When a person adopts a new cat or kitten, the list of items needed is staggering. Food, cat litter, toys, beds, scratching posts, nail clippers, grooming brushes...it's overwhelming! Just buying a cat scratching post, for example, means dealing with dozens of sizes, shapes and materials. Learning to think like a cat will make things a little easier when it comes to choosing this important accessory. A scratching post is essential for any healthy, well-adjusted cat. Cats have to have a place to vent their scratching urges, so providing them with a place can protect your furniture, curtains and carpets from damage. Cats also use scratching posts to stretch and exercise, so finding the right one is crucial to your cat's health and happiness.

Cats have claws on their front and back paws. The back ones are mainly used for scratching and climbing, while the front claws help cats grab and hold onto prey. The front and rear paws can also be used for defense if necessary. Just like human nails, cat nails will continue to grow throughout the cat's life and require constant attention. Most cats take care of this on their own, using their teeth to pull on the back claw sheaths to reveal the sharp new claws underneath. For their front paws, it's easier to hook their claws with some material and then pull down, pulling off the old sheath to reveal the new claws.

Outdoor cats often use tree stumps or wooden stakes to sharpen their front paws. If a cat spends time outside, it may like to use scratching posts to let off steam. Some enterprising cat lovers bring firewood or small tree stumps indoors to keep their cats entertained, while others purchase scratching posts made from natural logs. Another material is corrugated cardboard. Economical cardboard posts are easy to replace and attract many cats. They usually lie flat on the floor and may contain a toy to entice the cat to scratch them. Because many cats prefer cardboard tiles, and cardboard tiles are often cheap, first-time cat owners often choose cardboard tiles first before moving on to more elaborate and expensive cat furniture.

Posts covered with rough sisal rope are another popular choice. The sisal does the same thing as the bark on the outside - it grabs the front paw so the cat can pull down and release the sheath to reveal the new paw underneath. Sisal posts do cost more than disposable cardboard, but they are durable and can last for many years before needing to be replaced. Many cats prefer using posts covered with sisal. Some scrapers sold in stores are covered with carpet. Although rug fulfills the same purpose as sisal, it is often similar to rugs found on stairs and on floors throughout the home. Some cats may not be able to differentiate between carpet on a scratching post and carpet elsewhere in the house. These cats often pull on carpeted stairs and floors, which often benefit from converting columns into ones made of different materials.

For most cats, scratchingThe sturdiness and stability of the pile are more important than the material. Cats put a lot of effort into sharpening their claws, and if the posts don't stand up straight, they won't be able to scratch with much interest. Wood or sisal posts must be attached to a sturdy base so they won't sway when your cat scratches. A wobbly post can also be nailed to a larger base for added stability. Cardboard posts lying flat on the floor should be large enough for the cat to stand on and scratch at the same time. Another factor to consider is the height of the position. The cat climbs up and pulls down on the post, so the cat's post is at least half higher than it is so it can stretch out. The taller and sturdier the post, the more likely it is that your cat will prefer it to a sofa or armchair.

Finally, the location of the scratching post in the home also has an impact on the cat's acceptance of the scratching post. Outdoor cats leave visible marks on their territory, leaving scent and visual warnings to other cats. For the same reason, many cats will choose a protruding chair arm or table leg when scratching furniture, so anyone entering a room or home will immediately know what territory they are in. Placing a scratching post in a prominent location in a room of your home that is most used, or even directly in front of your cat's preferred piece of furniture, will often encourage your cat to mark its territory by scratching. Whether cardboard, wood, or sisal, vertical or horizontal, simple or elaborate, an effective scratching post exists to suit every cat and owner's requirements. Choosing a position that pleases your cat can be an adventure, and you'll be rewarded with vigorous scratches and purrs.