Reddit mentions: The best cat scratching posts

Your questions aren't silly! It's great that you're thinking about how you can make you both comfortable before you dive into a new situation. Always set yourself up for success! :)

> do I buy a litter box/food/scratch-post before I plan to bring a cat home?

That's generally a good idea, yes. Means less stress for both of you as you're scrambling to get everything ready for him. You might ask the shelter what food the cat has been eating, as cats can get an upset tummy when switching brands/types. Not a big deal, but he will have poops that are a bit stinkier/liquidier than normal poops. That should alleviate within the week. You can lessen the tummy troubles by doing a more gradual change, mixing the food he is currently on with the food he will be on more and more, until he is eating what you want him on. But you can honestly just do the change, too, and just deal with the sadpoops for a little while.

I suggest a couple of different scratching posts, if you have the space! Cats like having options, like a horizontal post and a vertical one. Cats also like being high up, so if you can swing a tall post with platforms, he will probably like that.

Get two litter boxes! A lot of people don't realize it, but the rule of thumb for number of litters you should have is NumberOfCats + 1. So, 1 cat + 1 = 2 boxes. Clean them often. Cats are very clean creatures (especially compared to dogs) and are MUCH more likely to have accidents when they feel they do not have a better option than peeing in your bed. That's not their fault. You wouldn't want to step on your own pee/poop either! If you have problems with litter getting kicked out of the box, a litter mat can be helpful.

> Do I need to buy a carrier for the cat?

Yep. You'll eventually need to take him to a vet in all likelihood, and a carrier will make that so much easier, as most cats despise the car. I recommend a hard carrier. The softer ones seem nicer in general, but the hard carriers are easier to clean out, and you never know how a cat will be in the car until... well. They're in it. One of our cats poops and pees every. single. time. So he always gets the hard carrier.

> Should I contact a vet before I get the cat?

The shelter might require you to have a vet already, so I'd probably at least pick one out from google search. They might require you to go get a checkup, but probably not. That's more of a rescue thing, I think. Most shelters have their own in-house vet, so it's not really necessary. Don't be afraid to contact the shelter if he seems to be coughing and wheezing. Upper respiratory infections are very common in shelter environments due to the crowded nature of them, but they are also very treatable, and the shelter will be able to give you medication for him.

> How do I train a cat?

Someone mentioned Jackson Galaxy, who I generally agree is pretty good for training if you have some problems. But most of the time, cats are pretty out-of-the-box ready pets. That is to say, if you have an environment that is good for cats (where you let them have some space, where you don't make a huge amount of loud noise, where they aren't prodded and poked at constantly), they generally don't need training. We've fostered tiny kittens that automatically knew how to use the litter box. We also have boy cats who were not fixed until well into adulthood and have never had problems spraying.
It's instinct to go in the box, especially once they're fixed and don't need to mark territory really.

> For those of you who own a cat/cats, any advice for this first-timer?

Give both of you time to get to know each other. Don't force it. He will come to you, given time and space, and you'll be able to cultivate a better relationship built on trust and mutual respect if he knows that you won't force him to do things that he doesn't want to do (especially at first--think about it like building a friendship with a person; you would trust your friends to do things that you would never trust a stranger to do, and it's the same for him).

Cooing and gentle words are generally pretty good for coaxing, as is letting him smell your hand/something that smells like you before you approach for pets. Think about it like introducing yourself. You wouldn't go up to someone you didn't know well and just touch them without at least saying hi.

Every cat I have ever known, male or female, fixed or not, will pee in a pile of anything if it is left long enough. They see it as 'trash,' and I think it just registers as litter. So, if you are the type to leave clothes on the floor... I would try to stop that.

Keep nails trimmed. Scratching posts are for sharpening nails, which is an instinct that they have to fulfill, and you're giving them an outlet for. Some people think it's for 'filing' the nails down, but it's not. It's for keeping them sharp enough to get prey. You'll have to trim them.

And this is just my own personal opinion, but... young--but not kitten--boy cats are best for first timers. I have one girl, and I absolutely adore her, but she is very high maintenance/prissy/touchy, whereas my three boys are all pretty chill. Each cat is different though, so obviously your mileage may vary! It's just something I've noticed in general in my time of owning and fostering cats, that boys are more laid back/forgiving than girls (and thus I think a little easier for a first timer). Young adults are also great for first timers because you have less accidents (though that's generally not a big concern anyway) and they're more able to be on their own for longer periods of time. Older adults/seniors are great too if you want a really, really chill, more stand-offish cat, or if you want a cat that you'll have for <10 years, but if you want a little more energy and time, a cat that's about 1-2 years old is a GREAT way to go.

Some toys that are great for cats include the classic laser pointer, the feather toy, catnip toys, and crinkle balls.

Cats prefer to drink away from where they eat, so place his food bowl and his water bowl apart from one another! Some cats also prefer running water to still water, so if you notice your cat likes drinking out of the faucet (or if you just want to spoil your cat like I spoil mine...) you can get a water fountain for him!

Finally, if it's not working out for some reason, like your personalities just don't mesh well... take him back. I know it sounds hard, but it's best for him if he is in an environment where he is understood and his needs are met. There's no sense in forcing both of you to be miserable. Some shelters let you do a foster-to-adopt sort of thing, where you sort of try each other out for a bit. I like this option, because you hope for the best, but it feels a little bit easier to tap out if you need to. Either way, there's no shame in tapping out. Sometimes things just don't work the way you thought they would.

Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to be as thorough as I could. My parents recently got their first cat, and it's been... an ordeal for them, getting used to it.
It's great that you have some experience with cats though, so I think you'll be fine! Seriously, cats are sort of the next level up from a goldfish as far as easiness. Should be fine.

I hope you and your new furbaby are super, super happy together! :)

Oh! Oh! If you can't tell by my username, I can help here!

First of all, based on the $85 fee I'm assuming you're adopting adult cats? Thank you so much! Adult cats take forever to find their furever homes. If they're kittens THANK YOU for adopting them in pairs! It's more important than most people think! But no matter what, the one time fee means that you're choosing to adopt instead of supporting a breeder. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this! I foster kittens that are constantly coming and going, so I've gotten a pretty good list of cheap things that work well. Sorry in advance for the wall of text. If you need ANY help at all when it comes to anything cat related, please ask!

• Food - Make sure you give them whatever the shelter gives them even if you plan on transitioning. It's important that you do it slowly. Here is a good article about how to do it. I highly recommend not going cheap here. If you spend money on one thing, a good diet is where to spend it on! I recommend grain free and/or limited ingredient diets, but I'm not a vet so I'd talk to yours about specifics.
  
  • Food bowl: You wouldn't think a little bowl would be so damn expensive, but it is. I have a dozen or so of these bowls for the kittens since I use many at a time, but I'd recommend starting out with 4 and see how you do there. Basically have 4 bowls (two to give to each cat for food, and an extra 2 for when the dirty bowls are in the wash). Almost any bowl will work, including the ones you have, but if you were thinking of buying one of those $73.12 bowls because you think your cat needs it and it has a silicone bottom, don't. They're a huge waste of money.
    
