tree trunk or large branch. If you aren't doing any pruning or tree trimming in your own garden, ask family, friends, or neighbours if they are or know someone who is. The larger the branch - the better but it should not be too thick as this will be difficult to cut.
Choose a long branch or trimmed tree trunk that will fit into the room where you want the cat play stand to be positioned.
YOU WILL NEED:
Suitable branch or tree stump
25mm Pine or meranti dowels
All-purpose saw or trimmer
Jigsaw, mitre box and backsaw, handsaw, etc.
Drill plus assorted bits
25mm Spade bit or MAD bit
Clay or fibre-cement pot, steel bucket or repurposed plastic bucket
5 x 60mm cut screws
Medium-sized pebbles or stones
Coir, hemp, or sisal rope
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Clamps
Tape measure and pencil
Safety gear
Not included: Material to make the resting pads
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1
Cut the 25mm pine or meranti dowels to length to extend out on both sides of the branch or tree trunk. These can be used to support resting pads for your cat. This is not included in the instructions, but you can use any material to make the resting pads and then wrap with soft fabric or carpet and mount onto the dowels.
Step 2
Use a 25mm spade bit or MAD bit to drill 25mm-diameter holes for the dowels. Measure and mark for the placement of the holes that will allow your cat sufficient space to jump up and hang out.
Step 3
Whatever material you decide to use as resting pads, this is attached to the dowels with screws. It is a good idea to wrap or cover these in fabric or carpet before mounting them onto the dowels.
Step 4
Where the dowels go through the branch or trunk, pre-drill a pilot hole and then drive in a screw to secure each dowel firmly in place.
Step 5
Place the branch or stump inside your choice of container and fill around this with medium-sized pebbles or stones. If you prefer, you can mix up cement and sand and use this to fill the pot or container and this will ensure absolute stability.
Step 6
As a nice finishing for the project, wrap coir, hemp, or sisal rope around the pot or container to provide the perfect place for your cat to scratch its claws. You can also wrap lengths of rope around the tree or branch. Secure the ends of the rope with a hot glue gun.
Use durable materials or carpet to cover the resting pad and give your kitty a place to relax, preferably close to a sunny spot.
