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It's
a fact that a scratching post is essential for any healthy,
well-adjusted cat. Cats need an outlet for their urge to
scratch, so providing a post for that purpose can save your
furniture, drapery and carpeting from destruction. Cats
also use their scratching post for stretching and exercise.
So if you provide a good post, you are helping your cat's
health and well-being (and also that of your stuff).
All
cats have claws on their front and rear paws. The rear ones
are primarily for itching and for climbing, while front
claws help a cat catch and hold on to prey. Both front and
rear claws can also be used as defense if necessary. Like
human fingernails, cat claws continue to grow throughout
a cat's life and need regular attention. Most cats take
care of this themselves, by using their teeth to pull at
their rear claw sheaths, revealing the sharp new claws underneath.
For their front claws, it's easier to hook their claws in
some material and pull downward, pulling off the old sheaths
to expose the new claws.
TYPE
OF POST
A bark log, or a tightly covered burlap covered post works
well. Economical corrugated cardboard scratching boxes are
easy to replace and appeal to many cats. Since many cats
enjoy cardboard posts and they're often quite inexpensive,
first-time cat owners often start with this option before
graduating to more elaborate and pricey cat furniture.
A post
covered with rough sisal rope is another popular option.
The sisal accomplishes the same purpose as tree bark outside
— it catches the front claws so the cat can pull downward
and release the sheath to expose the new claw underneath.
Sisal posts do cost a bit more than disposable cardboard
ones, but they're durable and last for years before they
need replacement. Many cats enjoy using posts covered in
sisal.
CARPETED
POSTS
Some scratching posts sold in stores are covered with carpeting.
While the carpet accomplishes the same purpose as sisal,
it often resembles the carpeting found on staircases and
floors in homes. Some cats may not make a distinction between
the carpet on their scratching post and that in the rest
of the house. These cats often pull at carpeted stairs and
floors, and usually benefit from a switch to a post made
from a different material.
STABILITY
To most cats, the sturdiness and stability of a scratching
post matters even more than the material of construction.
Cats put a lot of energy into sharpening their claws, and
they can't scratch with gusto if the post won't stay upright.
A wood or sisal post must be attached to a sturdy base that
won't wobble when the cat scratches. A wobbly post may also
be nailed onto a larger base for more stability. Cardboard
posts that lie flat on the floor should be large enough
for the cat to stand on them and scratch at the same time.
HEIGHT
Another factor to consider is the height of the post. Cats
reach upward and pull down against the post, so the post
should be at least half again as tall as he is to allow
him to stretch. The taller and sturdier the post, the greater
the chance of a cat preferring the post to a couch or armchair.
PLACEMENT
Lastly, placement of the scratching post in a home is important
to your cat's acceptance of the post. Place one scratching
post where the cat is already clawing, and another close
to where they normally sleep (cats like to stretch and scratch
when they first wake up).
Placing
a scratching post in a prominent location in the most used
room in the house, even directly in front of the piece of
furniture the cat has shown a preference for, will often
encourage the cat to scratch the post to mark his territory.
Whether
cardboard, wood, or sisal, vertical or horizontal, simple
or elaborate, there is post out there that is just right
to satisfy every demanding cat and owner. Choosing a post
to please your pussycat at can be an "adventure" to say
the least, but your reward of vigorous scratching (on the
post and not your furnishings) and lots of grateful rubs
and purring will be worth it all.
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