Top 10 Tips - How Do I Get My Cat to Use Their Scratching Post?

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Top 10 Tips - How Do I Get My Cat to Use Their Scratching Post?

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In this article, I explain exactly how to get your cat to use their scratching post. All the best and most reliable tips are amalgamated into one place, right here.

Photo Credit: Jennifer C

It can be very frustrating when you go out and buy your cat a scratching post but they continue to scratch the furniture. "Why won't my cat use their scratching post!?" I hear you cry. 

You can stop worrying now because I am here to share with you my top 10 tips on how to get your cat to use their scratching post and soon this dilemma will be a thing of the past.

At the same time as training your cat to use their scratching post, it may also be necessary to discourage and prevent them from scratching what they are not meant to. If you need help with this then I recommend that you also read my article on how to stop your cat scratching the furniture or carpet, which provides useful tips on how to protect your home from sharp claws. 



So... how do you encourage your cat to use their scratching post? 

1. Start during kittenhood. Of course, this tip may be a little redundant for some, unless you have a time-machine, but it is best to introduce your cat to their scratching post while they are still a kitten, or as young as possible. It's much easier to teach a desirable behaviour from the beginning, rather than try to modify an undesirable behaviour later on. Since cats often stick with the same scratching object, when taking a new cat or kitten home it may also be a good idea to kindly ask to take the scratching post they are currently using as well, if it is appropriate to do so. It will also serve as a familiar object for them to have in their new home.  

2. The correct height. One of the reasons cats like to scratch is so that they can stretch their spines. Make sure you get a tall scratching post that they can use to really reach up and stretch out on. If the scratching post is short and awkward they may not use it. 

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is the perfect scratching post. 
It is excellent quality, sturdy and tall. For the lowest price and 
to see 5-star reviews go to Amazon.

3. Make sure the post is secure. Is the scratching post sturdy or does it move around when they use it? Either secure the scratching post down, buy one with a sturdy base or buy one that is large and heavy enough to not move when they use it. Not many cats will enjoy using a scratching post that doesn't offer them any resistance when they use it and just wobbles around. 

Cat trees are big, heavy and sturdy. They also provide excellent 
environmental enrichment. Go Pet Club Cat Trees are my favourite 
and you may be surprised by the low prices found on Amazon. 

4. Try different textures. You can buy scratching posts and pads made from different materials, such as:

• Sisal rope, with my favourite being the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post  
• Corrugated cardboard, with my favourite being the Catit Style Scratcher
• Carpet, such as the Classy Kitty Carpet Scratching Post

Sisal and corrugated cardboard tend to be the most popular choices amongst the feline community. Some behaviourists also discourage using carpet posts as they believe it can be confusing for the cat. However, each circumstance is unique and every cat is an individual and will have their own personal preference. Perhaps your cat doesn't like the texture you have chosen for them and they would prefer to try something new. 

The Catit Style Scratcher is made of corrugated cardboard. It is low cost
and even comes with a bag of catnip! It is a popular 5-star item on Amazon.

5. Try different angles. Different cats prefer different angles. Some like to scratch and stretch out on a horizontal surface, some prefer to reach up on a vertical surface, while others prefer something in between. You can try:

• Upright posts, such as the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching post 
• Inclined scratchers, such as the Fat Cat Big Mama's Scratch & Play Ramp 
• Flat pads that you lay on the floor, such as the Catit Style Scratcher 

The Fat Cat Big Mama's Ramp could be the purfect
angle for your cat. It comes with catnip, an attached
toy and is a popular 5-star item on Amazon.

PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge,
for cats who love angles.
This is a popular 5-star item on Amazon.

 

6. Imitate what they are currently scratching. If you are not sure what scratching post your cat would prefer then try to imitate what they are currently choosing to scratch. Pay attention to what texture and angle they seem to prefer. If they like to scratch the carpet you could try a horizontal scratcher, or if they prefer to scratch the walls, you could try a vertical scratcher. The SmartCat Bootsie's Scratcher is a brilliant invention as it's angle can be varied according to your cat's preferences and either be laid flat on the floor or rested against the wall. 

