us
Help your cat scratch appropriate surfaces
An evergreen care guide: stable scratching surfaces, useful placement and a choice of textures can help redirect scratching.
By NewsCubby Editorial Desk · Published
Scratching is ordinary feline behavior, not a habit owners can simply remove. Cats use it to stretch, mark surfaces and shed worn outer claw layers. The practical goal is to offer a suitable place to scratch.
AnimalBin’s October 7 guide recommends putting a scratching surface beside the furniture a cat already targets. Check that a post is stable and lets the cat stretch; observe whether the cat prefers an upright post or a flat scratcher.
The ASPCA similarly recommends offering different surfaces and orientations, then providing more of the type the cat chooses. Encourage exploration with toys and reward use of the appropriate surface. Do not force the cat’s paws against a post; the ASPCA warns that this can frighten the animal and make it avoid the post.
These are everyday care suggestions, rather than breaking news or a diagnosis of a particular cat. If a persistent problem needs individual assessment, seek qualified behavior help.
Relationship disclosure
AnimalBin and NewsCubby are brands of Tastic Consumer Brands, Inc. AnimalBin discloses affiliate relationships. This guide is an original summary, not an independent product test or endorsement.
Visual credit
Illustrative file photograph: Zelda on her scratching post, May 4, 2016, by Jeffwgallant. CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped with an AI-assisted graphic layout; the photo/card adaptation is offered under the same license. The image illustrates an appropriate scratching surface, not a current news event.