alternative cat scratching post

Read more: What Is the Best Cat Scratching Post for Your Cat? Made with durable sisal fibers, this 32-inch-high SmartCat vertical scratching post is a great investment that helps file your cat's nails. The Ragdoll cat has very specific needs in a cat scratching post. Now, I haven’t tried using feau furs, but I have tried using genuine sheepskin hides. Again, also haven’t tried using imitation furs, but my guess is that they would work almost as well as the real thing. Check out all the other blogs I pen & photograph. Try getting an alternative that is as close to what she is scratching as possible. Yangbaga Cat Natural Sisal Rope for Scratching Post Tree Replacement, Hemp Rope for Repairing, Recovering or DIY Scratcher, 6mm Diameter, Come with a … Finding an underlay that doesn’t let the rug move when you’re cat is scratching is extremely important, as – like I said about my Catit scratching pad before – your cat will only like scratching if the item he/she is scratching on does not move. Carpeted trees are awesome for scratching, for sure. No point in keeping something he was never going to use, and we’re happy to have him wear this rug to pieces, as it’s easy to replace with a new one from Ikea. some cats like wood. I have a slew scattered around the house, so when my cats get bored, even if I’m busy or not even home, my furries are able to actively play. From a durability perspective, blankets are definitely not as good as any of the aforementioned options, but still the option is viable. Is your … Over time, they can get pretty worn and torn. I’d suggest you do the same. The rough texture of the scratching post will ensure that the cat’s nails and claws get polished and strengthened while also satisfying their urge to scratch. There are actually plenty of everyday objects that your cat will happily take his or her claws to – so you don’t have to grab that extra scratching post if you don’t want it around. Material.The best material for cat scratching posts is sisal fabric. Notice: Ask-a-Vet is an affiliated service for those who wish to speak with a veterinary professional about their pet's specific condition. Scratching is a normal aspect of cat behavior. Most cat’s love plain wood as it is like scratching a real tree. Hopefully, having these approved scratching objects means your cat will be giving your new sofa a rest with the subtle torture, but if not, at least over time and with a little training, your furniture should be safe from those sharp kitty claws. There is a charge for the service if you choose to connect to a veterinarian. An old one breaks, you’re in a hurry, and you just need kitty to be set in terms of scratching until you have the time to pop into the pet store, or wait out the long shipping date it takes to get a nice new cat tree. Scratching posts are terrific and ingenious creations to help your cats when they scratch their claws. Why? This woven material provides great texture for shredding — which cats love to do when scratching, and it feels good on their paws. The tall, easy to assemble post features sisal rope and carpet scratching surface, as well as a durable carpet base that can also be used for scratching. M&MKPET Natural Sisal Cat Scratcher Mat,Scratch Pad for Cat Grinding Claws & Protecting Furniture (25.6" 15.7") 4.3 out of 5 stars 145. Other methods of getting the cat to use the scratching post . Cardboard scratchers that you sprinkle with catnip are also very popular with most scratching cats. Actually, most cats prefer sisal fabric over any other material, including sisal rope. Pioneer Pet’s SmartCat The Ultimate Scratching Post is 32 inches in height, tall enough for most cats to use comfortably when scratching. That being said, I won’t hesitate to try other options once I have the chance to do so. Join me & my furries in our little corner of the feline-obsessed world. Shop for Cat Scratching Posts in Cat Scratchers and Scratching Pads. Read some of the best cat scratching post here. Your cat probably already loves scratching on your rugs, and if he/she isn’t doing it while you’re around, there’s a very good chance he/she is doing it when you’re notaround… 3 sided sisal… Once you've found the perfect cat scratching post, you'll need to teach your cat to use it. The top edge, arm rests, and corners are now so pock-marked and shredded; we have had to cover them with throws and such. and I try to keep claws trimmed…, What good kitties! Need more help getting kitty to scratch somewhere besides your furniture? N ot only is the design of the scratching post important, but also their placement in your home. Apart from that, one needs to play with the cat in the vicinity of the scratching post. Ask-a-Vet is not manned by the staff or owners of CatHealth.com, and the advice given should not delay or replace a visit to your veterinarian. We left that rug in Canada when we moved to the UK last May, but you can bet that rug will be on one of the first or second trips back with us when we go back to Canada to visit. If you like the posts on KittyClysm, please take a moment to subscribe to the email newsletter! 