| All cats and kittens are compelled to scratch as | | | | normally sleeps. They like to stretch and scratch |
| part of their natural behavior. Scratching is | | | | after they wake up from a nap. If you have a |
| beneficial because it allows them to shed the | | | | large home, you may want to buy a few |
| sheaths of their claws and to stretch. You must | | | | scratching posts and place them all over the |
| provide at least one good quality scratching post. | | | | house so that your feline companion always has |
| If your cat does not have a scratching post to | | | | one nearby. |
| use, he may resort to scratching your furniture or | | | | This section will discuss a bit on kitty condos. A |
| cabinets. In a multiple cat household, each cat | | | | trip to the pet store will give you many ideas |
| should have his own scratching post. | | | | about the types, sizes, and styles of cat condos |
| If you are a cat lover with a big heart, you may | | | | or perches available. Some condos are designed |
| want to adopt every homeless cat in the animal | | | | like playgrounds, with perches, ledges, hideaways, |
| shelter, but be realistic. You cannot take in every | | | | and toys to keep your cat entertained. Depending |
| stray that comes along. So how many cats are | | | | on your budget, you can buy carpeted condos |
| too many? It depends on the size of your home | | | | that double as hideaways and scratching posts or |
| and your budget. Each cat you adopt will need | | | | towers with several levels that allow your cat to |
| plenty of space in your house, his own litter box, | | | | sit up high and survey his domain. |
| food dishes, and annual veterinary care. Owning 3 | | | | Instead of relying on metal ID tags, some owners |
| cats is realistic, but owning 10 or 15 could quickly | | | | use microchips to identify their pets. A |
| become unmanageable. Some cat owners like to | | | | veterinarian can inject a microchip directly into |
| start out with a pair of kittens. They can play | | | | your cat or kitten. The chip does not harm him, |
| together and grow up together, while others are | | | | and it can be inserted at about eight weeks of |
| content with one cat who becomes a devoted | | | | age. It is a permanent form of identification, and it |
| companion. However many cats you adopt, make | | | | cannot become lost or removed by the cat |
| sure that each one is given lots of love and the | | | | because it is placed under the muscle near the |
| best care possible. | | | | shoulder. If your pet gets lost and is turned into |
| Your local pet supply store will have a variety of | | | | an animal rescue organization or shelter, the |
| scratching posts from which to choose. Most are | | | | workers will scan him and use the special code on |
| made from wood covered with carpeting. Some | | | | the chip to contact you. Whether you opt for |
| are made of sisal string, cardboard, or natural | | | | micro chipping or the more traditional metal ID |
| wood. When choosing one, make sure that it has | | | | tags, remember to update your contact |
| a sturdy, side base so that your cat cannot | | | | information if you move. |
| knock it over when scratching. The post should | | | | Keep an eye on the condition of the scratching |
| be tall enough so that he can stand on his back | | | | post. If it becomes worn out or frayed, replace it |
| feet, anchor in his front feet and claw away. | | | | with a new one. |
| Place the post near the area in which your cat | | | | |