DIY toy guide
Corrugated Cardboard Donut Scratcher
A ring-shaped scratcher and nap spot made from stacked cardboard rings
Rings of corrugated cardboard stacked and glued into a donut make a satisfying horizontal scratcher that doubles as a curled-up nap nest — a great use for a pile of old boxes.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 45 min
- Cost
- Free–£3
🧺 You will need
- Several large corrugated cardboard boxes
- A large plate and a small bowl to trace circles
- PVA or non-toxic craft glue
- A sharp craft knife and cutting mat
- A pencil and a heavy book to press while drying
- A pinch of dried catnip (optional)
🔧 How to make it
- Trace a large circle with the plate and a smaller inner circle with the bowl to make a ring template.
- Cut many identical cardboard rings, keeping the corrugations (the wavy fluted edge) facing the same way on each.
- Spread a thin layer of glue between rings and stack them, aligning the edges, until the donut is a few centimetres tall.
- Sprinkle a little catnip between a couple of the middle layers if you like.
- Press the stack flat under a heavy book and leave it to dry fully, ideally overnight.
- Once solid, set it on the floor — the exposed fluted edges give the perfect texture for clawing.
💡 Tips
- Cutting many rings is quicker with a fresh blade; score first, then cut through in a second pass.
- Rub the finished ring gently with more catnip to draw a cat to it for the first time.
Safety: Use only non-toxic PVA/craft glue and let it dry completely before offering the scratcher, so there are no wet fumes or sticky patches. Replace it once it becomes badly shredded.
📝 Notes
A horizontal scratcher suits cats that prefer to claw the floor or a rug rather than a vertical post, and the ring shape tempts many cats to curl up inside it for a nap.
