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Why dog toys matter in real life A good dog toy isn’t just cute—it’s a tool. The right chew or puzzle can burn energy, calm nerves, protect your sofa, and even support dental hygiene. Daily, bite-sized enrichment prevents boredom and stress-based chewing. We rotate toy types—chew, fetch, tug, sniff/puzzle—so your dog’s brain and body both get a workout. (Tip: watch what your dog naturally does in downtime: gnawing, nose-work, or seeking tug. Let that habit guide your shortlist.) How to choose the right dog toy (start with your dog, not the shelf) Use this simple checklist: Age, Size, Chew Style, and Energy Level. Puppies need softer textures and simple puzzles; adults with strong jaws need dense rubber or woven rope; seniors often prefer lighter fetch toys and gentler chews. Size matters more than design—small balls for small breeds, large balls for large breeds—so nothing can be swallowed. Match your dog’s play style: a power chewer gets a solid rubber chew; a scent-driven dog thrives on snuffle mats or food-dispensing toys; a fetch addict wants aerodynamic balls or flyer discs. Safety rules most people forget 1) Size-to-muzzle fit: choose toys too large to lodge behind the molars and always bigger than the windpipe diameter. 2) Inspect weekly for tears, split seams, and exposed squeakers; retire damaged toys immediately. 3) Supervise new toys the first few sessions—especially anything with fabric, rope frays, or squeaks. 4) Rotate toys every few days to keep interest high and reduce destructive chewing impulses. What the experts say (evidence-based picks) The ASPCA recommends offering plenty of your dog’s own chew items and rotating them every couple of days to prevent boredom. That small routine change is one of the highest‑leverage habits you can implement. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) also highlights enrichment as a proven way to reduce stress and prevent problem behaviors—think puzzle feeders, sniff games, and short, daily training games. Common buying mistakes (and easy fixes) • Buying by cuteness, not function: Pick for your dog’s jaw strength and style first. • Ignoring materials: Look for durable rubber, tightly braided rope, or thick, stitched fabric. • Wrong size balls and tug toys: always size up if in doubt. • No rotation plan: even the best dog toy loses novelty—keep a small bin out and a larger stash for weekly swaps. • Expecting toys to ‘babysit’: use toys to guide behavior, but stay involved—two minutes of tug with release cues teaches manners fast. Quick match guide: dog types → toy types • Puppies (teething): softer rubber chews you can chill; shallow puzzle trays. • Power chewers: dense rubber chews without small parts; thick rope tugs (inspect for fray). • Nose‑work lovers: snuffle mats, treat balls, and hide‑and‑seek plush with removable pouches. • Fetch fanatics: oversized, high‑bounce balls or discs; avoid undersized tennis balls for big breeds. • Seniors: lightweight plush or foam fetchers; gentle rubber chews that don’t stress teeth. How to use a dog toy for real behavior wins Think in micro‑sessions: 3–5 minutes, a few times a day. Before you open your laptop, scatter a handful of kibble into a puzzle feeder. When visitors arrive, give a stuffed chew to lower arousal. Between video calls, do 10 quick tug reps with a clear ‘take it/drop’ routine—your dog learns impulse control while burning energy. If your dog fixates on chewing furniture, redirect to a chew and pay big when they choose it on their own. Safety checklist (print this) • Right size: larger than your dog’s windpipe and not compressible to a choke shape. • Material: no splinters; avoid brittle plastics. • Construction: double‑stitched seams; hidden or reinforced squeakers. • Supervision: especially for new or edible chews. • Retire & replace: once torn, frayed, or de‑stuffed. • Rotate: every 2–3 days to keep engagement high. Ready to upgrade your dog’s play? Browse our curated dog toy range at PawPawUp. We hand‑pick durable, enrichment‑forward designs, and ship Australia‑wide. While you’re there, check out our travel‑friendly cat carrier and super‑comfy cat bed. Your dog (and your furniture) will thank you.  

