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How to Choose The Best Scratching Post For Your Cat
My cat is scratching the furniture and walls. What to do?
Each owner of a cat needs to know that it is generally impossible to make a cat stop sharpening its claws, as this is a natural need.
Cats are the cutest creations, with tons of positive energy and a storehouse of funny photos. Everything is great right up to the moment when this fluffy charmer launches its claws into your sofa. Or starts tearing up the wallpaper in the hall. And, it seems that your shouts and stamping feet only makes your cats determination to destroy your house stronger.
Cats sharpen their claws not from anger or to cause harm, but at the call of nature.
Under natural conditions, the claws of all cats sharpen themselves when they are climbing trees, hunting, etc. At home, this does not happen. That is why, the cat needs to somehow shorten the growing claws, which she does by scratching your wallpaper and furniture.
If the claws are not shortened, then they break, causing the animal pain.
In addition, by grinding its claws, the cat marks the surface with its smell. On its paws are special glands that secrete an odorous oil.
Where one cat sharpened its claws, another cat is sure to sharpen theirs because now it just needs to “block” the smell of someone else, thus reclaiming its rights to the territory.
To prevent the cat from ruining your furniture, you must provide it with a convenient place to sharpen it's claws.
In pet stores there are a large selection of options.
The best option is to buy a special game complex with special places for claws. But if you do not want to spend money on the purchase of an expensive complex, you can buy a regular post or board.
Before buying, you should definitely pay attention to how a cat sharpens its claws. Some cats like to stretch high up and sharpen their claws on sofas and headboards or tear off wallpaper; others sharpen their claws on the carpet. Based on such habits, choose a suitable claw pole/pad, either vertical or horizontal.
After installing the pad in a suitable place, you must bring a cat to it. The new post should be sprayed with catnip, which can be found in any pet store. Or hang a small toy on a string.
Never force a cat to sharpen its claws. It can become frightened and will never use the column again.
Never hit a cat. Be sure to praise the pet every time he uses the column for its intended purpose.
Teach your cat to use the scratch stand as soon as the cat first appears in your house. The sooner you begin to accustom a kitten to a scratching post, the faster it will learn.
Playing with the cat near and around it will help the cat to quickly learn.
Varieties of Claw Pads
Vertical claws
Horizontal claws
Horizontal claws
Vertical claws posts resemble trees on which cats in the wild hide from predators, and where they like to sharpen claws, stretching to their full height.
When choosing vertical posts, pay attention to the strength of the column, because cats do not like an unstable structure.
Horizontal claws
Horizontal claws
Horizontal claws
Horizontal claws should also fit the pet in size so that it can stretch to its full height.
It is important to choose a claw pad that will not slide on the floor, unless of course you want your cat to become a surfer.
Сorner and wall claws
Сorner and wall claws
Сorner and wall claws
Cats also like corner and wall posts, and they take up little space. The important thing to take into account with this style is the need to mount the scratching post to the wall.
Cat Trees
Сorner and wall claws
Сorner and wall claws
The best cat trees give cats an opportunity to stretch, play, relax and mark their territory within your own home.
Read more: The Best Cat Trees
Scratch Point Materials
The main materials for creating the scratching posts are jute, sisal, carpet, and cardboard. Faux fur is also often used for sheathing.
Jute is made from a fibrous plant of the same name. It is believed that this is a more cost effective and less durable material that is used in the manufacture of lower priced claw pads. It is soft to the touch and fairly uniform in structure, so it is perfect for miniature cats or kittens.
When choosing jute pads, look at the thickness of the tourniquet. The thicker its diameter, the longer it will serve the cat.
Sisal is a rope made of recycled agave fibers. It is lighter than jute and prickly to the touch, while more durable. However, this durability also depends on the length of the pile and the diameter of the rope.
Sisal is recommended for large cats, for example, Maine Coons, but not for bald cats because the fibers of the rope can prick the animal.
Both sisal and jute are safe for the environment, which is also a definite plus.
The lifespan of such claw posts is an average of one to three years.
It’s better not to throw out the post that the cat has been grinding for a long time. For him, this claw post is like a trophy, so it is better to change the winding, leaving the frame the same.
Carpet is considered one of the most wear-resistant materials. The average life of such claw pads is 2 years.
When choosing claw pads made from carpet, it is recommended to pay attention to the length and uniformity of the pile. The carpet is usually easy to clean and aesthetically pleasing, as well as the most similar in material to your favorite cat sofa or armchairs. This is both a plus and a minus. The plus is that the cat will easily switch to the new scratching post. The minus is that she can continue to sharpen her claws on the sofa, because there is almost no difference in material.
It is better to choose pads with a synthetic carpet, as they are more durable. Also pay attention that the loops are not too long. A cat in a fit of frantic scratching is less likely to catch shorter loops and damage the claw.
The advantage of the carpet, of course, is the variety of colors, which allows you to choose a scratching post that will harmoniously fit into the interior.
Faux fur, which is often used for upholstery of cat trees, easily collects dust. The advantage of this material is that it easily withstands dampness, and also retains its original appearance for a very long time.
Cardboard is the most environmentally friendly material. Also, cardboard because of its density allows cats to sharpen claws without problems and without the risk of hurting themselves. Moreover, most sealant has a structure that is as close as possible to a tree, which is where cats sharpen their claws in the wild.
Findings
1. Claw sharpening is a basic need of all cats, so having at least one claw post or pad in the house is very important.
2. When choosing a pad or post, pay attention to the strength and stability of the structure, as well as the ability for your cat to stretch out.
3. When choosing material, evaluate the quality of the product - cats are fussy and can refuse a product because it is inconvenient to dig their claws into the material, or they get stuck in it.
4. Pads and posts are individual. Choose what suits your pet.