470 Reviews. Cats also knead, which can give your carpet a workout. Read more: The Ragdoll Cat and Cat Scratching Posts Benefits of a Good Cat Scratching Post 3 Vertical scratching is all about the reach and stretch. Buy products such as Cat Craft Sea Grass Scratcher with Toy at Walmart and save. Of course any cat will still want to scratch in every room, but then kitty’s just taking out his or her claws on the poor furniture. See more of this duo on my personal blog, E&T. Read more: Soft Paws Can Help with Life Transitions, Read more: The Ragdoll Cat and Cat Scratching Posts, Read more: Benefits of a Good Cat Scratching Post, Read more: Training A Cat or Kitten to Use a Scratching Post, Read more: Choosing the Best Cat Scratching Post, Read more: Sisal Fabric: The Best Material for Cat Scratching Posts, Read more: Cat Scratching Posts and Maine Coon Cats, Read more: The Benefits of Having Multiple Cat Scratching Surfaces, Read more: STOMP out Problem Cat Scratching. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. It’s highly durable and has a texture that they love. Currently, Thomas and I don’t have a lot of space, being in a studio apartment. If just having these scratch-approved items in the room is not enough for kitty to stop clawing away at your furniture, whenever you see your cat trying to knead or scratch in the wrong place, gently pick kitty up and plop him or her on a scratch-approved item. I am the proud fur-momma of 9 cats and 8 dogs (at present) : D I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree on the leather and pleather options as being “cat friendly”. Again with Ikea coming to the rescue, I decided to add a Rens white sheepskin to my cart alongside the rug the last time I checked out. Ever tried using them to increase the number of items your cat has to use his/her nails on? We do have scratching cardboard toys, a cat tower, and other entertainments for the kitties. My cat doesn’t scratch on boxes, but I know many that do. Haha too true! If you can’t stand the idea of kitty scratching up your carpet, there’s always the great option of putting a rug or two right on top of your carpet – ones that are approved for kitty claws. If you’re new to my blog, Turbo is our cat. Veterinarians know that sisal fabric is the preferred scratching material for cats. Read more: Quiz - Do You Know How to Choose a Cat Scratching Post? Make sure your cat knows that this particular clothing item is just for him/her by placing it in a spot he/she frequents. So we weighed down the scratcher with an exercise weight and all was fine. Sisal rope versus sisal fabric for cat scratching posts. And I know, you probably don’t want your cat on your nice rugs in the first place, but hear me out when I say, it’s often not worth the fight over keeping the rugs in your house safe from kitty’s claws. A cat identifies kneading with the comfort of nursing, and many cats knead throughout their entire lives. Wood. Do all cats scratch furniture? Tips on selecting products. I’ve had the same sisal scratching post since 2017. IKEA Rens 100% Genuine Sheepskin Fur – Amazon / eBay. Try These Couch Protector Covers, Toys Cats Can Play With On Their Own: Ideal for When Kitty’s Home Alone, Is There a Cat Proof Couch? This is quite literally the number one best alternative to a scratching post. Fond of my fluffies? How Can I Keep Claws Off the Couch? It’s a great material for a scratching post. 4. That would lend me to believe that sheep and goat hides/furs will work out better for this purpose. Is It Unhealthy. Avery’s quite literally used the sheepskin to knead on every day since it’s arrived. Have you ever tried using rugs and carpets or furs as a replacement for scratching posts, scratch pads, and cat trees? The first step is to lure the cat to the scratching post using catnip. A Cat Blog for Cat Lovers & Kitty Keepers, February 3, 2017 by Elise Xavier | Updated: July 5, 2020 - 11 Comments. But if you don’t like having any hides or rugs around for a specific room, and yet still want to keep your furniture safe from kitty claws, blankets and throws strewn on furniture your cat already loves scratching up could do the trick perfectly. Avery’s grown dependent on kneading on it for a good 3-4 minutes before coming to snuggle with us now. This is the most common form of sisal covering for posts. From kitty’s perspective, neither blankets nor throws would be as good as the fur/hide option for kneading, and certainly not as good as having a rug or two specifically for scratching on. Initially, a bot will ask questions to determine the general nature of your concern. Quiz - Do You Know How to Choose a Cat Scratching Post. If you’re okay with your cat scratching up the carpet, and feel it’s a lot better than the alternative (for him/her to scratch up everything else! Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Chewy. My 4 MaineCoons are armed, but I was blessed! Cats can easily draw their claws down the fabric, yet still get a good grip. Cats don’t like scratching on objects that move. My Cat’s Scratching Furniture! Go Nancy! Venita Cat Scratching Post. Having at least one or two of these “approved alternative scratching posts” in every room will make it so that kitty knows that if there’s an itch to get those claws scratching, there’s plenty of a-okay items to take it out on. The Pioneer Pet Smart Ultimate Scratching Post is our top cat scratching post because it really stands out in a crowded marketplace. . Sign up for the FREE Cat Health Mewsletter: What Is the Best Cat Scratching Post for Your Cat? I think it’s because it’s so frayed his claws don’t have much to bite into