Cats don't just use their litter box—they need it. It's their space, routine, and keeps them calm. Whether you're moving, changing litter brands, trying a new box type, or just moving the box to a new spot, you must plan the switch carefully. Done right, your cat won’t mind. Done wrong, you might face messes, confusion, and even health troubles. In this guide, we’ll show you all you need to know about switching a cat litter box—from picking the best spot and type, to easing stress, and helping your cat adjust well. Why Your Cat Cares So Much About the Litter Box Cats are tidy and take their litter habits seriously. A change can cause a big upset. Let's understand why. A Personal Safe Zone Your cat doesn’t just pee in the box—it's their territory. For your cat, changing the box is like someone switching your private bathroom with a public one. Cleanliness Comes First Cats tend to avoid dirty litter and areas that are messy. Studies show that over 60% of cat behaviour issues are related to litter box problems, often because of changes in cleanliness or placement. When Should You Consider Switching a Cat Litter Box? Changes sometimes are needed, even if your cat may not agree. Reasons to switch may include: Moving or remodelling Adding a second cat Changing box type (e.g., covered to open tray) Using furniture-style boxes for looks Upgrading to automatic cleaning models Helping older or less mobile cats Trying new types of litter (e.g., silica, pine pellets, clumping clay) Always be gentle with changes. Cats can adjust, but not if the change is too sudden. Step-by-Step Guide to Switching Your Cat Litter Box Here’s a process widely suggested by cat experts and vets: Step 1 – Place the New Box Next to the Old One Let your cat check out the new litter box freely. Don't rush to remove the old one. Keep both boxes out for a few days. Pro tip: Don’t clean the new box too much at first. A slight scent can signal, "This is also mine." Step 2 – Use Positive Reinforcement Put treats or toys nearby to encourage checking them out. After meals, gently place your cat near or inside the new box. Praise them when they explore or use it. Step 3 – Slowly Remove the Old Box Once your cat uses the new box regularly, you can take away the old one. If they avoid the new box, bring back the old one for a few days and try again. Go slowly. How to Switch Between Different Types of Litter Cats are sensitive to different textures and smells. Mix Old and New Litter Gradually Start with 75% old litter and 25% new. Increase the new litter bit by bit over 1–2 weeks. Watch for any pushback. Avoid Scented Litters at First While scented litter may be nice for us, it can overwhelm a cat's nose. Introduce scented options slowly and only after your cat is okay with the texture. Choosing the Right Cat Litter Box for the Transition The right choice of box plays a big role in a smooth switch. Consider Size The box should be at least 1.5x your cat’s length. If going for a hooded box, ensure your cat can turn around easily inside. Covered vs. Open Some cats like privacy; others feel trapped. If your cat hasn’t used a covered box, try one with a removable lid for gradual adjustment. Multiple Cats? Multiple Boxes The rule is: one box per cat, plus one extra. Sharing can lead to fights or unwanted peeing spots. What Happens If You Rush the Transition? A rushed change can cause problems. These might include: Refusal to use the box Peeing or pooping around the house Hiding or odd behaviour UTIs from holding it in too long If your cat seems stressed, slow things down. In severe cases, talk to a vet or cat behaviourist. More Help for You & Your Cat All cats are different—some adapt quickly, others slowly. These resources might help: ASPCA – Litter Box Problems If you're not sure if your cat’s trouble is from the switch or something more, see a vet. Ready to Switch Your Cat Litter Box? Switching your cat litter box is doable with care and patience. Your cat needs time, help, and steady steps. If you’re looking to enhance your home setup, check our other product on: Best Cat Carrier Options – for travel and vet visits Top-Rated Cat Scratchers – to save your furniture and keep your cat happy Your cat deserves the best—and with the right steps, even a small change like a new litter box can make life better for both of you.

