Declawing might seem like a simple solution to unwanted scratching but comes at a heavy price – not in terms of money, but in the welfare of our beloved feline friends. This surgical procedure, which involves amputation of the last bone of each toe bean, can result in a lifetime of physical and behavioral issues; pain, difficulty in walking, and a change in personality. Remember, scratching is an intrinsic part of a cat's natural behavior and is essential for their mental and physical health. So what's the solution? Provide appropriate outlets for your cat to scratch so they'll leave your furniture, door frames, walls and other potentially appealing things alone.
What Makes a Scratch Post Appealing?
To say scratch posts are furniture savers is an understatement; they are crucial to an indoor cat's well-being. They were designed to satisfy a cat's intrinsic needs like marking their territory, stretching and exercising, and keeping those claws in tip top shape. Okay, that's all great, but how do you get your cat to scratch a post instead of the corner of your couch? Here are some questions to ask yourself when looking at the vast number of scratcher options:
- What's it made of? Material matters. Cats are drawn to textures that offer a satisfying scratch experience. Sisal, for example is a popular material used for cat scratchers because it mimics the feel of tree bark, providing the right resistance and texture for their claws.
- How sturdy is it? Just like a wobbly restaurant table does not make for a pleasant dining experience, a wobbly scratch post can deter a cat from using it, especially if it's vertical or something they'd jump on. Having a sturdy post will ensure they feel secure when pulling and scratching.
- How tall is it? Cats love to stretch their full body length, so an ideal height for vertical posts is at least 32 inches which encourages that biiiiig satisfying stretch.
Where's the Best Spot for a Post?
Putting your scratch post in an ideal spot can make or break how often they get used. While there's no magic number for how many posts you choose to have, we recommend one in every room which allows your cat to mark his or her territory, stretch, and scratch throughout their domain. Some things to consider when deciding where to put a post:
- By Doorways: Placing a scratch post near a doorway allows your cat to mark their territory as they enter a room, which is kinda the same as when you walk into a room that someone else is in, you'd likely acknowledge that person with a hello or wave.
- Common Areas: Cats scratch as a way of communicating, so posts placed in visible, central locations of your house, areas you typically hang out in, encourage this natural behavior.
Quantity and Quality
Again, while there's no set rule on the number of scratch posts, if you ask us, the more, the better! Having some type of scratcher in every room guarantees your cat has ample opportunity to flex their claws and stretch, no matter where they are in the home. Plus, having multiple scratchers in a multi-cat household ensures each kitty has an available spot to scratch without potential competition.
Scratchers are Essential to a Happy Indoor Cat
Instead of resorting to declawing, providing your whiskered pal a variety of sturdy, well-placed scratching posts is the most effective and humane solution to keep your cat mentally and physically healthy, fulfill their natural instincts and keep claws off your furniture. Remember, you adopted a cat. Cats have claws. Using those claws to scratch is a completely normal behavior. Serving up scratch posts is a simple yet impactful way to show love and understanding towards your cutie bestie, ensuring their physical and psychological well-being.
What is the large scratch tunnel above made of (with 3 holes on one side — and a cat scratching on a standard post to the left of the tunnel)? I love it, and think our cat Louise would love it too! It looks handmade and sturdy. My husband is handy in making things. What is the material used?
Thanks, Nancy Rued
I have 2 cats and have placed scratching posts throughout my house. One cat uses them and the other completely ignores them, preferring to use whatever piece of furniture is nearest to the post. I’m sure there are others with the same problem, so perhaps you could address this in one of your entries?
I love that you’re educating people. I have. never declawed a cat, but I remember when I took my first cat in to see about neutering the vet said " this would be the best time to declaw.
This was 2012 .
My cat has scratches in every room and he doesn’t scratch my furniture.
Thank you for spreading kindness for our furry friends.
THANK YOU for NOT declawing and THANK YOU for this wonderful article, which I’m (of COURSE!) sharing.
NEVER. DECLAW. NOT EVER. NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. DON’T.
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