Keeping Cats Happy - Choosing a Scratching post
Does your cat scratch your furniture?
As much as most will find this frustrating, scratching is a normal and necessary feline behaviour.
Our cats scratch to maintain the health of their paws and claws, reduces stress, visually mark territory, as well as to leave scent markings.
As much as most will find this frustrating, scratching is a normal and necessary feline behaviour.
Our cats scratch to maintain the health of their paws and claws, reduces stress, visually mark territory, as well as to leave scent markings.
What can you do to encourage more appropriate scratching?
It is recommended that you have more than one scratching post available. This is important so that your cat has multiple options, and especially important in multi-cat households so that no one cat guards the only post.
These posts should be made of various textiles and with both horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces. Different cats will prefer different textiles.
Textiles that you should consider include:
– Carpet
– Cardboard
– Sisal
– Natural Wood (Branch set in concrete base)
– Astroturf
Some cats are vertical scratchers and others are horizontal scratchers.
Your cats scratching posts should be solid and tall so as not to topple over.
It is recommended that you have more than one scratching post available. This is important so that your cat has multiple options, and especially important in multi-cat households so that no one cat guards the only post.
These posts should be made of various textiles and with both horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces. Different cats will prefer different textiles.
Textiles that you should consider include:
– Carpet
– Cardboard
– Sisal
– Natural Wood (Branch set in concrete base)
– Astroturf
Some cats are vertical scratchers and others are horizontal scratchers.
Your cats scratching posts should be solid and tall so as not to topple over.
Place the posts where your cat will use them or near an object that they have been scratching inappropriately.
Cats will often start scratching as a response to stress. This can occur when you move house, move your furniture around, have a new neighborhood kitty or household kitty move in, move old used furniture into your house, have visitors etc.
Your cat may be scratching as a response to stress if
· The undesired scratching occurs in multiple locations
· The scratching occurs in a multi-cat household
· There is a dense cat population
· There have been recent changes in your home
· Scratching is occurring near windows and doors
You should also consider using the Feline Facial Pheromone – Feliway as a spray or diffuser, to help with any kitty stressors.
If the problem continues, please take your cat for a veterinary checkup.
Cats will often start scratching as a response to stress. This can occur when you move house, move your furniture around, have a new neighborhood kitty or household kitty move in, move old used furniture into your house, have visitors etc.
Your cat may be scratching as a response to stress if
· The undesired scratching occurs in multiple locations
· The scratching occurs in a multi-cat household
· There is a dense cat population
· There have been recent changes in your home
· Scratching is occurring near windows and doors
You should also consider using the Feline Facial Pheromone – Feliway as a spray or diffuser, to help with any kitty stressors.
If the problem continues, please take your cat for a veterinary checkup.