Scratching Post
 | "Cats just like to scratch on something - almost anything really! This is partly exercise (as it helps them with stretching), partly a way of marking their territory and partly just pure pleasure." |
What is a scratching post and what does it do? Cats just like to scratch on something - almost anything really! This is partly exercise (as it helps them with stretching), partly a way of marking their territory and partly just pure pleasure.
Cats will scratch no matter what you do. So, its really just a matter of training them to scratch on things you don't mind them scratching on. Many companies offer ready made scratching posts, but there is no guarantee that the cats will like that better than your rug, sofa or the legs of the dining table.
Our cats live outside and there are certain trees that they prefer to do their scratching on. They also like the wooden garden table and even the car tires (doesn't seem to damage the tires at all).
We also lost a bunch of banana trees in the yard because they were shredded and lost all their sap. We never saw them doing it, but the trees just gradually died. Death by scratching - that's a new one… we would have done something about it if we'd seen them. But especially if your cat lives indoors, the main thing is to train them to use just one designated thing.
You can introduce the scratching post by applying some catnip to lure them there. You can also use treats to reward them after using it and of course you can protect your valuable furniture by applying some scent around it that cats don't like. I've heard that double sided sticky tape works and intense smells like spices or lemon rind are supposed to keep the cats away. You can also purchase cat repellent products at the pet store or online.
You'll want to be on top of this from the time they are kittens if you want to ward off any ideas they may have about scratching on your Italian sofa. My family went away for the weekend when I was a kid. We had one small, young cat and one even smaller dog. We returned to find a hole the size of a basketball in the backrest part of the couch. I can't repeat the expletives I learned that day… but needless to say, it was a memorable event. (After an intensive round of questioning, the cat blamed the dog although the evidence never proved to be conclusive).
Despite the annoying, and sometimes costly, events that may occur when cats scratch on the wrong thing, you should never de-claw your cat because of it. This step will negatively impact the cat's emotional, physical and behavioral wellbeing. The claws are actually necessary for survival because they are essential to a cat's balance and mobility. It can be compared to amputating all your toes. It's irreversible, so don't do it!
The scratching post does not have to be in shape of a post, although usually the cats will choose an object shaped that way. The problem for most people is that they don't want a huge, unseemly scratching post in their home.
While we share these sentiments, we advise you to carefully consider what your cat needs. Because if they don't like your designer post that matches the color and shape of your furniture, they will opt for whatever else seems to offer a good scratch.
Your dog may break your heart by turning your favorite Manolo's into a chew toy, but a cat has the potential to turn your home into four walls full of fringe. So, buy a scratching post that your cat will like. If they don't accept the first one you buy - take it back (if you can) and get a new one!