Category: Do It Yourself

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Skritch, A Modern Scratching Post

skritchpost2-copy.jpgThis sleek, wall-mounted scratching post by Wowbow is pretty nifty. I couldn’t find the Skritch for sale anywhere—the UK online store doesn’t seem to working. Too bad.

Still, I thought it might give you DIY-ers some ideas. It would be pretty easy to wrap a heavy-duty cardboard tube with sisal carpet. The only trick would be finding something attractive to mount the post on the wall. Ideas anyone?

A minimalist scratching post could go almost anywhere and look nice—not to mention it would make your felines happy. I like that it doesn’t take up floor space.

Check out the thumbnail to see how it looks with different colored sisal.

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DIY: Make A Filtering Pet Fountain

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Want a filtered pet fountain, but want to cut costs? Here are great instructions complete with photos on how to make your own filtering pet fountain. It doesn’t look fancy, but I doubt you can beat the price. And it looks a lot easier to clean than store bought fountains.

So, why a filtering water bowl? Cats are instinctively drawn to running water. That’s why so many cats like to drink from the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth. Don’t want your cats licking the faucet where you get your water? A pet fountain will do the job. Kidney failure is pretty common in older cats and moving water is usually a good way to increase their water consumption. Most cats will benefit from increased water consumption.

I think dogs also prefer running water, which is why so many will drink from the toilet if given the chance. A pet fountain will help stop that. Plus, dogs are a lot messier than cats and the filter helps keep a dog’s bowl cleaner. Just like humans are supposed to drink a certain amount of water a day, dogs also benefit from a healthy level of water consumption.

I know a lot of reptiles are also drawn to running water and need a clean water source to maintain good health. When I was a kid, the rescued box turtles we had in our backyard would come running when they sensed the sprinkler was on. So don’t forget your other pets.

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DIY: Make A Sisal Rope Cat Scratching Post

scratchingpost1copy.jpgI don’t know if it’s because Fall is here, but I’m in a Do-It-Yourself mood. Here’s an excellent tutorial on how to build your own sisal scratching post for your feline friends. There are lots of really useful tips and clear instructions. (Update: The creator of this tutorial suggested googling for 3/8 Brazilian sisal rope to find good sisal for your post.)

You can also apply much of the advice, such as recommended base size for a post, to making a cat tree—check out these other posts on how to build your own full cat tree and how to build this monster cat tree. Your kitties will love you and you’ll love how much money you can save!

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DIY: Sew A Pet Bed

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Want a nest bed for your cat or dog similar to the Big Shrimpy Nest Bed pictured above, but don’t want to spend so much? Check out this excellent tutorial from Lori Marie at Pretty Little Things on how to sew an attractive and easy pet bed. You can adjust the size to fit your pet.

Don’t be intimidated! If you have a sewing machine, you can do this. And with all the gorgeous fabrics out there or by repurposing something you already have, your pet bed can be a lovely addition to your home. Not to mention a comfy place for your pet!

Check out this other DIY pet bed made from an old sweater.

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