  

The SmartCat Bootsie's Scratcher is high-quality and affordable.
It can be laid flat on the floor or against a wall as it has rubber feet to 
stop it sliding. Alternatively, it can be permanently secured to the wall.

7. The '1 each plus 1' rule. For every cat you have in your home you should have one scratching post, then you should have an extra scratching post on top of that. Scratching is a way of cats marking their territory in order for them to feel secure. If there is only one post and it has already been marked by one of your cats, the others may not use it and will choose to mark other places in the house instead, such as your sofa.    

8. Placement is key. One of the reasons a cat scratches is because they are marking their territory, therefore don't hide scratching posts out of the way, not at first anyway. They need to be in more prominent locations so, for now, place them in the spots where they are currently choosing to scratch. You can move them somewhere more discrete once they are consistently using them. Also, do they have a spot where they like to nap? You can put a scratching post there too as cats often like to have a scratch when they wake up from a snooze. Another good location to try is next to the door that leads outside as it may be perceived as territory boundary.   


9. Make it a positive experience. When you introduce your cat to their new scratching post try placing delightful treats, such as Friskies Party Mix, on and around it as well as rubbing irresistible catnip over it to peak their interest. You can get no-mess catnip spray formulations, such as KONG Naturals Catnip Spray, and shower their scratcher in potent catnip oil.  

You can also try using fishing-rod-type cat toys, such as the Cat Charmer or Da Bird, to play with them on and around the scratching post. Encourage them to pounce on the toy so that their claws land on the post. They'll soon realise how good it feels to sink their claws into. Whenever they are using their scratching post tell them what a good kitty they are!

Cat Charmer is a #1 best seller
on Amazon

Da Bird is a popular 5-star item
on Amazon 

I also recommend using positive reinforcement and clicker training techniques to teach your cat to use their scratching post. Clicker training can be an easy, inexpensive and fun way to teach your cat to use their scratching post. It is also an excellent way to spend some bonding time with your cat. To learn how to clicker train your cat I recommend investing in a positive reinforcement behavior book, such as Naughty No More by Marilyn Krieger. 

Clicker train your cat to use their scratching post with the
book Naughty No More, available on Amazon

10. Rub their paws on their scratching post. As long as doing so doesn't upset your cat, you can gently rub their paws on their post while giving them lots of praise. The main benefit of doing this is that it leaves some of the secretions from their paw scent glands on the post, which will hopefully encourage them to scratch it next time they get the scratching urge. 

BONUS TIP! Please read how to stop your cat from scratching the furniture or carpet if you need tips on how to protect your home from sharp claws while your cat is in the process of learning to use their scratching post. 

Top 10 Tips - How to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Furniture or Carpet

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Top 10 Tips - How to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Furniture or Carpet

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In this article, I share with you a variety of effective and cat-friendly techniques that you can use to keep your cat from scratching the furniture, carpet, curtains and whatever else they may be getting their claws into. 

It is really important to understand that scratching is a natural behaviour and you will never be able to completely stop your cat from scratching. It allows your cat to maintain their claws and mark their territory via the scent glands on their paws as well as the visual scratch marks. Also, many cats simply enjoy it, whether it is part of their morning stretch routine or to help with a bit of stress-relief. 

Cats need to be discouraged from scratching what they are not meant to while at the same time encouraged to use their scratching post. Therefore, I highly recommend that you read how to get your cat to use their scratching post in conjunction with this article. Eventually, they should be consistently using their scratching post and you won't need to use any of these cat scratching prevention techniques. 

Naughty cat...! Caught in the act!

Photo Credit: Andreanna Moya

So... how do you stop your cat scratching what they're not supposed to?

1. Restricting Access. To save the furniture you love it may be best to restrict access to certain areas of the house or to only allow supervised access while your cat is still learning to use their scratching post. Perhaps it may be worth putting the rug or the chest or drawers they have realised feels good to rub their claws across into temporary storage until you are confident they have learnt to use their designated scratching areas. 