• Litter/box: Skip all the weird stuff/scents to put in your litter box to get rid of the smell. Just get unscented litter and baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda on the bottom of the box, fill half your litter, sprinkle some more, fill the rest of your litter. You will also want 2 litter boxes at a minimum. The general rule of thumb is a box per cat + an extra one. As for litter box, I love this one, and here looks like a cheaper and similar version. As for litter, I HIGHLY recommend clumping because non clumping is a nightmare (we need to use it for very small kittens since they can ingest the clumping and it can hurt them). I use petco's bulk litter and love it. If you have one near you, you can pick up a big bin and refill it as needed for a lower price. Here is the big bag of it, but I think a refill on a 30lb thing is 10 dollars?
  
• Scratcher: Cats need to scratch, and they'll do it if you provide them with a scratcher or if you provide them with your own furniture. I would recommend at least one of these for each cat, plus maybe a couple extra depending on how big your home is. I have these everywhere because of of my kitties loves using them as beds. Soft fluffy stuff? Not a chance. Hard cardboard? Now we're talking! He's weird, and one of your beauties may be too. This is the best value one I could find, but really any of them would work. I also like this one because it's bed shaped-ish so they can also lay in it.
  
• Vet care: Every year you'll need to get vaccines and preferably a checkup for each one of your cats. I know petco recently started doing a clinic day where they JUST the vaccines for something like 40 bucks or something, but that doesn't come with a checkup which I would recommend. I would ask your shelter about low cost vet clinics in your area, I'm sure they would know! I can't find a link where you can put in your zip code and get a list or I would link it :(
  
• Toys: This is probably the easiest category to overspend in so don't. There's a lot of fancy looking toys that are great, but your cat gets bored of them quickly and even the best ones will get destroyed. I highly recommend buying a few kinds of cheap toys and seeing what your cat likes. Then regularly replacing them so it's new and shiny! For toys that'll fit in a bag, I like to have a catnip bag that I put some catnip in with the toys. Every so often I'll take toys out of the bag and the cats lose their minds. If after they get bored they're still in good condition - back in the bag they go!
  
  • Sparkle balls: These become choking hazards really quick, but cats LOVE THEM. I just bought these and they seem to be holding up well. Just like the food, I wouldn't recommend going cheap on them. The good news though is that even the good ones are still pretty cheap! Your local pet store will usually have good quality ones of these as well. Just don't get those "100 sparkle balls for 2 dollars!" off amazon.
    
  • Multipack: I LOVE this pack because it has a little bit of everything to see what kitty likes. The only downside is that the tunnel is pretty small. That's perfect for my foster kittens, but not so much for an adult cat. If you get it and the tunnel is too small, donate it to your shelter! Something like this also gives you a cheap way to stock up on a variety of toys.
    
  • Cat Dancer: I buy these in bulk they're so amazing. The link I'm giving you currently has the price of $4.20, but on November 2nd another seller will have them back at stock for 2 bucks each. I wouldn't buy them at 4 dollars, but at 2 they're a steal. The company also has a thing where you can hook them onto your wall and cats will play with it while you're gone. I bought it but haven't set it up yet. Another thing I LOVE about this is that you can wrap them around something.
    
  • Fishing pole toy: I call all of these kinds of toys a fishing pole toy. It's essentially a stick with something dangling from it. Cats go CRAZY for them and this is a good and cheap one. I also stick the pole part in couch cushions or between the bed and box spring so it's dangling.
    
• Cat tower: Honestly, some cats love them, some cats don't. I would eventually get a cat tower (at least one), but don't let it stop you from adopting! Your local pet store will have tons, but I've seen some very happy people who got a massive crazy one for cheap off amazon. I have 4 (3 for my cats, one for the kitten room) that all get very loved but I honestly have no idea where I got them from or I'd link it to you!

I totally agree with TheCatGuardian's post. We just adopted our first cat from a shelter and he is 8 months old, and honestly he's still a bit of a handful at times (but that should be expected with any new pet). Try to get one over a year, if not closer to 2 years, as ours is still learning how to play nice and not nipping our ankles to get attention. My husband has always had cats, but this was my first pet and we adopted because I've always wanted one. I did a ton of research and here's what I would suggest as far as supplies:

A high sided litter box with rim - to keep them from kicking litter around and the high walls help keep everything inside. I didn't waste the money on litter liners. They seem gimmicky to me.

Pooper Scooper - It's cheap and gets the job done. Nothing else needs to be said about it.

Stainless Steel Bowl(s) - This one gets good reviews and is the perfect size for their food. You can get two, one for wet and one for dry food. Though I got this one for dry and got a cute oval dish at walmart for ~$2 for his wet. Whatever you want.

Slightly larger bowl for water - Make sure they have plenty for fresh water. I give him new water in the AM and evening after work. I know a lot of people rave about water fountains...but honestly I didn't want to spend the money initially, and my kitty seems to be perfectly fine drinking from the bowl. It'd be worth it to see how your cat feels about the bowl...esp since they will be drinking from bowls at the shelter...they shouldn't be too picky. You can spoil them later on if you decide to, but definitely not necessary.

A safety collar - Make sure it is either a break-away or elastic to ensure the cat doesn't get strangled if it climbs and gets stuck on something and is hanging by its neck. I liked this one because it didn't have an annoying bell, though some like the bell to let you find your cat in the house. The collar also ensure that if the cat gets out anyone who finds him will know he belongs to someone and isn't just a feral cat that they can take for themselves.

Scratching Board - Simple and good reviews. Seems like it will last. You can also get one or two cardboard cheaper ones and see what they prefer to scratch on. My cat doesn't really scratch that much...he uses the scratching posts that are part of his cat tree.

Cat Perch - This is the one we got so he can look out the window. It seems like a good balance of expense and functionality...especially at first. The cat might not even like jumping up on things, so at least this is a safe buy since it's not that tall but still lets them get up off the floor.

Cat bed - This one is highly reviewed and really durable. It's machine washable and will last forever. I really love this bed.

Simple toys at first: Wand Toy, Jingle Balls, Ball Circle Thing, Little Catnip Critter. He also likes paper bags, toilet paper rolls, and his laser pointer. I highly recommend the laser pointer...ours is green.

Greenies Treats

As far as food, you want to ask what they feed at the shelter and get a bag of that at first even if you read online that it isn't "the best." We wanted to get our cat on a mainly wet food diet, so we left his shelter dry food out at night, and gave him half a can of wet food in the morning before work, and half a can at night beofre bed ~9PM, and took the dry food away while the wet food was out. We feed him Friskies Pate...it's actually pretty good for the price. People will get passionate about cat food. Honestly Friskies is fine for us now...they sell it in bulk at Sam's.

Litter - you want to use the kind they use at the shelter so they have comfort in that. You can switch later if you want.

