What features make an ideal scratching post for our cat?

Answers:
It depends on the cat. Some prefer vertical scratching post to horizontal. The material that it is made out of matters to.

The three cats that I currently have right now like the homemade cat condo with carpeting on it. We also have the disposable cardboard scratching pad covered in catnip.

To train the cat to use the scratching post rub the scratching post with catnip, cat treat crumbs, or cat food crumbs to attract them. Praise them when you see them using it. Also don't rub moist food the post because it may cause bacteria growth.

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Scratching posts can be found at pet stores and sometimes vets. they are usually just bits of wood covered in carpet that stand up by them selves. If you don't want to buy one, cover a sturdy object like a pole in carpet.

%26lt;3 Maggot!!

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Anything that they can sink their claws into works well. If you can try to position it around the area where they sleep. Cats tend to scratch more around their beds then anywhere else.

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Most commercial scratch posts have carpet fastened to a post. I have found that cats prefer the underside of the carpet, the jute backing . Much better to dig their claws into. More like the arm of your couch, which they really like.

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Apparently the chair in our living room does a great job..

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It largely depends on the cat. I have 12 cats, and some of them prefer to scratch the bare logs we have outside in their enclosure. We made them a huge tower, with the platforms covered in carpet, which some love to use as a scratch post. The uprights on which the platforms rest are covered with jute rope, and some of them use this most. We also have two of those disposable cardboard ones in the house, one flat and one upright. These two have hardly been used at all, and just sit there like useless ornaments! We use an inexpensive carpet tile to cover the platforms, because these some of them rip to shreds, and they have to be changed every now and again.

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In order to make the right decision over what type scratching post or matt will be right for your cat, you will first have to observe certain things:
1. What kind of of objects does your cat like to scrach? Are these vertical objects (wall, door frame, etc); stand-alone objects (chairs; other furnitures); horizontal objects (floor carpet, rugs, matts, table tops, wooden planks laid flat)? If your cat likes to stretch and claw against a vertical object like a door, get him a scrathing pad you can ahng against a vertical surface. If he likes to scratch stand-alone objects, get him a scratching post. If on the other hand he likes to scratch horizonat surfaces, get him a scratching matt.
2. What kind of MATERIAL does your cat favor to sharpen his claws? Carpet? Cardboard? Wood? Sissal rope? Many cats enjoy shagg-pile carpets. Others like wood (like one of my cats). Others are crazy about cardboard (like my other cat).
3. Where does the cat scratch and sharpen his claws? Whe you do decide on the type of scratcher, position it as near as possible to his favorite scratching areas. Show it to him and demonstrate what it is for by scratching the thing yourself a few times.
4. If your cat like catnip. rub a little on the new scratching post, matt or hanger to make it even more attractive.

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We make our own scratching posts using a 4 x 4 piece of lumber at least 3' long. We use a round, plywood base as wide as the post is tall and attach it using bolts. (Round does not tip over as easily as square.) Add extra wood to the outside edges so the base will sit level and the base won't be resting on the bolts. Cover the post and base with carpeting, using staples to attach it. You will need to get a heavy-duty stapler to do this and may need to use nails to fasten the heavier places. The carpeting used can be old carpeting, no longer suitable for the house or leftovers called remnants, which are generally pretty cheap. Rub the post with catnip to attract the cats. A post of this size offers both horizontal and vertical places to scratch. You can also buy jute to attach to the vertical spaces, but that is more expensive.

The post should be this height so the adult cat can stretch out, which is the normal position for scratching. You can also use carpeting to match or coordinate with what's in your house if you're into decorating. When the carpeting starts to get "stringy" you can remove it and put new carpeting on. This kind of scratching post can last almost forever.

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Generally a rough surface.

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An object it can sink it's claws into without it falling over on the cat. Most cat scratching posts I have gotten tip on my cats so they would use them once, tip it over, flounce off in disgust. Finally I tied a post to the kitchen table so they could really dig in. when the rug got tattered I bought some sisal rope and wrapped that area. My cats loved it more than ever. I recently I found out they love the corrugated cardboard ones just laid flat on the floor as well.