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Scratching Posts

Happy Cat has a scratching post A scratching post is VERY important. You should have one in place when you bring your kitty home. The ideal scratching surfaces can vary between cats--from carpet to sisal rope to artificial surface coverings. A scratching post can be tall, short, square, or round with horizontal or vertical surfaces. There is a huge selection of scratchers out there. In fact, there are so many choices that it gets confusing. If you can't make up your mind it bears repeating, at least have a small post on hand when you bring kitty home. You will need more than one eventually.

If you would like to build your own scratching post, there are several sites online that offer instructions. (NTCR does not favor or endorse these do-it-yourself projects. The links are only provided as a reference.)
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Cat-Scratching-Post
https://www.lovethatpet.com/blog/how-to-build-a-cat-tree-scratching-post


For Best Results

    • A good scratching post should be tall enough for your cat to stretch to her full height when scratching; i.e., as high as your cat is long when she fully stretches out plus a few inches more.
    • A scratching post must have a sturdy base to ensure stability. Sturdiness is an important quality since the cat often presses its body weight onto the post to get a good scratch. If the cat feels insecure or unsteady on the cat scratching post, she simply won't use it.
    • It is best to have or provide a combination of different covered surfaces. Carpeting is not always a feline's favorite scratching material, and it may not be such a great idea to train your cat to scratch on the carpet since he may have trouble telling acceptable carpet from the carpet covering your floors. Sisal rope is durable, inexpensive, attractive to cats, and lasts longer than carpet. Natural bark and stripped tree trunks are also good choices. Just be sure the bark is bug free and the trunks are not chemically treated.
    • The post should also be wide enough for your cat to sit on top and look at her surroundings.

Training Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post 

If your cat is unaccustomed to a scratching post you may need to help train your cat to choose the post rather than your furniture. There are four key aspects that will help achieve a positive result with scratching posts:

  • Whether a new kitten or an older cat that is new to your home, starting a scratch-post training before a problem arises makes sense. It is easier to establish goo d habits rather than try to correct the problems later.  
  •  Show your cat how to scratch. Actually go through the scratching motion yourself while your cat is watching. Don't try to physically force your cat to scratch by holding her paws. She will resist and even dislike the post. The most effective method of teaching your cat to use her post is through lures and rewards. Once your cat understands that scratching and climbing her post is fun, reward her and gain your enthusiastic approval.                                  
  • Make the post a fun place to be by placing toys on or around it, or rubbing it with catnip. If your cat likes catnip, rub some into the rope so that the cat can smell that wonderful smell. Once your cat has smelled the catnip, gently scratch your nails along the surface of the rope. This will help teach your cat where to scratch.
  • Most cats scratch immediately after waking while stretching themselves. Keep the scratching post close to where your cat likes to sleep and as soon as your cat wakes up from a nap, call her to her post.
  • It is good to have more than one scratching post. Put a second post where it will be used such as near a sunny window or a draft-free corner where your cat likes to spend time or in front of a frequently scratched piece of furniture.
  • Don't replace the surface just because it's badly shredded--that is actually your cat's goal.  It would be like wiping the smile off the Mona Lisa.

flat s.p
 well loved scratching post
kitten s.p