What Every Cat Needs From a Scratching Post
Many people buy their cats scratching posts.
They purchase a cheap post and set it in a corner someplace.
Then, they are disappointed when the cat continues to scratch on the nice furniture.
Cats like to be where their humans are.
Commonly, it is best to set the scratching post close to the current favored scratching area.
This is obviously where the cat likes to scratch, so it's more likely that they will find the post.
Sometimes rubbing catnip on the post can draw the cat to it and encourage use of the post.
The cheapest scratching posts are not always the best.
Often these posts are covered in carpet, which can snag claws.
These posts may not be very sturdy.
A wobbly post will discourage your cat from using it vigorously.
This means for those really wild moments, the furniture will still get scratched.
Another problem with low cost scratching posts is that they aren't very tall.
Any scratching post should allow the cat to stretch out to his or her full height with paws extended.
This gives them a good stretch.
Scratching does several things for the cat.
It keeps the cats claws healthy.
It allows the cat to stretch its spine.
It also allows the cat to work off any anxiety.
Finally, the shredding of the scratching material marks a cat's territory.
Keeping the claws healthy means the post needs a material that allows the claws to penetrate and will shred but doesn't catch the claws and potentially tear the nails.
Sisal is an excellent scratching post material.
However, some cats prefer raw wood.
Soft woods work well for this.
Other cats like cardboard scratching posts, though they can be messy and must be replaced.
Carpet snags claws easily and is not recommended for the entire scratching post.
The scratching post must be long enough to allow the cat to stretch its full spine.
This means buying a taller post or at least a longer one.
Some cats do prefer to scratch across the floor rather than reaching up and there are posts that lay on the floor.
It's somewhat less important that these be long because the cat can start the stretch farther away.
However, it's always good to be generous with the space the cat has.
Older cats may be especially inclined to enjoy this type of post as that reduces any stress that may be placed on the hip joints.
Cats in multiple cat homes may enjoy having their own scratching post.
This way each cat can mark it's own territory.
The large cat trees that offer multiple places to scratch may work for multi-cat homes because each cat can pick it's spot for scratching.
It's important to remember that every cat will scratch somewhere.
If they are offered appropriate materials with adequate space, they are less likely to scratch in places they aren't supposed to.
Remember cats are social and will use what's available where they are.
Try to place the posts in a place where the human family spends time as well.
They purchase a cheap post and set it in a corner someplace.
Then, they are disappointed when the cat continues to scratch on the nice furniture.
Cats like to be where their humans are.
Commonly, it is best to set the scratching post close to the current favored scratching area.
This is obviously where the cat likes to scratch, so it's more likely that they will find the post.
Sometimes rubbing catnip on the post can draw the cat to it and encourage use of the post.
The cheapest scratching posts are not always the best.
Often these posts are covered in carpet, which can snag claws.
These posts may not be very sturdy.
A wobbly post will discourage your cat from using it vigorously.
This means for those really wild moments, the furniture will still get scratched.
Another problem with low cost scratching posts is that they aren't very tall.
Any scratching post should allow the cat to stretch out to his or her full height with paws extended.
This gives them a good stretch.
Scratching does several things for the cat.
It keeps the cats claws healthy.
It allows the cat to stretch its spine.
It also allows the cat to work off any anxiety.
Finally, the shredding of the scratching material marks a cat's territory.
Keeping the claws healthy means the post needs a material that allows the claws to penetrate and will shred but doesn't catch the claws and potentially tear the nails.
Sisal is an excellent scratching post material.
However, some cats prefer raw wood.
Soft woods work well for this.
Other cats like cardboard scratching posts, though they can be messy and must be replaced.
Carpet snags claws easily and is not recommended for the entire scratching post.
The scratching post must be long enough to allow the cat to stretch its full spine.
This means buying a taller post or at least a longer one.
Some cats do prefer to scratch across the floor rather than reaching up and there are posts that lay on the floor.
It's somewhat less important that these be long because the cat can start the stretch farther away.
However, it's always good to be generous with the space the cat has.
Older cats may be especially inclined to enjoy this type of post as that reduces any stress that may be placed on the hip joints.
Cats in multiple cat homes may enjoy having their own scratching post.
This way each cat can mark it's own territory.
The large cat trees that offer multiple places to scratch may work for multi-cat homes because each cat can pick it's spot for scratching.
It's important to remember that every cat will scratch somewhere.
If they are offered appropriate materials with adequate space, they are less likely to scratch in places they aren't supposed to.
Remember cats are social and will use what's available where they are.
Try to place the posts in a place where the human family spends time as well.
