Choosing A Scratching Post

Have you ever found your kitty scratching your chair or sofa? Fluffy is super cute, but her nail-care habits aren’t always a big hit with her humans. This is definitely a case of ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’ Cats are instinctively driven to keep their nails sharp. After all, their survival depends on it in the wild! In order to get your feline pal to scratch properly, you’ll need to get her a suitable pedicure station. A Middletown, KY vet offers some advice on this below.

Choose Something Sturdy 

There are only a few hard and fast rules to choosing scratching posts. The biggest one? Choose something sturdy, that won’t wobble or topple over on Fluffy.

Consider Location 

A bit of reverse engineering can be very helpful here. Figure out where you want to put Fluffy’s scratching post before you go shopping. If it’s a small space, get measurements first. That can help you narrow down what will work best in that spot. 

Small Space Options

Working with limited room? Opt for hanging scratchers. You can also make one. Just fasten a piece of carpet to a smooth board, and attach it to the wall. Voila! 

Consider An All-Purrpose Piece 

The ultimate scratching post is definitely the cat tower. There are a few reasons for this. Cat towers are the closest imitation to Fluffy’s natural nail-care station: the tree. Kitties use them not just for doing their nails, but to nap on, play on, and stare at their humans with adorably smug, self-assured expressions. (A note on cat towers: if you have more than one cat, choose one that will fit all of your feline friends at once.) 

Stop Kitten Around

Is your feline buddy still a baby? It may be tempting to get a kitten-sized scratcher, but you’ll end up discarding or replacing it within a few months. That adorable toddler stage doesn’t last long! 

Have Fun With It 

Pet products have been going through a bit of a renaissance over the last few years. You don’t have to settle for a boring old scratching board. You can get scratchers shaped like hippie vans, cactuses, whales, or turntables. There are also many different colors and design styles, from sleek minimalistic ones to fun retro options. Put some purrsonality into your choice!

Contact us, your Middletown, KY pet hospital, anytime. We’re here to help!