How Do You Choose a Cat Scratching Post?
Posted by Mark
from the News and Society category at
27 Oct 2023 12:30:44 pm.
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If you are a new cat parent, you may notice a specific behaviour you did not know cats possess. That behaviour is their likeness or need for scratching. At first, it may confuse you or even anger you because cats tend to scratch whatever comes their way, whether it is your doorframe, couches, or carpets. But you should know that cats do not do this intentionally to anger you; it is not about wanting or liking scratching; for them, scratching is a primal need.
This is why the cat scratching post was invented: to make your life as a cat owner easier and your pet’s life happier by fulfilling its needs.
Whether we are talking about a kitten or an older cat, you should know that there is a great variety of cat scratching posts that you can choose from to make your investment worthwhile.
But still, even after buying your cat a scratching post, you might wonder where this need comes from and why cats do this.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
It is known that cats love to scratch, and they will scrape just about anything that comes their way and may even scratch your furniture. But you should never get mad at your cat or punish such behaviour. They do not do it intentionally; for them, it is a need transmitted through time from their ancestors. They need to scratch, and if they are not provided with a specially designed place, this need will drive them to ruin your best-looking carpets.
Cats scratch mainly for two reasons: first and foremost, grooming. In the wilderness, cats need sharp nails to be able to escape predators and save their lives or help in catching prey, which is why you may find that outdoors cats often scratch on trees or any shredable things.
They do this because by scratching, cats remove the outer layer of their nail, leaving them with fresh and sharp nails, which is more effective in case of danger. You may find the outer layer of your cat's nails near their designated scratching posts, but do not worry, your cat did not rip a nail while scratching, they are merely shedding, which is normal and highly beneficial.
The second reason cats scratch also comes from their ancestors; cats are territorial animals, so they must mark their territories. Because cats contain sebaceous glands almost anywhere, from their paws to their face, neck, and tail, scratching is a very effective method of marking their territory by leaving the oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands on things they consider theirs.
You should know that by doing so, cats will always come back to the place they have marked as theirs, so if your cat scratches your furniture, you should thoroughly clean that place to remove the secretions and ensure that your cat does not come back there to scratch again.
How Do You Choose a Cat Scratching Post?
When buying a cat scratching post, there are a few factors and preferences of your cat that you should take into consideration.
When getting yourself a kitten, you will want to train them to scratch only on their specially designed scratching places to avoid damaging your goods.
At first, you should get various cat scratching posts and find out what your kitten prefers. It will be costly, but at least you know the investment is worthwhile and your furniture is salvaged.
What Are Some Different Types of Scratching Posts?
Knowing which one you should choose for your cat from the various scratching post types may be challenging. Typically, you may find that they differentiate in size, material, and whether they are horizontal or vertical.
At first, it is recommended by specialists that you purchase both horizontal and vertical cat scratching posts and figure out which your pet prefers.
You should also keep in mind the size of the scratching post. If you own a kitten, you should find one that is big enough to be still helpful after the cat grows.
If you see that your cat is very active and likes to jump off of things, you may want to consider buying a taller cat scratching post but keep in mind to check whether it is sturdy enough to ensure that your cat does not injure itself while playing.
Regarding material, it is recommended that you buy a scratching post with shredable material so your cat's nails do not get caught in it. Typically, carpet material can be pretty troublesome, so it is recommended that you search for a sisal rope or, even better, sisal fabric because such fabric becomes softer with time, which encourages your pet to scratch at it even more.
How Do You Teach Your Cat to Use the Scratching Post?
When you first buy your scratching post, you may find that your cat does not feel attracted to the new playtoy and prefers scratching the usual places for your furniture.
To promote scratching in specially arranged places, there are a few habits of cats that you can use to your advantage.
Typically, cats scratch when they wake up from a nap, so placing the scratching mat right next to your cat's bed will make it more accessible and, therefore, preferred by your cat.
You should also clean the places where your cat had scratched before so that the only marked place remains the cat scratching post you bought. It is also recommended that you put various scratching posts in rooms so that your cat always has an accessible scratching post whenever it feels the urge to do it.
You should also put your cat's favourite toys around the scratching post to make it more attractive for your cat.
Cat scratching posts are a worthwhile investment; you should buy one for your beloved pet considering the advantages it provides to your cat, household, and you as a person because it gives you that peace of mind that all is well, your goods are not damaged even when you leave your cat alone at home.
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