Shopping for the best scratching post for your post is easy, as long as you know a few tips.
You may be wondering… Who sells quality publications? What is the price range? Where is the best store? How big should it be?
There are many scratching posts in stock at all pet supply stores and even some commercial retail stores.
However, there are some “tricks of the trade”, you might call them, that you should be aware of before you go out and buy any scratcher. We want to keep our feline friends as happy as we can, right?
A cat-friendly post should be:
- As tall as your cat can reach, about 25 to 35″ tall (63.5 to 88.9 cm)
- Must be wrapped in sisal rope (not carpet)
- Resting on a very sturdy and strong base (make sure the post can withstand your cat’s wrath)
- This is extra, but can also have some kind of perch on top (your cat will enjoy surveying their kingdom)
This little checklist is helpful in ensuring that your cat spends many months enjoying her new toy.
And don’t worry… training your cat to use this new toy is just as easy, if not easier, than teaching him to use the cat litter. It’s instinctive, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, the training is in one of my other articles.
Alright, back to the topic of buying a scratching post… now that you have your list of requirements in hand, let’s take a look at some of them.
There is plenty of variety to choose from, but ultimately your cat is an easy shopper. Usually all your feline needs to stay agile is a straight up and down scratcher.
For the most fussy cats…
There are lots and lots of different shapes, angles, and sizes to choose from. You know your cat best… and as long as it meets the requirements we talked about earlier, you can’t go wrong.
If you’re still not sure, ask yourself. What does my cat usually like to scratch? Is it the rug in the living room, the side of the sofa, the tree outside, your leg?
Done: The reason for the claws of cats is to sharpen their claws, when outside they usually use a tree. I let my cats claw loose so they can do this. Cats’ claws are like toes, giving them balance, agility, and mobility. I don’t declaw my cat so he can get the most out of these skills.
Do you think your cat would like a vertical scratching post like his favorite tree outside? Would you like it to be horizontal like the rug? Or are you in the middle and would like one at an angle?
These are all questions you should ask yourself before buying.
What is a good price to pay for a scraper?
Well, I’m currently looking at PetSmart and I see one, two for $35 and one for $25, and these are the most expensive that I see. There is one that costs $75 dollars, but a lower cost one would work just as well.
Most average $10 and go up to around $40. It’s all up to you. As long as it meets the criteria and looks stable enough for your cat, there’s no reason not to buy. There are a variety of shapes and models on the site, they even have ratings that people have put on them. You should have no problem choosing the “perfect” post for your cat.
If buying a scratcher isn’t right for you, check out my other article on how to build your own. Also, to learn how to train your cat to use a scratching post, visit my article on training.