Cat Scratching Posts

Investing in a cat scratching post  is a great way to stop cats from sharpening their claws on unwanted surfaces, such as the couch,  the door,  or even your pants.  Many cats have trouble getting used to the idea of scratching posts. The best way to get a cat used to using a scratching post is to pick up the cat while it is sharpening its claws in a forbidden zone and place the cat on the scratching post, gently using its paws to imitate the scratching motion on the pole or incline of the post. Posts with balls  or feathers  connected at the top can help bring cats to the post and learn what it is there for.

Choosing the Right Scratching Post

• Observe your cat's scratching habits to determine what post is best and how many will be needed.
• Does he or she prefer horizontal carpeting or the vertical couch?
• Does your cat prefer a certain type of material over others?
• Does he or she always scratch in the same spot, or are locations varied?
• The post should be tall enough to let Fluffy stretch out completely.
• Make sure the scratching post is stable because if it topples over, the cat might never go back to it.
• Once it's shredded, keep it for a while: apparently, that is when it's most broken in.

Materials
Sisal  Simple and sturdy, this is one of the most favoured scratching posts among felines.	Cardboard  Simple and inexpensive. Not very sturdy, however. Expect a mess from pieces of cardboard.	Soft Wood  Very natural and usually easy for cats to recognize as a scratching post.	Reverse Side of Carpets  Great for the kitty always pulling at the carpet!

Construction
Upright  The most common type of scratching post.	Inclined  Targets muscles that may be missed by upright scratching posts.	Multi-tiered  Wonderful for multiple cats.	With Little Rooms  Great for nap time, play time, and scratching post time! Usually quite pricey.

Still Not Working?

Is Fluffy still scratching at your antique sofa? Try Sticky Paws  to discourage scratching on such off-limit surfaces.

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