Cats are independent, loyal, intelligent, and playful animals that can fit in well with your family and have become a staple of Australian homes. However, the ownership process of a cat can be complicated and is in many ways dependent on the accessories you are willing to invest in. Do you want your fluffball to develop in the right way? To benefit from all possible resources to accompany you for many years? If so, you must invest in premium food and tools like a high-quality cat scratching post. Why buy a cat? Affection.
Cats are not as friendly as dogs. However, they are loyal animals that can establish long-life bonds with their owners. Although it sometimes seems indifferent to your presence, your kitty loves you with all its heart and, in difficult times, could be an ideal companion to help you get through your situation. Unlike dogs, cats don't need potty training, are suitable for small apartment living and will quickly adapt to your schedule. Moreover, they are less vocal and, therefore, less disruptive to neighbours.
Nevertheless, like any pet, kitties need unique accessories to avoid long-term behavioural and physical problems. A cat scratching post is a must-have tool for pet owners interested in keeping their household intact. Why? There are many reasons, but all have to do with your pet's instincts. According to all evidence, cats are unique animals that have tamed themselves and thus retained much of the hunting instinct that makes them apex predators in the wild. But your home is not a hunting ground, so your little fluffball will need a distraction.
A Necessity for Scent Marking
Unlike dogs, cats are not entirely domesticated, emerging near human settlements several thousand years later than dogs did. Therefore, even if comfortable in our homes, cats are always at risk of behavioural issues and destructive tendencies. Why do kitties tend to scratch our property? For one thing, it's a way for them to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands in their paws, and when they claw an object, they signal to other rivals that your home's territory is claimed. It's a complex communication channel that we don't fully understand. However, the results can be seen with the naked eye.
Secondly, clawing for cats is relaxing, similar to how humans stretch their muscles. Cats' claws are attached to their skeletal system, and the satisfaction they feel when clawing objects is high, developing into a second nature. Therefore, stopping clawing tendencies through training is almost impossible. Do you want your objects to be protected? Have you just bought a new sofa or other furniture appliances? Then, you must distract your joy bundle with an item like a premium cat scratching post.
High-quality scratching posts redirect cats' innate aggression onto an object explicitly designed to protect your household items. Moreover, scratching posts are often configured as towers, positively impacting felines' mobility. Regarding materials, scratching posts are usually carpeted and resistant to scratching, even from the sharpest claws. The benefits for cats are numerous, with scratching posts having a positive physical effect and helping to manage aggression and hunting instincts.
Great for the Long-Term Health of Your Companion
One of the main reasons to invest in a high-quality cat scratching post is the health of your kitty's claws. Cats regularly need to shed the outer keratin layers of their claws. And they do this by scratching objects. If this doesn't happen, claws can become ingrown, leading to lesions, which can become infected. The carpeted material of a scratching post is ideal to prevent claws from becoming too long. Moreover, scratching posts can be used as toys and provide your cat with the physical activity necessary to maintain a healthy weight.
Scratching posts can prevent boredom and destructive behaviour, become a safe zone for your kitty, are a way to stimulate the climbing and hunting instincts of your fluffball and are some of the most durable accessories you can buy. What should you look out for when purchasing one? Firstly, the base of the post should be wide enough to stabilise the structure. Then, you need to choose a post made of a durable material that can withstand your kitty's claws. Sisal fabric is a good choice, but scratching posts can also be constructed with cardboard or regular carpet. Last but not least, you should also consider the placement of the post.
What Other Accessories Should You Purchase for Your Cat?
Kitties are animals that don't require the same daily interaction as dogs. However, although they are not more independent, cats require a significant investment in accessories or tools that contribute to their physical and behavioural development. What should you buy? For one, your kitty will need a comfortable cat bed, which can come as a classic cushion or in a climbable form. Secondly, regardless of age, felines need toys to consume energy and minimise destructive instincts.
A good idea is to buy interactive toys, such as feathered poles or balls, which your kitty can chase. Not least, it will be essential to invest in a cat carrier and a high-quality litter box. Carriers are imperative if you want to travel with your fluffball or transport your buddy to the vet. Litter boxes are necessary because they provide a safe and hygienic space where cats can relieve themselves. Unlike dogs, kitties don't need potty training and have a strong instinct to bury their waste and hide their scent. This is a benefit for pet owners, but it requires constant investment in cat sand.
It’s a Necessary Investment
Purchasing a cat scratching post can be the best way to protect your furniture and reduce the aggressiveness of your kitty. Cats are affectionate animals who, in your arms, are the cutest little creatures you can imagine. However, when left alone, they can turn into inter-ballistic missiles, ready to wreak havoc in your dwelling. They can't help it, as it's their nature. So, buying them distractions is essential. Scratching posts are necessary as they act on their instinct to claw objects. Moreover, they prevent ingrown claws and general paw discomfort.
On the other hand, toys, especially interactive ones, are perfect for stimulating their hunting instinct and consuming their energy. Cats are remarkable animals, true outliers in the domesticated pet pool. And perhaps this is one reason why they are so beloved. From fierce loyalty to joyful fun, cats can give us moments of satisfaction and are ideal for any family, regardless of financial means or location. Therefore, purchasing high-quality accessories should be a priority for all responsible feline owners.
