You Can Get Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post

With nearly 91 million cats residing in American households, it''s no stretch to imagine millions of clawed couches, ripped rugs and worked-over woodwork. Clawing comes naturally to cats for a number of reasons: it helps them mark territory, provides important exercise and just feels good. So what''s a loving cat person to do?

Veterinary experts agree that the days of declawing being the solution of choice are long over. It''s now the age of the scratching post.

Choose your cat''s scratching post wisely and you''ll successfully divert her attention from your furniture, give her hours of enjoyment and exercise, and reduce the number of times you need to replace a worn out post over the cat''s lifetime. Decimated furniture may be the price of a poor choice in scratching posts.

Here are some tips for choosing the right scratching post for your cat:

* Seek Sisal - When it comes to choosing a post, the experts defer to the kitties themselves: sisal is number one.  Why? Cats seem feel they can really sink their claws into the rough texture of sisal. The prevailing theory is that sisal really feels good to them. A wide array of sisal posts are available. For example the El Gato 100 percent Sisal Scratching Post is available in three textures (for your kitty''s preference), two heights and a variety of designer colors to match your décor.

* Size Counts - The post should be tall enough for your cat to easily stretch his whole length when scratching. This gives the cat the full exercise benefit of scratching. The post should be 24 to 30 inches in height.

* Stability Control - Since kitty will be stretching her full length against the post, you need to be sure it won''t topple over. A tipsy post can scare a cat off for good. Be sure the base is wide, weighted and sturdy to keep the post in place.

* Right for You Too - Cats scratch, in part, to mark territory. Your cat will probably prefer a post that''s situated in an area of the house most used by your family; after all, that''s the territory most worth claiming. So be sure the post you choose fits into your space and lifestyle, as well as meets your cat''s needs.

* The Cost Factor - According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Americans spent an estimated $38.4 billion on pet products in 2006. Cat owners reported spending, on average, about $30 per year on toys/accessories for their feline friends, according to the APPMA''s 2005/2006 pet owners survey. A good sisal scratching post can cost as little as $30 or in excess of $100. It''s up to you - and of course your cat - to choose one that fits your budget and lifestyle.

To learn more about sisal scratching posts and for other cat-friendly products, visit www.sisalrugs.com.

Copyright © 2007, ARA Content