Editing Scratching post

{{Short description|Object for cats to relieve skin irritation}}
{{for|the band|Scratching Post (band)}}
[[File:Homemade scratching post.jpg|thumb|Homemade scratching post]]

A '''scratching post''' is a wooden post covered in rough material that [[cat]] owners provide so their pets have an acceptable place to scratch. The most common type consists of a wooden post, roughly {{convert|60|–|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall, covered in rough fabric or [[sisal]]. The post is mounted vertically in a wide base, which allows the cat to stretch upward on its rear legs and scratch freely without tipping it over. A post that is unstable or does not allow a cat to fully extend its body might put off the cat from using it. Surfaces vary: the post may be covered in sisal rope, upholstery fabric, the [[jute]] backing of a piece of carpet, or sections of corrugated cardboard. Many pet owners say they have to experiment with different surfaces to find one that their cats will scratch reliably. Matt Wildman, a cat behaviorist, explained that sisal or corrugated cardboard surfaces are favored by most cats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to stop destructive cat scratching {{!}} The Humane Society of the United States |url=https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-cats-destructive-scratching |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=www.humanesociety.org |language=en}}</ref> Other kinds of scratching posts are more elaborate, with several levels of horizontal platforms for climbing and cozy cave-like areas where cats may hide. Very tall ones are often called "[[cat tree]]s."  These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.

== Why cats scratch ==
Cats have a natural urge to scratch.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=What To Do If Your Cat Scratches |url=https://topcatbreeds.com/what-to-do-if-your-cat-scratches/}}</ref> As cats are predators it is a reflex for them to sharpen their [[claw]]s. Other functional reasons they do it include removing the outer sheath of the nail, exercising the muscles of the paws, and stretching.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last=DePorter |first=Theresa L |last2=Elzerman |first2=Ashley L |date=2019 |title=Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X19831205 |journal=Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery |language=en |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=235–243 |doi=10.1177/1098612X19831205 |issn=1098-612X|pmc=11373750 }}</ref> Scratching is also a social outlet for cats that facilitates communication. Cats have scent glands in their [[paw]]s, allowing them to leave their scents and pheromones on surfaces to [[Territorial marking|mark territory]].<ref name=":02" />

==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed heights= 200px>
Image:Corrugated fiberboard scratch pad with cat.jpg|A corrugated fiberboard scratching pad
Image:WickerCatPole.jpg|A wickerwork cat pole
Image:MTP Cat Show 2230206.JPG|A variety of scratching posts for sale at a cat show
Image:3 maciatka.png|An actual tree trunk used as a scratching post
File:Cat tree with 2 cats.jpg|Cat tree with 2 cats
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Cat tree]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Cats as pets]]
[[Category:Cat equipment]]