Why does your cat need a scratching post anyway? Cats like to scratch things.
Most people believe they are doing this to sharpen their claws.
According to the Animal Behavior Society, this is only a secondary reason.
Research on cat behavior suggests that the major reason for their scratching behavior is communication.
By roughing up the bark of a tree (or the leg of your favorite chair) the cat is letting other cats or people know where she is and what she is up to.
And they often return to scratch the same item or area again and again.
That's where a cat scratching post can save the day (and your favorite furniture).
You can train your cat to "communicate" via the post.
A scratching post can be made from a variety of materials but sisal posts are recommended as one of the most durable and attractive to your cat.
What is sisal? Sisal is an agave (a succulent plant) that yields a stiff fiber often used in making twine and rope.
The sisal rope is usually wrapped tightly around the scratching post and secured with nails or glue.
Why is sisal better? Sisal is the perfect choice for your cat because it is durable, natural, ecological (less damaging to the environment than many types of farming) and attractive to your cat.
Why is a cat attracted to sisal? When scratched, the sisal releases a scent that your cat will enjoy and want to return to again and again.
And, of course, that is the point of having a cat scratching post in the first place! Once you have one or more sisal posts, you will want to place them in strategic areas where your cat can use them.
If your cat has already started scratching anything in your home, that is a good place to position a post.
Another area is where they sleep so they can wake up by stretching and scratching on the post.