Exercise R Us

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw. > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! > JoAnne >                         Out Of My Mind, >                         Be Back In Five Minutes

That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before. –Lynne

Response:

In article > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it!

It does make a difference which kind of scratching post you choose. In my experience many cats do not like the carpet covered scratching posts because they don’t give the cat much of a grip. Besides, I always thought, why would I want to train my cat to scratch on carpeting? I recommend a sisal scratching post. The sisal is much tougher than carpet and cats seem to like it better, because they can really go to town and scratch like crazy. When you introduce the new scratching post, put catnip on it. Often that’s about all you need to do to get the cat to use it. In fact, I think many cats so prefer the sisal to any other kind of surface they will naturally use it rather than your sofa, which is softer. In short, while the carpeted scratching posts are more attractive than the sisal posts, they are less effective and I am not surprised when I hear someone tell me that their cat ignores a carpeted post. Another alternative that my cat likes is a floor mat made of sisal or some similar material. Not all cats like to scratch standing up. My cat hasn’t destroyed one yet (this kind of mat is pretty tough) but if she does the mat is inexpensive to replace. -yngver

Response:

> That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

The thing is, cats scratch to mark their territory, not just to give their claws a workout.  So, they’ll scratch most where they spend the most time, and they also scratch on things that carry *our* scent, because we’re a part of the territory (my kitten Norton even tries to scratch at my trousers legs).  I have a horizontal carpet-covered tube that’s a great success, but when I first got it, none of my cats would use it.  It wasn’t until I started using it as a hassock that it began to be accepted. On the other hand, I got a platform, covered partially in sisal and partially in carpet, put it dead center in the sitting room window, and it was used immediately and enthusiastically: first because it was such a good lounging spot, then for scratching. I’ve got another platform in the apartment’s central hallway, and that was adopted immediately because it’s in such a good place for supervising my activities. Stacy Scott

Response:

> > That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

I’ve read some "cat experts" (I think Anitra Frazier was one but I’m not positive, I’ve read a lot of books about cats) who recommend the sisal, but I certainly don’t want to say it’s preferred by all cats. As with anything concerning cats, individual tastes vary widely. And as another person noted, placement of the post has something to do with whether or not the cat will use it. Last time I owned cats I think the soft carpeted ones were the only ones you saw in stores, so that’s what I had, and the cats used them because they didn’t have a lot of choice (of course they ripped them up pretty fast.) Now I only use the sisal, but we also have a cat tree and she does claw on that too. But the cat tree, like yours, is covered with more a Berber-type carpeting than the soft, fluffy kind. -yngver

Response:

> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw.

I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! JoAnne @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@                         Out Of My Mind,                         Be Back In Five Minutes @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@

Response:

When we were going to get a cat, I knew nothing about them.  I went to the library for info.  One book said that cats do not like the feel of aluminum foil.  It suggested putting the foil over the choice spots. Over time, the animal will develop a different habit and not go back to the choice spots when the foil is removed. Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of helping remove the outer portion of the claw.  Our cat loved ours until the kids broke it by sitting on it!  I now have a circular scratch pad made from cardboard.  Imagine a long roll of corrugated board rolled up like a log and cut into cookies.  At the center of the scratch pad is one of these "cookies."  Our cat loves to go at it!  On the outside of the scratch pad is a ball in a trough.  Fun to play with. This came from Wal-Mart.  They also have replacement pads.  Very cheap. Put the post in a center-of-attention room.  One must put one’s mark where it will be noticed by all. Our cat scratches on the furniture only to get attention.  She knows I’ll pick her up and put her on the pad.  Fortunately, this not often. We want to make our own cat tower.  It will be sisal rope where she can get a good long stretch and then climb on up.  They are expensive to buy and there is too much carpet on the posts.  One book said to apply the carpet back side out to give the necessary roughness. I was told in my A-B-C cat care books that cats walk on their toes and that declawing amputates part of the toe.  Our Vet said that if we were going to declaw, he wanted it done early – when she was spayed. Books had other suggestions worth checking out. I hope all gets better. Peg

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw. > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! > JoAnne >                         Out Of My Mind, >                         Be Back In Five Minutes

That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before. –Lynne

Response:

In article > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it!

