Scratching post
Encyclopedia
A scratching post is a wooden
post covered in rough material that cat
owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch
. Cats have a natural urge to scratch: the action helps them remove old material from their claw
s, and they mark territory with scent glands in their paws
. Indoor cats may be prevented from exercising this urge on furniture
if they are provided with an acceptable scratching post.
The most common type of post consists of a wooden post, roughly 60 - 90 cm (24-36 inches) tall, covered in rough fabric or sisal
. The post is mounted vertically in a wide base, which allows the cat to stretch upward on its rear legs and scratch freely without tipping it over. A post that is unstable or does not allow a cat to fully extend its body might put off the cat from using it. Surfaces vary: the post may be covered in sisal rope, upholstery fabric, or the jute
backing of a piece of carpet
. Many pet owners find they have to experiment with different surfaces to find one that their cats will scratch reliably. Experts say that cats generally prefer sisal or corrugated cardboard surfaces.http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FRO/is_/ai_65539058 Other kinds of scratching posts are more elaborate, with several levels of horizontal platforms for climbing and cozy cave-like areas where cats may hide. Very tall ones are often called "cat tree
s." These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.
Smaller scratching surfaces may consist of something as simple as a piece of carpet turned upside down, or a flat pad of woven sisal with a loop to allow it to hang from a doorknob. Others are made from corrugated fiberboard.
Scratching posts may be purchased at most stores that carry pet supplies and online, but many people build their own.
In many cases, however, what is more important than the scratching post is the knowledge feline companions have about how to train cats. Training a cat to claw an approved surface and nothing else requires understanding simple behavior modification techniques and finding a reward the cat will perform for.
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
post covered in rough material that cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch
Scratch
Scratch may refer to:* A mark or indentation on a surface: Abrasion It may also refer to:- Recordings :* Scratch , by Kaela Kimura* Scratch , the soundtrack to the 2001 documentary Scratch...
. Cats have a natural urge to scratch: the action helps them remove old material from their claw
Claw
A claw is a curved, pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger in most mammals, birds, and some reptiles. However, the word "claw" is also often used in reference to an invertebrate. Somewhat similar fine hooked structures are found in arthropods such as beetles and spiders, at the end...
s, and they mark territory with scent glands in their paws
Paws
Paws Incorporated. was founded in 1981 by Jim Davis, it is an American comic book studio and production company. It was founded to support the Garfield comic strip and its licensing. It is located in Muncie, Indiana and has a staff of nearly 50 artists and licensing administrators...
. Indoor cats may be prevented from exercising this urge on furniture
Furniture
Furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things...
if they are provided with an acceptable scratching post.
The most common type of post consists of a wooden post, roughly 60 - 90 cm (24-36 inches) tall, covered in rough fabric or sisal
Sisal
Sisal is an agave that yields a stiff fibre traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. The term may refer either to the plant or the fibre, depending on context...
. The post is mounted vertically in a wide base, which allows the cat to stretch upward on its rear legs and scratch freely without tipping it over. A post that is unstable or does not allow a cat to fully extend its body might put off the cat from using it. Surfaces vary: the post may be covered in sisal rope, upholstery fabric, or the jute
Jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, which has been classified in the family Tiliaceae, or more recently in Malvaceae....
backing of a piece of carpet
Carpet
A carpet is a textile floor covering consisting of an upper layer of "pile" attached to a backing. The pile is generally either made from wool or a manmade fibre such as polypropylene,nylon or polyester and usually consists of twisted tufts which are often heat-treated to maintain their...
. Many pet owners find they have to experiment with different surfaces to find one that their cats will scratch reliably. Experts say that cats generally prefer sisal or corrugated cardboard surfaces.http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FRO/is_/ai_65539058 Other kinds of scratching posts are more elaborate, with several levels of horizontal platforms for climbing and cozy cave-like areas where cats may hide. Very tall ones are often called "cat tree
Cat tree
A cat tree is an artificial structure for a cat to play, exercise and relax on. Cat trees vary in height with cats preferring ones that are tall enough to allow them to see everything in their environment...
s." These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.
Smaller scratching surfaces may consist of something as simple as a piece of carpet turned upside down, or a flat pad of woven sisal with a loop to allow it to hang from a doorknob. Others are made from corrugated fiberboard.
Scratching posts may be purchased at most stores that carry pet supplies and online, but many people build their own.
In many cases, however, what is more important than the scratching post is the knowledge feline companions have about how to train cats. Training a cat to claw an approved surface and nothing else requires understanding simple behavior modification techniques and finding a reward the cat will perform for.