Cat Scratch Feeder

By Phil Bowie and Larry Cotton
Category: Furniture, Home
Time Required: A weekend
Difficulty: Moderate

Has your cat left scratch marks on everything from grandmother’s kneecaps to your grandfather clock? It’s time to train Kitty to use this scratching post instead of everything else in your home.

A catnip cup in the top will attract your cat and place her in natural scratching position. Each time the cat claws downward on the spring-loaded carpeted cylinder, this device will deliver up to 4 special treats. Because you control the number of treats, you can keep your cat lean and gradually wean her off the treats altogether as she becomes accustomed to using the post, if you wish.

Download the full-size turntable template and cylinder inner wedges template.

MAKE Volume 33 features our special Software for Makers section covering apps for circuit board design, 3D design and printing, microcontrollers, and programming for kids. Also, meet our new Arduino-powered Rovera robot and get started with Raspberry Pi. As usual, you’ll also find fascinating makers inside, like the maniacs on our cover, the hackers behind the popular Power Racing Series events at Maker Faire.

Try your hand at 22 great DIY projects, like the Optical Tremolo guitar effects box, "Panjolele" cake-pan ukelele, Wii Nunchuk Mouse, CNC joinery tricks, treat-dispensing cat scratching post, laser-cut flexing wooden books, sake brewing, growing incredibly hot “ghost chili” peppers, and much more.

On newsstands now, by subscription, or available in the Maker Shed

Buy now!

Steps

Step #1: Make the base.

Cut the base square, mitering 1/4" wood strips so they form a lip all around to help retain the dispensed treats. Fasten with brads and a bit of wood glue.
Follow the support tube holder diagram to build the holder. For safety, drill the hole with a fly cutter before cutting the wood to size. The hole is nominally 1-5/8", but drill it slightly undersize to ensure a press fit between the holder and the support tube. Chamfer the holder’s edges on a table saw or band saw.
Keep your adjustable bit set at 1-5/8" diameter for drilling other parts later.
Fasten the support tube holder to the center of the base with wood screws.