How to Choose Cat Scratching Posts

petshop — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:56:07 +0000

Most families have at least a pet in their homes and often, this pet is a cat, since what can be more adorable than a cat that we can spoil when we get home? However, although there are many cat lovers out there, one thing is sure: all cats scratch and as a consequence they end up ruining our furniture, our carpets and other of our belongings. If this is your situation, there’s no need to despair because nowadays there is a way to keep your cat from scratching your goods.

Cats scratch all the time and as long as they are not provided with cat scratching posts, they will use your furniture for playing and scratching. If you are interested in a cat scratching post, you should know that the scratching surface varies from a carpet covered with sisal rope or artificial surface coverings. Furthermore, the scratching post can be tall, short, round, horizontal or vertical and it is entirely up to you to decide which of these suits best the needs of your cat.

Before selecting cat scratching posts, we advise you to consider the following tips. First of all, for best results, make sure the scratching post is tall enough for your cat to scratch her full height. Next, keep in mind that a good cat scratching post should have a base which ensures the necessary stability. This is important because if the cat feels insecure on the scratching post she will not use it.

Don’t forget to choose a cat scratching post which combines different covered surfaces. It is not a great idea to train your cat to scratch ion the carpet because they may not distinguish the acceptable carpet from the carpet on the floors. We recommend trying sisal fiber because it is durable, attractive to cats, cheap and lasts much longer than a carpet.

However, if your cat is not accustomed to using cat scratching posts, you will need to train your cat choose the post and not your furniture. Whenever you bring a cat into your home, make sure you will show her how to use the scratching post. Also, show your cat how to scratch and don’t try to physically force it by holding her paws because she won’t like it and she will reject the cat scratching post. The most efficient way of training your cat use the post is by means of rewards and lures.

If the scratching post looks like fun, surrounded by toys and other attractive items, the cat will definitely be drawn to it. Make sure you keep the cat scratching posts nearby to where the cats sleep, because most of them scratch after waking. The location of the scratching post is important because if your cat doesn’t like the place you have chosen for it, she will not use it.

It is not a revelation for any of us the fact that cats scratch all the time, but it might be news for some of you to learn that cats can be trained and shown where to scratch. Thus, by using cat scratching posts, your carpets and furniture will not be damaged any longer. Take into account your cat’s preferences when buying and setting up her scratching post.

Train Your Kitten Use a Cat Scratching Post

petshop — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:26:33 +0000

Feline furniture represents a great alternative to declawing and it provides your cats with enjoyable scratching and climbing activities. By purchasing cat scratching posts, your cats will be happy and they will stay away from the furniture, scratching and climbing on the posts. However, although most kittens will start scratching on the post immediately, others will have to be taught to do this.

All cats should have at least one cat scratching post, preferably one with the shape with a tree which enables the cat to stretch its body against to its full height. We advise you not to hide the cat scratching posts when you first purchase them, since cats like the areas where humans spend their time. The most important things that you can purchase for your kittens are cat scratching posts, which can be acquired in any pet store.

We advise you to get a cat scratching post that has a similar material with the furniture your cat scratches most of the time. If the scratching post will look or feel different, it is unlikely that your cat will start using the post. Nowadays, animal lovers have a variety of cat scratching posts to choose from, in order to save their furniture and their carpets.

Cats can be trained to use scratching posts as long as you keep in mind the following tips. First of all, place several cat scratching posts in different areas in which you see your cat frequently. The best spots are those in which your kitten likes to play and to rest. Next, don’t force your cat to scratch if it is not in the mood, because this will only be confusing for it. You can encourage scratching on a cat scratching post by playing with toys near the post and by using praise and food rewards when your cat scratches the post.

If you have an older cat, it will be a little more difficult for you to train it to use the post. However, this is not an impossible task but there are a couple of things that you should do in order to succeed. First of all, cover the damaged area with plastic so that it feels different and the cat doesn’t find it appealing any longer. Most cats dislike aluminum foil and this represents a useful training tool. Make sure that the cat scratching post you place near the damaged furniture is covered with a material appealing to your cat.

Once your cat begins using the scratching post frequently, you can go ahead and move the scratching post towards the location you desire. Move the post a few inches every day and continue to reward your cat for using it. This will definitely help you make your kitten use cat scratching posts and thus you won’t have to change your furniture and your carpets as often as you used to.

Just like humans, cats take possession of the entire house, they have a favorite place where they like to spend their time and they need a place of their own, where they can rest and play whenever they please. Your cat deserves its own piece of furniture, a nice cat scratching post. Nowadays, you will be able to purchase whatever you want for your cat as long as budget isn’t a problem.

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How to Choose Cat Scratching Posts

Train Your Kitten Use a Cat Scratching Post