| A cat tree can save your furniture and keep your | | | | and sometimes they're just venting their kitty |
| kitty entertained. Cats make wonderful pets, but, | | | | frustration. And yes, they also scratch to keep |
| as any cat owner knows, they do love to | | | | those claws sharp. |
| scratch. They'll claw and scratch almost anything | | | | Because scratching is such an instinctive behavior, |
| in sight -- your arms, your carpet, and most | | | | it's almost impossible to get a cat to stop |
| definitely your furniture. | | | | scratching entirely. Your best bet is to redirect |
| If you don't take steps to deal with the scratching | | | | your kitty's attention to a scratching post, or a |
| issue, you could end up with some ruined | | | | cat tree that includes areas for scratching. |
| furniture. But there is a solution at hand. A cat | | | | If you're handy, you can build your own unit. A |
| tree (or kitty condo, as they're often called) can | | | | quick internet search will turn up a variety of |
| give your cat a safe place to scratch. | | | | plans. If you'd rather purchase your kitty's condo, |
| It's commonly thought that cats scratch to | | | | your choices are limited only by your budget. A |
| sharpen their claws. Well, that's one reason, but | | | | cat tree can be as simple as a carpeted post with |
| it's actually secondary. When your kitty scratches | | | | a couple of shelves attached, or it can be the |
| your sofa, it's actually a form of communication. | | | | equivalent of a mansion, with nooks and crannies |
| She's marking her territory, sending out a signal | | | | to keep kitty endlessly entertained. Try to find a |
| that this is her space, and other kitties should | | | | product that uses natural sisal for the scratching |
| beware. | | | | posts. The scent of sisal attracts cats, so it will be |
| Cats have scent glands in their paws, so when | | | | easier to direct your kitty's attention to the cat |
| they scratch, they're marking the object with | | | | tree and away from your furniture. |
| their odor. Because cats aren't scratching simply | | | | Whether you make your own or buy a luxury |
| to sharpen their claws, even declawed kitties will | | | | model, get that cat tree. Your kitties (and your |
| continue this behavior. There are other reasons | | | | furniture) will thank you. |
| cats scratch. Sometimes they're just being playful, | | | | |