And now we (me and my photos) will tell and show you how to make a scratching post with your own hands and literally from scrap materials. To get started, stock up on enough corrugated cardboard (my scratching post took 4.5 boxes about the size of champagne). It is important that the boxes you choose are made from the same thickness of cardboard.
Arm yourself with a ruler and pencil, large scissors, two tubes of gel adhesive and a roll of masking tape (adhesive tape will definitely not work, because its outer side does not adhere well to the glue). Disassemble the boxes into parts, cutting them along the fold lines.Each edge will need to be cleaned of dust with a damp cloth - otherwise you won’t get a dense roll. When all this is done, we cut narrow strips from the box parts (in my case it was 8.5 cm).
Obviously, these strips will be different lengths, so I recommend using the shortest ones first because they are easier to roll.
When you fold the very first strip, immediately secure it with masking tape, as shown below. This is necessary so that the roll does not unfold when, before applying the next strip, you lubricate the joint with glue. Lubricated? Apply a new strip and hold it with your hand for a minute or two so that the glue is absorbed.
Don't be alarmed if the middle of the roll looks a little "loose" and clumsy at first; in the future everything will “settle down” and the unevenness will be smoothed out.
The more strips you wind, the smoother and prettier the future scratching post looks; By the way, a variety of toys are easily made from cardboard, with which cats have great fun. In the meantime, look at the product, about three-quarters finished.
We continue to patiently roll up strip after strip, securing each one with masking tape and applying glue to the joints. The arrow shows the direction in which it is necessary to periodically “roll” the roll so that the layers fit more tightly.
When our circle has reached the desired diameter (I got exactly 36 cm), cover the outer layer with patterned or colored paper. I used ordinary wrapping paper and self-adhesive tape on top so that the edges would not become shaggy when the cat was doing a “manicure.”
Here is the last photo: this is what the scratching post looked like immediately after production.Do you see how new and smooth everything is? Now go back to the first photo and compare it with the scratching post after active use for a year and a half. The wear rate is quite low, which means that our homemade scratching post will still serve and serve.