anymore. And there’s no point in a scratching post alternative that your cat doesn’t want to scratch on. And I know, you probably don’t want your cat on your nice rugs in the first place, but hear me out when I say, it’s often not worth the fight over keeping the rugs in your house safe from kitty’s claws. Scratching is a perfectly natural behavior for your cat. Learn more about cat scratching and how to deal with it. Interestingly, the sheepskin is heavy enough that we don’t need to use an underlay to keep it in place at all, even if we have it on a slippery dresser or the floor for him to use. None of them ever laid a claw on the sofa or curtains! Pros: Cons: Sisal Fabric: Sisal fabric is a favorite among cats. There has even been mention of using outdoor furniture furniture/fabric. Or, of course, get another scratching post or use one of the other alternative scratch items on this list. Should you get a cat scratching post made of wood, sisal rope, or carpet? Required fields are marked *. that lasted years of torment from my kitty, Avery, with absolutely no visible damage done to the carpet whatsoever. At 32 inches it is tall enough for cats to get a full vertical stretch, and the 16 x 16-inch base is sturdy enough for felines of all shapes and sizes. See this article here: My Cat’s Scratching Furniture! He uses the sheepskin just as much as he uses the rug – though definitely as a secondary scratch post (rug takes the cake for him being able to stretch while he has a good scratch). Trixie Pet Products Soria Scratching Tower, Beige. Training A Cat or Kitten to Use a Scratching Post, Sisal Fabric: The Best Material for Cat Scratching Posts, The Benefits of Having Multiple Cat Scratching Surfaces. Cats scratch things for a few inborn reasons. Have tile, laminate, vinyl, or hardwood floors? I’m not sure cow hides would work as well as sheepskins because I do notice there’s something magical about long fluffy wool that cats go crazy for. The American Academy of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) goes even further by saying it strongly opposes the practice, which is considered a major surgery. Every night, and whenever we binge-watch TV shows from bed on Netflix, we move the sheepskin from the dresser to the end of the bed. You can use these alternatives as your main scratching posts (which is what I’ve done – I’ll explain later), or you can use them alongside regular scratching posts, scratch pads, and cat trees. Welcome to KittyClysm - a blog for cat lovers & kitty keepers. The Ragdoll cat has very specific needs in a cat scratching post. Don’t waste your money on the short one, even for a kitten. Your email address will not be published. Using a nail … If you have expensive, high quality rugs, odds are high that your cat’s scratching on your rugs will not actually damage them. Rather than buying more sisal rope or a new scratching post, I decided to upcycle. Obsessed with cats. Wrap sisal rope around the sides of the post to give your kitty some vertical scratching action. Scratching tower wrapped in soft plush. Move it to a room kitty doesn’t frequent, make sure you have an alternative rug that kitty can take his/her claws out on, or just remove the rug completely. I’ve not yet tried tried using any other kinds of furs, though I’m hoping to get a nice long-haired goat fur eventually to give a shot and see if he likes it. I’ve replaced the sisal on this scratching post twice already. So good considering it’s one of the few items he can scratch on as much as he likes without it eventually falling to pieces. ), My cats mainly use the cardboard scratchers and their carpeted trees. While we use it as a throw or blanket alternative, we could easily use it as a rug, having it on the floor instead. It’s time to remove and replace the sisal on the cat scratching post! A couple of them even like to climb the curtains, too : 0. I do have posts in rooms where they hangout. Have I missed any everyday items that cats absolutely love getting their paws on? Learn how to make your Ragdoll happy with the best scratching post. PS. Experiment with different options. This serves as a healthier alternative than having them scratch anything else. Still worried your high-quality rug will be damaged? Which brings me to my next point. Provide an alternative for your cat, such as a scratching post, to satisfy your cat's need to dig. Declawing cats is an emotionally charged and hotly debated topic.Both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Academy of Feline Medicine stress that owners should be educated about both the procedure and its alternatives. Velvet not so much. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Your cat won’t mind, as long as it doesn’t wiggle around that is. , we consider the pros and cons of some of the post give. A workout sisal on this scratching post is a great investment that helps your. 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Your … Material.The best material for a good grip more about cat scratching.... Choose to connect to a scratching post solid month of him ignoring the with! Decided to upcycle Ragdoll happy with the cat scratching posts, but I know many that do weave been... This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or hardwood floors a! Cat Health Mewsletter: What is the preferred scratching material for cats petfusion … Should you get a cat post!