Quick answer: A kids and cats safe DIY vertical post relies on screws and tight sisal wrapping first, with a water-based glue only where needed. Let children measure, sand and wrap while an adult handles tools and adhesives. Air the finished post for at least two days before cats use it, and build one per cat plus one in multi-cat homes.
Building a scratching post is a good family project. It is simple, the result is useful straight away and children love watching the cat try out something they made. The part that needs care is the glue. Some adhesives give off strong fumes while they cure, and both small children and cats spend a lot of time close to the floor where those fumes settle.
This checklist shows how to build a sturdy vertical post with as little adhesive as possible, how to share the jobs safely with children of different ages, and how to plan enough posts for a home with several cats.
Why Glue Choice Matters for Kids and Cats
The US EPA notes that paints, varnishes and many hobby products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and to some degree while they are stored. Its advice is to increase ventilation and keep these products out of reach of children and pets.
Cats also groom their paws after scratching, so anything left on the surface can end up being licked. A post that is held together mostly by screws and tension, rather than soaked in adhesive, avoids most of the problem.
The No Toxic Glues Checklist
- Use screws, bolts or dowels for every structural joint
- Wrap sisal tightly enough that it grips by itself; glue only the first and last turns
- Choose a water-based PVA wood glue with a low-odor label
- Avoid contact cement, spray adhesive, construction adhesive and hot-melt glue on scratch surfaces
- Skip stains, paints and varnishes on any part a cat can scratch or lick
- Keep all adhesives capped and stored on a high shelf between sessions
Our wider no toxic glues checklist for a large scratcher and the guide to tape, ink and staples to avoid in multi-cat homes cover other materials worth checking.
Materials for One Kids and Cats Safe DIY Vertical Post
| Part | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 18 mm plywood, 45 x 45 cm | Heavy and wide to stop tipping |
| Post | Untreated softwood, 7–9 cm square, 80–90 cm long | Avoid pressure-treated timber |
| Fixing | Two long wood screws from underneath | Pre-drilled by an adult |
| Surface | Natural sisal rope, 8–10 mm | About 30 m for a full wrap |
| Grip | Felt pads or non-slip liner under base | Stops sliding on hard floors |
Natural, undyed sisal is the safest choice for a surface cats will chew and lick. Our guide to whether sisal is safe for cats explains what to look for on the label.
Which Family Member Does What
| Age | Good jobs | Adult only |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 | Choosing the spot, testing with a toy, tidying scraps | Cutting, drilling, glue |
| 7–10 | Measuring, sanding edges, wrapping sisal with help | Power tools, glue |
| 11+ | Marking cuts, wrapping, tightening turns, checking stability | Power tools unless supervised closely |
Wrapping is the best job for children. It is slow, satisfying and safe, and small hands are good at pushing each turn down tight. Keep glue in the adult's hands only.
Building the Post Together, Turn by Turn
- Adult: cut the post square and sand the ends
- Adult: pre-drill two holes through the center of the base and screw the post on from underneath
- Child: sand the base edges until they feel smooth to the touch
- Adult: fix the rope start with one staple and a dab of PVA on the bottom turn
- Child with adult: wrap the rope upward, pushing every turn down tight
- Adult: finish the top with a dab of PVA and a staple tucked under the last turn
- Everyone: press felt pads under the corners of the base
A post wrapped this way stays tight for months. If turns start to loosen, push them down and add a second staple at the top rather than more glue.
Curing and Airing Before the Cats Use It
Even low-odor glue needs time. Leave the finished post in a well-ventilated room, away from cats and children's bedrooms, for at least 48 hours. If you can still smell adhesive after that, give it another day.
- Open a window or run an extractor fan while gluing
- Wash hands after gluing and before snacks
- Cover the work area with newspaper, not a towel the cat might lie on later
- Put caps back on immediately and store glue out of reach
How Many Posts for a Multi-Cat Home
International Cat Care suggests one resource per cat plus one extra, positioned in different locations, and scratching posts are part of that list. For three cats, that means four places to scratch, not one large shared post.
Cats Protection notes that cats prefer to scratch objects that are sturdy or tall, so each post needs a heavy base and enough height for the biggest cat to stretch fully. Spread them between rooms and along routes the cats already use.
When the Sofa Still Gets Scratched
Homemade posts often solve scratching in the hallway and bedroom but not at the sofa, where the arm corner is just the right height and texture. Putting a stable sisal surface right at that corner is usually what finally moves the habit.
A family-safe option for the sofa corner The CozeCat Side Table arrives ready to use, so there is no glue to cure at home, and its replaceable sisal face sits flush with the sofa arm. Choose Left, Right or Pair. It ships with Next-day shipping, and you can return it within 30 days, with return shipping paid by the buyer.
Families with several cats often pair homemade posts around the house with the CozeCat Side Table at the sofa. Our sofa arm scratcher vs side table comparison helps you weigh the options.
Choosing a Spot Each Cat Will Use
In a multi-cat home, where each post stands matters as much as how it is built. Put one near the sofa, one beside a favorite sleeping spot and one in a hallway or doorway the cats pass through often. Avoid lining posts up in one room; cats that do not get along may treat a cluster as a single resource and the more confident cat may claim it.
Ask children to watch for a week and note which cat uses which post. That small survey tells you where to put the next one, and it keeps the kids involved long after the build is finished.
Monthly Safety Check With the Kids
Turn the check into a small job children can own. Once a month, they can run through a short list and report back.
- Does the post wobble when you push the top?
- Are any rope turns loose or frayed?
- Are there sharp staples or splinters showing?
- Is the base still flat on the floor?
- Has the cat been using it? Look for fresh fraying
Replace sisal when it is heavily shredded, and keep loose strands away from cats; long fibers can be swallowed. Our DIY scratcher hub has more post designs for a family to try next.
Teaching Cats to Use the New Posts
Let children help with this part too. They can drag a wand toy around the base of the post, sprinkle a little catnip on the sisal and give a treat when the cat scratches. Ask them to stay calm and quiet so the cat links the post with good things. Our kids and cats cardboard castle weekend is a good follow-up project once the posts are in use.
Family Scratching Post FAQs
What glue is safe for a cat scratching post?
Use as little glue as possible. Hold the post together with screws and rely on tight sisal wrapping. Where glue is needed, choose a water-based PVA wood glue with a low-odor label, apply it only to the first and last rope turns, and air the post for at least two days.
Can children help build a cat scratching post?
Yes. Younger children can choose the spot and test it with a toy, while older children can measure, sand and wrap sisal. Adults should handle cutting, drilling and every adhesive. Wrapping the rope is the safest and most satisfying job to hand over to kids.
How many scratching posts do I need for three cats?
A useful guide is one per cat plus one extra, so four scratching places for three cats, spread across different rooms and routes. Each should be sturdy and tall enough for your biggest cat to stretch fully, so no cat needs to wait or compete for a post.
How long should a DIY post air before cats use it?
Leave it in a ventilated room away from cats for at least 48 hours, longer if you can still smell glue. Using screws and tight wrapping instead of lots of adhesive keeps curing time and fumes to a minimum, which matters for both kids and cats.
