Necessity of a Cat Scratching Post
Cat Scratching Post
One of the most difficult behavioral problems that you can deal with when it comes to your cat is that of scratching. The fact of the matter is, cats love to scratch and they will do so, typically on your favorite sofa. Even if you have your cats declawed they may still pound away on the side of your couch as if they are tearing it to shreds. By purchasing a cat scratching post or building one to suit your own pet, you will give them a place to exhibit this behavior without allowing them to continue to beat up on your furniture.
First of all, it’s important to note that many people consider the practice of declawing to be cruel to the cat. It is, in effect, removing part of their body from them, much like cutting off a finger or an ear, something that you would never consider doing. It can also be very dangerous for your cat, especially if it is left outside for any period of time. It’s claws are its first line of defense and if you remove this defense from them then you’re inviting a dangerous situation in which your cat may be hurt or even worse.
In order to save your furniture, however, you are going to need to introduce a cat scratching post into the environment. The decision on whether to make it large or small depends on the amount of room that your particular home has available. You will also want to make sure that you place it in the location that is easily accessible by your cat and may be near the furniture that it likes to scratch on. Keep a cat scratching post by your bed and one at the entrance of your house. Basically, if you give your cat the option to scratch on something else, they may just take you up on it and leave your furniture alone.
Another thing that is important to take into consideration for your cat scratching post is the material that you would use. Many people simply carpet the post in order to give their cat something to tear into but a cat may still enjoy taking a shot at the furniture from time to time. If the cat enjoys the feel of the fabric on the furniture, try covering at least part of the post with this particular fabric. It may save you in reupholstering costs down the road.
