| The family cat likes to be just as comfortable as you | | | | two to four feet in length attached to the base. This |
| are. Consider one of the six most common comforts | | | | is a small design in which the cat can reach his or her |
| for your growing family feline pet. | | | | front paws up as far as possible and scratch around |
| The six top cat comforts for your cat are as follows: | | | | it. The cat can scratch around the base of this post |
| Padded Perch: If your cat cannot be outside, he or | | | | as well. |
| she would at least like to look out the window once | | | | Another scratching post model is the two-story one |
| in awhile, and have a cozy place to lie while doing so. | | | | with a place for the cat to take a nap on the second |
| This perch usually is filled on the inside with at least | | | | floor, and on the top of the unit. The outside of this |
| one inch thick layer of foam, and a carpeted or faux | | | | unit is usually carpeted just like a regular scratching |
| lamb's wool coating on the outside. This unit comes | | | | post would be, and the inside upper floor and top of |
| most often in two different sizes that adjust to | | | | unit is perfect for sleeping. This is a great climbing unit |
| most window ledges without use of tools. Besides | | | | for cats as well, and is a perfect model to have if |
| the cat wanting to rest here while looking out the | | | | you own two or more cats. |
| window, the cat may also want to take a short nap | | | | Another scratching post model would be the kind |
| here (thus the pun "catnap"). | | | | that would represent a small jungle gym for a toddler. |
| Another variation of the padded perch is the kind | | | | It has various places for the cat to scratch, climb, |
| that is mounted to the wall by the use of a | | | | and lie around, and nap. Usually it contains tunnels for |
| VelcroTM stick on. This type of padded perch is | | | | the cat to crawl through as well. This particular model |
| usually made in a similar way as the padded perch, | | | | comes in an extremely large number of sizes and |
| and hold up to 40 pounds of feline weight. This is | | | | models, so you are sure to find one that is right for |
| another place for your family feline to take a rest, or | | | | you. |
| catnap (pun intended, really). | | | | Another type of scratching post would be the |
| Plush Pet Bed: Just like you and your children, your | | | | homemade model. If you happen to be a crafty |
| cat would like a warm, comfortable place to sleep at | | | | person, you can make your own scratching post into |
| night or to take a nap. This is different from the | | | | one of the models explained above, or even more. |
| padded perch, because it is a place for your cat to | | | | Materials needed would be various sized barrels |
| sleep for longer periods of time. Usually these beds | | | | (cardboard or wood would be best), different sized |
| are made with soft, squishy sides and padded | | | | hollow tubes, wooden squares and rectangles (for |
| bottoms to provide the ultimate resting place for | | | | the bases), nail or staples, and either a hammer or a |
| your feline pet. Other variations of the plush bed | | | | nail (or staple) gun. Some further instruction can be |
| include a kind with a decorative wooden border, with | | | | found online, in a library, or from a friend or relative if |
| a soft mattress to lie upon. These beds sometimes | | | | needed. |
| resemble miniature day beds, or small corner beds | | | | Whether you buy an already made scratching post or |
| that will fit in small spaces. | | | | construct your own, your cat will love every minute |
| If you choose to pamper your feline pet by buying | | | | of it, and will probably be grateful you have not cut |
| that animal a bed, there are some things you should | | | | his or her claws off. |
| remember. For instance, you should make sure that | | | | Grooming Supplies: Grooming supplies can mean a |
| the size of the bed is not too big or too small. If the | | | | multitude of items, even nail clippers or shampoos. |
| bed ends up being too big, it would be very difficult | | | | However, the kind of grooming supplies and |
| for your cat to stay warm. If it is too small, the cat | | | | treatments that a cat would most likely enjoy would |
| could fall out of it, or not be able to stretch out fully. | | | | be when you comb his or her hair. Cats like to be |
| Make sure that you pay particular attention to the | | | | rubbed, especially behind the ears. Therefore, you |
| size of the bed when purchasing it, to ensure proper | | | | can use this concept to your advantage when trying |
| fit and comfort for your animal. | | | | to a routine tick or flea check. If you find a brush |
| Another thing to remember is to take thought to | | | | with bristle ends that are soothing to the skin, your |
| where in the house the bed will go. You would want | | | | cat would really the sensual feeling of you coming the |
| to make sure that the space that you have for your | | | | cat's coat of hair. It would be like a human giving |
| pet's bed will be the right size. This will be easier for | | | | another human a massage or a cosmologist washing |
| cats than for other animals, such as dogs, because in | | | | a customer's hair before trimming it. |
| most cases cats do not grow to be very large. | | | | Other supplies used can comfort a cat, but it |
| Therefore, space consideration is necessary, but is | | | | depends on whether that cat will mind being touched |
| not a huge problem. The biggest concern is to find a | | | | for a long period of time. That would include using |
| bed shaped in a way that will help your cat be | | | | shampoos that are as gentle as a baby's shampoo to |
| comfortable. | | | | wash the cat's hair. If your cat does not mind getting |
| Scratching Posts: A cat who has a scratching post will | | | | wet, the calming of hand washing the cat's fur can |
| feel as if he or she has gone to heaven. This is the | | | | be very relaxing to the cat. |
| best way to keep a cat's claws busy, so it does not | | | | One other grooming supply that can be used is a |
| scratch up your furniture. Furthermore, you do not | | | | self-grooming arched brush. This arched brush stands |
| have to worry about whether or not the process of | | | | upright on a base, and is big enough for the cat to |
| de-clawing an animal is humane or not, because in this | | | | crawl through, but small enough to remove all the |
| case it would not be necessary. The cat would have | | | | loose hair from your cat. Your cat will enjoy this, |
| a place to put his or her claws other than the two | | | | because most cats love to rub against objects |
| thousand dollar leather couch you own. | | | | around the house anyway. |
| One thing to know about scratching posts is that | | | | Remember these tips about grooming to pamper |
| numerous variations of them have been invented. | | | | your cat, because your cat does no more want to |
| One scratching post model is a simple pole, usually | | | | be spoiled than a child. |