You might also want to get nail clippers and a brush. Our cat is long haired and I like using a comb, but it's really up to you.

As far as gimmicks I would assume that if it seems like a luxury it probably isn't necessary. Cats are very happy with simple things. The vitals are what I listed...a bathroom, food and water (bowls), a few toys, somewhere to scratch, somewhere to get up off the floor, and a safety collar. The bed isn't absolutely vital, but it's nice for them to have somewhere that they feel secure and happy...even if they don't use it at first.

When I first got my cat we lived in a tiny studio apartment. There are definitely ways to make your bedroom a happy place for your cat to hang out it while you’re not at home. Is it as ideal as your cat having access to the rest of the house? No, but it’s safer because your brother won’t be able to loose your cat that way.

Some ways to try to make your bedroom into a mini kitty paradise:

• Get vertical! Figure out ways to expand the space in your room by getting that kitty up high! This is going to probably be the best way to make your bedroom a better place for your cat to spend time during the day as cats love being up high, and will also provide her with some exercise. Some DIY cat shelves are probably going to be your best bet since you likely don’t have room for a cat tree. Try and make a cat highway all the way around your room if you can!
  
• Got a window? A little window perch so your cat can watch the world go by would be perfect. Adding a bird feeder next to (or even suction cupped to) that window would give your cat hours of entertainment- it’s like the Food Network for cats!
  
• Scratching post. You may need to get a little creative with this one as you don’t have a lot of space. Cats need to scratch both to sharpen their claws and to stretch out their muscles- a good scratching post is going to be made out of a material like sisal rope, is tall enough for the cat to stretch out, and is sturdy so it won’t wobble/fall over while they scratch. If you can’t fit an actual post in the corner of your room somewhere, maybe something similar to this or this could work on your bed frame.
  
• DAILY PLAYTIME IS A MUST!! You have to have to have to play with your cat to allow her to get out all that energy! Play with her between 10-30 minutes a day, depending on her energy levels. You can break that up into multiple smaller playtimes, maybe one before you leave for work/school and one when you get home. If you allow her to get her all wiggles out she’ll be a much calmer and happier cat while you’re away during the day.
  
• Find ways to bring the outdoors inside. Some cat grass may be appreciated by your kitty. An awesome option is a cat window box, but that’s not always practical for every living situation. Even just slightly cracking a window on a nice day so your kitty can smell the smells is good too! (Never leave a window open wide enough that the cat could fit through, even if you have a window screen- some cats can break through those!)
  
• Always keep her litter box clean!! That’s both for the cat’s and your benefit! If you don’t regularly scoop the box then the cat may decide to go find a cleaner “toilet” somewhere else in the room. Scooping 1-2 times a day keeps the room smelling nice and prevent the cat from going somewhere else. A litter genie is a great way to make scooping the litter box an easier daily chore. When I had a tiny studio I kept the litter box in my closet to save on space. Using a top entry litter box can help prevent litter from getting all over your stuff.
  
• Make meals interesting. Feed her her dry food in some puzzle feeders instead of a boring bowl. You can find some online or make some DIY puzzle feeders from recyclables.
  
  Do what you can to make your current situation a happier space for the kitty. You and Decaf won’t be living with your brother forever, this is only temporary!

Fear cuts deeper than swords

1. Something that is grey - Wreck This Journal! A post on /r/travel turned me on to this nifty little book that encourages you to do and look at those things you might not otherwise on your vacations and trips. Main WL
   
2. Something reminiscent of Rain Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings. This one may be a stretch, but as soon as I read the item list I thought of these. I've always liked calling them rain drops instead of tear drops. Main WL
   
   
3. Something food related that is unusual I didn't think the frying pan on my list would really count as "unusual", hope this counts as "food related." These are a set of vitamins that I saved for my fiance; he loves his drink, and I love him to be healthy. Main WL
   
4. Something on your list for someone else This pinstripe fedora is for my fiance. He's had an identical fedora since we began dating several years ago and he's incredibly sentimental about it. The poor thing is worn out though, and I'm not sure if it can be restored. If it can't, I'm hoping he'll be able to learn to love a new one so that we can retire the original respectfully. Main WL
   
5. Something related to cats I hope that this counts even though I just noticed it's become unavailable! This reminds me of the book Catzilla that was read to me in elementary school and seems perfect for my own vicious kitties. Main WL
   
6. A book you should read I will shamelessly endorse Karen Miller's writing everywhere I go and to everyone I meet. Seriously. She's fantastic. Poor reviews on Amazon, but I chock that up to people not understanding proper plot development. You can trust me on that, I almost have a degree. Books WL
   
7. Something for less than $1.00 This was not on my list previously, but it makes me feel sympathy towards home-school moms to need such a tranquil book cover.
   
8. Something that is not useful Being able to do calligraphy isn't really a useful art these days, but whenever I see those strokes on /r/penmanshipporn I feel I simply must learn how to do it. It's beautiful. And my handwriting is dreadful. Main WL
   
9. A movie that everyone should watch My Neighbor Totoro! I actually just watched this myself for the first time last week! It's just one of those movies that makes you happy and leaves you with a smile. We all need those movies for the days that just get to be too much. Main WL
   
10. Something useful for when the zombies attack It doubles as a weapon AND a tool. Can't always buy replacements when the undead are running amok! Main WL
    
11. Something that would have a profound impact on your life Fitness has become very important to me in the last year or so and I would like very much to one day have a home gym so that I might always keep myself healthy and fit. This particular item would help me tone my stubborn tummy area and is one of my favorite tools at the gym I work out in. Main WL
    
12. Add-on item Just my luck, I would discover add-on items the day this contest begins. I did add these before I saw the contest, but last night I began researching hair products and came across John Frieda. Ordered one product already, hoping to try out these others soon! Main WL
    
13. The most expensive item on your list Oh boy. I guess my dream item is actually a toothbrush. My fiance has awful brushing habits. His parents just never really made him do it. Since we've gotten together I've kind of taken up a "mom" role in this area and made sure that he cleans his teeth daily, but there's damage to his gums from neglect. I did a lot of research on the products on the market and this seems like the best tool to help him get healthier gums. He's not totally on board with spending so much on a toothbrush, but I want and need him to be healthy in every way. You know? Main WL
    
14. Something bigger than a breadbox The rolling massager is your best friend and your worst enemy at the gym. Using this item after your workout helps to minimize your soreness the next day, but I won't lie. It hurts a bit to use. Main WL
    
15. Something smaller than a golf ball Who doesn't love jewelry for your ears? Jewelry WL
    
16. Something that smells wonderful Eucalyptus oil! Main WL
    
17. A SFW toy I saw this on Top Gear UK and I must have it. When asked by a friend why I would ever need such a thing, I promptly responded, “For when I go spelunking.” Toys WL
    
18. Something helpful for going back to school As an English major, I have to buy a LOT of books. My poor overburdened bookshelf is in desperate need of relief. If this weren't my last year, I would absolutely have to buy another bookshelf. As it stands, I'll have to buy a new one soon regardless. Avid readers live here. Main WL
    
19. Something related to my current obsession I am an unashamed, unapologetic Whovian.
    Main WL
    
20. Something awe inspiring - speaking of Whovians Isn't this fantastic? I've always said the best thing after a bath is the snuggle up with the TARDIS. Gifts WL
    
21. Made in Oregon - I've been doing this contest since 7 a.m. I could use this right about now
    
    WHEW. That took way longer than I thought it would but I think I found everything but what your name is! Thanks for the contest, I had a blast!

