DIY toy guide
Curved Cardboard Scratch Lounge
A recycled-cardboard wave that doubles as a scratcher and a nap spot
Strips of corrugated cardboard glued into a gently curved block make a springy, satisfying horizontal scratcher your cat can also lounge on — a free, sturdy alternative to shop-bought cardboard loungers that wear out fast.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
🧺 You will need
- Several large corrugated cardboard boxes
- A craft knife and a straight edge (an adult job)
- Non-toxic PVA or paper glue
- A large bulldog clip or some heavy books to press it
- Optional: a pinch of dried catnip
🔧 How to make it
- Cut the cardboard into many identical strips, all the same width, with the corrugations running across the short edge so the ridges will face upward.
- Glue the strips face to face in a stack, building up the block a few strips at a time.
- As you build, curve the stack gently into a shallow wave or crescent, pressing each addition until the glue grabs.
- Clamp or weigh the whole block down and leave it to dry fully so it sets into a firm, springy slab.
- Sprinkle a little catnip into the ridges if you like, set it on the floor, and let your cat discover the rows of scratchable corrugations.
💡 Tips
- Flip the lounge over now and then so both faces wear evenly and it lasts much longer.
- Make it long enough for a full-body stretch so your cat can scratch and then flop down on the same piece.
Safety: Use only clean cardboard free of tape, staples and glossy printing, and a glue labelled non-toxic and pet-safe. Vacuum up the little cardboard crumbs that scratching sheds, and replace the lounge once it becomes too shredded to be pleasant to use.
📝 Notes
A horizontal cardboard scratcher gives cats an outlet to stretch, mark and condition their claws in a spot they choose, which is one of the best ways to protect furniture — and the low, springy shape doubles as an inviting place to rest.