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Suppose you’re looking for information on replacing sisal rope on a cat tree, congratulations! It means your pet cat has adapted to her cat tree, dug her claws through the sisal rope, and successfully left your furniture and carpet alone for a couple of months.
Sisal rope is the textured string wrapped around most scratching posts.
So, there’s no need to worry about the sisal rope from your cat tower or cat tree getting destroyed.
It’s super easy to replace – just a little DIY, and you have a brand new scratching post!
Is sisal rope the best for replacing scratching posts?
Did you know that cats are naturally attracted to sisal ropes? Well, now you know.
In addition to that, sisal ropes play a considerable role in cat trees by providing a scratching space for cats that is firm and steady.
Although there are many types of fiber to consider when making scratching posts for cats, sisal is the best.
Sisal Rope Replacement: Tools Needed
The main tools used to replace sisal rope scratching posts are; a pair of scissors, a knife, or a staple remover.
Other things you’ll need to include are:
- A spool of twisted sisal rope (You can find the 1/4-inch thickness at Lowes for about $5)
- One hot glue gun and a pack of glue sticks (You’ll be using several regular-sized glue sticks)
- The base of the old scratching post
- Measuring tape- it is important to note that the amount of sisal rope and glue sticks will vary depending on how long your scratching post is.
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Check our best cat tree for an extensive cat guide and view products that get you the most bang for your buck!
Sisal Rope Replacement: Measurements
Use the following simple equations to find out how much sisal rope you need:
Height – Measure the size of your cat tree in inches. The standard measurement is 20 inches for kittens and 40 inches for adult cats.
Thickness – Divide the number by a quarter. That is the thickness of rope you have: 1/4-inch.
Example: If your cat tree is 40 inches in height, the rope will have to go around 160 times because 40 divided by 1/4 equals 160.
Circumference or perimeter – For a more reliable measurement, you must consider the post’s circumference (for circular) or perimeter (for square). To do this, wrap a measuring tape around the cat tree.
Multiply this measurement with the number you got from the first equation.
Using the example above: if the cat tree has a six-inch circumference, you’ll use the equation: “6 x 160,” which gives you the answer 960.
960 is the number of times you wrap the sisal rope throughout this project.
Once you’ve got the measurements down, you can start the project immediately.
Also, you might want to learn how to reupholster the entire cat tree.
Sisal Rope Replacement: Steps To Replace The Rope
Replacing the sisal rope in a scratching post is not a complex task.
One afternoon session is enough to get this project done.
Generally, follow these three simple steps when replacing the sisal rope in a scratching post.
They include:
Step 1: Take off the damaged sisal rope
Firstly, depending on how shredded the cat tree is, you might need scissors, a box cutter, or other tools to get all the damaged rope off the base.
Clean up the old rope as much as possible, but keep the actual post sturdy.
Be careful about staple wires hiding under the rope some cat tree companies use to reinforce the scratching posts.
Step 2: Uncoil the sisal rope and heat your glue gun
Secondly, start by squirting a line of glue around the bottom of the scratching post.
Eyeball the glue and gently place the rope on top of it.
When wrapping the sisal rope onto the post, press it as tightly as possible before you begin another row.
Make sure you carpet the entire post with the rope.
Step 3: Continue from bottom to top.
Finally, repeat step 2 until you reach the top of the post. Every time you finish one row, pull the rope tightly.
Having loose sisal rope parts will make it easy for your cat to destroy the scratching post again.
Cut the sisal rope once you reach the last row at the top.
Use a cable staple to secure the rope, or add extra glue to the post for extra strength.
Benefits of A Sisal Rope Scratching Post
Now that you have learned how to replace the sisal rope on your cat tree, you don’t have to buy a new tree just because the scratching posts never get fuzzy.
The benefits of sisal rope scratching posts are:
- Keeping cat claws healthy
- Providing a medium for cats to exercise their joints when scratching
- Easing stress– cats often scratch surfaces to relieve tension and stress from their bodies
- Saving Furniture– cats are drawn to the firmness of sisal ropes preventing scratches on furniture and other household items
- Time-efficient- Sisal rope scratching posts are durable and long-lasting; they can serve as scratching posts for months.
In conclusion: When you notice a tear on your cat’s scratching post, replace the sisal rope cover of the scratching post.
Your adorable cat will return to its favorite spot- the scratching post and leave your furniture alone!
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.