I just buy stuff at the pet store, but I can try and find a few recommendations. You'll want to avoid things with bells or small parts, at least while she's tiny. PetSmart usually has some pretty good stuff, or you can even find a good selection on Amazon. If you're gone a lot, it also might be a good idea to invest in something you can turn on and leave running while you're gone, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP7F8YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2GCMBb2JZP9JV.

Ironically, my cat's favorite toy is a piece of cut up fleece on a stick that I got from the pet store.

Here are a few homemade things that look fun:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/496293492/cat-toy-kitten-toy-kitten-puzzle-cat

https://www.etsy.com/listing/573944129/catnip-toy-medium-kicker-cat-toy-cat

And here are some more things from Amazon that I would recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT2WL26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bLCMBbEDZ585B

And
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPLUQXY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dOCMBbRA7B6MM

Just make sure she's careful with the string on this one. As long as she doesn't break it off and swallow it, it should be fine.

Some sort of a laser pointer is always a great toy for kitties, just make sure not to shine it in her eyes.

Finally, make sure to get her a cat tree if you have room for one. Cats like to climb. Something like this would be great:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0794T79KM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ERCMBbM18RTGA

Scratching posts are also important, so here's what I would recommend for a scratching post, if you don't want to get the cat tree:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BY385RX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fTCMBbKA5B15Q

Once you spay her, if she isn't already, feed her adult food so she doesn't gain too much weight. A good kitten food to start her on before the spay is Good Natured, at PetSmart. If she's spayed and you want to start her on adult food, I use this, and my cat loves it, and she's super healthy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDQCL13/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0VCMBbHDBF7XG

If you have any other questions, please feel free to message me. I have had my cat for two years, and raised her since she was three months old, so I can answer a lot of kitten questions.

One more thing, get her a bed. She may not always use it, but she will appreciate it.

Congrats on the MC!

I have two MCs....

1. Invest in a water fountain! Cats naturally don't drink enough water (which is why they tell u wet food is better to feed ur cat than dry food)
   
   https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Drinkwell-Platinum-Fountain-Drinking/dp/B000L3XYZ4/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680300&sr=1-5&keywords=platinum+water+fountain
   
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   Also, cats don't like their food and water in the same spot . I found my cats tend to drink way more water and it stays cleaner when they are in different areas. Previously i was cleaning their water daily because my silly cats were dropping their kibbles into the water, or their food was getting sugar ants.
   
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2. Your new baby will need a scratching post he/she can grow into. My boys use this one religiously (we have 3 posts scattered around the house) but this is their favorite because they can stretch all the way to the top. WARNING: its massive. its very sturdy and pretty wide so if u have a smaller place this may NOT be the post for you.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Homes-Pets-Scratching-Extra-Durable/dp/B00JEADDCO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1542679782&sr=8-9&keywords=cat+scratching+post+for+large+cats
   
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3. Food: my kitties were fed taste of the wild at the breeders, but I transitioned them to Orijen cat and Kitten Food. Extremely pricy but as far as dry food goes some of the best.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Orijen-Dry-Cat-Kitten-Food/dp/B01I3IBQG2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680125&sr=1-4&keywords=orijen+cat+and+kitten+12
   
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4. Cat litter: My previous cats developed issues from the dust from clay based litters. We switched over to something more natural when i got these MCs...like walnut shells!
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Fresh-Multi-Cat-Quick-Clumping-Litter/dp/B00BPA12MO/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680260&sr=1-7&keywords=blue+litter
   
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5. Cat Shelves - If you have a blank wall i definitely recommend this! We had to tweak ours a little because the shelves we purchased were entirely too small for Maine Coons. And also had to add supporting brackets. Everyday its a fight on who gets the cat shelves! and if its in a common area, its definitely a way for them to be present and still in their own space up high.
   
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6. Pet insurance. If you can afford to get ur kitten Pet insurance I recommend this. Maine coons since they are a larger breed are prone to things like hip displaysia, HCM, and other genetic diseases. It makes caring for them a little easier as they get older. We use Healthy Paws Pet insurance for our two Maine Coons and i highly recommend them! I want to say as a kitten they started out between 10 and 20 dollars a month?
   
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   Everyone has given u a lot of wonderful advice here! Some of which i actually wish I knew when i was getting my babies! Good luck and enjoy your new kitten :)
   
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1.) Something that is grey.

technically it's gray, but i have a feeling you won't quibble over semantics




2.) Something reminiscent of rain.

sometimes when you get a really good rain it sparkles




3.) Something food related that is unusual.

the ingredients are edible foods




4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!)

this is for my youngest daughter, she was named after it's author.




5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it!

you have probably already read this book, but it's always worth reading again




6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!

a gift card for less than $1




7.) Something related to cats. I love cats! (keep this SFW, you know who you are...)

it even has a picture of a cat on it!




8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it.

this isn't useful in any way, but it's the Boss so I feel compelled to have it.




9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?

this is one of my favorite movies of all time. it's magical, and funny, and beautiful, and it always makes me smile.




10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain.

if i get turned into a zombie i would be able to use the knowledge contained in this book to disguise myself




11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals.

I want to be a librarian. I need this to study for the GRE to get into library school




12.) One of those pesky Add-On items.

I think this may be my only add-on




13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why?

This game is out of print, so it's hard to find. I loved playing it as a kid and want to share it with my daughter who LOVES board games




14.) Something bigger than a bread box.

this is definitely bigger than a bread box




15.) Something smaller than a golf ball.

These are smaller than a golf ball. Maybe I could wear them when I go golfing. (I don't golf)




16.) Something that smells wonderful.

i think this stuff smells lovely




17.) A (SFW) toy.

Playing with this at work could get you fired, but not because it's explicit.




18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school.

If I were going back to school I would definitely take my iPad. iPads are definitely helpful. I would use this to keep it safe.




19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be.

I have been making a lot of bath bombs lately. I use silicone molds like these to make them in fun shapes.




20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand.

This book is about the song Hallelujah (which is a beautiful song) and how it became to be one of the most recorded songs in history. It was originally kind of a failure but somehow made it to the place where it is today where it has been performed by hundreds of musicians. I find it amazing that this song that almost didn't make it onto the album it was originally written for. When it did make it to the album it was a flop, yet here we are listening to this song that has become so popular.


fear cuts deeper than swords

Original post: I was in tehran(capital of iran) and saw this in front of a coffee shop. The waiter explained: “ we tried to take him home with us but he would just escape and come back here so we made him a little bed and give him food and water daily and when it’s cold he’ll just sleep inside the shop”

Comments:

Author: Kasia_Kalon Body: Awww they gave him a little scratching post too. He probably considers the coffee shop his home and that's why he always goes back. No place like home!

