Randi - shame about the wallpaper
I can recommend pine wood or rather Ketchum can!!
In the kitchen we had some pipework encased in pinewood this stretched from the floor to the ceiling. Before I could varnish it Ketchum took over and used it as a scratching post!! So I resanded and once again Ketchum took over HIS scratching post! I gave up!!
So I varnished *round* his scratched bit!!!! Honestly!
And seven years later - it's still the same!! He absolutley adores it and doesn't scratch anywhere else
Why not try a piece of pine wood nailed to the wall and see if this can save the wallpaper!!!!
Good luck!!

Lynne