Modern Cat Scratcher + Ikea Hack
Looking for a cat scratcher that wont look like cat furniture and fit in with the theme of your house? This is the one to choose! This DIY cat scratcher is perfect for almost any theme! The best part is that it has a string with balls hanging on the side, which will keep your cat busy. we are scout
How To Stop A Cat From Scratching The Carpet
Your first option for preventing damage from scratching is to direct your cat’s behavior to an acceptable target. Kitty furniture such as scratching posts are designed for that exact purpose.
What do you do if your cat refuses to use the scratching post or sometimes chooses to ignore it in favor of your carpeting? The best solution is to provide scratching surfaces that are more desirable to your cat than your furnishings.
Add a horizontal scratching pad. Cats have their own individual scratching patterns and preferences. Those that scratch carpeting may be more inclined to scratch horizontally than use a vertical scratching post. Fortunately, there are scratching pads made for horizontal scratching; some are wedge-shaped inclines and others are flattened out. Experiment to find one that your cat likes.
Cover up the spot where your cat scratches. If possible, move a piece of furniture to your cat’s favorite carpet spot. A sisal scratching post may be a good choice here. For scratching that takes place in front of an entryway, cover the area with a thin mat. Two-sided tape can act as a deterrent and eventually train your cat to avoid the area, especially on vertical surfaces.
Cat Scratching Book Board
A cat scratches for a variety of reasons: to shed the outer layer of her claws , stretch her body, and leave her scent to remind you who the real boss is in the house. Whatever her reason, you can indulge her with only two common items and a remedial knowledge of sewing.
What You’ll Need
- Heavy-duty thread
- Sewing needle
If you don’t have an old hardcover book you’re willing to let your cat dig into, you’ll find plenty at a second-hand shop. World atlases have a perfectly smooth cover, but any type of hardback book will do. When choosing a towel to dress it in, be sure to use a plush material that doesn’t have a lot of loose threads, which could cause your furry kitty’s claws to snag.
How to Make It
Fold the towel in half to double-up the material. Lay it flat on the floor, then place the book in the middle. Fold your towel over the book, gift-wrap style. Pull taught so there are no folds on the front side; you want a flat, durable scratching surface. Stitch together the seams where they meet on the back, flip it over, and voila: You have a cat scratching book board.
It’s best to set this board flat on the floor rather than lean it against something; the heavy weight of the book can cause the board to fall and startle your cat.
Modern Diy Cat Scratcher Post
If youre living in a modern-looking apartment or house, you dont want to ruin its aesthetic with a cat scratcher! Dont worry! This guide will instruct you on how to make this fantastic DIY cat scratcher, which looks very modern and will fit the aesthetic of your living space perfectly! prettyhandygirl
How To Train Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
Here are 2 ways to train your cat to use a scratching post:
Method #1
Method #2
A Few Other Tips to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post
- Some people use catnip as a training tool. Try sprinkling a little catnip on the surface of the scratching post and rub it in.
- You could also try placing the scratching post in the center of the room.
Train Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
To train your cat to scratch on a scratching post, try to relocate the post to an area your cat likes to scratch.
Look at the scratching fabric used in the post. Commonly available materials include carpet, sisal/rope and cardboard. Cats usually have a preference for one over the others.
It’s important to check that you are providing the pole at a suitable angle for your cats scratching behaviour. Cats can scratch on a vertical surface, a horizontal one, at an angle or all of the above. Go with your cats individual preference and try to provide a variety of angles for scratching.
If your cat is an indoor pet or you have a multi-cat household , so provide several scratching posts around your home, especially if your home is large.
How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Furniture
Its important to remember that scratching is a natural instinct and necessary for all cats. Punishing your cat for scratching furniture wont help because its a very normal behaviour for them. Unfortunately, they just dont know what surface is acceptable or unacceptable to scratch. So, its important to offer them a different surface to scratch that ticks all of their boxes. The perfect scratching surface will be a much better place to scratch than your sofa or chairs.
Scratching posts are a great alternative, and you can find them in most pet stores and online. Cat posts have a reputation for being a bit of an eyesore, but not anymore. Have a hunt around and youll find plenty of cat scratching posts that look stylish. Most tend to be made using sisal, cardboard or wood but the designs vary across the board. There are also many with multiple levels for your cat to play, sleep and scratch. These are normally called cat trees.
If youre short on space, then a scratching board could be the answer to your prayers. You can attach these space-saving boards to the wall or floor for your cat to scratch. Plus, since theyre often made using sisal or seagrass, then they wont look horrible in your home.
Put Their Paws On The Scratching Post
Some cats are naturally apprehensive. This means that they might need a little encouragement to try out new things. If treats and catnip are not working, pick the cat and place it next to the post, and then gently rub their paws against the posts scratching surface.