It does make a difference which kind of scratching post you choose. In my experience many cats do not like the carpet covered scratching posts because they don’t give the cat much of a grip. Besides, I always thought, why would I want to train my cat to scratch on carpeting? I recommend a sisal scratching post. The sisal is much tougher than carpet and cats seem to like it better, because they can really go to town and scratch like crazy. When you introduce the new scratching post, put catnip on it. Often that’s about all you need to do to get the cat to use it. In fact, I think many cats so prefer the sisal to any other kind of surface they will naturally use it rather than your sofa, which is softer. In short, while the carpeted scratching posts are more attractive than the sisal posts, they are less effective and I am not surprised when I hear someone tell me that their cat ignores a carpeted post. Another alternative that my cat likes is a floor mat made of sisal or some similar material. Not all cats like to scratch standing up. My cat hasn’t destroyed one yet (this kind of mat is pretty tough) but if she does the mat is inexpensive to replace. -yngver

Response:

> That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

The thing is, cats scratch to mark their territory, not just to give their claws a workout.  So, they’ll scratch most where they spend the most time, and they also scratch on things that carry *our* scent, because we’re a part of the territory (my kitten Norton even tries to scratch at my trousers legs).  I have a horizontal carpet-covered tube that’s a great success, but when I first got it, none of my cats would use it.  It wasn’t until I started using it as a hassock that it began to be accepted. On the other hand, I got a platform, covered partially in sisal and partially in carpet, put it dead center in the sitting room window, and it was used immediately and enthusiastically: first because it was such a good lounging spot, then for scratching. I’ve got another platform in the apartment’s central hallway, and that was adopted immediately because it’s in such a good place for supervising my activities. Stacy Scott

Response:

> > That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

I’ve read some "cat experts" (I think Anitra Frazier was one but I’m not positive, I’ve read a lot of books about cats) who recommend the sisal, but I certainly don’t want to say it’s preferred by all cats. As with anything concerning cats, individual tastes vary widely. And as another person noted, placement of the post has something to do with whether or not the cat will use it. Last time I owned cats I think the soft carpeted ones were the only ones you saw in stores, so that’s what I had, and the cats used them because they didn’t have a lot of choice (of course they ripped them up pretty fast.) Now I only use the sisal, but we also have a cat tree and she does claw on that too. But the cat tree, like yours, is covered with more a Berber-type carpeting than the soft, fluffy kind. -yngver

Response:

> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw.

I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! JoAnne @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@                         Out Of My Mind,                         Be Back In Five Minutes @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@

Response:

When we were going to get a cat, I knew nothing about them.  I went to the library for info.  One book said that cats do not like the feel of aluminum foil.  It suggested putting the foil over the choice spots. Over time, the animal will develop a different habit and not go back to the choice spots when the foil is removed. Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of helping remove the outer portion of the claw.  Our cat loved ours until the kids broke it by sitting on it!  I now have a circular scratch pad made from cardboard.  Imagine a long roll of corrugated board rolled up like a log and cut into cookies.  At the center of the scratch pad is one of these "cookies."  Our cat loves to go at it!  On the outside of the scratch pad is a ball in a trough.  Fun to play with. This came from Wal-Mart.  They also have replacement pads.  Very cheap. Put the post in a center-of-attention room.  One must put one’s mark where it will be noticed by all. Our cat scratches on the furniture only to get attention.  She knows I’ll pick her up and put her on the pad.  Fortunately, this not often. We want to make our own cat tower.  It will be sisal rope where she can get a good long stretch and then climb on up.  They are expensive to buy and there is too much carpet on the posts.  One book said to apply the carpet back side out to give the necessary roughness. I was told in my A-B-C cat care books that cats walk on their toes and that declawing amputates part of the toe.  Our Vet said that if we were going to declaw, he wanted it done early – when she was spayed. Books had other suggestions worth checking out. I hope all gets better. Peg

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw. > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! > JoAnne >                         Out Of My Mind, >                         Be Back In Five Minutes

That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before. –Lynne

Response:

In article > I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not > ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t > think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with > a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has > now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any > piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it!

It does make a difference which kind of scratching post you choose. In my experience many cats do not like the carpet covered scratching posts because they don’t give the cat much of a grip. Besides, I always thought, why would I want to train my cat to scratch on carpeting? I recommend a sisal scratching post. The sisal is much tougher than carpet and cats seem to like it better, because they can really go to town and scratch like crazy. When you introduce the new scratching post, put catnip on it. Often that’s about all you need to do to get the cat to use it. In fact, I think many cats so prefer the sisal to any other kind of surface they will naturally use it rather than your sofa, which is softer. In short, while the carpeted scratching posts are more attractive than the sisal posts, they are less effective and I am not surprised when I hear someone tell me that their cat ignores a carpeted post. Another alternative that my cat likes is a floor mat made of sisal or some similar material. Not all cats like to scratch standing up. My cat hasn’t destroyed one yet (this kind of mat is pretty tough) but if she does the mat is inexpensive to replace. -yngver

