Are scratching posts a neccesity?

[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.

[Medusa]

My cats like the ones w/twine. (I know it's called something else but I don't know what it is.) I have a vertical and a horizontal. When I had the ones w/carpet on them, the cats then decided it must be ok to scratch on the carpet! So I gave them away and now have these. They use them several times a day.

[Medusa]

P.S. I gave the scratchers away, not the cats.

[Freedom]

Ha ha oh Mary! Thanks for clarifying, I am SURE we thought you got rid of the cats and kept the posts!

NancyS: Are scratching posts necessary? Well, cats scratch, it is a normal behaviour for them. The do it -
- to clean off dead nails
- to sharpen nails
- to deposit scent

So in general, a cat IS going to scratch, it is just a question of WHERE. By having a scratcher, you guide the cat to the appropriate place. I have vertical and horizontal ones, fabric and sisal. Ebony still prefers to use Dad's recliner.

When I first had cats I used teh cardboard ones. A bit messy, but I'd keep them for MONTHS. With this many cats, now, it doesn't make much sense cost wise for me.