Why Every Cat Should have a Scratching Post
As unfortunate as it is, some people believe that having a cat declawed is as routine as getting it vaccinated. In the States, the procedure is commonly done on the same day cats are spayed or neutered. Declawing is only banned in a few cities in California. Everywhere else, it is considered normal to have a cat declawed by the average American cat owner.
This terrible procedure was born from a human desire to have perfect furniture and curb a natural cat behavior. In the wild, cats scratch on tree trunks to mark their scent with the pheromones in their paw pads. Scratching also keeps their claws groomed and assists in shedding the outer layer of their nails. Imagine how distressing it must be for a cat to have to use whatever object it can find to see out this natural behavior, only to be scolded for doing so.
Luckily, the cat scratching post was invented so that cats may have a sturdy tool on which to scratch their hearts out. Whether the posts are stand alone pieces made solely for scratching, attached to the corner of two walls, or built into a cat tree or other activity center, cats can learn to love their scratching posts. They will often run to their post when playing, climbing and scratching on it while letting off energy and exercising.
A good cat scratching post will be tall enough for a cat to get a nice stretch while gripping the post with its claws. Some cat trees are so tall, the adjoining scratching post serves as both a scratcher and a way to climb up to a platform. This is an excellent workout and stress reliever for indoor cats. Other vertical scratching posts are flat and hung from door handles. Some cats also enjoy scratching horizontally; especially older cats with a little less pep in their step. For these cats, there are scratching mats that lay on the ground and are equally tempting.
Of course, some kitties might still try to sneak in a scratch on a rug, sofa, or even the wallpaper. Experts suggest offering a cat scratching post in every room of the house. There are also tricks that will deter your cat from scratching in undesirable areas.
The two most common tools used are double sided tape or tin foil. Cats hate them both and will usually not put their paws anywhere near them on purpose. You can cover any area the cat prefers with these materials, and this will usually do the trick.
Some people spray bitter apple or cat deterrent spray, but you might find that the smell deters yourself, as well. Some people swear by squirting a cat with water from a squirt gun, while other cat owners claim it either gets their cat more excited, or is no use because they own the odd cat that loves water. Other cat owners will shake a jar or can of coins in hopes of startling kitty. Again, this just excites some cats, but works for others.
Whenever you catch a cat in the act of scratching something inappropriate, it is best not to scold her. You’ll only confuse her, and possibly teach her that she CAN scratch there, just not while you are home. Instead, lift her up gently and carry her to the cat scratching post in a calm manner. You may even take her paw and scratch it on the post yourself in the beginning. Praise her whenever she comes in contact with the post. Sprinkle a little catnip on it before you leave for work, and hide treats near it. She’ll soon learn the post is her very own territory to treat as she pleases.
