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Home » Here’s Why Your Cat Will Benefit from a Scratching Post

Here’s Why Your Cat Will Benefit from a Scratching Post

The list of things you’ll need to acquire when you adopt the first kitten or cat can be overwhelming. Food, beds toy, nail clippers grooming products for cats such as a scratching board… the list is an overwhelming list. Let’s take the scratching posts as an instance. When you shop online for pet products there are scratching posts that come in a range of shapes, sizes, and materials. With the many options available it’s easy to get sucked into making the wrong decision. However, selecting the correct scratching post for your cat is more crucial than you might believe.

Cats need a method to reduce their desire to scratch. Having an appropriate post can save your carpeting, draperies and furniture from destruction. Cats also use scratchers to stretch and exercising, so having an appropriate post is crucial for your cat’s health and wellbeing. Here’s how a scratching post could be beneficial to your cat.

Scratching Can Help Eliminate the Outer Coating of the Nails

Technically, cats do not scratch to improve the sharpness of their claws. The old, outer shell of cat’s nails are healthy, new fully grown, sharp nails. Because cats don’t have any method of cutting the nails of their own, they’ve come up with their own method of getting the task accomplished. What it does is it assists cats in getting their nails returning to their sharpness.

Nails that are sharp are essential for cats as they utilize them to get into wood and other substances in order to get into places that are difficult to jump from. Cats can leap extremely high, however their ability to get their claws into obstacles like fences and tree trunks is also amazing. Of course, cats also make use of their nails in hunts which allows them to capture and hold on to their prey. A cat scratcher keeps their claws sharp, which allows them to climb up after and holding tight over their quarry.

Cats scratch to scent mark Their Territories

The scent glands of cats are located in their claws. When they knead they release their scent onto the object they’re making a scent, they identify their area of territory. If cats scratch their scent, it is released onto the scratched area which helps to mark their boundaries. Scratching has an added advantage in marking territories which kneading does not. Scratching aids cats in visually marking their area of residence.

A Stress Relieving Mechanism for Cats

Cats are known to put their claws over the top of the post and drag them when they scratch on a wall. There are numerous motions that take place in the body of the cat prior to scratching occurs. The stretching process helps boost the flow of blood to muscles, which, in turn, improves the cat’s flexibility, mobility and reduces stress. The ritual of scratching helps cats to relax and keep their anxieties at lower levels.

What is the most effective cat Scratching Post?

The most common mistake that cat owners make is picking the right post for their cats, instead of considering what cats love. A little research can go far in determining the best article that will appeal to your feline. The trick is to select the post from your cat’s perspective. The primary characteristics to consider when selecting the right cat scratching posts are:

Strength and size
Excellent material to scratch
A variety of surfaces and materials
Horizontal and vertical surfaces

Cats Love Tall Scratching Posts

Select a post high enough for your cat to fully extend when scratching. She must be able to stretch her body completely and pull her back and shoulder muscles, which are healthy for her and improves her flexibility.

Cats require sturdy Scratching Posts

The durability on the wall is vital importance due to a variety of reasons. If the post is unstable, your cat will not utilize it. This is among the reasons cats like to scratch at furniture and couches as they are very solid. Another reason is that a post that is wobbling may be dangerous Your cat is aware of this. An unstable post could tip over and land on your cat. The third, the larger your post is, the more secure it must be. Cats are at risk of being wounded or even killed due to a huge scratching post that is unstable and falls onto them. Make sure to search for posts with an extra-strong base.

Cats Prefer Sturdy Materials

There are cat scratching post models in wide variety of materials. But, the majority of them aren’t appealing to cats. It is worth buying a post that has the cover that differs from the materials you have in your home, like for instance carpet. Your cat might not comprehend why it’s okay to scratch the carpeting within the post, but it’s not allowed on your floor. The carpet isn’t as rough and the loops can grab their claws and tug onto toes. Sisal fabric is an excellent option to look into. It’s a tough fabric that feels wonderful on cats, and shreds under its claws, in a pleasing manner.