2. Double-Sided Sticky Tape. As most cats do not like having sticky paws you can cover any areas you don't want to be scratched with transparent double-sided sticky tape. It is fairly inconspicuous and therefore shouldn't be too noticeable. They may attempt to have a little scratch but once they realise their paws have become inconveniently hindered and the place that they once scratched is now attempting to stick to them, they will most like do the sticky walk of shame and go elsewhere. You can either buy an item such as Ve-ge Double Sided Transparent Tape or a purpose made product such as Sticky Paws. 

You can also try using Aluminium Foil or Masking Tape to cover any areas you do not want to be scratched, get creative! Keep problem areas protected until your cat is consistently using their scratching post.

Sticky Paws is a clever and inconspicuous way to stop your cat 
scratching the furniture. For the lowest price visit Amazon.

For more information on how Sticky Paws work please watch the video below:

3. Cat Scratch Sofa Guards. Cat Scratch Sofa Guards are sheets made from clear vinyl that conform to the contours of any sofa. They are both an unobtrusive and permanent solution. Unlike the sticky tape, they will also not collect hairs. 

These Cat Scratch Guards are high quality and easy to attach to 
most sofas. They also have excellent reviews on Amazon.

Please watch the video below to see how to apply the sofa guards:

4. A Large Throw. Why not simply buy a large, inexpensive blanket, such as the Luxury Fleece Blanket by Bedsure that is both low-cost and high-quality, to drape over and protect your furniture until you have effectively trained your kitty to use their scratching post. 

Protect your furniture with this Luxury Fleece Blanket while your cat is
still in training, available for an extremely low price on Amazon.

5. Cat Deterrent Spray. Some people find that cat deterrent sprays do not work, it may simply be that they are not effective on some cats or it may be because they are not being sprayed frequently enough. To be effective sprays need to be applied every 24 hours until the scratch habit has been broken. One of the best cat deterrent sprays, that also comes with an 180-day satisfaction guarantee, is Claw Withdraw Cat Deterrent Spray, which you can spray on your furniture or carpet. 

Remember to use cat deterrent sprays every 24 hours or they may
not work, for the lowest prices I recommend Amazon.

6. Pet Odor Eliminator. Since one of the reasons that cats scratch is to mark their territory you must remove their scent from the furniture, so that they won't be tempted to 'top-up' when it starts to fade. Citrus Magic Pet Odor Eliminator is my favourite product to use. It scores extra bonus points because of the citrus smell it leaves behind, which most cats hate. Use a good odour eliminator on all the surfaces that your cat currently scratches.

Citrus Magic eliminates odours and repels cats with its citrus smell.
For reduced prices and 5* reviews visit Amazon.

7. Trim Their Claws. Regularly trimming your cat's claws may help to slow down the damage caused to your furniture and carpets. Make sure you buy high-quality and easy to use nail clippers, such as the Pet Nail Clippers by Shiny Pet. Cats claws are round and therefore these clippers with their curved edges are much more comfortable to use as they apply pressure evenly around the nail. 

Shiny Pet Nail Clippers are eco-friendly and 100% guaranteed.  

They have a 5-star rating as well as the lowest price on Amazon.

If you want to learn how to have your kitty purring while you trim their nails then I highly recommend that you watch the beautiful and amazing video below:

8. Soft Claws. This solution is often a last resort. Soft Claws are nail caps that cover your cat's claws so that they can't scratch your furniture. They come in a variety of colours and, yes, they make your cat look like they are wearing nail polish! They are easy to apply and last for 4-6 weeks. 

Although unusual Soft Claws are becoming increasingly
popular and have excellent reviews on Amazon.

9. Declawing. Please do NOT declaw your cat. The last joint in each toe is severed. How would you feel if someone literally chopped off the ends of your fingers so that your nails were completely removed? It is a painful procedure that can result in a variety of complications, such as continual bleeding or ongoing pain. Some animal behaviourists report that it can also lead to behavioural problems, such as aggression and anxiety. Cats need their claws for climbing, defence, balancing and grasping, so please leave them be.

