How To Make A Cat Scratch Pad

Related Amazon Associates Disclosure

L Shaped Cat Scratcher Cat Scratch Pad Recyclable Cat Scratching ...

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are my own. #ToPetsWithLove #CollectiveBias

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know how much my cats are a part of my life. They are the last to tell me goodbye on my way out the door and the first to greet me when I come home. They know when I’m feeling down, they provide constant entertainment, and they are teaching me new things everyday. Reese and Evie make my furry little world complete. Since being adopted, their lives have changed dramatically. They are living the lifestyle of pampered pets and loving it!

I’m always picking up treats or toys for them when I’m out shopping at Kroger (they have a huge pet selection). Buying them quality food and treats is important to me because I know what I feed them can affect their health. Sometimes I get crafty and make things for them too! They both enjoy laying on crocheted blankets by the fireplace, rolling around with catnip balls, and “fishing” with t-shirt yarn and stuffed mice. Today, I’m going to show you how to make a scratch pad for your pampered pets. The awesome part is that if you are a crafter, you probably have everything you need already. So, let’s make a hanging scratch pad for our kitties.

Supplies needed:

Scrap wood
Paint
Paint brush
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Scissors
Jute

To start, you only need a few supplies: scrap wood, paint, paint brush, hot glue gun/glue sticks, scissors and jute. Pallet scraps are excellent for this project. You don’t need a very specific size, just make sure it’s wide enough and long enough to allow your kitties ample scratching space. Do be sure to clean up any very rough edges. I had some thinner strips of scrap, so I tacked three together to make a single piece about 6 inches wide.

Teal is our accent color in the family room, so teal it is! Raw wood tends to really soak up paint, so don’t be shy. I only painted a single coat. I like the way it turned out. You can continue adding coats until you’re happy with the finish. That old saying about curiosity holds true with both Reese and Evie, so I gave them a much needed distraction - Fancy Feast Purely wet cat food. These guys LOVE it. It has real chicken, beef and seafood and no fillers or by-products. There are seriously whole shrimp in there. I was a little jealous. You can see above that I got really good coverage with just one coat of paint. You want to make sure that your piece is completely dry before moving forward. If it’s not, you’ll end up with paint all over your fingers (and your work surface).

Once your painted wood scrap is dry, grab your jute and cut a piece long enough to create your hanger. You want the piece of jute to be long enough to reach from the middle (right edge) of the wood scrap, over the knob you intend to hang your scratch pad off of, and back to the middle (left side) of the wood. Glue the jute ends to the left and right sides, midway down your wood piece as shown below.

Natural Sisal Cat Scratcher Mat Durable Anti-Slip Cat Scratch Pad ...

Next, grab the end of your jute spool and glue it down about an inch or so from the bottom on the backside of your wood piece. That space you leave at the bottom makes the finished product look a little more decorative. Now, using generous amounts of glue, simply add glue and wrap. Repeat this process one row at a time until you’re about 4 inches or so from the top of the wood piece. As you are wrapping over the area where your hanger attaches, be sure to keep that string positioned evenly. When you reach the end of your wrapping area, use the loose end to tie around the hanger string on the back. This just adds a little extra strength to the finish.

The only thing left to do is clean up any random strings of hot glue and hang your new cat scratch pad for your kitties. I lined a few pieces of Friskies Party Mix along the top row of jute to encourage exploration, and it certainly did! Both of my girls love the crunchy and delicious treats, and their interest is always piqued by the variety of flavors and accompanying scents. Spread the holiday love to your furry friends with the help of Purina! Now through the end of November, take advantage of great savings on your favorite Purina pet products available at Kroger with this Coupons.com link, while supplies last. You will find a world of options for your pets while doing your regular shopping at Kroger. No time is busier than the holidays, and who has time for running from specialty store to specialty store? Kroger has an extensive pet aisle, complete with everything you need to care for and treat your pets. Selecting quality products, like Fancy Feast Purely and Friskies Party Mix from Purina, really shows how much you love your pets. And like all pet owners know, you get that love back three-fold.

For more inspiration on how to show your pets the love they deserve, visit the Purina Social Hub. **Not to be taken as professional veterinary advice. Please consult your veterinarian for recommendations and practices appropriate for your pet.**

When it comes to your pets, crafting can be a fun and rewarding way to show them you care. Making your own cat scratch pad is not only a budget-friendly option, but it allows you to customize the design to fit your style and your cat’s preferences. Give it a try and watch your kitty enjoy countless hours of scratching and playing on their new handmade pad.