Cat Scratching Posts

If your cat is always destroying furniture, then a cat scratch post could be just what you need. Cats are drawn to the rough texture of scratching posts, and love to sink their claws into them. There are many reasons that cats scratch furniture, but the most common is boredom. If your cat is an indoor cat and doesn't have access to a garden, then they may begin scratching and clawing at furniture and curtains. There are various methods to prevent this behavior, such as spraying furniture with a scent that cats dislike - such as citronella or a commercial cat-repellant spray. As a temporary measure, you can wrap furniture in tinfoil or tie balloons around it (the furniture that is, not the cat!).

The best long term solution, however is the purchase of a cat scratch post. These come in many shapes and sized, from the simple, one-post wrapped in string - to complex, multi-level jungle playhouses for your adventurous moggy. Choosing the right scratching post is a matter of personal choice - how much you are prepared to spend, space available and of course the nature of your cat. A shy timid cat is unlikely to enjoy exploring the more adventurous scratching posts, and may prefer a simple plain cat scratch post.

Remember that your idea of what makes a great cat scratch post may not be the same as your fussy feline's! A good post is one that is tall enough for your cat to fully stretch its body, and this is usually around 2ft tall. When first introduced to the post, it's not uncommon for your cat to turn its nose up at it. Cats are notoriously fickle, but there are ways to encourage your cat to favour the post over your prozed sofa.