Of course, only do this with a cat that trusts you. If they still want nothing to do with the post after trying this, let them be. Work on other solutions, such as the ones above.
How Big Should A Cat Scratcher Be
You want to purchase a cat scratcher thats big enough to accommodate your cats reach. A horizontal cat scratcher should be at least 18 inches long. Ideally, a vertical scratcher should be 30 to 32 inches tall so that your cat can stand on their hind legs and stretch . If you cant find one that meets this requirement, look for a vertical cat scratcher thats at least 25 inches tall and stable enough that it wont tip over during use.
Why Cats Scratch Carpet Upholstery And Other Surfaces
Cats scratch by digging their front claws into a horizontal or vertical surface, then pulling their feet down or back. While this often damages the item being scratched, it provides a benefit to the cat. Scratching is an important part of a cat’s health and wellbeing. There are a few reasons why cats scratch, and it all comes down to instinct
How To Get A Cat To Use A Scratching Post
So youve just brought home your bundle of furry feline joy and the first thing he does after investigating his new home is to start scratching the corner of your sofa. This is a common complaint among pet parents and not just for those folks with kittens, full-grown cats can be the culprits, too.
In this article, we are going to cover why cats scratch and we will reveal some tips and tricks on how to teach a cat to use a scratching post.
How We Picked And Tested
We found 34 cat scratchers in three categories: posts, loungers, and wall scratchers. Then we condensed the list to scratchers that had strong online reviews, were available for purchase from multiple retailers, and were big enough to accommodate a cats long reachat least 18 inches for horizontal scratchers and 25 inches for vertical scratchers. We short-listed 13 total cat scratchers for testing.
Our experts agreed that durability, stability, and size were all important in picking a cat scratcher. We conducted control tests with those categories in mind, and then asked the volunteers at the Little Wanderers rescue group in New York to make evaluations of each cat scratchers performance as well. This process helped keep our internal test protocol tight so that we could prioritize real-world testing with our 74 cat panelists.
Tips To Get Your Cat To Use The Scratching Post
Is your kitty scratching on the furniture
Or maybe youre thinking about getting a kitten and want to make sure they use the scratching post and not your gorgeous upholstered dining chair? Then these five tips on how to get your cat to use the scratching post are just what you need!
This post is sponsored by FELIWAY®, but all opinions are my own.
Disclosure:
Budget Pick: Catit Style Scratcher With Catnip
Budget pick
*At the time of publishing, the price was $14.
Why we love it: The held up better to abuse than most of the cardboard scratchers we tried. In our tests, it didnt wobble or fall when cats sat on it, and its large enough for most cats to use. And at its usual price of $9, its cheap enough that you can buy several and spoil your pets.
This Catit model is made of 57 layers of 4 mm corrugated cardboard, and after we put it into testing for a week and a half with eight cats, they barely made a dent in the cardboard top surface, wrote one Little Wanderers volunteer, who frequently repairs flat cardboard scratchers with duct tape because theyre so flimsy.
The legs are stubby, so its unlikely to wobble or tip when a catnip-crazed cat jumps on it. The Little Wanderers volunteer told us the cat panelists favored this scratcher over more interactive ones because the Catit was more stable: The cat stopped scratching until he restored his balance and then went onto the reliably stable bench scratcher for an enthusiastic scratching session.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Catit bench is still cardboard, and it will still shred. Our volunteer tester estimated that it would take several weeks for her eight cats to destroy it. In households with fewer pets, it should last longer.
Dimensions: 20 by 9 by 2 inches; 2 pounds
Where To Find Materials
Check your council website for recycling centers that may have very cheap materials. In most cities, for example, recycling facilities have everything you need to make a cheap and unique piece of cat furniture such as carpet off-cuts, cardboard tubes, pieces of wood and various other pieces.
You can also check online for more places with recycling options for materials, for example, freecycle. The base is probably the most important part to get right. It needs to be thick and heavy to stabilize the poles coming up from it.
How To Put Catnip On Scratching Post
If your cat has started creating scratch marks on your furniture or couch, then it is probably the best time to introduce it to a scratching post. It is also very important in stopping your cat from scratching your furniture.
This is because as the natural instinct of your cat begins to kick in, it would begin to scratch anything it can lay its claws on. This includes even your furniture. In this article, we shall be taking a look at how to select the best scratching post for your cat as well as how to put catnip on scratching post.
Components Of A Cat Tree
Cat trees can be made from natural tree branches, thick wood posts, PVC pipes and thick cardboard tubes (such as found in the centre of carpet rolls or paper rolls. The basic components are a thick and sturdy base, with a post of some kind made of natural wood, or wood/carcboard covered in carpet off-cuts or sissal rope. You can either drill the post in place, or use brackets if the post is hollow.
