subject: Cat Condos Cat Gyms and Placing The Scratching Post [print this page] Cat Condos Cat Gyms and Placing The Scratching Post
Cat CondosSince cats enjoy a room with a view, cat condos combine scratching surfaces with comfy perching and hiding places. These, too, range from simple to lavish and from inexpensive to costly. Usually made with concrete building forms (the large, sturdy cardboard tubes used to set concrete), condos are covered with carpet and offer several cubby holes. Since cats have an instinctual desire to explore dark, den-like places, condos quickly become popular with the feline crowd.Make your own: Cat condos are a bit more complicated to build since they usually require cutting holes in, and gluing carpeting to, concrete building forms. However, it can be done if you have the time, patience and basic tools.Cat PlaygroundsCat playgrounds combine scratching surfaces with a stimulating variety of other elements, satisfying your cat's natural desire to scratch, climb, perch, play and hide. Hideouts, perches, dangling toys, cubbies, tunnels and other cat-pleasers are included in various combinations and designs. The sky and your budget is the limit with these pieces of cat furniture.Some of these cat playgrounds are beautifully sculptured and decorated to resemble things like trees, cabins, pagodas, pueblos and castles. Some offer places to conceal litter boxes. These multifunction units are attractive to cats and are often nice enough to display in your formal living room. However, don't buy one so beautiful and expensive that you won't want your cat scratching on it.Placing the PostLocation, location, location, just like in real estate, is vital to successful scratching post placement. Place the post near a sunny window or draft-free corner where your cat likes to spend time, or in front of a frequently scratched piece of furniture. If you put the post in an out-of-the-way place, the cat may shun it for the couch closer to her favorite human. If your cat still ignores the post, try moving it to another place. She may not like the location if, for example, another cat has staked a claim in the area. By moving the post, or getting several, you give her options.Make the problem areas less attractive by putting double-sided tape on the scratched areas and aluminum foil on the floor below the scratched area. Some cats dislike the feeling and sound of foil and most cats hate things that stick to their fur. Double-sided sticky tape used in carpet installation works well; check with your local hardware store. Make sure the tape won't harm your cat or furniture. You can also try taping inflated balloons to the problem areas. When your cat pops one with her claws, she will avoid scratching there again. However, only try this when you're home, so you can pick up the balloon pieces before your cat tries to eat them.Also available are training devices that keep pets off forbidden areas by making annoying sounds. They are available at pet supply stores, catalogs and websites. Buy one guaranteed safe for cats.If your cat still ignores the post and continues scratching in inappropriate places, try rubbing the post with catnip or her favorite treat to make it more appealing. Scent the post with your own odor by draping it with well worn, unwashed t-shirts. Your scent will make the post seem familiar. Put her on the post and show her what to do by gently moving her paws on the post. When she uses the post correctly, praise her and give her a treat. She'll get the idea.