Declawing - Wikipedia Commons

10. Avoid Punishment. Shouting, loud noises, spraying water and motion sensors are all forms of punishment, which can be confusing for a cat that is simply carrying out a normal behaviour. Punishing a cat can also create anxiety and damage your bond with them. They may also just learn to just scratch when you are not there, and so the problem has not been solved. 

Rather than punishment, I would recommend using positive reinforcement and clicker training techniques to stop your cat scratching the furniture. More can be learnt about these methods in Marilyn Krieger's book Naughty No More. Clicker training is a fun way to teach your cat to not scratch the furniture while spending some bonding time together.

Naughty No More, use positive reinforcement to stop your cat 
scratching the furniture, available on Amazon.

BONUS TIP! You can't completely stop your cat scratching so you need to provide them with the purrfect scratching post and it must also be purrfectly placed. Please read my tips on how to get your cat to use their scratching post for more information. Once they are consistently using their scratching post it should (hopefully) not be necessary to continue using the above techniques to protect your furniture. 

Video Presentation: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy

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Video Presentation: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy

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Don't fancy reading today? Watch this video version of the article 'How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy and Healthy'.

Products Mentioned In The Video

PetSafe SlimCat - Interactive Food Dispenser

Trixie Mad Scientist - Interactive Treat Dispenser

Stimulo - Interactive Treat Dispenser

Cat Charmer - Fishing Rod Type Toy

Da Bird - Fishing Rod Type Toy

SmartyCat Sweet Greens - Cat Grass Growing Kit

Catit Jumbo Hooded - Litter Tray

SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

Go Pet Club Cat Tree

Cat Cloud - Wall Shelves

Cat Window Perch

Cat Radiator Hammock

Cat Sitter DVD

Cat Clicker Training Starter Kit

Top 10 Tips - How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy & Healthy

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Top 10 Tips - How to Keep an Indoor Cat Happy & Healthy

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In this article I explain what extra provisions are necessary and why they are important for an indoor cat. I share a variety of unique and reliable tips that will ensure they remain happy and healthy, and many of these tips can also be applied to outdoor cats. 

Photo Credit: Puamelia

There are a variety of reasons that owners choose to keep their cats indoors: the cat is elderly; the cat is anxious; they live in an apartment; there is endangered wildlife in the area that the cat may hunt; the cat has health complications; the cat fights with the neighbours cat; there are dangerous wild animals in the area that may attack the cat; or the owners live near a main road. However, what's important is that the decision has been made with the cat's best interest at heart and that the owner does all that they can to ensure that they are kept happy and healthy. 

It is important to note that some cats, especially those that are accustomed to an outdoor lifestyle, may find it too stressful to adapt to being an indoor cat. It is therefore best that a cat is kept as an indoor cat from an early age. 

If you are going to keep your cat solely indoors you need to provide them with extra enrichment so that they don't become bored, aggressive, anxious, stressed or depressed. Cats are inquisitive, clever and curious creatures. Cats that are to be kept strictly indoors will need to be in a stimulating environment that fulfils their needs and they will also need extra resources. 

So, how do you keep an indoor cat happy and healthy? 

1. Make Feeding Time More Challenging 

Think about your domestic cat's wild ancestors. Finding a meal was much harder than weaving in and out of a humans legs a few times and then giving them a hopeful and chirpy purr. They had to hunt, which is both mentally and physical stimulating. From stalking, to the chase, to the kill, hunting requires both effort and skill. Also, extending the amount of time that your cat spends feeding can help prevent boredom. 

With both of the methods below it is very important to monitor the amount of food that they are eating and check that they have managed to access it all. 

Hide Their Food: You can either hide a few healthy treats around a room, or you can hide their entire meal by splitting it into a few dishes. This can become a really fun game to play together. 

