5 Vet-Verified Reasons Why Cats Need a Scratching Post
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A scratching post may seem like an unnecessary purchase for your cat, but this cat-friendly item is actually critical for your cat’s comfort, happiness, and their ability to develop their instincts. Plus, scratching posts help to keep the rest of your home clean and free from your cat’s claws.
As though protecting your furniture is not a good enough reason to invest in a scratching post, here are six reasons why your cat needs a scratching post for their own health and wellness.
The 5 Reasons Why Cats Need a Scratching Post
1. Scratching Posts Fulfil Your Cat’s Need for Territory Marking
Just like their close cousins, panthers and lions, your housecat is territorial over its space. As a result, house cats have a natural instinct to mark their territory. One way that cats do this is by scratching items they claim.
Although you can’t see them, your cat’s paws have scent glands, and whenever your cat scratches an item, its unique scent is spread over the area, creating a territorial marker that other cats can detect. Likewise, the actual scratches mark the territory too.
By providing your cat with a scratching post, you provide your cat with an area to live out its natural instincts. This keeps your cat healthy and happy since it is healthily fulfilling its natural instincts.
2. Scratching Posts Keep Your Cat Entertained
If you have a kitten or young cat, you know just how hyper these creatures can be. Even though cats sleep a good portion of their day, they get bursts of energy and whenever these outbursts happen, they are liable to destroy your home.
Since your cat is naturally drawn to scratching items, they will gravitate towards the scratching post whenever they are looking for entertainment. This can help wear your cat’s energy out without destroying your home.
3. Scratching Posts Provide Your Cat With Exercise
Scratching posts are great for making sure your cat can stretch and exercise. In addition to scratching the post, most cats like to climb around it and jump on top. Since many house cats are limited in how they exercise, it’s great to encourage playfulness in as many forms as possible.
4. Scratching Posts Help Groom Your Cat’s Claws
It can be really difficult to trim your cat’s claws. One way to keep your cat’s nails in perfect health is with a scratching post. A scratching post will naturally keep your cat’s claws sharp and remove the outer layer of their nails
- Complete Set - These cat nail clippers include both a large and small pair, meaning it works well as a kitten claw trimmer when they're a small kitty, and then before you know it, as a cat nail cutter
- Razor Sharp Stainless Steel - The most comfortable cat nail clippers for indoor cats provide a fast and clean cut. And for rough residuals remaining, the free cat nail file included can smooth it all.
- Safety First - With a safety nail guard and locking spring, you can make sure every grooming cut is stress free for you, and pain free for your purry pal
Keeping your cat's paws healthy starts with keeping their nails trimmed. A great set of clippers like the Hepper Cat Nail Clipper Set can help you safely and easily do this at home. This set includes two sizes of clippers with stainless steel blades, built-in safety guards, and comfortable handles, along with a nail file and a storage pouch. Get ready for easy nail trimming!
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
5. Scratching Posts Help Cats Socialize
If you have more than one cat, a scratching post is one of the best ways to help them socialize with one another. Both of the cats will be drawn to the area when they want to scratch and play. This encourages a socialized bond with the cats.
Tips For Getting Your Cat a Scratching Post
If you are searching feverishly for a great scratching post, there are some factors to consider for the purchase. Studies have even been performed to find out which scratching posts are appreciated the most by cats. An important point is that the post should be rigid enough, since cats need resistance when they scratch to do it correctly. Here are some factors to think about before you make your final decision:
Height
Cats need to be able to scratch at full stretch, and the post should be tall enough for this. Additionally, cats like being high up so they have a good advantage over other predators and prey. Therefore, a tall modular scratching post is ideal, since it meets both requirements. Most cats prefer a scratching post with two or three different levels. Your cat's age may impact whether or not a multistorey scratching post is a fun and feasible option.
If you do not have enough space for a scratching post of this size, try to get as large of a scratching post as possible that fits in the area. This will allow the cat to enjoy the scratching post and be able to stretch out as much as possible.
Material
There are a variety of materials used on scratching posts. Carpet, rope, cardboard, and wood are the most popular materials, but most cats just love to scratch whatever they're not supposed to.
We're quite fond of cardboard as a material in cat scratchers, which is why we love the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher. Encased within a well-constructed, modern birch plywood frame, this scratcher is designed with both cats and their owners in mind. It offers three versatile configurations to keep your feline friend active and entertained while enticing them to fulfill their natural scratching instincts (and away from scratching things they shouldn't). For more details, click here!
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Additional Features
Look for additional features that match the cat’s unique personality. For example, young, active cats will often like a multi-story scratcher with dangly items. In contrast, elderly cats will probably only want a small scratching post and a hide for sleeping.
Additional features can also refer to the shape of the scratching post. Most scratching posts are vertical for additional height. If you have a senior cat, you might want to look for a specifically horizontal scratching post so the cat can actually get on top.
Conclusion
Cats need to scratch to fulfill their instincts. Scratching posts help cats stay healthy, fit, and happy. These posts naturally fulfill the cat’s desire to scratch, stretch, and mark their territory. All the while, it will help keep your home safe from your cat’s destructive claws.
Whenever it comes time to purchase a scratching post for your cat, select an item that allows vertical scratching and is made from rope. Look for additional features to match your cat’s personality. Senior cats may need a unique scratching post designed specifically for them.
Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
