A cat tree can save your furniture and keep your kitty entertained.
Cats make wonderful pets, but, as any cat owner knows, they do love to scratch.
They'll claw and scratch almost anything in sight -- your arms, your carpet, and most definitely your furniture.
If you don't take steps to deal with the scratching issue, you could end up with some ruined furniture.
But there is a solution at hand.
A cat tree (or kitty condo, as they're often called) can give your cat a safe place to scratch.
It's commonly thought that cats scratch to sharpen their claws.
Well, that's one reason, but it's actually secondary.
When your kitty scratches your sofa, it's actually a form of communication.
She's marking her territory, sending out a signal that this is her space, and other kitties should beware.
Cats have scent glands in their paws, so when they scratch, they're marking the object with their odor.
Because cats aren't scratching simply to sharpen their claws, even declawed kitties will continue this behavior.
There are other reasons cats scratch.
Sometimes they're just being playful, and sometimes they're just venting their kitty frustration.
And yes, they also scratch to keep those claws sharp.
Because scratching is such an instinctive behavior, it's almost impossible to get a cat to stop scratching entirely.
Your best bet is to redirect your kitty's attention to a scratching post, or a cat tree that includes areas for scratching.
If you're handy, you can build your own unit.
A quick internet search will turn up a variety of plans.
If you'd rather purchase your kitty's condo, your choices are limited only by your budget.
A cat tree can be as simple as a carpeted post with a couple of shelves attached, or it can be the equivalent of a mansion, with nooks and crannies to keep kitty endlessly entertained.
Try to find a product that uses natural sisal for the scratching posts.
The scent of sisal attracts cats, so it will be easier to direct your kitty's attention to the cat tree and away from your furniture.
Whether you make your own or buy a luxury model, get that cat tree.
Your kitties (and your furniture) will thank you.
Cats make wonderful pets, but, as any cat owner knows, they do love to scratch.
They'll claw and scratch almost anything in sight -- your arms, your carpet, and most definitely your furniture.
If you don't take steps to deal with the scratching issue, you could end up with some ruined furniture.
But there is a solution at hand.
A cat tree (or kitty condo, as they're often called) can give your cat a safe place to scratch.
It's commonly thought that cats scratch to sharpen their claws.
Well, that's one reason, but it's actually secondary.
When your kitty scratches your sofa, it's actually a form of communication.
She's marking her territory, sending out a signal that this is her space, and other kitties should beware.
Cats have scent glands in their paws, so when they scratch, they're marking the object with their odor.
Because cats aren't scratching simply to sharpen their claws, even declawed kitties will continue this behavior.
There are other reasons cats scratch.
Sometimes they're just being playful, and sometimes they're just venting their kitty frustration.
And yes, they also scratch to keep those claws sharp.
Because scratching is such an instinctive behavior, it's almost impossible to get a cat to stop scratching entirely.
Your best bet is to redirect your kitty's attention to a scratching post, or a cat tree that includes areas for scratching.
If you're handy, you can build your own unit.
A quick internet search will turn up a variety of plans.
If you'd rather purchase your kitty's condo, your choices are limited only by your budget.
A cat tree can be as simple as a carpeted post with a couple of shelves attached, or it can be the equivalent of a mansion, with nooks and crannies to keep kitty endlessly entertained.
Try to find a product that uses natural sisal for the scratching posts.
The scent of sisal attracts cats, so it will be easier to direct your kitty's attention to the cat tree and away from your furniture.
Whether you make your own or buy a luxury model, get that cat tree.
Your kitties (and your furniture) will thank you.
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