Get ready to transform your cat care routine with this simple yet essential product, the cardboard cat scratcher!
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of cardboard cat scratchers, how to choose the best one, and tips for getting your cats to love scratchers (instead of your furniture!).
Understanding Your Cats' Scratching Needs
Scratching is a natural, instinctual behavior for cats. It helps them:
- Stretch and exercise
- Remove the dead outer layer of nail
- Mark their territory (both visually and with scent)
- Release anxiety and energy
Learn more about why cats scratch here.
Without proper, cat-friendly outlets for scratching, cats may turn to your furniture, carpets, or curtains to satisfy their needs. By providing dedicated scratching pads, you can save your home and boost your cats' physical and mental well-being.
Benefits of Cardboard Cat Scratchers
Cardboard cat scratchers have many advantages over sisal, wood, and carpet cat scratchers.
Natural and Safe Material
One of the primary advantages of cardboard cat scratchers is their safe, natural material derived from trees. Other scratchers may have synthetic materials such as carpet or manufactured sisal.
Cardboard is simply made from paper. It is non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals. This is especially important for cat owners who prioritize the health and safety of their pets.
Engaging for Cats
Cardboard cat scratchers mimic tree-like texture that cats naturally enjoy shredding. The resistance and sound of tearing cardboard provide a satisfying experience for cats! This engagement helps reduce boredom, mentally stimulates, and provides exercise for cats.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choice
Choosing cardboard cat scratchers is also an environmentally friendly decision. Many cardboard cat scratchers are made from recycled corrugate, which reduces waste and promotes sustainability. Opting for cardboard contributes to a greener planet while providing your cats with a safe and enjoyable product.
Personal Experience: When I adopted my first two cats, Penny and Bella, I offered them different types of scratchers to see what they liked best. After trying various options, I found they both preferred the texture of cardboard cat scratchers. Knowing cardboard scratchers were made from natural materials also gave me peace of mind.
Health Benefits of Cardboard Cat Scratchers
Physical Health
Scratching is essential for maintaining healthy claws. It helps remove the dead, outer layer of nails, preventing them from becoming overgrown and potentially painful. Regular scratching also provides physical exercise, promoting muscle tone and flexibility.
Mental Health
Scratching serves as a natural stress reliever for cats. It helps them release pent-up energy and reduces anxiety. Providing a proper scratching outlet can prevent destructive behaviors, such as clawing at furniture, which often results from stress or boredom.
Tips For Choosing the Best Cardboard Cat Scratchers
Made in the USA
When selecting a cardboard cat scratcher, it's important to consider where it is made. Products made in the USA must adhere to strict safety and quality standards. By choosing made in the USA cat scratchers, you support local businesses and ensure your cats get a product that meets high manufacturing standards – win-win!.
Durable and Long-Lasting
Not all scratchers are created equal. Some are very flimsy. However, this cardboard cat scratcher by Americat Company is amazingly durable and can last for years. They are designed with multiple layers of thick cardboard to withstand repeated use, even from the roughest scratchers! Selecting a well-made product ensures it will last longer, saving you money over time, and providing ongoing benefits for your cats.
Design
Cardboard cat scratchers come in various designs.
Rectangular scratchers are the most traditional. Some scratchers are designed to fit into corners. And there are even scratchers in unique shapes, like hearts and cats, that add a pop of fun to any room. Here are some different cardboard cat scratcher shapes.
Personal Experience: After struggling to find made in the USA, cardboard cat scratchers for my beloved cats Penny and Bella, I leveraged my experience in business and consumer products to create Americat Company. These cat scratchers are made in the USA from U.S. materials. They are made from heavy-duty cardboard and non-toxic adhesive, which is FDA-approved for food contact. They are extremely durable! Many customers have shared that their cats have been using the same scratcher for years.
How To Introduce a Cardboard Cat Scratcher To Your Cats
If done correctly, introducing a new cardboard cat scratcher to kitties should be a smooth process. Cats can be creatures of habit and can sometimes be scared by new objects, so a gentle, strategic approach is key. Here are some steps to help your cats embrace their new scratchers.
Choose the Right Location
The placement of the cardboard cat scratcher is crucial for successful adoption. Cats often scratch to mark their territory, so placing the scratcher in a prominent location is essential.
- High-Traffic Areas: Position the scratcher in areas where your cats spend a lot of time, such as the living room or near their favorite resting spots.
- Near Furniture: If your cats habitually scratch certain furniture pieces, place the scratcher next to those areas.
Attract cats
Cats are naturally curious, but extra encouragement can make the cardboard cat scratcher more appealing.
- Use Catnip: Sprinkle catnip on and around the scratcher to attract your cats.
- Add Toys: Place a favorite toy near the scratcher to encourage playful interaction.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Encouraging your cats with positive reinforcement can help them form good habits and associate the scratcher with positive experiences.
- Treats and Rewards: When you see your cats using the scratcher, reward them with their favorite treats to reinforce their behavior.
- Praise and Attention: When your cats use the scratcher, give them extra attention and praise ny saying their name. Your approval can be a powerful motivator.
Introduce Gradually
If your cats are hesitant about the new cardboard cat scratcher, a gradual introduction can help them adjust.
- Start Slowly: Allow your cats to explore the scratcher at their own pace. Don’t force them to use it right away.
- Demonstrate Usage: Gently guide their paws on the scratcher to show them how it’s used. Sometimes, seeing and feeling the motion can encourage them to try it themselves.
Personal Experience: Bella was a very active cat! I was frustrated that she'd frequently scratch an armchair, eventually making it an eyesore. As I learned more about cats, I realized Bella simply did not have enough scratchers. Although there was a scratcher in the bedroom, there was not a scratcher in the main room where she liked to hang out. After I placed scratchers near the furniture in the family room, she used her cardboard cat scratchers right away and stopped scratching furniture.
The Essential Role of Cardboard Cat Scratchers
Cardboard cat scratchers are a must-have for every home with cats! Scratchers cater to your cats' natural behaviors, promote physical and mental health, and offer a safe, durable, eco-friendly option for scratching. Choosing high-quality, American-made cardboard cat scratchers ensures your cats are happy, healthy, and engaged.
Cardboard cat scratchers help your cats and protect your furniture. Give your kitties a scratching surface they can call their own!
To provide the best for your beloved cats, explore the selection of high-quality, cardboard cat scratchers by Americat Company here. All products are made in the USA from U.S. materials, ensuring safety and durability for your kitties.
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