Response:

> That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

The thing is, cats scratch to mark their territory, not just to give their claws a workout.  So, they’ll scratch most where they spend the most time, and they also scratch on things that carry *our* scent, because we’re a part of the territory (my kitten Norton even tries to scratch at my trousers legs).  I have a horizontal carpet-covered tube that’s a great success, but when I first got it, none of my cats would use it.  It wasn’t until I started using it as a hassock that it began to be accepted. On the other hand, I got a platform, covered partially in sisal and partially in carpet, put it dead center in the sitting room window, and it was used immediately and enthusiastically: first because it was such a good lounging spot, then for scratching. I’ve got another platform in the apartment’s central hallway, and that was adopted immediately because it’s in such a good place for supervising my activities. Stacy Scott

Response:

> > That’s odd, I never realized that sisal is considered to be better for a > scratching post than carpet is.  When we first got Zorak, we bought a > scratching post that is covered mostly in sisal.  I don’t think she ever > used it even once, even after we rubbed catnip on it.  However, about a > year ago my husband (the Tool Man) decided to make her a cat tower.  The > sucker is huge, and all covered in carpet.  The cat LOVES it, spends a > lot of time climbing on it and scratching it.  It seems to be doing the > job, since we do find shedded bits of claws on it where she scratches. > Maybe it’s working OK because the carpet is not really fluffy or soft. > Of course, using the tower for a scratching post has not stopped her > from also scratching her favorite corner of the futon (we’re working on > that).  But I think it has saved the boxspring and dustruffle of our > bed, which was her favorite place to scratch before.

I’ve read some "cat experts" (I think Anitra Frazier was one but I’m not positive, I’ve read a lot of books about cats) who recommend the sisal, but I certainly don’t want to say it’s preferred by all cats. As with anything concerning cats, individual tastes vary widely. And as another person noted, placement of the post has something to do with whether or not the cat will use it. Last time I owned cats I think the soft carpeted ones were the only ones you saw in stores, so that’s what I had, and the cats used them because they didn’t have a lot of choice (of course they ripped them up pretty fast.) Now I only use the sisal, but we also have a cat tree and she does claw on that too. But the cat tree, like yours, is covered with more a Berber-type carpeting than the soft, fluffy kind. -yngver

Response:

> Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from > carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of > helping remove the outer portion of the claw.

I guess the idea of the scratching post, i.e. the purpose , is not ocmmonly known to many. I must confess that I am one of those that didn’t think first and went out and bought a cute blue carpet scratching pad with a little ball on to. The only thing Oliver likes is the ball . So, he has now taken to an old home made end table. I let him have it. I think any piece of wood would do just fine,as long as they can scratch it! JoAnne @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@                         Out Of My Mind,                         Be Back In Five Minutes @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@

Response:

When we were going to get a cat, I knew nothing about them.  I went to the library for info.  One book said that cats do not like the feel of aluminum foil.  It suggested putting the foil over the choice spots. Over time, the animal will develop a different habit and not go back to the choice spots when the foil is removed. Try getting a scratching post made from sisal rope.  If it is made from carpet or fuzzy stuff on the outside, it will not do the needed job of helping remove the outer portion of the claw.  Our cat loved ours until the kids broke it by sitting on it!  I now have a circular scratch pad made from cardboard.  Imagine a long roll of corrugated board rolled up like a log and cut into cookies.  At the center of the scratch pad is one of these "cookies."  Our cat loves to go at it!  On the outside of the scratch pad is a ball in a trough.  Fun to play with. This came from Wal-Mart.  They also have replacement pads.  Very cheap. Put the post in a center-of-attention room.  One must put one’s mark where it will be noticed by all. Our cat scratches on the furniture only to get attention.  She knows I’ll pick her up and put her on the pad.  Fortunately, this not often. We want to make our own cat tower.  It will be sisal rope where she can get a good long stretch and then climb on up.  They are expensive to buy and there is too much carpet on the posts.  One book said to apply the carpet back side out to give the necessary roughness. I was told in my A-B-C cat care books that cats walk on their toes and that declawing amputates part of the toe.  Our Vet said that if we were going to declaw, he wanted it done early – when she was spayed. Books had other suggestions worth checking out. I hope all gets better. Peg

Response: