If you are a cat owner and you are serious in providing your cat’s needs without sacrificing your furniture at home, buying a cat tree scratching post is the best thing to do. But before you head off to your favourite local pet shop or online pet store, there are important factors that you need to consider before buying a cat tree scratch post.

Here are some helpful tips that can help you choose the best type for your cat:

1. One of the first things to consider when buying a cat scratch post is the type of material it is made from. Common materials include sisal, cardboard, wood and carpet. Cats usually love using a post made from sisal. A cat scratch post made from soft wood is also popular as it gives them the feeling of scratching a real tree. Cardboard posts are inexpensive, but will shred easily so they’re not a good choice.

2. When buying a cat scratch post you also need to consider its stability. You need to make sure that you always buy a design that will be and will remain stable while your cat is using it. If the cat scratch post tips over, the cat may not want to use it anymore, thus, costing you more money.

3. The height of the scratch post is also an important factor. Cats usually like to stretch out fully whenever they’re using the post. Therefore, you need to buy a cat scratch post that is tall enough for your cat to stretch out on. If you have the budget, look for a design that measures between 24 and 32 inches or go for a three-story cat tower or higher. But then again, don’t forget tip #2.

4. The type of the cat scratch post is also one very important consideration. You can buy an upright cat scratch post that you can hang on a door or be stood on its own. There are also multi-tiered designs called cat condos that can accommodate multiple cats. If your cat doesn’t like the vertical variety, you can get an inclined cat scratch post instead.
5. If you really want your cat to enjoy using the cat scratch post, you should look for a design that comes with a toy. You can attach a toy mouse or a ball to the cat scratch post to enhance your cat’s scratching experience. You can also find a cat gym with hammock bed which will make the furniture even more fun for your feline buddy.

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Did you buy a nice cat scratch post for your pet? If you did, the next thing to do is to keep it neat and clean. Cleaning your cat’s scratch post is very simple; you just need to prepare some tools that can help you to clean it well. Below is a step by step process on how to clean your cat’s scratch post:

1. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any loose fibres, dust, and debris on the cat scratch post.

2. Mix a weak solution of one part vinegar to two parts water in a spray bottle.

3. Spray the solution to the cat scratch post lightly. The solution will help freshen up the fabric and as the vinegar dries, it will help eliminate any lingering odours on it as well.

4. For stained areas, use a soft and clean cloth with extra solution and wipe it onto stained areas.

5. When the cat scratch post is completely dry, sprinkle cat nip on the scratching post to encourage your cat to come back and scratch on it.

Cleaning your cat’s scratch post is easy. Just follow these simple steps and your cat will certainly find his scratch post very enticing to scratch on again.

Scratching is a common behaviour among cats which is why it is really impossible to make them stop doing it. Cats scratch when they want to fight off stress and boredom, when they want to make and mark a territory, and when they want to remove something from their claws like dead nail. So before you consider putting your cat under a declaw surgery to save your furniture, you have a responsibility of training him not to scratch on your precious furniture. It’s really not difficult to do, although it would take some time and patience.

The first thing to do when training a cat is to not punish him for any incorrect behaviour. For example, yelling, hitting him with a stick or other types of punishment will only scare your cat. And worse, your cat will not associate his instinctive scratching on your sofa with the punishment. Keep in mind that scratching is a normal behaviour for any cat so shouting at him will not make him stop doing it. The best thing that you can do is to direct this instinct to a scratching post with a little bit of observation and patience. Here are a few ways on how to train your cat use a cat scratch post:

1. Observe your cat. If he’s scratching your furniture, this will give you an idea of what kind of material he prefers to scratch. Scratching posts are made with many different kinds of material and you will need to experiment to see which kind he will most likely use. For a kitten, buy at least a couple of different kinds to start. Ideally, four or five cat scratch posts in different textures will be best for training. An important reminder in buying a cat scratch post is to ensure that your adult cat will get a good stretch when using it.

2. Observe your cat’s position when he scratches. Does he prefer to scratch the carpet or a vertical surface like furniture or sofa? Choose either a flat or upright/hanging cat scratch post based on your cat’s preference.

3. Place the cat scratch post in areas where your cat likes to scratch the most. You can put it near the arm of the sofa, a certain spot on the floor, the leg of the piano or near the stereo speakers. Whenever the cat scratches on one of those posts, praise and pet him. Give him a treat because he will associate the good stuff with the cat scratch post. Once you’ve got the cat using the cat scratching post, you can gradually move it to a more convenient location.

4. In instances where your cat may not scratch on the post, what you can do is to rub the scratch posts with catnip to get your cat’s attention.

5. Play with your cat at the cat scratch post. Make it a happy place. Run a toy up and down the post so the cat gets the feel of its claws on it. Encourage your cat to climb up the post by putting a favourite toy at the top. Reinforcement is very important.

Change will not happen overnight, especially if your cat is used to scratching on your furniture. You will need to be patient and most of all, consistent. Always praise your cat when he uses the cat scratch post. After a few weeks, you will probably have a cat that doesn’t think of the furniture as a good place to scratch. Then, all you have to do is keep his claws clipped regularly.

Cats that are used to the outdoors may find the winter season a very stressful part of the year because they will have less time to enjoy outdoor activities. If  you have a cat that enjoys the outdoors so much, the best way to help him enjoy the cold season is to create an “outdoor environment” indoors.  Here’s how:

No matter how much she meows and yowls, do not give in. If you do, he will learn that all he has to do to force his will on you is to make enough noise. Instead, try to get him away from the door by distracting him with a food treat followed by a play session.

During the play session, make your house appealing and provide your pet cat with fun, outdoor-like activities. You can start with interactive play sessions that can simulate his senses like hunting or hide and seek. In this activity, you can buy him a cat tunnel where he could use as his hiding ground. You can also buy him a cat scratching post to allow him to relieve some of his stress by letting him mark his domain. Cats always find comfort every time they climb higher grounds so a nice cat tree will allow him to be happy and contented even when confined indoors.

Just like you, your precious cat also needs to enjoy the winter season. By preparing different indoor activities for him and getting toys and furniture to keep him busy and occupied, he will surely enjoy the cold months the way you want him to.

If you own a cat and you want to make sure that all your precious furniture will remain scratch-free, you must consider buying a cat scratch post. Scratching is something that you cannot prevent your cat from doing. This is for the reason that it is a normal habit for cats. This is one way that they can express themselves. Also it is a way for them to mark their own territory. So if you want to make sure that you provide this particular need to your cat without sacrificing any of your furniture at home, the best way to deal with it is to buy a durable cat scratch post.

For some cat owners, this would mean luxury or an added expense, but if you think about the benefits and the things that it can do to your cat, you will never have to worry about spending a few dollars. The scratch post can provide your precious kitty a venue for her relaxation and play. Moreover, your pet cat will also get some exercise without causing any sort of damage to your household.

However, although it is important for your cat to practice her claws from time to time, she also has to learn some discipline as well. If your cat is not disciplined, it can “endanger” not only your furniture but also young children in your home. So letting your cat use a cat scratch post will also enable you to train and discipline her. You can also benefit from this because you can make your cat better mannered as well as you can be sure your cat’s needs are met. Thus, it will definitely make your home a happier place for you and your pet cat.