Cat Scratching Post

Cats need to sharpen their nails because they are used to mark territory as self defense. Outdoors they will use trees, herbaceous plants or wood fences. Inside the house, they will use furniture, chairs, curtains, carpets, wickers etc. which will cause more than a headache.

To avoid all this, it is convenient to give them some object ( which we normally call a scratching stick) and show them where they can scratch. The education plays an important part here. That's why whenever you find your cat scratching in some furniture, curtain or flowerpot, we have to make sure they understand that is not ok.

Types of scrapers or scratching sticks
There are different types of models and designs:

• The ones that goes on the wall with a piece of carpet. They are used placing them vertically in some place of the house where the cat play and scratch.
• A scratching post, covered with rope and some rubber toy so it calls their attention and they play there.
• Scrapers shaped like floor structures with built-in games and several zones where to itch. They are suitable when there is more than one cat at home. Sometimes they comes with some impregnated fragrant that are attractive to these animals.
• A good thing to do whenever possible, is to go outdoors, the country if possible and pick up a stick not to thin or too thick and surround it with some string and put a wood base. In the top end of the stick, put a string with a ball that will call the attention to the cat. You can improvise with any kind of material lining it with something that does the same function as the stick and spread a little dry food in order for them to be attracted by the smell. It is important that the size is bigger than what your cat can reach stretched out. It has to be heavier that the cat so it does not fall over them , since they also scratch to mark territory and will get scared if this falls on top of them. If not, it is better to place them laying on the floor.