You may be in the market for a cat scratching post. Cat owners agree that the most destructive habit of your pet cat is scratching your furniture. It is important for you to understand that your cat does not set out to ruin your furniture. She is following her instincts to sharpen her claws and your furniture is perfect for claw-sharpening.
Outdoor cats or large cats living in the wild use tree bark to scratch. It is important to your cat to keep her claws sharpened. If she is not provided with an alternative way to scratch, then she will use your furniture.
Another reason your cat scratches is cats scratch to mark their territory with the scent their claws leave. Even cats who have, unfortunately, been declawed will scratch to mark its territory.
There are all types of manufactured posts made to satisfy your cat’s instinct to scratch.
Several characteristics to look for when searching for the best post for your feline friend are discussed below.
Height
The height of the post is important because if it is tall enough, you can satisfy your cat’s need to stretch out her full length. Your post should be at least 30 inches in height or longer for larger cats.
A multi-level post covered in carpet or sisal will not only give your cat a place to scratch besides your furniture and wood doors, but will give her hours of fun in climbing. With added height, you’ll need to be concerned with toppling issues.
Strength
Cats are very energetic creatures. A playful cat or two can easily topple over a post that’s not made to stand under such pressure. If a cat can’t trust the post not to fall, she will be less inclined to use the post at all, so make sure the base is wide enough to prevent the post from toppling.
Materials
Some cats like scratching bare wood and others prefer softer materials such as carpet or sisal, a rope-like material. You can observe which type of material your cat prefers or if you have more than one cat and they like different materials, purchase a post that offers both hard and softer surfaces.
Alternatives
Sometimes you can provide the very best scratching post you can find and your cat may still scratch in inappropriate places in your home. You may want to use others products such as cat trees or cat condos that will give her a place play, climb and scratch. The more preoccupied she becomes with her own place, the less she’ll want to scratch in other places.
Other products to use along with a scratching post are scratch deterrent strips and sprays that are non-detectable to humans, but smell bad to cats. Catnip placed in and around a post attracts your cat. Also try encouraging your cat to scratch only her post by praising her when she scratches there and discouraging her when she scratches the drapes, doors or furniture.
A cat scratch post like the Smartcat Ultimate Scratching Post or the Sisal scratching post is the best way to give your cats furniture meant to claw at! Scratching posts for cats can often be found on discount for sale.
A cat scratching post satisfies the need or your cat to scratch and helps to protect your home from damages. You should consider a post, a cat tree or a cat condo to keep your cat playful and occupied.