Author: gorcorps Body: We have the same scratcher (we call it the kitty couch) and they LOVE it. It gets teared to shreds, slept on, then replaced so it can start all over again.

Author: ReleaseTheKraken72 Body: We have the same one too! Out of all their scratching posts, this is by far their most favourite they have ever had!!

Author: RedcoatsWife Body: Can I have the name of said scratching post please? I need a good one so bad for my very weird, picky cat.

Author: Whatamensch Body: Might be this? Catit Style Scratcher with Catnip - Jungle-Stripe Lounge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032G6VVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YMazDbD68QR29

Author: MaritMonkey Body: My cat's mostly grown out of scratching stuff, but at one point we were going through those things weekly so we started cutting ~2" strips of cardboard and gluing them together into a plank (like this). If I had it around I'd sprinkle catnip between the "boards." If you also suffer from an overabundance of spare cardboard in your life, this could be a budget solution. :D

Author: TrimiPejes Body: On a sidenote, how is Teheran? Always wanted to visit

Author: krkzrm Body: I was actually worried about visiting but it was actually pretty great. It’s really big and populated and it can be kinda confusing and the transportation system is not the best but it was a good experience overall

Author: TrimiPejes Body: Thx bro

Author: LlamaramaDingdong86 Body: Are foreign women required to wear a hijab or can I go bare haired?

Author: Seskapill Body: Women must cover their hair while outdoors, but it's not extreme like in SA, you can leave some hair out of the front (see these for example)

Author: LlamaramaDingdong86 Body: Thanks for the good answer with pictures.

Author: MM__21 Body: Actually those examples are not exactly accurate. You have a high chance of getting arrested if you show that much hair. Maybe like an inch or three. Either way, you should still go! Amazing food and places to see. Edit: Some people have pointed out it is fine, so wear it how you want I guess. But people I know usually cover most of their hair when they visit to avoid getting in trouble. Edit #2: Looks like things have changed from how I remember it, so you probably wont get arrested.

Author: LlamaramaDingdong86 Body: Based on travel shows like No Reservations, it seems we all have more in common than media and government leads us to think. The common people of any given country are more alike and peaceful towards each other than their political leaders. I have dreams of making enough money to travel to very far away places like Iran. One day.

Author: samdavi Body: They’re waaay more lenient on foreign women than Iranian women. The pictures are pretty accurate.

Author: Tark1nn Body: https://youtu.be/tVe8xuv9BKA french but talks about women's role in Iran, definitely not what we think it is.

Author: alikh1010 Body: It’s crowdy, big and beautiful. I live in Tehran so ask me if you need any information.

Author: pedoreus Body: Salam azizam.

Author: Oirammario12345 Body: Azizam salam

Author: krkzrm Body: Doset darm asheqetam vasalam

Author: pedoreus Body: Man ye irani hastam vali to soed. Teheran Che khabar?



----
^Bugs

I used one of those pheromone collar things with my cat when I brought him home and I think it helped. I got him as an adult (~2.5ish years old) from a rescue and the people there swear by them, and I figure they'd know since they have cats coming and going all the time. He cried in the carrier in the car, but he always does that.

I highly recommend Tidy Cats Breeze litter system. It is much easier to deal with than clumping litter, imo. I fill it with two bags of the pellets and replace roughly once a year. I get little dog poop type bags to scoop the poop into (I do it every day/every other day - I know people who go a week but my cat screams at me if I don't keep it clean) and put the pee pad in (I change 1x/week and I sprinkle Tidy Cats litter deodorizer across the new one). I also move the pellets around and wipe down the litterbox interior with clorox wipes and spray the pellets with Nature's Miracle. You can also wash the pellets in bleach water and put them back in rather than buying new but that sounds like too much work for me. I don't know how switching over would go because my cat just used it straight away.

My cat loves toys like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Petacc-Interactive-Suitable-Exercise-Training/dp/B075QDNDQ9/
He also likes little balls, especially if they're those ones with the kind of... hollow bits... so he can pick them up with his teeth and carry them.
Also, he is WAY more into carrying his toys into whatever room I'm in than any of my previous cats. He wants himself and all his things with me all the time. He will pull all his toys out of his toy bucket and carry them into my bedroom and put them right on top of me when I'm asleep. (He also has never used a pet bed and just sleeps either in my bed or in the armchair in my office or on the couch, depending on where I am. He likes to just hang out by me most of the time, even when he's asleep.)

I have a steel comb and a metal slicker brush for grooming. I don't use the furminator because it cuts his fur... it DOES completely eliminate hairballs, but it gives his coat this weird jagged appearance and tbh if I was that into completely eliminated hairballs, I'd trim his fur shorter with an electric trimmer (when he came from the rescue it was like that) so it was all even and nice. But regular brushing and combing and a periodic shower keeps him nice and we only get hairballs when the season changes into summer. My cat sheds A LOT and I have to do a light brush every day or two and a more thorough one weekly, especially in his armpits to keep the fur from matting. I also use small grooming scissors to trim his interior thigh and butt area because he can get "danglies" if I don't, and imo the fur smells a little funky in that area if it isn't short enough to be out of the way of his business.

I bathe him every several months - idk what would work best for your cat but for us I just bring him in the shower with me, wash and rinse him, wash and rinse me, turn the shower off and wring out as much as possible, wrap him in a towel and hold him like that for a while to absorb the water, then blow-dry. It's not too bad. He cries and tries to escape but he doesn't try that hard, and he looks so nice afterwards. He doesn't watch me shower like a lot of cats do but it's very clearly because he's worried he'll be washed, lol. I don't let him in the bathroom when I'm using it because it's creepy to have him staring but he usually waits right outside the door.

For whatever reason, this is my cat's favorite style of scratcher: https://smile.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-Catnip-Jungle-Stripe-Lounge/dp/B0032G6VVQ/
I've tried many others but he basically only wants this one.

Here’s some things I view as necessities for MCs:

• Strong cat tree, get a tall one with large perches near the top!
  
  
• scratching posts strategically placed next to furniture you don’t want flayed.
  
  
• large pet carrier (petluv has a great one!)
  
  
• feather wand toy: pet fit brand is awesome. Catnip toys, anything to chase. Laser pointer.
  
  
• large litter box: I highly recommend the Cat-illac system (it’s extra large and great for multiple cats) paired with a litter genie. Super low maintenance. You can use their pellets or use dried beans or feed store dried corn as substrate. Eco friendly and no litter tracking.
  
  
• brush: greyhound style + furminator covers most of the bases.
  
  
• harness + leash. Start yours young and they’ll enjoy it! Gooby brand or one of those Velcro ones that wrap around the torso are pretty secure and comfortable.
  
