3 DIY Cat Grooming Arch & Self Groomers You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
Updated on
Cats don’t typically like being groomed by their humans and prefer to do it themselves. The problem is that cats can’t always remove shed hair by themselves, so they need some tools to help them out.
The creation of cat grooming arches and self-groomers has made it incredibly easy for cats to groom themselves and remove excess hair simply by rubbing up against it. Although there are cat grooming arches you can buy at the store, you can also make one yourself. Not only can this save you money, but it’s a great project if you need something to do one day.
If DIYing a grooming arch or self-groomer is something that you want to try, we’ve listed a few plans that you can use to help you out.
Top 3 DIY Cat Grooming Arches
1. Few Tools Required Grooming Arch from The Owner Builder Network
| Materials: | 12” x 12” wooden base, 14” x 14” fabric piece, 2 new toilet brushes, 1” x 1” wooden cube |
| Tools: | Staple gun, wire cutters, drill, glue |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This cat grooming arch is made using very few tools, so you don’t have to have too much experience as long as you can use a drill and a staple gun. The base is made out of sturdy wood covered in fabric, and it’s easy to customize in a fabric of your favorite color or pattern.
The only other materials you’ll need are a small wooden cube that can be purchased at any pet store and two toilet brushes (new, please!) You can detach the brush from the handle and attach it to the base, and watch your cat enjoy their new grooming station.
2. Low-Cost DIY Grooming Arch by Johns Animals
| Materials: | 4 bottle brushes, wooden shelf or base, fabric, carpet scraps, or spray paint |
| Tools: | Pliers, drill |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This cat grooming arch is made with inexpensive bottle brushes instead of toilet brushes, and there are very few other materials involved. For the base, you can either buy a separate piece of wood or attach the grooming arch to one of the shelves in your cat wall playground if you have one.
The video shows you how to link the bottle brushes together to form the arch as well as attach it to the base, but we recommended using glue to secure the ends of the arch to the base. As far as what to cover the base or shelf with, you can use fabric or spray paint if you don’t like the wood look. Alternatively, you can use carpet scraps to cover the base so that your cat can scratch on it as well.
3. DIY Cat Self Scratcher by Cat Lessons
| Materials: | 2 wooden manicure brushes, 2 small hinges, screws |
| Tools: | Screwdriver, marker, double-sided tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This self-scratcher for cats requires a little advanced planning to make sure that you get the right tools, and it’s best to watch the tutorial before buying anything. But once you have the right materials, you can make a self-scratching station for your cat using nothing but the materials you’ve purchased and a table leg.
This plan doesn’t require power tools either, and all you have to do is attach two wooden manicure brushes to each other using hinges. They have to be wooden ones, or the plan won’t work. After you’ve attached the brushes, you can use the double-sided tape to attach them to a table leg. The use of double-sided tape makes the brushes easy to remove for cleaning as well.
Do Cat Grooming Arches Actually Work?
Cat grooming arches (or any other type of self-grooming station) can control shedding around your house, especially if you have a long-haired cat that is more prone to shedding. Cats brush up against them because they like the way they feel, and the bristles on the brushes can help massage their skin and remove some of the hair that they shed.
Some cats will let you groom them just by brushing them, but there are others who do not like to be touched under any circumstances. In that case, the arches and grooming stations can be very beneficial in helping your cat remove hair on their own so that you don’t have as much cat hair all over your furniture.
Keeping your pet's skin and coat clean and healthy is very important, but finding a great shampoo can be harder than the actual grooming! We love our Hepper Pet Shampoos because they makes grooming so much easier. These pH-balanced formulas are made with natural ingredients like oatmeal, cucumber, and aloe. They are free of phthalates, sulfates, and soaps and very gentle on your pet's skin. Now you just need to decide which formula is best for your fur baby! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!
 Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
 Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo |
|
|---|---|---|
| Natural cucumber & aloe scent |
Natural cucumber & aloe scent:
 |
Natural cucumber & aloe scent:
|
| Safe for cats & dogs |
Safe for cats & dogs:
|
Safe for cats & dogs:
|
| Rinsing required |
Rinsing required:
|
Rinsing required:
 |
| Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients |
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:
|
Free of harsh chemicals & nasty ingredients:
|
| Lathers easily |
Lathers easily:
|
Lathers easily:
|
Final Thoughts
Most cat owners know the feeling of shelling out money for a specialized cat product only for their cat to show no interest in it whatsoever. But once they see how good it feels to brush up against the grooming arch, they’ll be more likely to continue using it. Speaking of shelling out money, that’s one reason why you should try making your own DIY cat grooming arch.
You can save a little money in case your cat doesn’t use it, but we’re pretty sure once they use it, they’ll love it. And you’ll be happy because your home and furniture will be a little bit cleaner.
See Also:
- 10 DIY Cat Run Plans You Can Make Today (with Pictures)
- How to Get Cat Urine Smell & Stains Out of Furniture: 3 Simple Steps
Featured Image Credit: Chomphuphucar, Shutterstock
