Choosing jute scratching posts

Cats have been living next to humans for a long time. There are a great many people who cannot imagine life without a fluffy pet. "Life is not the same without a cat!" Is a favorite phrase of many of them. For a full life of this graceful positive animal, a lot of things are needed, and this is not only proper feeding. One of the essential attributes in a cat's life is a scratching post. This accessory is vital for cats due to the biological characteristics of their claws, in order to get rid of old exfoliated fragments in time.

Scratching posts are made from various materials of natural origin, but most often they are jute and sisal. The most budgetary material is jute.

An elastic jute rope of a beautiful golden brown color, moderately stiff, when wrapped, it fits well with scratching posts of any configuration, whether it be a round post or a flat plank. Jute rope is usually used to trim models with the most affordable prices.

Jute and sisal scratching posts have a fairly similar appearance. Both materials are suitable for cats and cats.

The natural composition of these environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic materials is absolutely safe for cats.

But if we compare the quality characteristics, then there are differences:

• the cost of jute products is lower than sisal ones;
• jute fibers are quite soft, and the structure of sisal is much stiffer due to the raw agave fibers used in the production of sisal;
• jute is the most common material in the production of scratching posts;
• the duration of operation of jute scratching posts is shorter than that of sisal ones.

A novelty on the Russian market for scratching posts is cotton twine (in Europe it has been used for a long time). Strong, environmentally friendly, durable, but the most expensive compared to jute and sisal.

Wooden scratching posts are also produced, but there are not many of them on the market. They will decorate any interior and will serve pets for a long time, but they are expensive.

Depending on the location in the apartment, scratching posts can be divided into the following types.

• Wall mounted. They are securely attached to the wall (usually with self-tapping screws) to support the weight of the "hanging" animal. They can be in the form of a socket, corner, shelf.

• Outdoor. Compact, mobile, convenient models, can be rearranged from place to place at any time. But some cats over time themselves begin to move the scratching post on the floor, and this is already a problem, albeit a small one.

• Corner. These are scratching posts in the form of boards doubled in the shape of an angle. Ideal for protecting decorative wall coverings in apartment corners. It is best to hang such a scratching post in the corner where the cat has already tried to sharpen its claws. Thus, the cat almost does not have to accustom to the scratching post, since this is already a familiar place for her. At the same time, the damaged section of the wallpaper will be closed.

• Columns. This is the most common option. They are available in round or rectangular shapes of various heights, for cats of almost any size. Perfectly imitate a tree trunk, cats are happy to scratch the winding when sharpening their claws and love to climb a post.

The main rule is to choose a scratching post that your pet likes, and not yourself. When choosing a jute product, the diameter of the winding rope should be within 6-10 mm. The turns of the winding should be wound with tension and fit snugly together - such a scratching post will last longer.

You need to decide quickly, there is practically no time to think, because the scratching post will be needed from the first days of the "newcomer" stay at your home.

• If a cat or a cat, when it wants to sharpen its claws, almost always stands on its hind legs and scratches a vertical wall, then a post-scratching post or a wall-mounted scratching post-panel is suitable for such an animal. The height of the post should be appropriate for the size of the cat.
• There are cats that sharpen their claws while lying down. Floor flat panels are suitable for them.
• For cats who love to sharpen their claws in the corner, you need to buy a corner scratching post and place it in your favorite place. For the sake of the comfort of a furry pet, you may have to give him part of the living space, even if the overall appearance of the room will suffer a little from this.
• If the cat tears up interior items, then you need to purchase a flexible scratching post-mat and temporarily attach it to the furniture, and then, when the cat gets used to it, move the scratching post to a permanent convenient place on the wall or on the floor.

You need to know that once chosen scratching post will not serve the whole cat's life, even if it is a high quality model. If a pet came to your house as a kitten, then this fool does not need a whole game complex at all. A small jute column is enough to gradually accustom him to a scratching post and study his character, and when he grows up, buy a suitable model.

For an adult cat, a tall jute post of the appropriate size - also a great option, especially if it looks like a real tree. But if there are several adult cats and cats in the house, then it is better to stop at a sisal scratching post, which is more rigid and durable.

Jute scratching posts are inexpensive and available to almost everyone with a cat or cat. But such a cat accessory is easy to make with your own hands.

In the upper part, you can make a spreading imitation of wide leaves from colored textiles (flannel, bike) with a thick batting pad, where the cat can lie down if he wants.

The result will be a variant that resembles a tree (for example, a palm tree). The pet will like such a scratching post with aromas of natural materials much more than a colorful model from a pet store with the smell of varnish and impregnation.

How to choose a scratching post for your pet, see the video.