🐾 How to Make a Cat Scratching Post (Using Natural Garden Rope)
A simple DIY guide for making a cat scratching post using natural rope — durable, stylish, and perfect for keeping your cat happy.
Does your cat love to scratch the sofa or curtains? You’re not alone! Scratching is natural — it helps them stretch, strengthen their muscles, and keep claws in good shape.
The good news is, you can easily redirect that energy with a homemade cat scratching post.
It’s a simple, satisfying DIY project — and with natural rope from Garden-Rope.co.uk, your post will look great, feel great for your cat, and last for years.
What You’ll Need
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A piece of plywood or MDF (around 50 × 50 cm works well for the base)
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A wooden post (square or round — tall enough for your cat to stretch comfortably)
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A length of natural rope – such as jute, sisal or flax hemp rope
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A small piece of carpet or mat (optional)
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Scissors
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Staple gun
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Wood screws
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Strong glue (wood glue or similar)
💡 How Much Rope Do You Need?
You can easily work this out using a quick formula:
Height (h) ÷ Rope diameter (d) × Circumference (c) ÷ 1000 = Rope length in metres
So if your post is 600 mm tall, has a circumference of 200 mm, and you’re using 6 mm rope:
600 ÷ 6 × 200 ÷ 1000 = 20 m of rope
You’ll find all three natural rope options at Garden-Rope.co.uk — available by the metre or in coils.
Step-by-Step: Build Your Scratching Post
1️⃣ Prepare the Base
Cut your plywood or MDF into a sturdy square (around 50 × 50 cm).
Sand the edges smooth and make sure the surface is free of splinters.
Natural wood is best — avoid treated timber that could be harmful to pets.
2️⃣ Add a Carpet Cover (Optional)
Cut a piece of carpet slightly larger than your base (e.g. 70 × 70 cm).
Turn it upside down, place your base in the centre, and fold the edges in.
Use a staple gun to fix it securely underneath.
This gives your post a smart finish and an extra texture your cat will love.
3️⃣ Fix the Post
Position your post in the centre of the base.
Drill pilot holes and screw firmly through the bottom of the base into the post.
Make sure it stands upright and feels stable — it’ll need to withstand plenty of claw action!
4️⃣ Wrap with Rope
Now the fun part!
Apply a little glue at the base of the post, press the rope end firmly into place, and start winding upwards.
Keep each coil tight and neatly pressed against the last.
A natural fibre rope like sisal or flax hemp gives a satisfying texture that cats adore — and it’s tough enough to handle their sharp claws.
Once you reach the top, continue the rope in a small spiral to cover the top face.
Trim, glue, and staple the end discreetly to secure it.
5️⃣ Finishing Touches
Double-check that the post is stable and the rope tight.
If it wobbles, add an extra screw to the base.
Pop a few cat toys nearby — and watch your cat explore their new favourite place to scratch, stretch and play.
🌿 Why Use Rope from Garden-Rope.co.uk?
Our natural ropes are:
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Eco-friendly – made from sustainable fibres like jute, sisal, and flax hemp
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Durable & long-lasting – perfect for busy claws
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Soft yet strong – giving the right texture for scratching
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Available by the metre – so you can order exactly what you need
Each rope type has a slightly different feel and colour, letting you match your post to your home or garden style.
🐱 Ready to Get Started?
Making your own scratching post is quick, affordable, and rewarding — and your cat will thank you for it!
Shop our full range of natural sisal ropes here
