The scratching post for cats: a compromise between you and your cat

Let’s face it: our cats aren’t just fluffy, adorable, and harmless creatures. They are also fierce predators, beautiful and strong cats related to the lion, tiger and leopard. Although throughout history cats became our friends and companions, they did not lose their innate instincts.

Scratching is an important and necessary instinct for the survival of the cat. First, keep the cat’s nails in good condition by sharpening and cleaning them. At the same time, scratching is a way of marking a cat’s territory and a good form of stretching and exercise. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to coax, teach, or force your cat to stop scratching.

If you don’t want to move to the country (so your cat can scratch trees) and can no longer watch your furniture get destroyed, I suggest you make a compromise. Buy a cat scratching post and let your kitty scratch as much as he wants!

By teaching your cat to use a cat scratching post, you’ll protect your curtains, furniture, clothes, and nerves from getting shredded. But the most important thing is that your kitten will be satisfied and calm, being able to manifest normal feline behavior.

You can find many different models of cat scratching posts on the online market: simple standard posts consisting of a single wooden post wrapped in sisal or more complex cat furniture: cat trees, cat condos, even cat gyms! ! Depending on your available budget, the size of your apartment and the age of your cat, choose the one that you consider most suitable.

A good scratching post for cats should allow your cat to scratch quality, while stretching and exercising their muscles. Make sure you choose a long, sturdy post, otherwise your kitty won’t like to scratch it. A short post that will collapse when the cat tries to stretch out on it will soon be forgotten, and Kitty will start scratching your solid sofa!

Cats appreciate respect, not just love and affection. If you treat your cat with consideration and respect his natural needs, he will see you as a true friend and your relationship will improve considerably. There is a big difference between cats and dogs. While dogs can be easily trained, cats are more independent and stocky. Don’t force your cat to do something (scratch the new post, for example) and don’t punish him when he refuses to do what you tell him to. She won’t understand you and her behavior will get even worse!

Instead, focus on praising his positive behavior. Give her a tasty treat when she scratches the post, play with her near the post, glue her favorite toys to the post! A creative friendly approach will solve the problem much easier and faster than all the amount of criticism. At the same time, cover the surfaces you want to protect with masking tape, this will redirect the scratching to other available areas, the scratching post.

The cat scratching post is the ideal compromise between you, your kitty, your furniture, your kitty’s natural instincts and your peace of mind!