So, You Finally Bought Your Feline Friend A Scratching Post.
You’re excited to try it and so, you gave it a go. You were exhilarated to see your cat to be interested. After all, you had enough having your lovely carpets and other furniture getting unsightly scratches.
You were so happy to see your cat used his scratching post for the first time. He smelled it a little bit and did a few scratches.
However, to your great dismay, you just noticed that he scratched your carpet again just a few hours later.
You might wonder, “Why did my cat still scratch my carpet when he already has a scratching post?” You’re not alone in this bewilderment.
Thus, in this post, you will be happy to know the reasons why. Read on to learn more.
The Scratching Post’s Surface Isn’t Appealing Enough
When it comes to scratching posts, it’s not enough that you get a nice-looking and fancy one, you need to make sure that it gets the job done.
There are a lot of cheap scratching posts out there. Most of them look beautiful and have a soft touch. However, they are not effective in scratching.
So, What Is A Good Scratching Post?
For one, it should come with a rough texture. It should allow your cat to rake his nails across the surface. You see, cats would like to have their nails dig deep enough on a surface to remove the outer deal sheath of their nails. If your scratching post does not help your cat accomplish this, then he will most likely return to scratching your precious carpets.
Generally speaking, sisal is the best covering choice for most cat owners. They are rough and durable for scratching.
Of course, please note that cats are not the same. A scratching post may work to one cat, but it won’t in another. For example, there are cats who love to scratch tree barks. This means you can choose logs as their scratching post instead.
You need to check and assess your cat’s preference. From there, you should be able to make a better decision.
The Scratching Post Isn’t Sturdy Enough
The scratching post should be able to withstand the full weight of your cat. Your furry friend should be able to lean against your post without toppling it over. So, if your scratching post isn’t built well, your cat will simply go back to your carpet.
The Scratching Post Isn’t High Enough
If you have a kitten, a shorter scratching post may be enough. However, once your cat has grown up, you need a higher scratching post. Your post should be high enough so your cat can get a full stretch.
Remember as well that the higher your post, the wider the base should be to maintain stability.
The Scratching Post Isn’t In The Right Location
It is not enough to simply have the right scratching post. You also need to place it in the right location.
Yes, it is true that scratching posts may not be the best-looking piece of furniture and you want to hide it away. However, this will only make your post useless.
If you want to keep your cat from scratching the carpet, you need to place your post near the carpet. Your cat should be able to access your scratching post as convenient, easy, and quick as possible so he won’t be tempted to scratch your carpet.
Moreover, you need to assess when your cat loves to scratch. For example, your cat may love to scratch after eating, taking a nap, or playing. This will help you determine where you should place your scratching post.
Final Words
Now that you have read some of the reasons why your cat might prefer your carpet over scratching posts, you have a better idea of how to deal with this situation.
If you are still having trouble with your cat, try to spray some catnip on your scratching post. Perhaps, this will attract your cat to use the post.
You may also try to seek the help of a cat trainer or behaviorist. Of course, your vet can also help. If you need more details, you can do your own research too.
With all these in mind, you should have an obedient cat who will not just love your scratching post, but also take care of your carpet.
