Pet Hacks: Cat Trees and Scratching Posts make life easier for me and my cats
Pet Hacks: Things to make life easier for me and my cats. At Paws for Reflection, we couldn’t live without cat trees and scratching posts. Today, we are joining a host of pawsome bloggers participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge hosted by SomePets.com, and we encourage you to visit the blogs of all my fellow bloggers to learn more Pet Hacks, Things to make life easier for your and your pets.
Cat trees and scratching posts give kitty a place to need and scratch, other than the side of my couch. Strategically placing a three-foot scratching post right next to the favorite corner, gives kitties a place to need, scratch, and stretch – vital to their health and well-being.
Take note, your kitty isn’t trying to be mean or spite you when they knead. It’s a hard-wired behavior they need to do. The trick is to place the scratching posts front and center, so they go to the scratching post and not to your couch, fav chair, or door. Place it where kitty wants to scratch, not in the corner, or in a place your cat is not drawn too.
Cats want to stretch when kneading
Be sure the cat trees and scratching posts are not too short. Your cat wants to stretch when making biscuits with their claws. If in doubt, watch your kitty the next time he kneads your blanket or your chest.
Cat trees provide another option for kitty to stretch out and play. Your can need and scratch while laying down, or scaling the tree. He can knead the cat tree while napping and soaking up the sun, as well.
They seem to have an insatiable desire and need to knead, but why? Cats begin kneading as tiny kittens, before their eyes are even open. They put their paws around their mommy’s nipples and quickly learn that the pressure stimulates the flow of milk.
Insatiable Desire to knead
We also see kitties:
- Purring when kneading.
- Moving their paw ever so slightly.
- Lifting their paws up and down as if parading in place.
- Alternately pushing out and pulling in their front paws, often alternating between right and left legs.
- Nursing or sucking on clothing or bedding during kneading.
For years, it was assumed they were sharpening their claws. But if that were so, then why would cats that are declawed exhibit the same behavior.
It’s a form of communication
Many believe it is a form of communication. If that’s the case, why do cats seem to go back to the same piece of furniture, literally shredding it to pieces with almost no upholstery left. And why do declawed (this post by no means endorses nor condemns the practice) cats need to let others know where they are?
The scratched surface leaves a highly visible mark for other cats to see. Cats have scent glands in their paws and when they make scratching movements, or kneading, they leave odor cues that other cats smell. This may be the reason that declawed cats continue to scratch so they can leave scent marks on objects they scratch.
Reasons cats knead and scratch
Other reasons cat scratch include:
- Removing the dead outer layer or sheath of the claws.
- Marking territory by leaving both a visual mark and an odor or scent because they have scent glands on their claws.
- Stetching the entire body and flexing the feet and claws.
- Playing activities.
- Displaying dominance by scratching in front of other cats.
Please leave your paw prints and comments.
Remember your cat is not trying to spite you when they scratch the furniture. They are hardwired to knead and scratch. Have you found ways that helped your cat(s) stop clawing up the furniture, a favorite plant, or other inside or outside item? If so, please share your ideas so those visiting this Blog Hop can learn how to cope with this destructive behavior.
Find out your fav pet hacks you won’t want to live without at these awesome blogs participating in the Pet Blogger Challenge.
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