Cats love — and need — to scratch. That’s just a fact. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to say goodbye to claw-mark-free furniture. The first and perhaps most important item in your anti-furniture-scratching arsenal is a proper cat scratching post.
Cat posts come in all shapes and sizes; whether you live in a studio apartment or a sprawling mansion, cat posts are available to suit your needs.
Here are a few things you should consider when picking a scratching post for your cat, and how you can help your kitty enjoy using it instead of your couch.
Make Sure It’s Big & Sturdy Enough
The post you choose should be stable and large enough for your cat to scratch while their body and limbs are fully extended, fulfilling your cat’s desire for vertical scratching.
Take care to ensure the base is secured so the post doesn’t tip over. You want your cat to trust the post and feel safe to scratch it at their leisure.
A cat post that wobbles or topples over is a cat post kitty will not use.
Pay Attention To The Material
Veterinarians recommend posts or towers that contain sisal material — a thick, fibrous, woven textile fabric that is satisfyingly scratch-able for kitties.
Even the most finicky cats seem to love digging their claws in and shredding the sisal material.
Location, Location, Location
When introducing a post into your home, place it in a room that your family frequents. Your cat is most likely to use a post to mark their territory if it’s in an area full of activity. Ask yourself where you and your kitty spend the most time, and then set up a scratching post in that location.
Ideally, you should try to have scratching posts in several locations to curb as much of the undesired scratching as possible.
Cat-scratch mats are a versatile option for small spaces and can hang from doorknobs. Cat beds made of sisal or corrugated cardboard are great for cats who love to stretch and scratch when they wake up from a nap.
Make It Attractive
Your cat should have only positive associations with the post.
Sprinkle some catnip onto the post, and let kitty have some fun. Use treats and toys as rewards when they choose the post over your favorite chair. Grab some of your kitty’s favorite toys and drape them over the post to encourage scratching.
Eventually, they should get the hint.
One important thing to remember: Don’t throw the post away after kitty shreds it. When it’s shredded to their satisfaction, it means that they’ve sufficiently marked their territory and may pout if you throw away their hard work.
How many scratching posts does your cat have at home? Do you have any other tips for getting a cat to use their scratching post? Let us know in the comments below!
