People with cats often get frustrated by their pets’ scratching habits. Fluffy has definitely destroyed a few sofas in her day! However, it’s important to realize that your feline pal isn’t trying to ruin your things. Cats have a natural, deep-seated urge to scratch. This makes purrfect sense. After all, kitties depend on their claws for survival in the wild. A good scratching post is a must for our furry friends. Here, a Dunn, NC vet discusses picking scratching posts.
Make Sure It’s Tall Enough
Kitties like to stretch as they are sharpening their claws. Pick something that is tall enough to allow your feline buddy to do this. If Fluffy is still a kitten, you’ll want to make sure her scratching post will accommodate her when she’s all grown up.
Get Something Sturdy
If Fluffy’s nail-care station wobbles when she uses it—or worse, falls over—she may become frightened of it. Choose something that will stand up to your pet’s antics.
Make It Appealing
Once you’ve picked out the scratching post, you’ll want to make it inviting for your pet. If you’ve chosen a cat tower, position it before a window with a good view. Kitties love birdwatching! Sprinkling catnip around the scratching post, and offering your furry little diva toys, treats, and attention near it, will also help.
Keep Fluffy’s Age In Mind
If your furball is still a kitten, she’ll likely enjoy something that incorporates hanging toys and lets her climb to different levels. Adult cats often enjoy high vantage points, so a grown-up kitty may like a cat tower with a few different levels. Once Fluffy is a senior, she’ll become much less active, and may be more interested in just napping. Choose something that’s easy for her to reach.
Consider Going DIY
If you don’t have the room in your budget for a scratching post, consider making one. You can build one from scratch by upcycling an old stepladder, bookshelf, or storage rack. Add planks to the shelves to widen them out into kitty lounging spots. Then, use carpet or sisal rope to cover the whole thing. If you’re feeling more adventurous, look online for instructions on building one from scratch out of lumber or PVC pipe.
Please contact us, your Dunn, NC vet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!
