Where To Buy Cat Scratching Post
Training your cat to use a cat scratching post is a necessary and important step when you are dealing with the question of "How to stop a cat from scratching furniture?" First, it is important to learn how to choose the best cat scratching post. Getting your cat to use her scratching post is much easier when you have taken the time to choose one for which she will automatically have a natural affinity. Once you've done that, employ the following tips to train your cat to use a scratching post and stop scratching your furniture or carpeting.
where to buy cat scratching post
A critical step in ensuring that your cat uses her new scratching posts is making sure that you choose the best areas in the house to place them. The best scratching post placement is done using knowledge of normal cat scratching behaviors. Though we humans may have preferences for where we'd like the cat scratching posts to be in our home, usually in corners and out-of-the-way places, these aren't always the best spots in the eyes of our feline friends. When we consider the issue from their point of view, it's easy to understand why.
A final note on cat scratching post placement: Providing cats with multiple scratching posts in different areas of your home increases the likelihood that your furniture and carpeting will be left alone. If your cat is already using an inappropriate object or place to scratch, examine it to gain valuable information. Are the scratch marks high or low, on a vertical or horizontal surface, in a corner or under a bed? You can use this data to help you choose the type and placement of scratching posts and pads. Cats like to scratch on vertical surfaces, horizontal surfaces, and angled surfaces. Sometimes they enjoy finding places to scratch in special areas such as under the bed or in the closet.
If your cat doesn't immediately use her new scratching post or shows only mild interest in it, don't worry. Sometimes they need a little more coaxing in order to discover that you've provided them with the best scratching surface they could hope for. Here are a few tips for introducing your cat to her new scratching post and training her to use it.
One thing that usually does NOT work when trying to introduce a cat to a new scratching post is to grab her paws and place them on the post. Cats are notorious for having their own minds and liking things to be their own idea. Manhandling their paws is usually a no-no in the eyes of most cats and will likely result in avoidance of the scratching post. An exception to this might be a very young kitten. They often can be shown how to use a scratching post in this manner, especially if you don't have an older cat in the home to demonstrate. Play, as described above, also tends to work great with kittens.
A brief note on negative training methods: There are lots of approaches to cat training that seek to associate negative consequences with an unwanted feline behavior, causing them to avoid it in the future. These include squirting your cat in the face with water, making a loud noise with coins in a can, using mousetraps to scare or injure a cat, yelling, hitting, and any other similar strategies. These negative reinforcement techniques usually do not work with cats and, worse, they may completely backfire or cause injury. Many cats become stressed by such occurrences and, when that happens, they will react with behaviors that most humans won't find acceptable. They may urinate or defecate outside of the litterbox, on carpeting, or on personal items. They may scratch more at other objects in the home. In the worst case, they may become withdrawn and hide or refuse to eat. Focus on positively reinforcing the behavior you want to see from your cat (using her scratching post) rather than negatively reinforcing the behavior you don't want.
If you have followed all of the steps above for training your cat to use her new scratching post and she just doesn't seem interested in it, try moving it to another area before you give up. A nice spot in front of a window is often a good idea and, if there are birds or other wildlife around for your cat to spy on, the excitement often leads to a scratching session.
One of the best options for cheap cat scratchers are cardboard scratch pads. These types of scratchers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from simple flat pads to more elaborate cardboard cat scratching houses. They are durable and can withstand even the most enthusiastic of cat scratchers. Plus, they are eco-friendly and can be easily recycled. Many cat lovers swear by these scratch pads as they are one of the best cat scratch pads available in the market.
Another affordable option is a sisal scratching post. Sisal is a natural fiber that is perfect for scratching, and many cats prefer it over other materials. These posts are available in a variety of sizes and can be attached to a cat tree or used as a standalone scratching post. They are also durable and can withstand even the most aggressive scratchers.
Many cats also like to scratch away at rugs or carpets or any other flat surfaces, and that can cause havoc to your fixtures and fittings. As such, laying down a cardboard scratching board is a cheap but simple way to prevent such damage while giving you cat something fun to play with.
Scratching posts are an essential tool for cats to stay healthy, happy, and content. Not only do they provide the physical exercise cats need but they also provide mental stimulation. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and is necessary for their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Scratching is also important for cats to stretch. Cats need to stretch their muscles out to stay healthy and limber, and scratching gives them the opportunity to do so. They can stretch the muscles in their legs, back, and neck while scratching, which helps them to stay active and alert.
Vertical scratching posts are the best option for cats because they give them the opportunity to stretch their muscles throughout their whole body. Plus, they can also perform their vertical scratching motion to mark their territory.
In conclusion, scratching posts are essential for cats to stay healthy and active. They provide cats with the opportunity to keep their claws in check, stretch out their muscles, mark their territory, and groom their fur. Sisal is the best option for scratching posts, as it provides cats with an excellent grip and texture.
If you want a quirkier cat scratcher, consider buying this one that is shaped like a small ramp and has an adorable catnip-infused butterfly toy attached to it. The toy will help encourage your cat to want to play with the board and use it for all their scratching needs, and the triangular shape gives your cat an interesting design to play with. And this board is also reversible, so even after your pet has shredded their way through one side of the scratcher you can just turn it over and give them a whole new board.
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Cats tell us the type of surface they prefer by scratching up illegal targets. That varies from upholstery to carpet, wood or even cardboard. So if there are claw marks on the sofa, choose a cat scratching post with similar fabric.
For cats who adore scratching cardboard and humans who prefer a more stylish look, I have the answer. The PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge, made from compressed corrugated cardboard, combines an elegant infinity symbol design, function and long-lasting quality. The gentle curves invite cats to lounge, the holes beckon them to play hide-and-seek and the texture tempts them to test claws.
If your cat enjoys scratching the couch, place the scratching post next to the couch. If your cat enjoys scratching the wall by your front door when you come home, place the scratching post near your front door. Location matters!
Evidence of scratching outdoors can often be found on trees, fence posts, sheds and wooden gates, for example, all strategically important locations in a cat populated area. Similar surfaces outside will also be utilised for claw maintenance. Unvarnished woods and tree bark are the most natural surfaces to scratch as they provide a perfect level of resistance to the action and show a strong visual cue when used regularly.
If the scratched locations are widespread throughout the home, particularly around doorways and windows, then it is likely that your cat is signalling a general sense of insecurity. Whether the scratching represents claw maintenance, marking or both depends on the dynamics of your cat household, the pattern of locations and various other factors. Even if the level of scratching is normal for your cat, if attractive scratching posts or areas are not provided indoors it is likely that damage will occur to furniture, wallpaper or carpet!
Commercially available scratching posts range from a basic single upright structure with a heavy base to an elaborate floor-to-ceiling modular unit that provides many opportunities for play, exercise and resting as well as a variety of surfaces to scratch. In multi-cat households, it is advisable to provide one scratching post per cat (plus an additional one for choice) positioned in different locations.
The choice of design depends then on budget and space available. If space is an issue then scratching panels can be fixed to walls, either using homemade or commercially available products. Sections of carpet can be attached to walls using double-sided carpet tape and wooden batons attached at the top and bottom (using rawl plugs and screws) for added security. The carpet chosen to provide a suitable surface for scratching should be a loop-weave to offer the appropriate degree of resistance. It is also essential that it is positioned to allow the cat to scratch at full stretch (remember that kittens grow very quickly so full stretch for them will not be high enough!!). 041b061a72