In the house, your cat’s territory inevitably interferes with your living space. You love your sweet feline but the cohabitation can easily evolve into mutual incomprehension if the furniture and walls become an issue for each of you! Of course, loving cats means accepting a few scratches here and there, but your home can’t become his exclusive playground and your things his toys.
So, the scratching post allows him to scratch without damaging your home and the cat tree dedicates a space to him. These products both meet their needs but it is difficult to choose one over the other. We offer you a little professional insight for a wise choice and the comfort of your pet.
The advantages of the scratching post
Living indoors prevents the natural wear and tear of claws. With claws that are too long, the risk of injury lurks at every step. The scratching post also allows you to sharpen your cat’s claws: it responds to its predatory instincts. Also, in your home as well as in the wild, marking the territory often involves the use of claws, especially if you have several cats.
The scratching post simplifies the cat’s education: even the smallest cat quickly understands the use of this accessory on which you place it as soon as it takes out its claws.
There are different types of cat scratching posts: in the form of a mat, they are particularly suitable for kittens. But, very quickly, they appreciate the post that invites to games of skill, standing on their hind legs. Some models are fixed to the wall for optimal stability and an easy to communicate message. Most of them are made of sisal, which resists repeated blows and offers an ideal support to release any tension.
The cat scratching post really limits the damage done to wooden furniture, upholstered or painted walls and upholstery.
The benefits of a cat tree
The cat tree creates a private space for your pet. He quickly adopts this stable structure with its soft platforms.
This accessory includes all the activities of a cat’s life. It can sleep peacefully, perch, hide, but not only: the discovery of this environment stimulates the irresistible desire to climb, to jump from one landing to another, to play agility to catch the suspended accessory, to show courage to reach the coveted hammock or cross the tunnel, finally to adapt to each situation to land on its feet. Indoors, your cat needs this stimulating physical activity.
Whatever the configuration of the tree, it is designed to meet the specific needs of the cat. In good health, it maintains its healthy weight and its legendary flexibility throughout its life. This living space, “just for him”, reassures your pet because he does not have to give up his first instincts. He can even dig his claws in to stretch when he wakes up from his nap, without worrying you: different parts are provided for this purpose.
Criteria for your choice
If your home is home to several cats or if your cat has multiple scratching posts, you’ll probably need more scratching posts to avoid conflict. But your passion for cats doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your decorative desires: a post takes up little space and can be discreet in a corner of the house.
The cat tree, on the other hand, offers a complete corner in a small space. The number of levels depends on your cat’s agility and taste for adventure. Your cat’s age will also influence your choice of play area complexity.
Both cat accessories provide constructive cues for your pet. The house becomes a soothing environment with a few boundaries to respect. They also satisfy your pet’s natural needs, creating a lasting relationship of trust. The choice between a scratching post and a cat tree depends on your pet’s lifestyle, knowing that these two products can be perfectly complementary. The tree combines different activities in a single space while the cat scratching post completes an existing environment.
