A cat scratching post may not seem like a must-have when it comes to pet accessories but when you give it a little bit more thought and after you notice how sharp cat claws are you will reconsider. Everybody knows that the main instrument of defense when it comes to cats is represented by their claws. This is a particular instinctive reason for which any cat will sharpen their claws. Whether they have a cat scratcher or not they will always improvise to keep their claws sharp. To protect your furniture and carpets, it is best to invest in one.
Maintaining General Health
While you may not think of a cat scratcher helps your kitty to maintain its claws not only sharpened but also healthy. The scratching motion contributes to getting rid of the outer layer of a cat's claw that can be damaged or outgrown. If the cat does not manage to file away this layer it can easily get a nasty nail infection due to the amount of bacteria that can grow in between layers. Considering that its paws will roam freely around your house, inside and out, the risk of infection is highly elevated. In order to prevent that you should regularly check the state of your cat's nails.
Scratching without worrying that the owner might pick on them, cats have shown high improvements in reducing their stress levels. Less stress means lower blood pressure and relaxed muscles. If cats are anxious or frustrated or even happy and excited digging their nails into the right type of material can help them release a part of the built-in emotions. So it is important if you want your cat to live a less stressful life around you to invest in a cat scratching post.
Saving Your Furniture
Whether you have never had a cat or you do have more than one and you are starting to worry about investing in new furniture pieces consider buying a cat scratcher first. Keep in mind that no matter how young or old the cat is, they all love to scratch. If you do not have a special place they can sharpen their close and release some energy cats will always find a way to do that. It can be your favorite carpet or the brand new sofa you just bought even the beautiful silky pillows you sleep on. But the most preferred place according to other cat owners will be the side edges of your couch. Introducing a cat to its new cat scratching post it is more exciting than buying new furniture. Every cat is instantly attracted to using and making it her new favorite spot. If the cat does not show immediate interest in it you can try using some treats to get her easily accustomed to her new scratching post.
Cat Scratching Post
Considering scratching is an instinct and a necessary action for a cat to do, instead of trying to train them not to because it will be inefficient you should rather redirect them to a more appropriate object. A cat scratcher comes in different sizes, shapes, and textures and they can be placed anywhere around your house, more indicated in the places where your cat spends most of its time. When choosing one for your fluffy friend consider its size. A perfect post is a vertical one made of sisal that is considerably taller than the cat's body length allowing enough space for the animal to stretch while enjoying a good scratching session.
On the market, you can find many available options for this time of pet accessory. There are horizontal or wall scratchers, some may have additional toys built into them, and also ones that come as a part of an entire cat tree. A cat tree also has small rooms for cats to get some rest or hide. The material they sharpen their claws on is made either of corrugated cardboard, thick carpet, or even wood.
Prices
A cat scratching post is available in different shapes and sizes featuring various toys and even beds. Depending on how large is and what materials are used in its manufacturing process but also on how sophisticated its design is, the prices can considerably vary from the lowest to the highest. Also, suppliers price their products differently so it is best to look for one that sells its item at discount wholesale prices. Here are some examples of scratcher prices:
- Multicolored round cardboard cat scratcher 34x5cm - around 29 dollars
- Multicolored triangle cardboard scratcher 39x10 cm - 27 dollars
- White scratching post - 24 dollars
- Cardboard cat boxes with scratching post - 30 dollars
- Hideout cat post – 80 dollars / reduced from 130 dollars
- Cat bungalow with scratcher area – 49 dollars / reduced from 99 dollars
- Simple scratcher – 15 dollars
- Cat tree house with scratcher – 149 dollars
In Conclusion
If you are having issues controlling your cat's rascal behavior towards scratching every surface of your furniture consider investing in a special pet accessory such as a cat scratcher that allows your cat to enjoy doing its most loved activity without ruining your things. They will easily get accustomed to this new item in their routine and they will never use the edge of the sofa again. Scratching and stretching help their overall well-being and improves releasing stress easier. It helps them clean their nails and file away the outer layer that has outgrown.
This action helps them prevent getting infections on their cute tiny paws. Scratching also releases endorphins which give your cat a boost of energy well needed to play around and enjoy life. It is also a way in which they mark their territory by releasing a unique scent from the gland between their paw pads. You will not be able to train your cat not to scratch so better you should invest in a nice scratcher that can bring so much joy to your furry family member.
