Cat Scratching Post Options

Purchasing a cat scratching post is a must if you want to save your furniture, flooring, walls, curtains and patience from being tattered and snagged beyond salvation.  Cats scratch surfaces in order to keep their claws clean, sharp and in good condition.  The act of scratching also stretches and exercises certain muscle groups in the legs and shoulders.  Because it is a natural and healthy activity,  cats should not be stopped from scratching, but rather encouraged to scratch in a specific place.

Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is fairly simple, although we all know how stubborn cats can be! Luckily, most cat scratching posts are designed to be great places for cats to scratch,  made out of sisal, carpet or other materials which are ideal for cats to use to keep their claws trimmed.  Once in your home, you will probably find that your cat is naturally drawn to exploring and then scratching the post.  If you do find your cat scratching anywhere other than on his post, tell him “No” and clap once loudly to startle him into stopping.

Because scratching also stretches and tones a cat´s legs,  many cats like to have a few scratching areas where they can stand in different positions.  This is where a larger, more elaborate cat scratching post comes in useful, as it allows your cat to explore various positions. From basic sisal mats to place on the floor or mount on the wall,  to a standard scratching post on a base, to multi-level trees and activity centres, cat scratching posts come in a huge range of sizes and shapes, and can incorporate several scratching areas, toys, hiding places and places to chill out and relax.  

Think about where your cat currently scratches, and try to replicate the surface, position and angle of his favourite scratching place as closely as possible to make the transition to a new scratching post as trouble free as possible.  Take some time to browse through all of your options to find the perfect fit for your cat.

Cat Activity Centre

Cats love to climb, claw and caper around in their environment.  They are never happier than when they have somewhere great to explore, except maybe when they have somewhere great to sleep! A cat activity centre is an ideal addition to any home where cats are kept, as it provides them with a multitude of areas to keep them happy and entertained.

Cat activity centres are usually designed with several levels, allowing your cat to jump, climb and explore.  Higher levels offer a place for your cat to sit and watch the world go by, satisfying the nosy parker that lives inside most cats! 

Tunnels are also a feature of many cat activity centres.  These may be soft and ideal for your cat to rustle around in, or structured, letting your cat try out his climbing skills.  Both types of tunnels provide exercise and amusement for your cat.

If your cat likes to find cosy spaces to curl up in, then look for a cat activity centre that includes a cubby hole designed to give your cat his own private space to sleep and rest away from the stresses of the world.

Most cat activity centres are made of sisal or carpet, which provides a complex scratching post for your cat.  Cats are naturally curious creatures so there shouldn´t be any trouble in encouraging your pet to play in his new adventure area.  The fact that he is allowed to scratch this new piece of furniture to his heart´s content will only make it even more appealing!

Try to choose a cat activity centre that will suit your cat.  If he likes to spend time perched in high places, then look for a cat activity centre that has some high levels.  If he loves to play with toys,  pick a cat activity centre that has some dangling play elements built in.  Or if he just likes to laze around, choose a cat activity centre that offers him a nice cosy place to sleep.  With so many varieties to choose from you are bound to find a cat activity centre that is perfect for your pet.

Getting Your Cat To Use Their Cat Scratching Post

Cats instinctively tend to scratch on things and many owners find this out the hard way when they come home to furniture that has been torn to shreds. Of course simply going out and buying a cat scratching post will safe your furniture from the claws of your cat if you cannot get them to use it.

Cats scratch with their front claws for several reasons and this is not necessarily the behavior of a bad cat. Of course the most obvious reason why a cat scratches is to sharpen their claws but science is finding out that this is not the primary reason. Cats also scratch to leave messages to other cats as well as to leave scent behind which explains why cats that have been de-clawed will scratch despite no longer having claws.

Cats generally do not scratch everything in site up but only one or two places. This makes getting them to use a scratching post a much easier task. When most cat owners buy a scratching tree or post they tend to place it where it will fit into their home. This may not necessarily be the best place to put it if you actually want the cat to scratch the post instead of furniture. The scratching post should be placed where the cat spends the majority of their time. Next to food dishes is one likely spot or wherever their cat toys tend to end up is another. These are areas that your cat has found to their liking and wants to be.

By placing the scratching post where your cat spends their time you can encourage them to scratch this instead of furniture that you preferred stayed in one piece. Scratching posts that incorporate toys, caves, and perches also encourage use simply because they encourage the cat to spend their time at the post.

Choosing Which Scratching Post To Buy Your Cat

If you choose not to have your cat de-clawed getting them a cat scratching post will be essential to keeping them from scratching up your furniture and carpet. Of course scratching posts come in just small simple designs that will work for their purpose but they also come in large cat activity centers that can give your cat not only somewhere to scratch but a place of their own.

A large cat activity center or even a ceiling model that goes from the floor to the ceiling can give your cat or even several cats a fun place to play, excellent places to take a nap, as well as those essential scratching posts to follow their natural instincts. These trees for your cat to have in the home are perfect for climbers as well since they can get high above it all and observe the whole room. Cats love climbing, napping and enjoying these centers so many cat owners feel they are the best purchase they every made for their feline companion.

Of course if you live in an apartment building or small house a cat activity center that goes to the ceiling may be just way too big to fit into your place. There are some small to medium size trees that include more than just a scratching post, and gives a cat places to nap and play as well. These are ideal for those who want to spoil their cat but have less area to keep them or a smaller budget for buying their cat an activity center.

No matter which size of scratching post you choose make sure you place it in the area of your home that your cat spends the most time. This will they will want to spend their time on the activity center and enjoy all that it has to offer.

Getting The Scratching Post That Is Right For Your Cat

Cats are notorious for their scratching and it is rare for an owner to have a cat that does not have this habit at least a little bit. Contrary to popular belief cats do not scratch so much because they want to be bad it is only in their instincts to do so. While for a long time it what primarily considered to be an activity to sharpen their claws research is showing that it is also a means of communication.

By providing your cat with an adequate scratching post that they enjoy you will save your furniture from being on the receiving end of this behavior. Of course as with most cat supplies there are lots of different styles and designs and no one cat scratching post is ideal for all cats since each has their own preferred texture.

Of course there are some key features that must be included in all scratching posts for them to be useful to cats. The post or tree that you are providing for your cat must be sturdy. Cats can scratch pretty vigorously and will be timid to do so on a post that wobbles and shakes. Many cat scratching trees come in very large sizes that are sturdy simply do to the very large size. Others may be smaller in size but robust enough that the post will not move around when the cat uses it.

The cat scratching post should also be plenty long enough for your cat to stretch out to their full body length. If you have ever watched a cat scratch they often stretch as tall as they can on a post or tree and scratch from this extended position. So a short post is not going to get the job done especially when your cat can extend to fairly long lengths.