Your energetic cat doesn't claw at your couch just to annoy you. Cats need an outlet for their scratching behavior, and you don't have to spend a ton for a store-bought structure that satisfies this instinct. You can easily construct a DIY cat scratching post with items you have around the house.

Most pet parents learn the hard way their cat needs to scratch this genetic itch. And if given the opportunity, she'll turn your curtains, carpet, or even your couch into shreds to do so. Here are five ideas for how to make a homemade cat scratching post using simple, inexpensive items.

1. Cat Scratching Book Board

A cat scratches for a variety of reasons: to shed the outer layer of her claws (which you may find around the house), stretch her body, and leave her scent to remind you who the real boss is in the house. Whatever her reason, you can indulge her with only two common items and a remedial knowledge of sewing.

What You'll Need

• Large hardback coffee-table-sized book
• Large, cotton bath towel
• Heavy-duty thread
• Sewing needle

If you don't have an old hardcover book you're willing to let your cat dig into, you'll find plenty at a second-hand shop. World atlases have a perfectly smooth cover, but any type of hardback book will do. When choosing a towel to dress it in, be sure to use a plush material that doesn't have a lot of loose threads, which could cause your furry kitty's claws to snag.

How to Make It

Fold the towel in half to double-up the material. Lay it flat on the floor, then place the book in the middle. Fold your towel over the book, gift-wrap style. Pull taught so there are no folds on the front side; you want a flat, durable scratching surface. Stitch together the seams where they meet on the back, flip it over, and voila: You have a cat scratching book board.

It's best to set this board flat on the floor rather than lean it against something; the heavy weight of the book can cause the board to fall and startle your cat.

2. Crazy Cool Carpet Scratching Board

As an alternative to a book board, you can build a carpet scratching board (no books are harmed in the making of this item).

What You'll Need

• Flat board (scrap wood or a discarded book shelf work well)
• Small area rug or carpet remnant
• Hammer
• Small, standard-sized upholstery tacks. You can purchase a pack of these inexpensively at your local hardware store.

There are no length or depth requirements for the board, so you can choose a size that fits your cat's needs (the board in the picture is a particle board bookshelf). This board will lay flat on the floor or hang from a wall, so it doesn't require a base. When choosing a rug, keep in mind cats prefer rough fabric, again with very few loops or loose threads their claws can snag on. Luckily, finding a sturdy but inexpensive area rug for this board is all too easy, and yields a cat accessory you won't have to hide when company comes over.

How to Make It

Place the rug upside down on the floor and plant the board on the back of the rug. Fold up an edge of the rug and secure it with tacks. Place these tacks along the edges lengthwise, where the rug and board meet, in order to secure it properly. Repeat this step for the remaining three sides. You don't want to tack where the rug is folded more than twice because the tack won't secure more than two layers deep. Having trimmed the excess material, use longer nails to secure it. Another option is to leave the rug folds "as is"; they create a nice spring-action when the board is flat on the floor. Flip over carpet-side up.

Note: The cat pictured above loved this scratching board so much that he refused to move for a very long time.