Cat Furniture and Scratchers
If you own one or more furry kittens, having a cat scratcher available to them is a must. Not only can your feline friends claim scratching posts and other accessories as their own space, but these scratchers can also help you keep your furniture free from scratch marks and other cat-related damage. Scratching accessories come with a wide variety of different options, so you’re sure to find something that fits your furry friends needs.
Why do cats need scratchers?For cats, scratching is an essential behavior that they all do, even if they have been declawed. The reasons they need to scratch include:
- Marking territory: Your kitty often scratches their favorite chair or coach as a way to tell other felines that it owns your home. This behavior is instinctual, meaning your cat may do this even if it is the only kitty you have.
- Sharpen claws: When your pet scratches, it removes the dead cells from the sheaths of the claws, keeping them sharp and maintained.
- Stretch paw muscles: As they scratch, the ligaments and tendons in the paws get flexed and stretched.
When it comes to cat scratchers, there are two main different types:
- Scratching posts: These items can range from a single post to multiple levels, tunnels, and mini caves to sleep in. The smaller cat scratchers range from just a few feet in height to over seven feet tall. Some scratching accessories have toys attached for even more fun. They often have a combination of materials, including wood, carpeting, and sisal.
- Scratching boards: Scratching boards often have sisal or corrugated cardboard in them to entice your kitty friends. Some of these scratching boards hang from doors while others are made from boxes with slabs of corrugated cardboard that can be changed out. Some of these cat scratchers come with catnip to get them to scratch.
There are four main types of materials used in cat scratchers and other scratching accessories:
- Sisal: This rope is made from natural fibers and is usually installed around posts on cat scratching furniture. The bristly material attracts cats so that they scratch the scratcher and not your tables, chairs, and couches.
- Carpet: Carpet is often applied to surfaces on the cat scratcher to provide a place to sleep and stretch out.
- Corrugated cardboard: Cats often love these scratchers because they get to shred the cardboard as they sharpen their claws. Although cardboard often does not last long, the scratchers that use them usually have replacement cardboard available.
- Wood: Some cat scratchers are made of wood to help blend them into your home.