Why Do Big Cats Need Trees to Scratch On? 

If you are wondering why cats scratch their claws often, then you are not alone. As a new cat mum, I recently found my kitten scratching her nails around the house, and didn’t know what was up. She was eating fine, and wasn’t showing any signs of dental discomfort. It got me a bit worried, and I did a little research on what could likely be the issue. It turns out that she was only sharpening her nails and marking around the territory. 

It is an urge they have to satisfy, and you have to make adequate provision for them. There are a few things you want to take into consideration when setting up your home for a pet. And for cats, you may want to think about including a playpen. It doesn’t cost much to set up a play area for your pet, and it all depends on what you want. But a few toys and space to roam about could help keep them engaged. 

Setting Up a Play Area 

Pets need their own space, and as you already know, cats enjoy their privacy. As a caring pet mum or dad, you need to provide a section of the house for your pets to roam freely. If left unhindered, cats will climb on anything. From kitchen furniture to bathroom sinks, there is nothing much you can do. You will have to come up with a creative way to make the place appealing to your feline friend. You can still learn a thing or two from the link below. 

https://www.petful.com/behaviors/indoor-cat-play-area/

If you own more than one cat, then this means that you want to include several play items. So you can keep them from fighting each other over play toys. You may want to ignore this while they are still kittens, but as soon as they grow taller, you need to include some climbing options for them around the house. 

What to Include 

You don’t need to purchase any fancy furnishing for your cat’s play area. There are some DIY techniques you can apply by using readily available materials such as chicken wire and scrap wood. Whatever option you choose to go with, you will have to get creative in setting up the stage. The first thing you want to include is a climbing solution, to keep them from climbing on the curtains, and ceilings. The trick is to add shelves and perches for your cats to climb on. It is an excellent idea if you own a small space and need to conserve floor area. 

If you are creative, you can include stairways, skywalks, or even a cat tunnel for your cats to play in. Of course, this will be advisable if you’ve got room to work with your apartment. You want to include toys also for them to play with — anything from plastic balls, fabric charmers, stuffed toys, and even remote-controlled toy mice. So long as it helps your cat in destressing, it is a welcome inclusion. 

Why you Should Include a Cat Tree

Also known as a scratching post, a cat tree is the most straightforward piece of furnishing you can include indoors to take care of your cat’s scratching and climbing needs. You don’t need to go shopping for a fancy tree, a long pole wrapped in sisal will keep them from scratching on your other furniture. 

A scratching option 

A tree or post provides your cat with something to scratch on. And if you do well to introduce this during the early stage of their life, they would avoid nibbling around your priced home furnishings. 

A climbing option 

Cats love to climb, and providing a few cat trees indoors can solve the problem of them going up in places where they ought not to. Your cat will likely find a way out of the house if it is the only way it can fulfill the urge to climb. So if you want them to remain around the house and not go missing for days, you should provide a suitable climbing option for them. 

Keep their nails clean 

A scratching post or tree will help your cat in their grooming. You can find them licking their fingers and sharpening them against wall and floor surfaces, and this will not stop unless you provide an alternative. It is fun for them to scratch, and you have to make it every bit interesting for them. 

Final Note 

So now you know why it is essential to include a cat tree in your home. You could choose to shop for cat furniture or decide to get creative and make one yourself. You don’t need to bother much about the design, as long as it can serve the purpose of climbing and scratching. The available space, however, is something you have to work with when setting up your cat’s play area.