DIY toy guide
Cardboard Scratcher Ramp
An inclined corrugated scratcher from stacked cardboard
Turn a stack of corrugated cardboard into a sloped scratching ramp that satisfies your cat's urge to stretch and drag their claws downward.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- 45 min
- Cost
- Free–£3
🧺 You will need
- Several large corrugated cardboard boxes
- A craft knife and cutting mat
- Non-toxic PVA (white) glue
- A ruler and pencil
- Optional: a pinch of dried catnip
🔧 How to make it
- Cut the cardboard into strips of equal width (about 10 cm), cutting across the corrugations so the wavy channels show on the edge.
- Glue the strips face to face into a thick block, keeping the corrugated edges facing up so claws can catch the ridges.
- Once the glue is fully dry, trim one end at an angle to create a gentle ramp shape.
- Rub a little catnip into the exposed corrugations to draw your cat in.
- Place it against a wall or sofa where your cat already likes to scratch.
💡 Tips
- Cutting across the corrugations is what exposes the satisfying ridged texture cats love.
- Weigh the block down with books while the glue dries for a tight, sturdy bond.
Safety: Use only non-toxic PVA glue and let it cure fully before your cat uses the scratcher. Remove and replace the ramp once it becomes badly shredded, as loose strips can be chewed and swallowed.
📝 Notes
This is a great way to reuse delivery boxes, and because it costs almost nothing you can simply build a fresh one when the old one wears out.