Cat Scratching Posts Are a Must for New Cat Owners

Are you thinking of getting a cat to spend your life with? Great idea, because cats make fantastic pets — especially if you prefer an animal companion who doesn’t demand to be regularly walked or actively played with.

Also, who can resist that lovely purring sound they make when they’re happy with life? And like dogs, they enjoy being cuddled and kissed.

However, having a cat is not going to be all about fun and being adorable. There will be some challenges, especially as your new feline tries to make your home her home as well. A different environment means the little furry one will be spending a lot of time exploring and trying to understand what the elements around her are for. This instinctive activity is beneficial for her, but it may prove to be disastrous for you.

So, before bringing home a new cat, make sure that you have a scratching post for her; this way, her natural behavior and tendency to mess up your home can be prevented.

 Here are the other reasons why cat scratching posts are a must for new cat owners.

1. It may prove to be difficult to groom your cat soon after her arrival. She doesn’t fully trust you yet and you need to spend more time with her to let you trim her claws. Without a scratching post, those untrimmed claws will target everything they can sink in — from your couch, to your curtains, and to the floors and walls. It’s going to be expensive having those repaired or replaced.

2. The scratching post is necessary for teaching proper behavior, especially if you’re getting a kitten. Placing the young feline by the post will encourage her to claw at it and use it consistently when the scratching instinct is triggered.

3. The different styles or designs of scratching posts available in the market are not only great for scratching, they’re also designed for play and rest. Cats can use up their energy going up and down the multiple levels, and at the same time, find a nice resting place when they’re tired.

Scratching posts can be a tad pricey, but if you opt for higher-end designs such as the Flamingo Scratching Pole BigCat Two Platforms or the Flamingo ScratchPole Surfer 5, or even the Flamingo ScratchPole Versaille, they’ll last a long time and they’ll give your cat more to do when she’s feeling restless. They are good investments and are much cheaper than replacement furniture and other home features that the new family member might scratch up.