Review on 🐾 Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post by SmartCat: Your Perfect Solution for Feline Needs by Mary Ashford

For the first time our boy tried to scratch the corner of a leather lemonade in the living room. (He didn't have a scratching post in that room) We thought it best to get him something suitable to scratch in that room. (Often the best solution to scratching is simply to provide a preferred and acceptable alternative to what she wants to scratch.) OMG, he LOVES this scratching post! Literally a few minutes after I assembled and set it up, it immediately started scratching it. This is a good size pole, 32 inches high. Our cat is also quite a big boy. It's long and weighs over 15 pounds. As you can see in the photos, he can stretch and stretch out on it like cats. I really like to do it. Even when loaded, it stands very stable and doesn't tilt, wobble or wobble at all. The problem is solved! He loves it so much I think I might even buy another one to replace a few - shorter than the ones he has in his living room. As usual I read lots of reviews before making a decision and buying online This post got a high rating, but I also saw a few negative reviews saying things like: strong smell, no base for stability, top not good for cats to sit on, cat claws stuck in the material, and sticker peeled off with the instructions below himself not. my intention is not to disagree with anyone), here are my observations on those concerns: As for smell: Straight out of the box, ours didn't smell bad. I have a pretty sensitive sense of smell. While sisal (especially new sisal) sometimes has a slight odor (if you sniff up close), we didn't have any noticeable odor. My guess is that newly made and sealed sisal rope/fabric tends to smell stronger than those that may have had more time to air out. I actually once bought a sisal craft rope that REALLY smelled pretty strong to begin with. While I admittedly didn't sniff this scratching post or take deep breaths, this scratching post had no real odor that would be imperceptible upon assembly or a few inches from it. We certainly can't smell it in the room or anywhere nearby. Obviously, as can be seen from the photos, this was in no way offensive or repulsive to the cat. As for the lack of a stable base, as you can clearly see in my photos, mine has a wide base that makes it very stable. . Please note that the unassembled base comes in two halves (for ease of transport/packaging I think) that need to be attached with wooden dowels first. The assembled base is then bolted to the bottom of the pole. Then the base is very stable. If someone didn't have a base I would assume they just got one that didn't have a base in the box(?). As I said. My cat is a 15 lb moose and he doesn't even tip. However, I have made an effort to line up the holes properly so the base bolts securely. As for the top being inappropriate for a perch, no, it's not (and definitely not for our boy's big ass). but. I don't think the tip itself was ever intended to be a perch "as is". I believe they sell a separate fixture that is a perch if you want one. I think it should also be pretty easy to build your own perch and attach it to the top if you want one. We personally wanted it to be just a scratching post. In our case, our cat has other places to "sit" that she prefers. As for cat claws in sisal fabric: if that happens, it's NOT the fault of the scratching post, whatever the material; but the cat's claws are too long and sharp, and she needs to trim her claws. A cat that spends a lot of time outdoors can wear down and dull their claws, but an indoor cat, especially an indoor cat, often needs regular nail trimming to keep their claws at the proper length. People need to understand that scratching posts will not shorten or dull your cat's claws. Cats don't try to clip or "wear out" their claws by scratching them. Cats actually scratch to sharpen them. For a feral/feral cat, this would be fine as normal activity and "use" tends to wear down and dull the tips of the claws. Blunt claws are not suitable for defence, hunting, climbing, etc. Therefore, the cat instinctively scratches the tips of the claws, which have become blunt with normal use. When a cat scratches, the outer layer of the claw peels and flakes off, leaving a new, sharper tip underneath. (similar to a sharpened pencil) However, often in our domestic cats; The tips don't wear out nearly as fast as they regrow and sharpen. Indoors or outdoors, cats don't know if they SHOULD sharpen their claws. They just do it instinctively, so they want to scratch something. Having a scratching post in your home simply provides an acceptable scratching area so your cat doesn't use your furniture, door frames, etc. instead. Likewise, a scratching post does not replace regular nail trimming when necessary. Excessively long claws can accidentally snag on carpets, furniture, clothing, and people when a cat is running, playing, or just walking or cuddling with its humans. The hooking can cause injury to the paws, as can the claws, which grow, bend, and dig into the fingertips. Overly sharp claws will injure YOU if your furry toddler climbs or jumps on your lap. If a cat's claws get caught on something they can't get free, then the claws are definitely too long and need trimming. Finally, the sticker on the bottom of the base: while it may be true that trying to peel it off leaves a sticky adhesive. why insert at all? I've also started trying to pull it off. (more out of habit than any other reason). I quickly realized it wasn't going to come off easily and decided it wasn't necessary or worth it. It is located at the bottom of the base. you don't see it It doesn't affect anything. It's easiest to just leave it alone. However, if you just can't get over that damn sticker being on the bottom and you're still determined to remove the sticker no matter what. You do it! There are glue and dirt removers (sometimes even rubbing alcohol works) that should remove any residual stickiness.