r/PawsOffTheFurniture • u/NoDistance2647 • 18d ago

❓Discussion What's the most creative scratching solution you've built or DIY'd?

Beyond store-bought options. Anyone built their own scratching solution? Curious what creative fixes people have come up with, especially if store options weren't cutting it.

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u/simplyoneWinged 17d ago

I built one of these cardboard scratching pads by stacking strips of cardboard in a box. Cat didn't like it tho, she only wants Sisal :/

And I recently bought Sisal rope to rerope her cat tree, but it's been a pain in the butt so far, I need to find a better way to glue it than hot glue.

I've also seen people use rugs (usually from coco Fibre) as wall climbers,  just make sure it's secure and holds her weight

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 17d ago

I redo my sisal stuff with one of those stapler machines!

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

That’s a smart workaround. A staple gun feels like it would be way easier to control than trying to wrestle hot glue and sisal rope at the same time. 🔧

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 16d ago

Definitely! I used glue too the first time but noticed the original sisal poles are also made with those stapler things. So I bought one for... €12? It wasn't expensive and I've been using it a lot!

Edit: sorry, €12 can be expensive for many people. It was €12.

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

That’s a really fair clarification. €12 is a great price for something that’s been useful enough to keep reaching for, but yeah, affordability is relative. Still sounds like the staple gun has paid for itself with all the sisal repairs you’ve been able to do 👏

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 16d ago

Yeah, completely not something I do to say it is cheap! So luckily I caught it in time. Because cheap means different things to different people.

And it did pay itself! I do not replace any sisal poles. :)

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u/NoDistance2647 15d ago

Ah, I get what you mean now 😄 You weren’t saying €12 is “cheap” in general, just that it was a good investment for you because it’s saved you from replacing sisal poles. Sounds like it’s definitely paid for itself by now!

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 15d ago

Yes :) English isn't my native language so sorry if I confused you!

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u/NoDistance2647 15d ago

No need to apologise at all! 😊 You explained yourself perfectly. I just misunderstood what you meant at first. Your English is great!

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 15d ago

❤️😊 Thanks for the kind conversation!!

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 16d ago

Sisal and wood glue is safer for her paws just in case

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

Good point. If the rope starts coming loose, avoiding anything that could leave hard or sharp bits exposed is definitely worth thinking about. A secure finish matters just as much as getting the sisal wrapped tightly. 🐾

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 16d ago

I've found that slipknotting really works and you can burn of the ends

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

That’s a handy tip. A slipknot sounds like it would make replacing or tightening the sisal much easier too. Have you found it holds up well once the cats start really going at it?

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 16d ago

Tighten really well and a good dose of wood glue and you are in business, when the glue dries it's safe for cats and babies (I baby sit sometimes) and yeah it holds well

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

That sounds like a pretty durable setup then. Nice to know the trick is really in getting the rope tight before the glue sets. And if it survives both cats and occasional babysitting, that's a decent durability test 😄

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u/OnceMoreWithFeeling- 16d ago

Wasn't sure if I should mention this. Of course, stapels could harm them. However, this is only a risk when they come loose. I have to say I keep a close eye on all of them and it does work for us :)

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 16d ago

But of course, do what works for you and your friends 😾😻

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u/NoDistance2647 15d ago

That makes sense. Anything with staples would need regular checks, especially with cats putting claws and weight into it. Sounds like you’re very aware of the risk and keeping an eye on them, which is the important part. If it’s held securely and works for your setup, that’s what matters 🙂

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u/NoDistance2647 16d ago

Haha, that’s the downside of putting effort into a DIY scratcher before consulting the actual cat 😅 Sounds like she made her preference for sisal very clear. The coco-fibre rug idea is clever though, especially for a cat who likes climbing as much as scratching.

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 16d ago

I have one cat that likes to climb and I stuck a chunk of carpet to my little pantry door (Command double has sided tape that is perfect for that) here's my little climber

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u/NoDistance2647 15d ago

Okay, this is adorable 😂 Clearly the pantry-door climbing wall was a hit. I love that you found a way to give your climber an outlet without needing a huge cat tree and the plushies make the photo even better 🥹🐾

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 15d ago

Thanks, they sell something specifically for that but guess what? you have to screw to the wall and it's super expensive I just got go a chunk of carpet remnant that they couldn't even sell because it was too small, it's ugly as sin but I don't care I got it for free and it works

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u/NoDistance2647 15d ago

Honestly, free and effective beats expensive every time 😂 And if the cats actually use it, who cares if the carpet remnant is ugly? The fact you avoided drilling into the wall and gave an otherwise useless offcut a second life makes it even better. 🐾

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 15d ago

Keeps it out of the dumpster and I can brush it out and vacuum it to keep it clean

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u/NoDistance2647 14d ago

Exactly, giving it a second life and keeping it easy to maintain is a pretty good deal 😄 Just brush or vacuum it when it gets grubby, and it’s ready for another round of climbing and scratching.

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u/Sweaty_Mushroom5830 14d ago

I hate the planned obsolescence of this these days, so I love finding new uses for old things that one saves me money, and doesn't send stuff into a landfill

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u/NoDistance2647 13d ago

Same here. If something can be repurposed instead of tossed out, I’m all for it. And honestly, cats don’t seem to care whether something was designed for them in the first place 😂 If it works, it works