Your cat will enjoy multiple levels, perhaps one enclosed like a little cubby-house and one platform, and some dangling toys to play with. It must be sturdy enough that your cat can climb it without it swaying, otherwise your cat will be smart enough to stay away.
While in the planning stage, also consider how you will keep the tree clean, you can vacuum carpeted surfaces, but try to avoid other porous materials that will be difficult to clean. Any cushions or beds should be removable for weekly washing on a hot washing cycle and perhaps attached via Velcro tabs to stop them slipping.
Finally, avoid painting the tree or using smelly adhesives that might upset your cats delicate sense of smell.
Raising Your Cats Interest In The Scratching Post
It is quite normal to have a cat show very little interest in a scratching post. All you need is to take an extra step in showing them the excellent surface you have put in place. Below are some methods which are quite effective in helping your cat discover the scratching post and making use of the post.
Training Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
How You Can Train Your Cat/Kitten To Scratch Appropriately
Cats scratch to scent-mark and keep their paws and claws feeling good.
Training a feline friend to scratch only what belongs to them is simple. You can prevent or eliminate damage to your belongings by communicating with your cat. It will be a very rewarding and satisfying experience that will make both of you feel great!
- Provide an irresistible scratching surface
- Praising and scolding
- Trim your cats claws
- Soft Paws and other options
- Appendix/References
Provide An Irresistible Scratching Surface
Okay, you do not want Cleo to damage your furniture, but scratching is natural and instinctive for cats as it helps them shed layers of claw sheaths, stretch and flex their muscles. Since your can cannot stifle their own desire to scratch, provide an ideal object of desirea good scratching post.
Some cats prefer vertical surfaces and some prefer horizontal surfaces. A good bet is to buy an inexpensive flat corrugated cardboard scratcher, available almost anywhere, and have it available .
The surface of the scratching post should be covered with a rough, tough materialsisal, hemp or something similarly nubby. Carpet does not satisfy most cats, and can confuse them because they will not be allowed to scratch the carpet on the floor of your home.
Praising & Scolding
Always remember not to raise your voice too much.
This can upset you and your cat and do more harm than good.
Trim Your Cats Claws
Soft Paws & Other Options
Sprays Tapes And Other Deterrents
Not all cats adapt to scratching posts. As an alternative, try covering her favorite scratching places with double-sided sticky tape like Sticky Paws. Cats paws are extremely sensitive. This acute sensitivity makes sticky surfaces exceptionally annoying, and cats will avoid scratching any place so uninviting.
Herbal sprays can also keep your cat from scratching unwanted areas of your home. Dont use anything that could harm the cat if she ingests it and be careful with strong odors because you dont want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant, Herron cautioned.
Keeping your cats nails trim is another way to reduce damage from scratching. Herron recommends trimming the sharp tip of your cats claws about once a week, being careful not to cut into the quick , which will cause bleeding and be painful for the cat. Use a nail trimmer designed especially for cats, not for humans or dogs, and if you are unsure how to safely trim your cats nails, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.
You can also dull your cats claws by sheathing them with Soft Paws, plastic caps which fit over your cats claws. Your cat will have to be patient enough to let you or a veterinarian put them on and trim the nails underneath, however. Some cats will take them off, but many tolerate them. They glue on easily, last four to six weeks and won’t interfere with normal claw retraction.
Crazy Cool Carpet Scratching Board
As an alternative to a book board, you can build a carpet scratching board .
What You’ll Need
- Flat board
- Small area rug or carpet remnant
- Hammer
- Small, standard-sized upholstery tacks. You can purchase a pack of these inexpensively at your local hardware store.
There are no length or depth requirements for the board, so you can choose a size that fits your cat’s needs . This board will lay flat on the floor or hang from a wall, so it doesn’t require a base. When choosing a rug, keep in mind cats prefer rough fabric, again with very few loops or loose threads their claws can snag on. Luckily, finding a sturdy but inexpensive area rug for this board is all too easy, and yields a cat accessory you won’t have to hide when company comes over.
How to Make It
Place the rug upside down on the floor and plant the board on the back of the rug. Fold up an edge of the rug and secure it with tacks. Place these tacks along the edges lengthwise, where the rug and board meet, in order to secure it properly. Repeat this step for the remaining three sides. You don’t want to tack where the rug is folded more than twice because the tack won’t secure more than two layers deep. Having trimmed the excess material, use longer nails to secure it. Another option is to leave the rug folds “as is”; they create a nice spring-action when the board is flat on the floor. Flip over carpet-side up.
