Cat Scratching Tray

     I've seen a few of these cardboard scratching trays for cats.  Most of the commercial ones are rectangular but I chose to make the circular design.  Why buy one when you likely have access to all the materials you need to make one?  In fact, many of us pay to dispose of cardboard, so make some savings while satisfying your urge to create.

Materials needed:
         Corrugated cardboard: Boxes, packaging, etc.
         Stanley / craft knife / scalpel or scissors
         Tape
         Ruler or, in my case, a plank of wood. Anything you can use to cut a straight line.

     Using a plank of wood as a ruler I used a Stanley knife to cut strips of cardboard, making sure they were of similar widths by cutting them the width of the plank.  If using a ruler you can measure the widths, but that's a lot of effort for something which doesn't require such technical control.  Cut across the corrugation, not along it, so you see the zig-zag of cardboard filler within the cut.

      Roll a strip of cardboard up tight: see photo above.  Pull the strips through your thumb and forefinger to soften them and make them easier to roll up tight.  Secure the end of each strip with tape, attach the next strip and continue.  Eventually you will have made something that looks like this.

      I was so absorbed in the project that I forgot to photograph the last step: making a base for the tray.  A base is necessary if you intend to scatter some catnip into the tray.

Pizza box recycling logo seemed appropriate

      Place your scratching tray on a piece of cardboard which is of larger diameter than the base of the tray.  A few inches is plenty.  Draw around the tray, then draw a larger circle around that, making a border a few inches wide.  Cut a series of slits into the border, to create tabs. 

     Replace your tray into the circle and bend the tabs to touch the sides of the tray.  Wind some tape around the tabs to secure the base.  Cover with another strip of cardboard to hide the construction.  For illustration I've reproduced and photographed the technique below.  Picture the orange Post-it as the piece of cardboard.  C'mon guys, use your imagination here!

 

      Add catnip and cherish your unscratched furniture! 

DIY Cat Box Toy!

Take a cardboard box, cut some holes in it, place ball inside, preferably bigger than the holes, and enjoy!  Use a ball of tinfoil if you haven't any others.

Cat Tree

     A new addition to the household has proved himself to be an avid climber.  Within hours of arriving this kitten had conquered most of the tall surfaces in the flat.  When he wasn't climbing he lay gazing up at the curtain rail and ceiling, probably wondering why us stupid humans have not created a series of shelves or such to utilise the ample space up there.  While the idea of creating a circuit of walkways and ladders for my kitten is appealing, drilling numerous holes in the walls just isn't practical in rented accommodation.  Me being me, I fancied something that didn't cost a penny.  Here's what I came up with.

 
     No trees were harmed in the making of this cat tree.  No live ones anyway.  This tree was felled a long time before I went looking for it.  It's bark had fallen away, and the wood is dry, making it a relatively clean piece.  The trunk of the tree fit well into the hole in the cable reel, I only had to whittle away an inch or so to make it fit.

     Due to the lack of bark and it's dry condition, the tree is smooth and hard, making it difficult for a kitten to sink his claws into.  I braided some wool and wrapped it tightly around the trunk. Twine or rope would be just as suitable and involve less work.  I made no effort to weave in the ends as I could see he enjoyed playing with them.  Top tip: keep the cat out of the room when you do this step: the attraction of wool is just too much for a kitten to resist.  This took much longer than it would have if I hadn't had to compete with paws and claws!

     Last, but certainly not least, hang some toys on the tree.  Baubles, pom-poms, bows, bells, tinsel, whatever you can find.  Look for shiny, soft or noisy things especially.  Everything is a toy when it's dangling near a kitten: they find most things interesting because the world is still so new to them.  Be aware that long strings may prove dangerous to a climbing kitten:  Best to keep them short or use light yarns which can break easily in the event the kitten gets tangled in them. 

 

     I'm so happy with this project.  Scholesey is even happier!  The tree gives him access to the curtain rail, from which he presides over his territory and his pet humans.  After a long nap he awakes hyperactive, charging about and scaling the tree in seconds.  He challenges himself to find ever-more difficult ways of making it to the top and becomes monkey-like, swinging from branch to branch.  He enjoys nestling in the crook of a branch and batting at the toys up there, and we get great pleasure out of watching his antics.  Have you the honor of sharing your home with a tree-cat?  You know what to do.