These are the steps to follow when encouraging your cat to forage for their food:

1. Make sure that your cat is out of the room that you have chosen to be the new hunting grounds and shut the door. Otherwise, they will just follow you around hoovering up what you put down, which defeats the whole object of it being a challenge. 
2. Hide healthy treats or their normal food in various locations, such as on their cat tree or on the window sill. 
3. Make sure that you remember all the hiding spots so that you can check afterwards that they managed to find it all.
4. At first, guide them to where the treats are hidden. This is a new concept and it is best to introduce it to them slowly. 
5. Once they get used to it they can find the food on their own. They will soon come to realize that as soon as the door is opened they have to go in and seek out their food. 

Interactive Food & Treat Dispensers: This method of feeding involves your cat using some basic problem-solving skills in order to access the reward, their food.

Below are three of my favorite interactive food and treat dispensers:

PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Toy & Food Dispenser
As your cat pushes the ball around with their
pawsfood falls out of the holes. For the
lowest price I recommend Amazon.

Trixie Mad Scientist for Cats
Place treats in the plastic test-tubes, when your 
cat swipes them they spin and the treats fall out.
Click here to see customer reviews on Amazon.

Stimulo Cat Feeding Station and Activity Center
Hide food amongst the tubes, with 
varying heights for varying difficulty.
This is a popular item on Amazon. 

 

2. Regularly Groom Your Cat 

Not only does grooming help prevent fur-balls, prevent matting and help stop a film of cat hair from forming all over the furniture, it's also a chance for you and your cat to spend some time together. 

Photo Credit: Simon Law

3. Daily Playtime Sessions 

Interactive fishing rod type toys, such as Da Bird and the Cat Charmer, are the best when it comes to kitty playtime. Toys that you can move around and encourage your cat to hunt and pounce are the most exciting. However, these sorts of toys have stringy bits so they should only be played with under your supervision as cats have been known to swallow them. 

Make sure that you engage in daily sessions of interactive play with your cat, which is both mentally and physically stimulating for them.

Cat Charmer is a #1 best seller on Amazon

Da Bird is a popular 5-star item on Amazon

 

 

4. Provide Them With Cat Grass 

Common Oat, Avena sativa, is also known as cat grass. However, the term 'cat grass' is used to refer to a number of grass species, such as barley, oat, rye and wheat.

Photo Credit: Lindsey Turner

Many cats, both wild and domesticated, seem to enjoy eating grass, although the reasons for this behavior are not yet fully understood. Theories for cats eating grass include: 

• Grass contains fiber that helps with their digestion. The roughage also helps them move hair they have swallowed while grooming themselves through their digestive tract.
• Grass induces vomiting, which helps cats expel indigestible matter such as feather, bones and fur, not only from the prey they eat but also hair that they swallow while grooming themselves.
• Their digestive systems aren't designed to process grass but some minerals and vitamins may leak out of the grass juices. 
• They like the crunchy feel and sweet taste of grass. 

Although there is no evidence that cats need grass, if a cat cannot go outdoors and obtain grass then it may be best to provide them with some, so that they at least have a choice. You can either buy pre-grown grass or you can grow it yourself.

 SmartCat Kitty's Garden Edible Grass Planter 
Growing your own cat grass is fun.
For the lowest prices I recommend visiting Amazon.

 

5. Litter Trays Are Essential

Having a litter tray is common sense but there are a variety of things that you can do to ensure that your cat is happy with their litter tray setup. 

• Follow the '1 each, plus 1' rule. Every cat should have their own litter tray, then you should have an extra one. Cats should not be expected to share litter trays. 

• Make sure the litter trays are in a quiet location away from where they eat.

• Buy one open litter tray and one covered litter tray to find out which type your cat prefers to use.  If you can only get one type then I would buy a litter tray with a cover as cats tend to like some privacy while they are doing their business.

• Make sure the litter tray is spacious so that your cat doesn't have to step on old eliminations each time they use it. Remove old eliminations daily and give it a thorough clean once a week.

