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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 Template:Convert 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>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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 trees." These may have a vertical tension rod that extends to the ceiling to provide extra stability.
Why cats scratchEdit
Cats have a natural urge to scratch.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As cats are predators it is a reflex for them to sharpen their claws. 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">Template:Cite journal</ref> Scratching is also a social outlet for cats that facilitates communication. Cats have scent glands in their paws, allowing them to leave their scents and pheromones on surfaces to mark territory.<ref name=":02" />
GalleryEdit
- Corrugated fiberboard scratch pad with cat.jpg
A corrugated fiberboard scratching pad
- WickerCatPole.jpg
A wickerwork cat pole
- MTP Cat Show 2230206.JPG
A variety of scratching posts for sale at a cat show
- 3 maciatka.png
An actual tree trunk used as a scratching post
- Cat tree with 2 cats.jpg
Cat tree with 2 cats