  
• I wasted money on cat beds but they loved this
  
  
• pet insurance. I use healthy paws. It’s paid for itself many times over in the first year.
  
  
• those super large sticky lint rollers. One for home, one for work, one for your car :)

Here is Arker, originally my fiancé's cat but he's been with me for a year and a half now 😊
My little king in bed

Watching the wild bunnies outside


Lounging on the dog bed

Edit: he would love new toys or treats! He's the most treat addicted cat I've ever seen. But I'd really love to get him something to scratch like this cat hammock scratcher. I think 35 Canadian is around 30 us or less too!
(https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00T9MJR7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5AoIybV2FRMC4)

You got some good responses already, but let me add in that going younger (but not necessarily a kitten) will be better if you're worried about leaving the cat home all day. An older cat might be more set in its ways and more difficult to acclimate to that lifestyle, meaning it may be more likely to scratch, pee outside of the litter box, or otherwise revolt.

A younger cat you'll be able to raise around your schedule so it can get used to that without any major headaches.

If you get the cat used to being home alone and free eating (as in, you fill the food bowl and it manages to eat when hungry and not eat the entire bowl because it is there) you'll have some flexibility should you need to go out of town. I feel comfortable leaving my cat alone for 3-4 nights because she'll have plenty of food and is pretty chill by herself.

Before you spend the money (and they are expensive) on a carpet cat tower, try the cardboard scratchers. My cat goes apeshit for these things, and she never touched ONE of the expensive scratching posts I bought her. She used to scratch my furniture -- taking one sofa down to the wooden frame. I found this scratcher
at TJ Maxx for $6.99 and later cheaper on Amazon. They take up a lot less room than the towers, and has been the only thing that saved my furniture.

Also, if scratching becomes an issue on your furniture, Soft Claws are one of the greatest inventions ever. They are little silicone caps that fit over the cat's nails and don't interfere with anything they do. Before I got the cardboard thing, those would prevent damage to my furniture even though cat still went through the motions of scratching. Also, they have fun colors and I get to make her nails red & black during football season. :)

This is honestly the best way to stop being CF! I have fur babies myself and they are great.

Make sure she has something to claw and climb on, or she will claw your furniture. I have one kind of like this, and one of these. They help a lot. If you can't afford them, there are alternatives. :) And lots of toys. Things they can bat around, ones that look like fishing poles, that kind of thing.

Good luck!! Post pictures!!

toys:

cat dancer

the hot pursuit

cat tunnel

crinkle balls

litter:

my favorites in order are:

Arm and Hammer Seal and Clump

Ever Clean with activated charcoal (clumping)

Tidy Cats clumping

litterbox:

jumbo high-back litterbox

i would avoid covered or anything that makes the kitty feel trapped. no reason not to have tall walls, especially with sloppy kittens. you're also going to want a litter mat so they don't track it everywhere.

food:

kittens. eat. constantly. so keep out dry food 24/7 and feed a little wet food morning and night. this is temporary, don't free-feed dry food when they're an adult. you'll want to transition kitty to scheduled feedings when they're 6-8 months old, and i recommend wet food only at that point as kibble really isn't great.

my kitten has been thriving on premium edge kitten food but purina's kitten offerings look good and are a bit easier to find. with wet food supplementation. if you want, tell me your budget and i can give you some recommendations.


misc:

72" wooden cat condo - (or something like it, you definitely want something 6 ft+ for them to climb)

a tall scratching post - random one i found. tall scratchers are healthy for your cat, they have vertical muscles that need to be exercised.

cardboard scratchers - i like this one as it lasts a long time and you can flip it over for a new side.

not sure about flea meds as my cats are indoors. your vet will know what is effective in your region (some flea meds are completely useless in certain states). i would keep your cat indoors though.

• Make sure to vaccinate. Two separate shots. My vet here wavs the $80 visit fee for these. I also opted to get the $35 leukemia test to make sure she was a healthy kitten.
  
• Depending on where you get the kitten from check for flees, ear mites and treat them right away.
  
• DEWORM! Make sure to pick up these pills from your vet.
  
• Get scratching posts now! Put one by the end of your couch. I have a few around the house in areas where I think she might like to destroy stuff. Since she is still small I got away with some cheap ones here. Scratching Post
  
• Play with paws softly and often. Gently poke nails out. This will get kitty used to it and prepared for easier nail trimming. Keeping nails trimmed saves skin and furniture.
  
• Monitor poops for awhile to make sure they are solid.
  
• Get some toys. Springs are cheap and most cats love them.

kitty tower

I got a new kitten last night from my boyfriends Mom who is really one of those cat ladies. Anyway, one of her outdoor Mommacats had a litter a few months ago. So I have a feral male cat. AWESOME. I'm excited.. it's a baby tho..

My first kitten Emma was also born outside as a feral cat. She's been with me 13 years now. So i got this tower, and it will be here Thursday. I'm super psyched. I know that Emma will not want the new kitten on her perch so i got them both a bigger one to share. it'll b e great!

Today i go and get a new cat box, litter, and kitten food. Cats need their own litter boxes you know!!! It'd be nice though if it friggen went outside. Emma pees and poops in her litter box even tho she goes outside occasionally. im like... girl.. what the fuck. haha.

Anyway.. HAPPY DAY!! I will post pictures of new kitten soon enough. <3

My first cat has been a journey and a great learning experience.

My most important piece of advice is to be consistently patient. Young cats are wild af. Stay calm. Don't cuddle or put your hands on your cat too often. Practice this for YEARS. Seriously... Patience.

Giving the cat space, a scratch pad, and some time outside sniffing around in the grass, chasing birds, talking shit to squirrels... This and plenty of patience, time and being gentle with the cat—I used to pet her more like a dog but kitties are fragile!—has turned our Kitty into the sweetest little cat.

Kitties are magical. Treat your cat with respect, listen to what he has to say, and take your time!

Best,

I bought 5 different scratching posts. 3 next to my couch and in front of places she used to scratch, 2 next to where she sits in the living room. She even likes to scratch one my suitcase in the bedroom, which I'm perfectly fine with it. I even brought it to the living room next to the couch.

She doesn't like any of that. Catnip doesn't have any effects on her either. I tried to pursue her with laser to shift her attention to other posts. She would scratch them for a bit then she walks away. :D

I love my cat and I'm not complaining in a bad way. I'm just trying to figure her out. That's all.

Edit: those are the posts I bought from Amazon

Edit: those are the posts I bought from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Baza-Tree/dp/B0027IVL6K/

http://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3832-Ultimate-Scratching-Post/dp/B000634MH8

http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-with-Catnip-Wide/dp/B0032GEE8S/

http://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3832-Ultimate-Scratching-Post/dp/B000634MH8

I actually have 4 of these because my cats love them: TRIXIE Pet Products Parla Scratching Post https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NE2X3U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6ZTMAbY92DJZG

You can buy scratchers even taller than that if your cat is really tall or whatever, but my cats are about average size and the one I recommended gives them plenty of room to reach up when scratching. You can also buy fully carpeted scratching posts but my cats prefer sisal rope so I personally don’t buy those.