• Most cats prefer litter that is fine-grained, like sand, and is unscented. However, each cat is an individual and will have their own personal preference, so you may have to try a few different types of litter out.

• Each cat will have their own preference in regards to the amount of litter so experiment with different depths of litter, or have one deep end and one shallow end. 

Catit Jumbo Hooded Cat Litter Pan - Spacious, covered and
easy to clean, with a carbon filter to remove odors.
This is a 5-star rates product on Amazon & it
is normally at a reduced price.

 

6. Scratching Posts Are Essential 

Scratching is a completely natural behavior. Cats will scratch to mark their territory, stretch and to remove old claw sheaths. If you don't want your furniture and/or carpet to be destroyed then you must buy your cat a scratching post. I highly recommend the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post, since it is tall, sturdy, high-quality and very reasonably priced. 

The SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post is the perfect scratching post. 
It is excellent quality and, importantly, very tall. 
Click here for the lowest price and to see 5-star reviews on Amazon

For tips on how to stop your cat scratching your furniture please click here.

For tips on how to encourage your cat to use their scratching post please click here. 

7. Provide a Variety of Resting Spots 

Get creative. You can even build runways around the perimeter of the room and shelves for your cat to climb on. Ideally, your cat should also have a private place where they can rest and not be disturbed when they want some quiet time. 

Photo Credit: Eyspahn

Resting Spots That Are Up High: Cats like lookout locations. They like spots where they can spy on the rest of the world and where they feel secure. It's really important to have some resting places up high, such as a tall cat tree, access to the top of the wardrobe or runways around the perimeter of the room.

Go Pet Club Cat Tree - provides high up resting spots
and secure resting spots in caves, as well, posts for  
scratching, mice for playing with and exercise!
This is a 5-star rated product on Amazon and
normally very reasonably priced.

Resting Spots On The Wall: I think cat shelves are a fantastic idea. Not only do the provide a place for your cat to rest but you can use them as stepping stones for your cat to access places higher up, such as the top of a wardrobe.

The Refined Feline Cat Cloud Cat Shelves - Super stylish and 
made with super soft, padded faux sheepskin.
This is a 5-star rated product on Amazon.

Resting Spots By The Window: Window perches make ideal resting places. Not only can your cat have a cozy snooze, but many cats like to have a spot where they can watch what's going on outside and participate in one of their favorite activities, known as bird watching. It's basically their version of TV.

The Kitty Cot mounts to windows using giant patented
USA suction cups. It is a #1 seller on Amazon.

Resting Spots That Are Warm & Cozy: Snug radiator beds make warm and dreamy sleeping areas during the winter months.

The Good Girl Cosy Cat Radiator Bed is the
ultimate comfy bed, available on Amazon.

 

8. Watch a DVD for Cats 

It's true, there are DVDs that exist that have been produced especially for cats. They tend to have a lot of little critters running across the screen that will have your cat mesmerized. It's not for every cat but some really enjoy it. Those that do will soon be following you every time you approach the DVD player in anticipation that you are going to put their favorite DVD on. Just make sure they don't pounce on the TV and knock it over!

Cat Sitter DVD Trilogy - Hours of entertainment for our furry friends!
This is a 5-star rated product on Amazon.

Video: Cat Intently Watching Their 'Cat Sitter' DVD

 

9. Clicker Train Your Cat 

Believe it or not you can train cats to do tricks. It's a great way to spend some bonding time together and keep your cat mentally stimulated. For more information on training cats I highly recommend that you watch Catmantoo's YouTube channel. 

Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats Kit - Includes a clicker, 
an easy to follow training book and dehydrated fish treats.
This is a 5-star rated product on Amazon.

10. Walk Your Cat Outdoors 

If your cat is looking longingly out of the window and you would like to start taking them outdoors, under your supervision, then training them to walk on a leash and harness could be your ideal solution. 

