When choosing a cat scratching post with features suited to the character and preferences of your feline friend, you can effectively teach it not to scratch household items. See which cat scratching posts to buy and which aspects to pay particular attention to.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Cats can be individualists—this is a truth as old as time. They usually find it difficult to follow established norms, and for many of them, rules and prohibitions seem not to exist. Scratched furniture and shoes are the best example. However, it should be borne in mind that our little friends do not do this deliberately—scratching is a completely natural feline reflex that allows them to stretch their muscles, helps remove worn-out skin and plays an important role in marking their territory (cats’ nails contain pheromones). This does not mean, however, that we should resign ourselves to scratched household furnishings. The solution is a special cat scratching post.
Cat Scratching Posts – A Wide Selection and Various Features
On the market, we can find a wide range of scratching posts for cats. These products work perfectly both indoors and in the garden. Cat scratching posts available in pet shops differ in size, construction method, design, materials used and quality. The choice of the right one depends on such factors as the cat’s size, level of physical development, preferred level of physical activity and many other considerations.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Scratching Post?
When choosing the ideal cat scratching post, you should take your pet’s most important individual characteristics into account. On the market, you will find, among other things, scratching posts combined with a bed. This is an ideal alternative for cats that love to lounge around and spend most of the day in one place. A scratching post with a house is also an interesting idea: it will allow the cat to find shelter from the sun while also providing it with opportunities to play.
The larger the cat, the taller the scratching post should be, so that the cat can use it comfortably while stretching its muscles. On the market, you will find both classic freestanding scratching posts and models suspended from the ceiling. The latter solution is suitable when there is little floor space available.
Design and Material Are Also Important
Scratching posts available in pet shops also differ in design. The most basic ones have the shape of a pole positioned vertically on a flat base. Others, usually more expensive, are more elaborate, with a system of branches and side extensions, allowing your cat to spend more time on them and thereby increasing its range of activity.
Its construction is just as important as the shape of the scratching post. The cheapest scratching posts usually leave much to be desired in terms of durability and strength, so investing in a slightly more expensive but better-made product often proves more cost-effective. More expensive scratching posts also guarantee better-quality fibre around the poles. This is quite important, as cats prefer suitably soft cords that allow them to quickly extend and retract their claws.
Find the Perfect Scratching Post for Your Cat
In the wide range of scratching posts offered by manufacturers and sellers, every lover of four-legged pets will find the ideal product for their friend. It is worth investing in a high-quality scratching post that will allow your cat to use it freely and without restrictions, as this will effectively reduce your cat’s interest in furniture and other household items.