I haven’t really used the horizontal ones either with my cats but I thought I’d recommend those as an option just in case. If your cat likes scratching trees a lot though... I think starting with a tall, vertical scratching post might be a good idea.

Double-sided sticky tape on the blinds where she can reach (temporary). Rub delicious foods or catnip on the scratching post, and scatter treats on and around them. You should have MULTIPLE posts out for them- tall ones, "loungers", wide ones. What kind of scratching posts do you have right now? We have a mixture of the cardboard ones and rope and one of these carpet ones and our cat prefers the rope and mostly ignores the cardboard, but other people swear by the other kinds, so I think some cats just have a preference. This cat house is my cat's FAVORITE thing to claw on, but she also likes her lounger which can be easily mounted to the wall instead of we wanted to switch things up.

There are bitter sprays but they may stain and they don't smell great. I only use it when training kittens not to chew cables. Double sided tape on the couch for a month or two and catnip spray for the scratching post might work. You could also try different types of scratching posts that allow for different postures. I have 2 cats and they use 2 differently oriented posts because they feel more comfortable that way. Even though I have plenty to cover both cats of several varieties they have their favorite and gravitate towards the posture that they like.

Example 1 - Angled and Flat

Example 2 - Tall and Flat

Example 3 - Tall and Round

All 6 of my cats love these :

• http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-Kitty-Power-Natural/dp/B00WO6MFY2/ref=sr_1_55?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1451363516&sr=1-55&keywords=scratching+post
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Wild-Tails-Colors-vary/dp/B00392OS90/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844790&sr=8-11&keywords=kong+cat+toy
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Naturals-Incline-Scratcher-Cat/dp/B0018N38P2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844790&sr=8-5&keywords=kong+cat+toy
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/PETFAVORITES-trade-Original-Mylar-Crinkle/dp/B00797NHFC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844867&sr=8-1&keywords=mylar+balls
  
  my kittens go crazy for these mylar balls.
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Fit-Life-Feathers-Exerciser/dp/B00UZKBNLK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844997&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+teaser+feather
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-3-Sided-Vertical-Scratcher-Standard/dp/B00JK0BX2K/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1450845032&sr=8-10&keywords=cardboard+scratcher
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Original-Play-N-Squeak-MouseHunter-Interactive/dp/B001HWF2W6/ref=pd_sim_199_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41hI5AjRP1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=04F02DM93STX1S9ESXET
  
  
  
  
  We have 2 cat trees near a big window with a bird feeder outside in view...it keeps our two 6 month old kittens entertained for hours. I would recommend a cat tree, or a window perch of some sort. :)
  

Omg she's beautiful. Never seen a kitty quite like that.

If you care about your furniture get scratching posts or cardboard cat scratchers.

http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-Catnip-Jungle-Stripe-Lounge/dp/B0032G6VVQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412674260&sr=8-2&keywords=cardboard+cat+scratcher

That's a cheap one from amazon.

If she scratches something show her the scratcher and scratch it yourself a few times.

Also cats hate the feel of tin foil so tape it anywhere she starts scratching to break the habit.

A lot of cats respond well to high perches. It let's them feel safe because they see everything going on. If you sense agression or mistrust, make more perches.

mistanddry wrote:

cat nip your cat areas, and give the cat a place that you respect as hers and not yours (for me this meant blocking up under my bed with a small cat-sized entrance for the cat to hide in, so she can go somewhere she knows I won't annoy her at.) The cat nip will help steer her towards the areas you want her in, and giving her her own space will curb her resentment towards you and your things ;)

Also put a scratching post or plank or whatever in every major room your cat hangs out in. I use the cheap cardboard ones and my cat loves them.

Thanks for the reply. For horizontal scratchers we've been trying to get her to use doormats that we've already got throughout the house. She seemed happy to scratch them, and we've already got them, so I figured let's try to convince her to use those rather than buy another piece of cat furniture which she might never look at (like the scratching post)

The issue just seems to be the differentiation; she just wants to scratch wherever she's currently standing, regardless of whether it's a "good" or "bad" place to scratch.

By cardboard ones do you mean something like this? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Catit-Jungle-Stripes-Patterned-Scratching/dp/B0032G6VVQ

All time favorite was my Logitech mx518 mouse. Got it in 2011, still going strong.

My two most recent favorites:

HemingWeigh White Noise Machine – Quality Sounds Masks Disturbing Noise and Reducing Sound for Improved Sleep Relaxation and Enriched Concentration - Built in USB & LED Night Light. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAPB57J?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

MidWest "Forte" Ultimate Cat Scratching Post w/ Extra-Durable Sisal Wrap, Brown & Tan, Giant XXL Cat Post https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JEADDCO?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Least favorite:

Campsnail Round Flint Shoe Laces - 2 Pairs 3/20" Thick 4.7 ft 550 Paracord Shoelace for Boots, Sneakers - Include Metal Charm and Waterproof Cap (Army Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XS6VFWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.qacAbX03TZBH

Also I have to say, looking back through my history I realize I have lost a lot of the books I've bought... Makes me kinda sad.

I’ve been watching a lot of “my cat from hell” on YouTube for tips - so? Anyway, I bought him these exact 3 things 🙂 he really REALLY likes the scratcher lounge so that’s why I bought the 2nd cheaper one to place on the other side of the room.


FEANDREA Cat Tree, Cat Tower,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VBL8DWL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


isYoung Cat Scratcher Lounge... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074J6YJ2Z?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


Catit Style Scratcher with Catnip... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032G6VVQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is what I use. It’s about four feet high and super sturdy. Best investment ever. My cats were destroying my furniture until I got this.

MidWest Homes for Pets Cat Scratching Post | Forte Huge Cat Scratching Post w/Extra-Durable Sisal Wrap, Brown & Tan, Giant XXL Cat Post https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JEADDCO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_t17iDbXN1RE7T

It really depends on what your cat likes scratching on. Some cats prefer cardboard, some sisal rope, some other surfaces. Some cats prefer horizontal scratching, some prefer angled scratching, and some like to stretch as high as possible.

If you're looking for a "buy it for life" kind of purchase, I recommend this one: https://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3832-Ultimate-Scratching-Post/dp/B000634MH8/ref=sr_1_13

I've had that one for four years with three cats and it looks the same as it did out of the box.

When it comes to my cats favorite scratchers in the world, their absolute favorite is this one, but it doesn't last as long as the plastic ones because it's corrugated cardboard. You have to replace it about every nine months.

If you want to test out whether they are cardboard scratchers before investing you can get a $7 flat cardboard scratcher here. These will last about 3-4 months.

Is his post the kind that stands straight up?
My cat won't use that kind, but will use something like this (which you can even put catnip in)

https://www.amazon.com/Scratcher-GoPets-Corrugated-Reversible-Scratching/dp/B0132ACCEG

maybe he'd enjoy that instead? Mine no longer scratches furniture after we gave him that.

