Are scratching posts a neccesity?

[catmandu]

I would take a look in the Salvation Army stores or Godwill stores and quite a few times they have old scratching posts available for very little money.
I got carriers there for 3 dollars!
Its amazing what people will donate.
I wish I had know about this when I was young.

[kb2yjx]

The Clan LOVE their sisal scratching posts! I bought one from the Felix company in 1992 for Ralph. He loved that one and I still have it!! Unfortunately, I cannot find out if that company still exists. Take a look at the Foster and Smith site, they have a nice selection.

[phesina]

A word of caution if you get a second-hand scratching post/pad/tree or carrier or whatever: As Rose said, they can carry disease such as ringworm or distemper .. or Virulent Calicivirus for that matter.., so be sure and wipe them down or spray them thoroughly with bleach, and let it soak for at least 10 minutes.

I get loads of good things like that at yard sales and thrift stores and such, and I ALWAYS give them the bleach treatment before putting them into use.. as I do for the goodies I get for myself from such places. (I'm a real fiend for yard sales and thrift stores and such.) You just never know what kinds of cooties might be lurking in them!

Happy hunting!

Pat

[nancys]

A lot of good ideas - thanks everyone!