Your small kitty is truly a wondrous delight that has transformed your family’s environment for the better and filled your days with joyous moments synonymous with laughter and good times. You love your cat, she loves you back and her intelligence and adaptability are only matched by her innate affection, curiosity and stubbornness. But there is a problem, and this problem is backed by all Australian cat owners, with no real exceptions. Cats, although fantastic apartment pets, are not fully domesticated, and for this reason, their ingrained hunting instincts sometimes come to light in the worst possible circumstances.
Yes, cats can quickly adapt to our routine, they thrive in indoor environments and they can show their affection in subtle ways, which makes them the ideal house pets for individuals who prefer quiet animal companions. But in some instances, cats can be destructive, as they often misinterpret their living space as a boundless hunting ground. Plus, cats, like all felines for that matter, are predisposed to scratching, as in nature, the act of sharpening their claws on diverse objects is pretty much their second nature. For your small kitty, scratching is not a learned behaviour, but rather a natural instinct that cannot be realistically phased out by training alone. So, realistically, in order to continue bonding with her, you will need to invest in a cat scratcher.
Are There Alternatives to a Cat Scratcher?
Not really. Your small kitty doesn’t scratch because it wants to destroy its environment. It does so because for felines, clawing objects is pretty much second nature. In outdoor environments, kitties utilise clawing as a form of communication, as cats have natural scent glands in their paws that transmit pheromones to other nearby rivals, predators or prey, via the action of scratching. By clawing, cats transmit a scent signal that basically marks the boundaries of their territory, and it’s also a way to find mating partners.
Yes, your house is not exactly the most defining natural environment for cats. But your kitty doesn’t know this, so, eventually it will direct its destructive tendencies on other outlets, such as your favourite pillowcase, the drapes gifted by grandma, or that carpet that blends the room together. A premium-quality cat scratching post can be a way to redirect your cat’s scratching instincts towards a controlled medium, which will support your kitty’s physical development and also allow her to relax and escape boredom without risking the well-being of the rest of your household.
You can’t teach your kitty not to claw objects. It will be like trying to teach a lion to be a vegetarian. But what you can do is redirect her instincts and invest in accessories like a cat scratcher, which will protect your furniture and also provide your kitty with an efficient outlet to stretch, climb and practice its hunting skills. In many ways, a cat scratching post can be the best toy you can possibly buy for your little fluffball. Scratching poles can reduce your cat’s territorial aggression, are easy to purchase and are available in a wide range of configurations that make them suitable for individuals living in small apartments.
What Should You Know About a Scratching Post?
First, you should pay attention to the material that covers the main structure of the pole. For a vertical post, the best choice available on the market is poles that use sisal fabric, as its rough texture is preferred by most kittens. Sisal woven fabric reminds felines of the structure of tree bark, and it’s efficient in dulling their claws and allowing them to scratch away without producing significant, long-term damage to the structure of the posts. Other materials like carpet and corrugated cardboard, also work. However, their utilisation is typically better suited for a horizontal cat scratcher.
Speaking of orientation, most kitties prefer to stretch and scratch vertically, rather than horizontally. So, it will be best to go for a cat scratching post that’s tall, stable and allows your kitty to climb and have a good viewpoint of her surroundings. Tall posts are probably the most popular option available on the Australian market and for good reason, as they appeal to the majority of cats, and they can also act as a toy that provides kitties with an outlet for vertical exploration.
Are you looking for something more versatile? Then, you could consider scratching trees, which are multi-level platforms that are suitable for households with more than one cat. Not least, you will need to pay attention to the placement of the scratching post. Is your kitty always sharpening its claws on a specific furniture? In that case, the newly-purchased cat scratcher should be placed adjacent to it. You can’t really reason with a cat, as they are not fully domesticated. You can, however, trick her and use her instincts to your advantage.
They Are a Necessity
Cats scratch not because they enjoy the pain in your voice when you realise your newly-bought pillow is now ruined (Ok, maybe a little). They do so because they pretty much have to. By scratching objects, kitties can shed the outermost keratin layers of their claws, they can stretch the tendons that link their claws to the rest of the leg musculature and they also mark their territory. You cannot train this instinct away. However, you can offer your kitty an alternative in the form of a high-quality cat scratching post.
Yes, cats need to scratch in order to mark their territory, strengthen their tendons and keep their claws nice and sharp. But, not giving them a proper medium to exhibit their innate instincts can inevitably lead to stress, frustration and territorial aggressiveness that will be hard to properly manage without specialised training. Without a cat scratching post, your kitty will instead focus on the other furniture items in your house that can satisfy their clawing needs.
Do you think a scratching post is expensive? Try repairing a leather couch torn open by your adorable but surprisingly disruptive bundle of joy. Plus, the fabrics of your furniture are not designed to face the wrath of your small kitty, and they cause issues. The last thing you want is for your cat’s claw to get stuck in your furniture’s fabrics, as this can lead to panic and even to medical emergencies like broken claws. A cat scratcher, perhaps, will not be the cheapest accessory you can purchase for your small kitty. However, it will definitely be one of the most important.
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