Have you tried a cardboard scratching board, kind of like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0032GEE8S/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520113420&sr=8-3&keywords=cardboard+cat+scratcher&dpPl=1&dpID=41SxYFAIigL&ref=plSrch ?

One of my girls refuses to use normal scratching posts but loves those and also uses a post that was handmade and has cardboard squares around it. Could be a texture thing for your kitty, too

I got my cats these and they LOVE them! cheap enough to buy all the time

Either this or this would be great for my kitty. I really need to break him of his scratching our furniture.

This cat scratching board would make my week! We are moving into new place and I don't want my cat to be tempted to rip up the furniture. This would be perfect for him!

I can't remember where my roommate got it :( but here is a similar one and another really cute one that I found online! (http://www.amazon.com/Large-Cardboard-Cat-Scratcher-Sofa/dp/B00W0FRMTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451414075&sr=8-1&keywords=couch+cat+scratcher) (http://www.amazon.com/CLASSY-KITTY-Cat-Couch-30/dp/B007PBYWWO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1451413938&sr=8-7&keywords=couch+cat+scratcher)

It's a scratching board. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032GEE8S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1UR2L9HK40TZF&coliid=I7ECGFL6MSXG4&psc=1 it comes with some catnip, my cat loves it so much

On Amazon. Classy kitty 30" couch, link below
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007PBYWWO/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That one! It's a scratching toy :)

This Though it wont last very long with our cats, they have recently destroyed the one we have. Though still usable it would be nice to have a new one for them to enjoy!

conviviality

This is the one i got. I also tore off the green paper sides as I didn't want my buns to eat that.

https://www.amazon.com/GoPets-Scratcher-Corrugated-Reversible-Scratching/dp/B0132ACCEG/ref=sr_1_12?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1540935688&sr=1-12&keywords=cardboard+cat+scratcher

There are other variations, just look up "cardboard cat scratcher"

He also uses it as a ramp to jump on the couch with me

)

Checkmate!

I like this scratcher more than the other one so i would recommend this one.

I saw also that there is catnip on the list. Did you ever tried it before? Because some cats just do not care about it at all.

Alligator clips on a stick you mean? Yeah.

All the paint station is just corrugated cardboard. Should just get one of these instead.

My girlfriend and I have three kittens. We are unemployed, disabled, and neither of our financial aid disbursements have arrived. Our cats are destroying all of our furniture for we have been unable to replace their scratching box for months. Thanks for the offer, I hope this might apply.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032G6VVQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

Screw it I'm going to try a couple of these cat scratching things. Less of a ball ache than cutting all that cardboard down to fit and even trying to glue it. The catnip comes in a separate baggie so I'll just toss that. I'll post something if it's any good

Not exactly the same thing, but I've never seen a cat that doesn't love those x shaped cardboard scratching posts. My cat loves it, and my parents kittens sleep on top of each other on it, assuming they didn't just fight over it with the loser taking the real scratching post.

https://www.amazon.com/Petstages-710-Invironment-Hammock-Scratcher/dp/B00T9MJR7W

2 things help immensely: Get a scratching post made of sisal rope like this and trim your cat's nails. Use regular nail clippers and just trim the ends. Don't cut back to the quick (where the nail switches from clear to colored) or they'll bleed. Might take a team effort to get it the first few times.

I also put double sided tape on the places my cat sharpened her claws for a while, that helped. Cats HATE touching sticky stuff.

My cats were doing the same thing but I got these cardboard cat scratchers and they don't scratch the carpet anymore, just these things. Otherwise even if you fix it the cat will just scratch again

https://www.amazon.com/Petstages-Scratcher-Hammock-Scratching-Post/dp/B00T9MJR7W

Petstages

I'd read a review

or get the cardboard-type cat scratcher... which you can also hanging on the door

https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-with-Catnip-Wide/dp/B0032GEE8S

Might be this?
Catit Style Scratcher with Catnip - Jungle-Stripe Lounge https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032G6VVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YMazDbD68QR29

Cat expert here, used to work for the Animal shelter in town dealing with cats for number of years.

1. Use a water sprayer with cold water if you catch the cat doing something bad like scratching, or getting ontop the dining the table while everyone is eating. It takes time and patience, but the cat will soon learn what is right and wrong.
   
   
2. For scratching, get some sisal scratching posts like these.
   
   http://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3831-Bootsies-Combination-Scratcher/dp/B000ALY0OQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343444254&sr=8-1&keywords=Smart+cat+bootsies+scratcher
   
   Sisal lasts a long time and is very durable unlike carpetted scratchers or cardboard. Trimming your cat's front claws are also a good option. You may even be able to find a nice already de-clawed cat for adoption locally, but I cannot recommend purposely declawing a cat unless it's your ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT. Imagine someone cutting off the first joint of your fingers, yea...that's what they do to cats.
   
   
3. Allergies...my family is technically allergic to cats, they always hated when I'd come home from the shelter with cat hair and dander all over my clothing. As far as the house, with one cat, no one has issues with allergies, even if they get close and personal with the cat. Everyone's different, so....it depends on your wife.
   
   
4. As far as smell, it's usually poor cleaning of the litterbox, and bad litter choice. Personally I use Tidy cats clumping litter that comes in the giant yellow buckets at Target and Walmart. I scoop my cat;s box once in the morning when I wake up, and once before I go to sleep at night. My house has no cat smell at all.
   
   
5. Look to adopt! Find the right cat with the right personality that your entire family can agree upon. Spend time with the cat and get to know it. Don't just drop $500 for a breeder cat and hope things work out. Adoption is great because most shelters will spay/neuter the cat, give them all the medical attention they may need, and any vaccines. Adoption is cheap and a fairly simple process. Just go to the shelter this weekend and start your search!
   
   EDIT: Also I just realized reddit turned my #'s 4, 5, and 6 into 123.....

Cats freakin' love using these scratch boxes. Punishing your cat for doing something, like sharpening their claws which comes naturally to them, isn't going to have the effect you desire unless you give them an alternative. As for "punishment," it has to immediately follow the bad behavior and be short-lived for an animal to associate a bad consequence with their actions. Furthermore, a sharp "No," and a loud clap are enough. Physical punishment is unnecessary.

Sorry to be judgey... I just can't fathom getting rid of my cats. To me that's like saying "My son messed up the furniture so I'm putting him up for adoption."

Here are some options for [kitty caps] (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/181-7043599-2466940?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=kitty+caps).

Also, you have a [scratching post] (https://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Parla-Scratching/dp/B000NE2X3U/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1467325363&sr=1-6&keywords=scratching+post) for them, right? Cats need to scratch, so if they don't have a scratching post they will scratch the furniture.

Another option is to put this [double-sided tape stuff] (https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Sticky-Furniture-Deterrent/dp/B0006NE4QC/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1467325481&sr=1-3&keywords=cat+furniture+protector) on the furniture where they scratch. They hate sticky stuff so they'll avoid it. After a while they learn and I think you can take it off.