How can I salvage cat scratching posts?

Peg
by Peg
I'd like to re-do them rather than replace them. Thank you. Hi
  11 answers
  • Cathy C Cathy C on Jul 26, 2016
    Would be helpful to see a picture but, If it's carpet covered, you could try doing a shampoo on the carpet parts, you could try painting the carpet if it's low profile carpet or you could remove the scratching part and cover with scrap carpet or even glued on rope
    • Julie Julie on Jul 26, 2016
      You can use twine rope to replace old rope that has been long overused. I believe that there are different thicknesses of the twine rope to choose from.
  • Merrie Merrie on Jul 26, 2016
    I am going to assume you mean the taller free standing type. I would remove the old material and get the dollar store mats and glue them on. You could also buy a thick sisal rope and as you wrap it around, attach it with a strong bonding glue like E6000
  • Cathy Campbell Cathy Campbell on Jul 26, 2016
    I've gotten the rope from Lowe's, wrapping and stapling as I go. (Staple gun with air compressor works well.) The platforms, depending on the design, I've made a washable cover for them to delay having to recarpet them.
  • I bought sisal rope at Lowe's, E6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive plus got my glue gun out. I used glue gun to start the rope off to help hold to the post until adhesive dried. My post looks great and my cat is so happy! I also used this process to cover the sides of an ottoman with sisal rope. It looks great and gives my cat another place to scratch.
    • Karen Karen on Jul 27, 2016
      This is exactly what I have planned for several of my extra tall posts, though I am planning to use silicone sealant to affix -- thinking it might be safer that the E6000 but maybe not.
  • Peg Peg on Jul 26, 2016
    I'm going to order sisal and e6000 adhesive from Lowe 's - can't wait to get started! The carpet base is still in good shape. My kitties will love it! Thank you all so much!
  • Carole Carole on Jul 26, 2016
    I don't know if your post is round or square but if you use marine grade rope & wrap it tight, the only place you will need glue is at the top & bottom. Being said, when you try to tear off the roping to replace again, it will be extremely difficult as the glue on the entire post will keep some of the rope on the post. I volunteer at a cattery & we do this all the time. You get what you pay for so go for the good stuff.
  • Cathy Graham Cathy Graham on Jul 26, 2016
    Try going to the carpet store and ask for samples or remnants
  • Barbara Buchan Barbara Buchan on Jul 27, 2016
    Salvaged carpet, staple gun; rub new material (carpet or rope) with catnip to help cat learn to like the new one.
    • Peg Peg on Jul 27, 2016
      Thanks Barbara - catnip is a great idea!
  • Lita Lita on Jul 27, 2016
    Strip of all old carpet or rope and replace with carpet most carpet shops have small of cuts that you can get really cheap. We used a staple gun to attach the carpet. We used to make cat furniture as a business and only used industrial carpet as it is very hard wearing.
  • Loreleidarlin Loreleidarlin on Jul 27, 2016
    When we resurfaced our scratch posts my main concern was the glue. Be sure to pick one that is non-toxic and no smell but strong enough so it couldn't be pulled off by their claws so we chose Tacky Glue which works great.
    • Lita Lita on Jul 28, 2016
      we never used glue on our posts just staples along the join. had no problems carpet lasts a long time even main coons took ages to destroy them, but use industrial carpet not plush they will shred it in no time
  • Linda Fleming Linda Fleming on Jan 24, 2017

    WOW!! I AM "VERY IMPRESSED"!! All my questions answered. Thank you SO much