Universal Scratch Pad Holder
Overview
Cats have an instinctual need to scratch—it is necessary to maintain the health of their claws, plus scratching relieves anxiety and boredom.
A scratch station is a small, sheltered area dedicated to allowing cats to scratch, giving them a consistent, safe place they can rely on to take care of this need whenever the urge arises.
A scratch station includes a permanently mounted device that works with all sizes of scratch pads, securely holding them with sufficient resistance and at an ideal height to provide optimal scratching. The ideal scratch station space also includes enough horizontal room to allow cats to comfortably approach the scratch pad as well as enough vertical room to stretch their legs completely upward to scratch.
Please note: It is hardly a new concept to mount a scratch pad on a wall. The only new part of this approach is recognizing a cat’s need to scratch as a fundamental necessity, to the point that a space dedicated to fulfilling that need should be planned on an architectural level.
The development of a universal scratch pad holder is novel; however, this is a device, not an architectural concept, designed out of necessity to make the concept of the scratch station possible. The scratch station concept does not rely on this specific device design—dozens of other designs that fulfill the same function would work, just as a laundry room would work with many different washers and dryers.
Benefits of a Scratch Station
For cats
Cats thrive on routine, especially with hygiene. Having a scratch station allows cats to form regular scratching habits, which improves health and reduces anxiety. A scratch pad that is always available in a consistent location increases the chances that cats will use it instead of another surface, which could potentially harm them.
A station with a good scratch pad holder also improves the scratching experience, because it holds them at a height that lets cats stand on their hind legs and stretch while using them, which is the ideal position for scratching. Furthermore, the holder can tightly secure the scratch pads, giving the much-needed resistance necessary to scratching that is lacking when the pads are not mounted firmly.
For people with cats
Cardboard scratch pads are cheap and plentiful, but there is no standard size or mounting method for them.
Universal scratch pad holders help save money, since they work with any size scratch pad and don’t lock you into using any particular brand, plus they make it quick and easy to rotate and flip a scratch pad to get the most out of both sides of it. They reduce waste too, since they require no additional mounting materials, like Velcro. Most importantly, a scratch station in the right spot increases the likelihood your cats will use it instead of destroying your furniture or damaging your home when they need to scratch.
Finally, a scratch station can help keep your home clean. When placed inside a litter cabinet, it lets cats clean their claws immediately after using the litter box instead of walking around with dirty paws. This location hides ugly scratch pads out-of-sight, plus it contains the shredded cardboard and catnip flakes to help keep your home tidy.
For people without cats
No other common use for a scratch station has been identified yet. However, it is mostly empty space, and the universal scratch pad holder is very small—when installed in a litter closet, it will rarely be seen, if ever at all.
For rental property owners
Cats don’t just like to scratch; they need to scratch. If nobody gives them something that’s designed to be scratched, they’ll destroy something else instead—like the corners of your cabinets, for instance. Furthermore, cats who are not able to regularly scratch have increased anxiety, which can lead to other destructive behaviors as well.
This can be prevented by proper care, but not all pet owners are particularly responsible or knowledgeable about animals. Many cat owners don’t know that scratching is necessary to cat health and think of scratch pads and posts as optional toys for entertainment only. (The fact that these are commonly referred to as “scratch toys” doesn’t help.)
To prevent damage, you want to make it as easy as possible for residents to take proper care of their pets, and a scratch station may be the cheapest and easiest way to do just that.
You can add a clause your lease’s pet addendum that states that, as a condition of being allowed cats, residents agree to provide them with scratching materials. Adding this clause and showing residents where the scratch station is can avoid a costly cabinet replacement down the road.
How to Build a Universal Scratch Pad Holder
Design requirements
There are countless ways to affix a scratch pad to a surface; however, for this purpose, an acceptably designed holder must…
- …be inexpensive.
- …be durable.
- …be easy to build from readily available materials.
- …be easy to use.
- …be operable with one hand.
- …be operable by touch alone (since these are often installed around blind corners or other awkward places).
- …fit all common sizes of scratch pads.
- …hold the pads at a fixed height regardless of pad size.
- …not have parts that could harm cats.
- …not take up much space.
- …be able to be installed at an angle.
For this project, the important part of this concept is contemplating a space for a scratch station and providing a universal holder, not any specific design. However, for purposes of illustration, here is one design that meets all the criteria listed above.
Required materials
- A 36” F-style steel bar clamp with a ball-joint clamp pad
- A metal plate, approximately 1” x 4”, ideally with rounded teeth on one side to grip scratcher pad
- Adhesive capable of bonding plastic to metal, such as two-part epoxy glue
- 1/4" wood or plastic shims (exact size depends on bar clamp)
- 2 wood screws, bolts, or drywall anchors, depending on your installation
Photo: F-style bar clamp
Photo: Metal grip plate
Photo: Adhesive
Photo: Shims
Required tools
- A drill press (or a power drill and a very steady hand)
- Saw capable of cutting steel, such as a hacksaw or table saw
Assembly instructions
- Cut the clamp bar to fit the height of the mounting area.
- Using the adhesive, attach the grip plate to the ball-joint clamp pad on the moveable jaw.
- Drill two mounting holes through the clamp bar: one near the top and one near the bottom.
Illustration: Cutting the clamp bar
Illustration: Attaching the grip plate
Illustration: Drilling the mounting holes
Installation instructions
- Mount the clamp bar to the wall through the drilled holes, using shims to provide enough clearance for the sliding arm to move.
- Note: To install the clamp bar at an angle, which many cats prefer and will help retain catnip flakes, simply use thicker, angled shims. However, be advised that loading pads will then require two hands, since pads will no longer be able to be rested flat against the wall while loading.
Illustration: Installation: Front view
Illustration: Installation: Side view
Operating instructions
To load a new pad:
- Place the pad on the mounting plate
- Pull the sliding arm up until the pad is held firmly between the mounting plate below and the fixed jaw above.
- Turn the handle clockwise to provide a stronger hold.
Illustration: Placing the pad
Illustration: Pulling sliding arm up
Illustration: Turning the handle
To remove the pad:
- Press the quick-release lever and move the sliding arm down.
Illustration: Pressing the lever
Illustration: Moving the sliding arm