Scratching post help

green bunny

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If this is in the wrong forum, please move it to the right one!

This morning Loki tried to scratch my couch. As annoying as it is (especially since I thought I had fixed that months ago), it made me feel terrible! See, Loki likes to vertically stretch when scratching, and I can't afford scratching posts that tall (like about 3 feet; he is a LONG cat!). He'll scratch on the regular scratcher (one of the wedge ones), but I know he's not as satisfied as he could be with it. He's been fine with it though, till this morning.

I wish he'd scratch the carpet like Possum sometimes does! (By the way, why do people not like cats scratching the carpet? I don't understand; I mean, it's just carpet. Possum doesn't seem to damage it. Am I missing something?) Loki enjoys scratching my comic book boxes (NOT my favorite thing) which are cardboard, and the cardboard boxes I had my books in before I put them away.

He loves scratching cardboard, so I was thinking of getting some heavy cardboard, cutting some "claw-hold" slits in it, and affixing it to the wall somehow. Any ideas for this? Does anybody have any ideas better than mine? Any help at all would be welcome!

I feel like an awful cat-mommy!

Tricia
 

carolpetunia

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Maybe you could get an inexpensive throw rug or woven-sisal doormat, at least three or four feet long, and hang it on the wall at a height that will allow him to stretch up and scratch as high as he likes.

I would use screws, rather than nails, because the last thing you want is a nail coming out and a kitty swallowing it. And you'll want to put the screws into the studs, not just into the drywall.

That was our plan awhile back, but we lucked into a nice affordable cat tree with tall sisal-wrapped posts, so we never actually did it. If you try it, let me know how it works!
 
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green bunny

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Carol, I suppose I could try that, but he doesn't seem to be interested in carpets or rugs, and he didn't seem to like the sisal scratcher I got him. Maybe he would if it was bigger and more stable. How would I find the studs?

Sibohan, that's what I have now, which doesn't seem to meet his needs. Thanks anyway, though.

I was thinking cardboard because he loves to scratch on that.

Tricia
 

nimbus

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One word: Ebay. Search "cat tree." You can seriously find a HUGE scratching post/cat tree for as low as $40. Considering that most pet stores sell these things for well over $100, ebay is pretty fantastic.


-Kristen
 

capt_jordi

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Originally Posted by Nimbus

One word: Ebay. Search "cat tree." You can seriously find a HUGE scratching post/cat tree for as low as $40. Considering that most pet stores sell these things for well over $100, ebay is pretty fantastic.


-Kristen
Yes just make sure to double check the shipping before you bid! I found a 70" one with 10 minutes remaining with a price of $15.95 and it said at the top shipping unknown or something like that. But when I put in my zip code to figure out the shipping and that alone was $84....
 

calico2222

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If he prefers your couch, maybe you could go to the fabric store and get a remanent of similar material, wrap it around a 4X4 or 6X6 and put it on a good size piece of plywood for a base. You can also buy sisle rope at most craft stores (or online) and make your own sisle scratching post. The most expensive thing would probably be the wood, but if you don't have any ask around.
 
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green bunny

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Fortunately, Loki does not prefer my couch! I think he just wanted something tall.

Thanks Calico and Nimbus for your ideas. I'll look into both.

Tricia
 

samantha1979

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Since he likes cardboard, maybe you can tear a box apart, and just hang it to the wall all flattened out. ?? I dunno. I don't know if you would really have to cut any slits in it though. He will eventually make those himself. Good luck!
 

trouts mom

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I agree on the tall cat tree idea..Trout likes to stretch upward while scratching too, and our tall tree is perfect. She loves it! And never touches the couch
 

danad

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What about if you took the inexpensive cardboard scratching refills Sibohan2005 suggested attached to the wall ? I know they come in flat boxed form too in different widths. If you screwed the whole box that refills fits into, into a wall & then attached the refills with velcro, you could make it as high or as wide as needed & easily replaces when worn out.
 

stacyd1987

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My old cat Penny use to scratch one of the wooden posts we had for our porch. Maybe if you cut a 2x4 and attach it to a small stand or something, or even slant it, they'll go for it. Depending on your kitties preference. Or even coat it with a strip of carpet or fabric like the couch. Just a few crafty ideas if you're up to it.
 
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green bunny

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Thanks so much everyone!

I may just have to find something that will go on the wall. I was looking at the cat trees, and they are all kind of big, and my apartment is very small.
Maybe I'll get lucky and can find one that doesn't take up too much room but is still fun for the boys, and will meet Loki's stretching needs. Otherwise, maybe I can try making one. I did pass jr. high shop... a decade ago.

Tricia
 

valanhb

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Originally Posted by DanaD

What about if you took the inexpensive cardboard scratching refills Sibohan2005 suggested attached to the wall ? I know they come in flat boxed form too in different widths. If you screwed the whole box that refills fits into, into a wall & then attached the refills with velcro, you could make it as high or as wide as needed & easily replaces when worn out.
I was thinking of something very similar to that idea. It wouldn't be difficult at all to throw together a frame or even buy a cheap shadowbox type frame (garage and estate sales would be a cheap place to find frames) with a lip to keep the cardboard refills in, and attach to the wall. The velcro would probably work too, but be sure you get the industrial strength if your Loki is like my cats and gets really into his scratching.
 
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