Product Review - The Ultimate Scratching Post
This Christmas, I decided to give my Birman cat, Leanne, a functional gift -The Ultimate Scratching Post by SmartCat.
Like me, you may have seen this scratching post advertised on numerous sites, from Drs.
Foster and Smith to Amazon, and thought it looks like a sturdy scratch post for cats.
I'm a big believer in having a few places in my home for my cat to scratch to keep her from using my sofa or other home furnishings to sharpen her nails.
I also know a well-made scratching post provides the perfect place for Leanne to do her stretching exercise routine.
I understand my cat needs to exercise to be healthy.
And, I had the perfect spot in my living room in front of a nice window to add a cat scratching post of this size.
I also like the post's neutral and natural colors - it fits into my environment.
So, I got on Amazon.
com and placed my order.
I was happy when I received the order in a few days and it arrived in good condition.
My main concern was I didn't want to have to do much assembly - I'm not particularly good with the tools! So, when I saw it was very well constructed and I only had to use 4 screws to secure the base and the top of the post, I was relieved.
I was also pleased to see the post was well made and sturdy.
When looking for a great scratching post for your cat, you want to consider several factors: How to Choose a Cat Scratching Post Post Height: It's important your post is tall enough to allow your cat to get a good enough stretch to adequately exercise and tone her muscles.
Also, an adequate height allows your feline to leave the territorial markings so important to cats.
The Ultimate Scratching Post is 32" high and allows plenty of height for even a large cat to get a nice stretch.
A Strong Base: The post must have a sturdy base so it doesn't flip over when your cat gets going with a good stretch and scratch.
If the post is wobbly, your cat will be afraid to use it, defeating its purpose.
The Ultimate Scratching Post has a 16" x16" base and does not fall over when Leanne scratches.
Durable Sisal Fiber or other desirable scratching surfaces: Sisal fiber is often recommended as an excellent scratching surface for cats because your cat's nails won't be as likely to get caught in the sisal fiber - cat's claws can easily get caught in carpert fiber, and ythis can be frustrating to cats and discourage the use of carpeted scratching posts.
The Ultimate Scratching Post is made with a sisal scratching surface that naturally inspires cat scratching.
What did my cat, Leanne think of her Ultimate Scratching Post? After placing the assembled scratching post by a nice bay window in my living room next to my sofa by her sisal floor pad and toy basket, I sprinkled a bit of catnip on the sisal post and took her over to it, placing her paws on the post to show her what is was.
Leanne loved the catnip and walked away.
For a few days, she ignored her post, even though I would occasionally put a bit of tempting catnip on the sisal - she loved the catnip but didn't scratch.
I did see her scratch her other posts on my back enclosed porch where two carpeted posts sit on a table top allowing her to sit on top and look outside.
At that point, I considered whether or not to return the beautiful, quality Ultimate Scratching Post because it seemed obvious Leanne preferred her lesser quality posts purchased years ago at Wal-Mart.
I didn't spend my money on this new scratching post just to have it sit in my living room ignored by my cat.
I was considering the hassle of packing up the post and sending it back to Amazon, when upon entering the living room, I saw her scratching up a storm on her new post.
Since then, she's been enjoying her Christmas gift immensely! Lesson Learned about Introducing a new Scratching Post It often takes time for cats to embrace any kind of change, and adding new toys, food, and furnishings represents change.
So, after sprinkling catnip on your new post and showing your cat what you want her to do, let it go for a while and let her make friends with the new scratching post in her own time.
One thing all cat owners know is cats are very opinionated and independent - they like to think everything they do is their idea!
Like me, you may have seen this scratching post advertised on numerous sites, from Drs.
Foster and Smith to Amazon, and thought it looks like a sturdy scratch post for cats.
I'm a big believer in having a few places in my home for my cat to scratch to keep her from using my sofa or other home furnishings to sharpen her nails.
I also know a well-made scratching post provides the perfect place for Leanne to do her stretching exercise routine.
I understand my cat needs to exercise to be healthy.
And, I had the perfect spot in my living room in front of a nice window to add a cat scratching post of this size.
I also like the post's neutral and natural colors - it fits into my environment.
So, I got on Amazon.
com and placed my order.
I was happy when I received the order in a few days and it arrived in good condition.
My main concern was I didn't want to have to do much assembly - I'm not particularly good with the tools! So, when I saw it was very well constructed and I only had to use 4 screws to secure the base and the top of the post, I was relieved.
I was also pleased to see the post was well made and sturdy.
When looking for a great scratching post for your cat, you want to consider several factors: How to Choose a Cat Scratching Post Post Height: It's important your post is tall enough to allow your cat to get a good enough stretch to adequately exercise and tone her muscles.
Also, an adequate height allows your feline to leave the territorial markings so important to cats.
The Ultimate Scratching Post is 32" high and allows plenty of height for even a large cat to get a nice stretch.
A Strong Base: The post must have a sturdy base so it doesn't flip over when your cat gets going with a good stretch and scratch.
If the post is wobbly, your cat will be afraid to use it, defeating its purpose.
The Ultimate Scratching Post has a 16" x16" base and does not fall over when Leanne scratches.
Durable Sisal Fiber or other desirable scratching surfaces: Sisal fiber is often recommended as an excellent scratching surface for cats because your cat's nails won't be as likely to get caught in the sisal fiber - cat's claws can easily get caught in carpert fiber, and ythis can be frustrating to cats and discourage the use of carpeted scratching posts.
The Ultimate Scratching Post is made with a sisal scratching surface that naturally inspires cat scratching.
What did my cat, Leanne think of her Ultimate Scratching Post? After placing the assembled scratching post by a nice bay window in my living room next to my sofa by her sisal floor pad and toy basket, I sprinkled a bit of catnip on the sisal post and took her over to it, placing her paws on the post to show her what is was.
Leanne loved the catnip and walked away.
For a few days, she ignored her post, even though I would occasionally put a bit of tempting catnip on the sisal - she loved the catnip but didn't scratch.
I did see her scratch her other posts on my back enclosed porch where two carpeted posts sit on a table top allowing her to sit on top and look outside.
At that point, I considered whether or not to return the beautiful, quality Ultimate Scratching Post because it seemed obvious Leanne preferred her lesser quality posts purchased years ago at Wal-Mart.
I didn't spend my money on this new scratching post just to have it sit in my living room ignored by my cat.
I was considering the hassle of packing up the post and sending it back to Amazon, when upon entering the living room, I saw her scratching up a storm on her new post.
Since then, she's been enjoying her Christmas gift immensely! Lesson Learned about Introducing a new Scratching Post It often takes time for cats to embrace any kind of change, and adding new toys, food, and furnishings represents change.
So, after sprinkling catnip on your new post and showing your cat what you want her to do, let it go for a while and let her make friends with the new scratching post in her own time.
One thing all cat owners know is cats are very opinionated and independent - they like to think everything they do is their idea!
