A bit of biology, scratching is an instinctive behavior of the cat. The cat is born with the need to scratch. The cat's nails are an important part of its body as a survival need, it is the cat's way of protecting itself from enemies. That's why a cat needs to take care of its nails and scratching is part of the care of the nails - for sanding and stretching the arms in the process.

Also, scratching is the cat's way of expressing emotions such as stress or excitement. This is the cat's way of marking objects since the cat's feet have scent glands. A cat has a survival need to mark its territory and thus communicate with other cats (even if it actually lives in an apartment in the city). By "applying" their scent to objects in their territory (we humans do not smell this scent) they convey messages to their environment and thus maintain a sense of calm and control.

Therefore, it is necessary to allow the cat to perform the scratching routinely and without interference and fears, otherwise, the cat will become an unhappy cat that will exhibit various behavior problems.
Another important reason we tend to forget. Sometimes the cat is alone at home for hours and lacks stimulation and interest. What does a bored cat do? Seeks to relieve boredom partly by scratching and stretching.
For all these reasons and more it is important to remember - the cat is not looking for where it is right to scratch and where not, where the owner allows and where not, he needs to satisfy a need and therefore he will do it anywhere in the house that allows it and is convenient for him.

So what should be done so that the cat does not destroy the house?
Do you want the cat not to choose the table or sofa? You must provide him with a more attractive scratching area.
A cat needs two forms of scratching:
Vertical/high scratcher - the cat needs a high and durable object to scratch that allows him to put his nails in for a good grip while stretching his legs.
Balanced / flat scratching - the cat needs a horizontal scratching place (especially cats that like to scratch the carpet)

Our recommendation is to allow the cat to scratch in both modes of scratching, therefore it needs both a high and stable scratching area and a balanced scratching area. It is recommended to provide the cat with a scratching post made of real wood (the closest to what the cat encounters in nature), the post should be stable that the cat can lean on (not a swinging post) and wide enough for the cat to be able to surround it with its arms, therefore a vertical post should be at least 80 cm height.
It will be possible to find many scratching devices wrapped in a rope called sisal, which turns out to be a favorite of cats, it should be wrapped and taut so that the cat can stick its nails into it and it is desirable that the end of the post has a surface where the cat can climb on it and scratch upside down (the cat is on top and the post is below it).

Balanced scratching devices are simpler like cardboard scratching and usually need to be replaced every so often depending on the cat's use of the device, but its advantage is that it takes up less space and can be moved from place to place to find out where it is best for the cat to scratch.

In summary, there are many different types of cat scratchers available on the market, including vertical and horizontal scratchers, scratching posts, and scratching pads. It is recommended to experiment with different types of scratchers to see which ones your cat prefers. Some cats prefer raised and vertical scratching posts, while others may prefer horizontal scratching posts or ones with built-in toys.

You bought an expensive scratching device and the cat ignores it, what do you do?

The first thing to remember is that you may have invested but the cat doesn't like the facility and you may have to try several facilities until you find the right facility. To encourage the cat to use the facility try playing with it around the facility with a ball or rod. Try to put snacks for the cat on the device or sprinkle "catnip" on top of the device to stimulate the cat to come closer and most importantly, do not try to force him to approach the device, he has to come to it voluntarily in his own time and it may take him some time, be patient.

On the other hand, if the cat has fallen in love with the leg of the table or the edge of the couch, make him stay away from the area by blocking the way to the place (if possible) applying double-sided adhesive, wrapping the area with cling film or a piece of cloth or aluminum foil. Another recommendation is to apply citrus oil to the area, cats do not like the smell.

Where should the facility be placed? Is it important?

Among all the decorative constraints in the apartment/house, it is important to place the facility or facilities near the place where the cat likes to sleep since cats have a tendency immediately upon waking up to stretch and itch.

Today there are high-quality, well-invested facilities, don't be afraid to invest, this is a piece of furniture for everything that will last for many years.

In summary, cat scratchers are important for several reasons: The scratching device provides a healthy outlet for scratching: scratching is a natural behavior for cats, giving cats a scratcher provides the cat with a dedicated scratching surface that can help prevent destructive scratches on furniture and other household items. Promotes physical activity: Cat scratching posts can also provide a source of physical activity for cats. Many scratching posts come with features such as ramps, platforms and toys, which encourage cats to play and climb. Stress-reliever: Scratching can be a stress-relieving activity for cats, and using a scratching post can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.