If you're a cat owner, you will probably have a few scratched cushions or sofa sleeves caused by your cats. But did you know scratching isn't just mischievous behaviour? You shouldn’t blame them because they scratch to keep their claws sharp and release their stress, just like human stretching ourselves. According to the ASPCA, providing suitable scratching surfaces helps keep your cat mentally and physically healthy—and your furniture intact! So, instead of being a ‘bad’ owner, here is a simple solution. Just give your cats a joyful scratcher to let them enjoy scratching. When Do Cats Actually Use a Cat Scratcher? Daily Stretching and Nail Maintenance Cats frequently scratch right after waking up. Like human needs to brush our teeth and wash our face, a comfortable cat scratch nearby helps them stretch out fully and sharp their claws to start a good day. Playtime and Rest It is wasting area to have both cat trees and cat scratcher separately. So, as a clever designer, we combine those functions together. PawPawUp provides a multi-layer Cat Scratcher, so your cats can climb, scratch and take a break all in one place. Saving Your Furniture If you want to keep your sofa from the cats’ claws, simply put a scratch close to where they like to scratch. A well-designed cat scratcher can pull your cat’s focus and keep them from your precious furniture. Choosing the Right Cat Scratcher: What Matters? ·      Materials Cats Love Choosing the right cat scratcher material is like choosing the right food materials for your dinner receipt. According to the research published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the article states that cats strongly prefer sisal scratchers to fulfill their daily activities. Thus, our cat scratcher is made from natural sisal fibers to provide a wonder scratch experience for you cats. ·      Height and Stability Your cat is longer than you expected. When they are scratching, they will reach their full length. The scratchers around 60–80 cm high is the prefect length. Stability is important as well, cats don’t like unstable surfaces ·      Multi-Function vs Single Purpose Cats get bored easily if the place is only for scratching, just like you won’t watching a single movie over and over again. Modern cat scratchers often combine different function into one place to let your cats entertained for hours without moving. Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid ·      Picking a too small scratcher Small scratcher pads might attract your cats’ interests at the beginning but won’t last for a long time. Soon, your cat will lose interest, and your furniture will be in danger. ·      Picking a too short scratcher: Cats like to put their claws on something comfortable while scratching. If the scratcher is too short, so can’t give your cats what they want. They will probably walk away from them. ·      Prioritizing style over function: If a scratcher looks good, it doesn’t mean much to your cat. Cats don’t have the same aesthetic as humans, they need scratchers that feel good under their paws and last a long time. ·      Not considering multiple cats: When you have more than one cat, small or weak scratchers might cause fights. It's better to choose big scratchers that have room for more than one cat. Real-World Effectiveness: What Users Say Most cat owners find out the improvements of their cat destructive behaviour after introducing the cat scratcher. Surveys from Catster Magazine found that over 90% of cat parents observed an 80–90% reduction in furniture scratching once a proper scratcher was provided. Customer reviews at PawPawUp back this up.  Our top selling cat scratchers(https://pawpawup.com.au/collections/cat-scratcher) keep a high rating of 4.5/5 stars. We combine durable materials, stable bases, and multi functions into one design to provide a good user experience. Tips for Getting Your Cat to Love Their Scratcher -              Set the cat scratcher near your cat's favourite resting or scratching spots. -              Drop some catnip or small treats on the scratcher to grab their attention. -              Add some fun cat toys round the scratcher to make your cats’ playtime fun Recommendations The cat scratcher not only saves your precious furniture from your cats’ claws, it helps and improves your cat's day-to-day joy and health. So, it’s important to pick a suitable cat scratcher with the right material and size.  By combining your cats’ resting places and playing areas together, our multi functions cat scratchers help your cat find a new favourite spot. If you're curious about sizes, features, or real-user reviews, visit our cat scratcher collection page to choose the most suitable cat scratcher. Don't wait until your sofa is shredded! Give your cat a place to fulfill their natural scratching instincts and bring peace back into your home. Check out our top-rated cat scratcher selection at PawPawUp today!