Are scratching posts a neccesity?

[Freckles]

The corrugated cardboard type are cheap but very effective. Yes they are messy but they work. They should last longer than two days. Can you turn the corrugated part over so the other side is available?

[jennielynn1970]

Do you have a local Freecycle board that you can post on?? I go through my Yahoo Groups page, and I belong to Freecycle (which is national and international) and I find many things that I need for my cats and my foster cats.

Just last week, I got a Disney Princess Toddler Bed, mattress and all, for $10.00. I have two of them upstairs now(toddler beds), and the cats love to sleep on them. I have piles of blankets on them, so they can sleep on them on burrow under the covers. You'd be surprised at what you can find.

Here's the link:
http://www.freecycle.org/groups/

[critter crazy]

I forever went without a scratching post in my house, as they are so expensive, but after finding a great deal on E-bay, wonder why I waited so long, as the cats love it! You can find some great ones on E-bay, most you just have to pay for shipping! I won mine for 99 cents,a nd just paid to ship it here. I couldnt resist such a deal, as the one I have retails for about 180-230$!!

[rosethecopycat]

They are not a neccesity if your cat doesn't care to use one. I have a couple cats that are not interested in one at all.

There are cats who are horizontal scratchers and cats that are vertical scratchers, just figure out which you cats prefer.
cardboard horizontal scratchers are great, as are sisal vertical posts.

Just beware of picking up a used scratcher, they can carry disease, such as ringworm and distemper.

[DrKym]

I make ours, simple cheap and work. go to any flooring store ask for remants (they are free) and then a few bucks ad HD or Lowes and a few screws Viola a custom post!

[catnapper]

My guys favor the cheap board I covered with fabric. Its nothing more than a 4' scrap of wood with fabric wrapped around it and leaning against a wall. They shred it to pieces then I occasionally rewrap it with remants from WalMart that I picked up for a $1.

Hubby wants to get a new HUGE cat tree though. He swears he'll make it this summer.... we'll see. If he doesn't, I'm buying HIM one of the big ones for Christmas! (I swear, he says he wants one for the cats!)

[krazyaboutkatz]

They're a must in my home and my cats love them. I bought a cheap one at Walmart and Big Lots, a couple of large ones on e-bay, a couple of cat condo's at cat shows, a small triangular scratching post and another larger scratching post on sale at two different pet stores.

[columbine]

My cat and I have a classic "failure to communicate" about scratching posts. Every time I see him trying to scratch a vertical surface, I put a nice scratchboard there - and he immediately ceases and desists, not wanting to mess up my stuff. Rubbing it with catnip, scratching it myself in front of him ("What the heck is she doing????") - nope, he won't destroy property. He's just not into that. Luckily, the rug is just the ground as far as he's concerned, so he'll have a nice horizontal scratch now and then, often to a response of "There you go, Smudge! You show that rug who's boss! Good kitty!"

Do try horizontal scratch surfaces - a rug sample sprayed with catnip spray is a classic starter. Some cats like to scratch on the floor. Some like a slanted scratchboard that they can sit on and claw with their heads lower than their butts! Descendants of mountain cats, I guess.

Love, Columbine

[AbbyMom]

I used to think that all cats loved vertical scratching posts. Then I started fostering and found out that cats are just like people...they have their own likes and dislikes.

Most of my fosters prefer the wicker furniture, especially the laundry hamper. This does not bother me as it doesn't really show the marks and well, the hamper is easy to replace.

Most of them hated the cardboard, but a few loved it.

Most of them hated the sisal rope, but a few used it.

One cat ripped the carpeting constantly and ignored all scratching posts.

But they all needed something.