Note: The cat pictured above loved this scratching board so much that he refused to move for a very long time.
Was Your Pet Food Recalled
1. Provide approved surfaces.
Your cat cant be trained to not scratch on your table legs or sofa arms.
So place a scratching post in a location that will catch your pets attention .
Sisal rope, wrapped tightly around the post, makes it almost as tough as a tree trunk, compared to carpet covering, which often snags claws.
According to cat expert Ingrid King, Generally, sisal seems to be the most popular with cats, and it allows them to really go to town on shredding the material to pieces.5
When your pet is using a climbing tree, make sure the tree is snugly secured so that it will not fall and cause injury.
2. Provide toys that stimulate and exercise.
Sound, smell, texture and movement are all turn-ons to a cats curious nature. Offer a variety of playthings so your pet will not become easily bored. I personally like that have a cat toy built right into them.
3. A window perch can provide lots of enjoyment.
Just make sure the window is closed so your cat wont fall out or go running after the bird or squirrel theyve been eyeing. For more on window perches, see our article Best Cat Window Perches.
4. Cover your furniture with something your cat truly hates.
Many cats hate aluminum foil because of its sound and feel.
Plastic wrap is also an annoyance, as it clings to cats fur but it can present a choking hazard, so please just save the plastic wrap for the kitchen.
5. Trim those nails regularly.
Get in the habit of trimming them and start young.
How To Pick The Right Scratching Board For Your Cat
Keep these points in mind when looking for a scratching post or board:
Tall or long: Cats like to stretch their bodies as tall and as long as possible when theyre scratching. This means they get the full health benefits of scratching. When choosing a scratching post or mat, make sure its long enough for your cat to stretch out on.
Secure: If you have a scratching post that falls over or moves when your cat scratches, thats where youre going wrong. A scratching post needs to be rigid and resist the pull of a cats sharp claws. To make sure theres enough tension on your scratching post you may need to affix it to the wall. For scratching boards or mats, try to find a way to secure it to the floor or wall. If thats not possible, then choose a board thats long enough for your cat to stand on whilst scratching. Their body weight should keep the mat in place.
Multiple cats: If you have more than one cat then its highly recommended that each cat has their own scratching area. Thats partly because of the pheromones cats release when scratching to mark their territory. They should be placed in different parts of the house, so they have their own dedicated scratching space.
Board or post: To decide, consider where and what your cat tends to scratch. If they love to scratch horizontally on the carpet, then opt for a scratching board on the floor. If they prefer to scratch vertically on the sofa, doorway or table leg, then invest in a scratching post.
Identify The Best Position For The Cat Scratching Post And Then Begin Training
The position of the scratching post matters. Selecting the right area is important if the scratching post is to be effective. Scratching behaviors of the cat also affect the placement of the post. In contrast to human preferences, placing a scratching post in corners and other hidden locations isnt always the best option for cats. There are certain reasons for this.
Provide Your Cat With Something To Scratch That From Their Point Of View Is More Desirable Than Your Couch Or The Legs Of Your Dining Room Table
Cats prefer to scratch tall, sturdy objects that allow them to dig their nails in and get a good grip. Thats why cats tend to scratch furniture. Most cats prefer a scratching post that is at least 32 tall, will not wobble when scratched, and made of a type of rope called sisal. Some cats prefer to scratch horizontally, in which case you can either place the vertical scratching post on its side or find a sturdy sisal-covered horizontal scratcher. Some cats like scratching corrugated cardboard as well. Another ideal scratching surface is wood, so if you are handy you can create your own scratching post or pad. Just make sure its tall or long enough and sturdy.
How To Teach My Cat To Use The Scratching Post
Do you have a cat and you’re fed up with it scratching the furniture? First, you should be aware that you live with a cat and it’s in their DNA to sharpen their nails. The solution to all your woes is to get your cat scratching the right thing, so we at OneHowTo.com show you how to teach your cat to use the scratching post. From now on your furniture will look perfect and your kitten will have fantastic claws.
For many cat lovers their pet’s claws are a real torment. Sofas, furniture, chairs, carpets… everything ends in tatters, with scratch marks from our feline friends. However, with a few tricks you can end the suffering of your furniture and give joy to your animal companion.
Apart from cats’ need to sharpen their nails, cats need to scratch for other reasons, including to be able to grab on to a solid place and stretch their muscles and mark territory and objects with their own scent. Obviously, they are ancestral and innate habits in the most primitive files of the identity of our cat and we need to channel this urge on an appropriate object: the scratching post.
Many cats use the scratching post naturally and instinctively, without need for further attention. As soon as they discover it they seem to know perfectly what it is and sharpen their nails on it. For others, however, it takes a little bit of effort and time, and you have to teach them how to use it.