500th Review: Have You Ever Seen a Cat Pole Dancing? (Trixie Sisal Cat Scratching Post)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Trixie Sisal Cat Scratching Post
Date:	04/02/09 (264 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Most cats love them

Disadvantages: Not the prettiest object!

Cat's love scratching things - it's a fact. The problem is, our furry friends aren't too picky about what items they choose to shred. This can result in tatty sofa's, curtains with holes, and the general destruction of any other object which looks like a decent method of claw-sharpening!

Actually, the sharpening and conditioning of claws may not be the sole purpose of scratching. Until an hour ago, I assumed it was - however, I've just read an interesting article which suggests that scratching serves a number of purposes including communication, and the maintenance of the tendons in the paws - with sharpening only being a secondary function. Anyway, whatever the reasons, it's important to provide your pet with a something decent to claw at, and that's where a Sisal scratching post comes into play.

Sisal isn't a make - it's the material which the post is made of - a stiff fibre traditionally used in making twine and rope. You can get posts covered in other materials, but they generally aren't as long lasting and can be more expensive.

A decent scratching post can be purchased for under £10 - in fact, the one that our cat owns (made by 'Trixie') cost only £6.63 from Amazon. If you don't fancy buying one online, there are a good selection in Pets at Home, and your local high street pet shop should stock them too.

Unless you have a huge cat, a traditional style sisal post like the Trixie version will be acceptable (shown in the picture) - most are constructed to a standardized height (roughly 40cms) and all generally look the same. They feature a circular base (around 30cms in diameter) which keeps the post stable when in use. This type of model generally features a piece of string with a ball attached coming from the top of the product - designed as a toy for the cat. To be honest, the cats I have known haven't been interested in the object which makes the post look like a mini game of swing-ball, and apart from a couple of isolated taps, have generally ignored it.

In my own personal experience, cats will either take to a scratching post like a duck to water, or never ever use them - insistent on finding any other piece of fabric in sight instead. The latter was certainly true with our first cat Spike - who couldn't be tempted to use a scratching post even though he was bribed with copious amounts of catnip powder rubbed into the base. Our current cat Saffron used her Trixie scratching post straight away - in fact, the moment it was placed on the floor, she was on it like a flash, instinctively knowing what to do even though she had never seen one before - I guess it's down to your cats individual personality.

The Trixie product is very solid, and the sisal cord is neatly wrapped around the whole of the item. Although the one we have is green, there is also a red one available - although i'm not sure if your cat will mind too much about the colour!

A standard size scratching post like this one is easy to move around as it only weighs roughly 1kg, and can be easily popped behind the sofa should you not want it sat in the middle of the room. In terms of its appearance, the post isn't really that ugly, but it's not an object of beauty either. It's for that reason that many people choose to house them in a cats feeding area rather than in a main living area. Wherever it's placed, a cat intent on using the post will happily continue to do so.

So why do some people not own scratching posts?
Well, In America, it is common practice to 'de-claw' cats in order to protect furniture. Although it sounds easy enough, many vets say it's actually a barbaric act - and it involves the amputation of each of the cat's toes at the first joint. It is incredibly painful for the poor animal - many of who have severe medical and psychological complications afterwards - thank goodness it's illegal in the UK.

In conclusion, the Trixie Sisal Scratching post is an excellent product to keep your feline friends happy and healthy - the problem is, not all cats may share that sentiment. If you've got a furry furniture shredder, you should try one of these... you probably have already - and hopefully it has done the trick. Highly recommended.

Summary: Old fashioned solution to furniture clawing