Has anyone here ever tried to put new sisal on their cats' scratching posts?

[sasvermont]

I have several posts that need new sisal. I hate to keep paying such high dollars for a new post if only the sisal needs to be replaced. I wonder how difficult it it to replace the sisal. Has anyone here ever tried it? I have seen several web sites where you can buy the replacement sisal....(can't have oils on it....and needs to be a special size to work).....

Thanks.

I think I have at least four posts in need of repair.

[TopCat3]

I haven't tried and I don't think I could be bothered (that sounds really lazy i know), but sometimes you see them cheap here in $2 shops (if you have those where you are) I picked one up for A$12 once and the last one from the pet supplies place was only A$20.

They get terribly messy once they "go" don't they?

Have you thought of putting some rough/heavy duty carpet round it? That would be a lot easier. I'm sure one of the carpet shops would sell you an offcut. Or several wrap-arounds of hessian/sacking (clean of course lol)

[orangemm]

Yes, my husband re-did one of my cats' favorite scratching posts a few years ago. I'll ask him what was involved. I don't believe it's difficult at all; he had no problems doing it. Stay tuned.

[sasvermont]

Once the sisal starts to "go" it ends up all over the place. The cats use only the top portion of the sisal. The last post I bought was one that sits on it's side, and you can turn it so that all of the post could be used. My cats do not use the carpet part at all, just the sisal. And they wreck them within a year! Some of these posts cost $60 and are really heavy to carry. I don't want to fill the landfills with 1/2 used scatching posts......

Thanks for the inputs so far......

[emily_the_spoiled]

I didn't re-do a scratching post, but I did put sisal rope around the pole in the family room (in the basement). They love it because they can climb all the way to the top and then jump down. But it also gives some purpose to the pole that is placed in the middle of the room

[critters]

I just went to the hardware store and bought sisal rope to do it with. Heavier gauge rope needs fewer turns and less time, which is a GOOD thing! I'd use sisal fabric, if I could find it; it appears that many manufacturers are going to it because of the ease of use. I used hot glue on my sisal, but U-shaped tacks, staples, etc. would be easier.

[catmandu]

IN THINK THAT THAT WOULD TAKE SOME STRENGTH AND PATIENCE AS YOU WOULD HAVE TO WIND THE SISAL AROUND VERY TIGHTLY AROUND A LYER OF GLUE , AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE ACCURATE IN GETTING THE ROWS OF LAYERS EVEN.
I THINK I WOULD JUST BUY ANOTHER ONE , THEY HAVE THEM FOR 6 DOLLARS AT PETCETERA QUITE OFTEN.

[CultureJunky]

My dad made a new post for Jack a year ago and all he used was sisal rope from a DIY shop (about medium thickness) and glued it on with a non toxic glue. If you look in your local DIY store (hardware store I think you call them) you should be able to find a glue that will do the job and also get one that is safe for animals. Just ask the person who works there. I'm pretty sure you should be able to do it very easily, and it's also much cheaper.

[Catlady711]

I just went to the hardware store and bought sisal rope to do it with. Heavier gauge rope needs fewer turns and less time, which is a GOOD thing! I used hot glue on my sisal, but U-shaped tacks, staples, etc. would be easier.

Same here with the sisal we replaced in the Katzenhaus except we didn't use any hot glue, just the u shaped nails.

[catfamily]

Same here with the sisal we replaced in the Katzenhaus except we didn't use any hot glue, just the u shaped nails.

great idea...i told mike...we'll need more projects than what we just ordered.
i'd like to wrap some of that stuff you just bought around some poles.
we'll turn this whole house..outside and in...a cat house..
no neighbors makes it nice and easy.
our last neighbors...never cared if there's came back to the house or not...they did not have them fixed b/c my whole outside of the house was sprayed.
there were wild animals for them to be eaten and they just didn't care to keep 'em indoors.
i want to build another outside screened in porch with lots of sisal poles for my babies.(for this house that we just moved in)it will take time...but we'll get it done.
we'll take any ideas...everything helps...thank you