Read About Cat Scratch Posts

 - What are they?

1. Description:

   Cat Scratching Posts are upright shafts covered with durable material, used to offer cats an opportunity to stretch their claws and exercise daily.

2. Who Needs These?:

   All cats need to scratch and stretch their claws. Theoretically, every cat needs a scratching post.

3. Why Do You Need These?:

   You need a scratching post to keep your cat's claws healthy, and to keep him/her from clawing up your furniture.

4. Types:

   Scratch posts can be either home made, artificial or natural.

5. Benefits:

   A scratching post offers a lot of benefits -- most importantly, it keeps a kitty from exercising her claws on your furniture. Also, it can help your cat de-stress.

 - Uses

1. For Young Pets:

   It can be used to ease the young cat into the house, and offer an option for exercise, to release pent-up energy.

2. For Adult Pets:

   It offers a chance to stretch their claws, and offers an opportunity to mark its territory. If there is more than one cat, usually this can be a meeting ground of sorts.

3. For Aging Pets:

   For an aging cat, a scratch post usually serves to mark its territory, and exercise its claws

 - Tips

1. Varieties:

   There are numerous scratching posts on the market. The most widely recommended is one covered with Sisal material. Other types include rope, carpet, wood and cardboard.

2. Quality Choices:

   Scratch posts offer horizontal or vertical scratch areas or both depending on the cat's preference.

3. Where to Use:

   Scratch posts should be kept near where the cat sleeps. That way when the cat wakes up, it can use the scratch post to stretch. If the cat does not take to it, try moving it to another place -- but maintain the position for 3-4 days before changing its position.

- Concerns

1. Safety Issues:

   When buying scratch posts, please ensure that you buy a post with a solid, wide and strong base. This will prevent the scratch post from toppling over. Also, when making a scratch post with carpet or rugs, please make sure you burn the edges of the carpet so it does not unravel on scratching. The cat scratch post should be high enough for the cat to stand on two hind paws to reach as high as possible.

2. Behavioral Issues:

   If you have more than one cat, it's probably a good idea to get more than one post otherwise it might lead to fights. Try sprinkling some catnip or keeping a cat treat or toy near the post.

3. Convenience:

   These scratching posts can make a world of a difference to a cat. They will also make your home look better without scratches all over your furniture.

Cat Scratch Posts - How to Choose

1. For Young Pets:

   Choose a short hard post with sisal fabric. Make sure the post will not topple.

2. For Adult Pets:

   Keep a variety of posts in different fabrics like sisal, carpet, rope, etc.

3. For Aging Pets:

   A soft post with carpet or velvet would be nice for an old cat.

4. Expense:

   Scratch posts cost vary depending on the material used, the height of the post, and if it has platforms.

5. Other items you might need with this product:

   This is a stand alone cat accessory. To get the cat to use the post, you might need some catnip or some treats to entice Kitty.