Cats are one of the more common pets that people enjoy looking after and they can be an excellent companion. As they grow from kittens to adulthood, cats will display a range of natural behavior with scratching being an example of this. This can be done for a variety of reasons and while it cannot be stopped it can be controlled to a certain extent. Cat scratchers are a simple product that can be brought into a home to provide an attractive location for a cat to use its claws and this can help to save furniture from being damaged.
Cats will display scratching behavior for a variety of reasons and it can be used as a way to mark their territory. As a home is typically viewed by a cat as its territory this is the most likely location where scratching will take place. Other reasons why cats can scratch is to exercise their muscles and in many cases simply because it is enjoyable and feels good. While cat scratching is a natural behavior, it can be a frustrating problem for a cat owner when the furniture of their home is the subject of the scratching. For this reason a range of cat scratchers have been developed and these can be a useful item in a home where a cat lives.
Cat scratchers most commonly take the shape of a post or frame made from wood. In many cases it can be bare wood, although they can be covered in fabric material such as sisal or carpeting which a cat can find enjoyable to scratch. While a straight post is one of the more common styles, there are a variety of options available and this can include angled posts, natural tree trunks and wooden frames with accessories hanging from it such as toy mice and balls.
When considering buying and using a cat scratcher, there are a few things to keep in mind. It is usually best to have a post or frame which is tall enough to enable the cat to stand on its back legs and use its front paws to scratch. With this in mind, the scratcher needs to have a solid base to ensure it does not fall over when a cat is using it. When first brought into the home it should be placed in a location where a cat has been displaying scratching behavior. While this may be in central location, placing it in an area the cat already associates with scratching can encourage it to use the scratcher. As the cat gets used to using the scratcher, it can gradually be moved to a more out of the way location and the cat should continue to use it. In this way the scratching post becomes the equipment used by the cat to display the behavior and furniture is less likely to get damaged.
Cat scratchers can be found for sale in a variety of online and in-store locations. A local neighborhood pet store will generally have a few on offer and discount stores such as Walmart or Target are also places to look. Online pet stores will typically offer a wide range of styles and places to look include Kitty Kondo and Cozy Cat Furniture.
Basic scratchers for cats can start at a price of around $10 to $20 with the Molly Cat Scratching post from Target being an example of this. It is a straight, bare wood scratching post suitable for cats of all ages and costs $20. More expensive scratching equipment can cost up to $100 and greater. The Scrappies Cat Scratching Post from Cozy Cat Furniture is an example of this. It is a sisal covered post with a top platform and costs around $125.
Cats display scratching as part of their normal behavior and cat scratchers are therefore useful to help protect the furniture in a home from damage. They come in a variety of styles and by using one you are caring for your cat as well as looking after your furniture.