Whisker City – CAT. A new study published today by leading cat advocacy group Kitty Concern, has revealed why cats need cat scratching posts.
For thousands of years, we’ve known that we cats like to scratch things, and that humans don’t like us to scratch things. Finally, though, top cat professors have unveiled the biology behind our most hated habit and how all of us can reach our scratching potential.
And this stuff is important – some humans still think that the solution to us joyfully ruining their furniture is to punish us, declaw us, or make us live outside. It’s not. We need to scratch. So don’t forget to leave this article lying around afterward for your hapless, bewildered human to stumble across, so they can stop doing that loud hand-clap thing when you’re tearing up your favorite ‘scratching-sofa’, and start finding you the perfect post instead.
The Science Bit: 5 Reasons Why Cats Scratch
Scratching is not just a random, joyful act of wanton destruction, although clearly, there’s nothing wrong with that - after all, who doesn’t enjoy shredding a tissue, chewing a cable, or dismembering a poor, innocent mouse? We were all kittens once, and in this high-pressure world, where we never know where the next nap is coming from, it’s nice sometimes to turn back the clock and lose yourself in a bit of harmless ultra-violence. But there are reasons why we scratch - scientific reasons, which scientists have now explained, with science – including:
- Claw maintenance: scratching helps remove the dead or damaged outer layer of our claws, keeping them sharp and healthy. When we head to a cat scratching post, it’s like heading to a nail bar, just with less gossip. Without scratching, our claws become overgrown and uncomfortable, especially for human legs and sofas.
- Territorial marking: we cats have scent glands in our paws that leave our unique fragrance on whatever we scratch – having our scent around makes us feel secure, so quite frankly, it’s not helpful when humans vacuum our favorite bit of the carpet. If they have to vacuum the things we like, they should give us something they won’t vacuum instead – like a cat scratch post.
- Stretching and exercise: scratching is a bit like yoga is for humans, except we don’t have to wear highly-incriminating lycra outfits, and we rarely let off an accidental windy-pop while doing it. It allows us to stretch our long, elegant bodies, flex our power-paws, and work off some energy during the 4-8 hours per day we’re not asleep.
- Stress relief: scratching releases feel-good pheromones, so it’s a great way to let off steam. After a stressful encounter with a vacuum cleaner or an annoying dog, a good scratch can help us center ourselves once more. Aaaaaaand breathe!
- So we can hang out with our buds: although all cats benefit from having our own posts, in a multi-cat household, a communal scratching post can act as a meeting point to socialize and play with others, building a sense of bonding and security- like the bar in Cheers, Central Perk in Friends, or something similar in a show that young people watch.
And one for luck.
- To make the most of cat nip: whether we want to go crazy or feel more secure, catnip (free hit) intensifies our feelings – so cat scratching posts with catnip = a winning combination.
We Need to Talk About Scratching Posts
Now that we understand scratching, let’s take a closer look at scratch posts for cats. Why do we need something built for the job, when we can improvise on pretty things that belong to humans? The study explains:
- Protection of furniture: a good cat scratching post delivers a better, more satisfying scratching experience – so we cats will use it, protecting human possessions.
- More reliable use: the good thing about a dedicated post is that it can be infused with catnip. The nepetalactone in catnip makes the scratching experience even more exhilarating, making it more likely we’ll turn to it on a regular basis.
- Routine: we like routine, and knowing there’s somewhere we can go to calm our nerves and improve our mental well-being is greatly beneficial.
Cat Scratching Posts – a Buyer’s Guide
Cats are unpredictable and we do like to be contrary, for the simple fact that we are better than dogs. Dogs are just so obvious. Different posts are right for different cats, so humans need to accept that some trial and error may be needed over the years to find out what works best for us. What else are they going to spend their money on, though: coffee, magazines, and skin care? Pah! Here are the main types of posts:
- Vertical scratching posts: great for cats who love to stretch up high. Needs to be tall enough for a full-body stretch – we don’t stay kitten-size forever.
- Horizontal scratching pads: perfect for cats who prefer to stay down low. These can be placed on the floor, and are especially ideal for those who enjoy a good belly rub.
- Cat trees: multi-level cat trees with integrated scratching posts are the ultimate playground. We can scratch, climb, and nap all in one place – it’s like Disneyland, without the terrifying gigantic mice.
- Cat scratching posts with catnip: the pièce de résistance! A scratch post, pad or tree sprinkled or sprayed with catnip is the ultimate indulgence. And why does catnip make cats crazy? It’s the nepetalactone, which binds to cat-specific receptors in our noses and triggers those feel-good hormones that make our nine lives worth living. Is catnip safe for cats? Absolutely! It’s 100% natural, non-toxic, and perfect for stress relief. Always use top-quality catnip though – you can find out more in the article ‘Cat Crack Vs. Cat Crap: the proof is in the purring’ here.
How to Get a Cat to Use a Cat Scratching Post
Humans often forget that they can’t make us do things. We are not dogs. A dog can be made to do things simply by persuading it that, in return, you will give it love or food. We on the other paw, can easily last until our next nap without love or food, after which we’ll have forgotten about the conversation - so bribery of this kind doesn’t work with us. We value our independence.
There are things you can do to persuade us to move away from something (like a sofa) and towards something else (like, for example, a cat scratching post). Here are some tips:
- Placement: place the scratching post somewhere we like to hang out - near a preferred napping spot, for example.
- Catnip: use dried catnip, catnip spray, or catnip toys to lure us in.
- Positive reinforcement: praise and reward us. Treats and affection go a long way in reinforcing good behavior. It’s not bribery, honest.
- Demonstrate: show us how to use the post by gently rubbing your paws and our paws on it. At the very least, we can laugh at you pretending you’re a cat.
A good cat scratching post isn’t just paradise for the paws – it’s essential for the long-term survival of human home furnishings. Teamwork makes the dream work. And when you add a generous helping of premium catnip into the mix (free hit), it can become truly irresistible.
If you want to read more about why cats use scratching posts, you can head here, here, and here.
Or, if you have scratching post stories or tips to share yourself, you can do so here.