It is best to introduce the leash and harness to them while they are a kitten. They key to getting them used to being on a leash and harness is to go really slowly! Start of with just the harness and get them used to wearing it indoors. Gradually get them used to being on both the harness and leash indoors. Only once they are comfortable walking on the leash and harness indoors should you attempt to go outdoors. 

This idea is not for everyone, but some cats and their owners really love it. 

Photo Credit: Sarah Jones

America's Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Chain

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America's Best Pet-Friendly Hotel Chain

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Want to take your pet on holiday but not sure if you can/should take them to a hotel, or which hotel company to use? After carrying out vasts amount of research I decided on one super-pet-friendly hotel company. Continue reading to find out who they are and why I selected them.

Photo Credit: Ted Eytan

 

Pets Are Part Of The Family

The majority of pet owners treat their pets as members of the family. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that they want to bring their pets on family vacations. With pet-friendly hotels popping up all over the place it is now easier than ever. Gone are the days when you were restricted to camping trips. 

Pet-friendly hotels are also really useful for owners who need to take their pet to a specialized animal hospital that is located on the other side of the country. They can spend the night at a hotel, which means that they can break up their journey and have somewhere relaxing to stay together.

Although pet-friendly hotels are a growing trend there is one hotel chain that really stands out. They have gone to great lengths to satisfy both owner and pet, and ensure that their trip is one to remember. To me, they are pioneers in the pet-friendly hotel movement. 

The Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc.

There are over 50 Kimpton Hotels across 26 cities in the USA, and they are all pet-friendly. In fact, they go beyond pet-friendly and they treat your pets as VIPs, Very Important Pets.   

No Restrictions

What really impresses me about Kimpton is that they have no limits and no extra costs for bringing pets. Many other hotels have weight restrictions, number of pet restrictions, type of pet restrictions and they will often charge a one-off or nightly fee. Kimpton Hotels have no such restrictions. In fact, they are so accommodating that they have even had penguins and kangaroos stay at one of their hotels when a traveling zoo came to town. 

Guppy Love

If you don't have your own pet or you are unable to bring your pet with you, then do not worry, Kimpton have thought of everything and you will not be sad for long. They love pets so much that they have a developed a service called 'Guppy Love'. Upon your request they will deliver a goldfish to your room to keep you company for the duration of your stay, which the hotel staff will look after for you. The really are true animal lovers!  

Guppy Love: Kimpton Hotel can bring you a

goldfish if you don't have your own pet

Natural Disasters 

The lack of restrictions is not only appreciated by holiday makers, but also by the locals in the area. Kimpton Hotels are often relied upon after a natural disaster or during extreme weather conditions. Locals know that it is somewhere their whole family can stay, including their pets, if their homes have been destroyed or they have a power outage. 

Director of Pet Relations

The main Kimpton Hotels have their very own canine Director of Pet Relations. They greet all the four-legged guests that arrive at the hotel and can either be found either in the reception area or roaming the hotel making friend. 

Charlie the Bichon Frise,
Directors of Pet Relations for Hotel Monaco Alexandria

Non-Animal Lovers

Kimpton Hotels also have pet-free floors for those that dislike animals or have allergies. 

What Else Can You Expect?

 

• Most hotels have a chalkboard in the reception area that they will write your pet's name on when they first arrive.
• Dog snacks and bottles of water in the lobby. 
• A list of all the pet-friendly parks and establishments in the area, such as restaurants, groomers and pet boutiques. 
• Complimentary poop bags. 
• Plush pet beds are available on request. 
• Dog bowls and placement mats in your room.
• Special door hangers that alert staff and other guests to your pet's stay. 
• There's a complimentary wine hour held in the evenings, which pets are invited to attend. 
• Pet-sitting services for when you need to go out and you can't bring your pet. 
• Dog walking services are available for when you need an extra helping hand.
• Special packages are available that include Bowser Beer (dog beer), new leashes, local goodies, gourmet treats, chew toys, scratching posts and pet massages.

Non-alcoholic beefy beer for dogs, available on Amazon

Kimpton Hotels Commercial