Quick Answer: What Makes a Good Cat Scratching Post?
A good scratching post is sturdy enough not to wobble, tall enough for your cat to stretch fully (taller than its body length), and covered in a texture your cat likes, most often sisal rope. Put it next to where your cat sleeps or right in front of the furniture it already scratches, and reward your cat within a few seconds of using it. Many cats also want a horizontal scratcher, so offering both is the safest bet.
Why Cats Scratch
Scratching is normal behavior, not misbehavior. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) describes it as a way for cats to mark their territory both visually and with scent, to condition their claws by removing the old outer sheath, and to stretch. The ASPCA adds that cats scratch during play, while stretching, and to mark territory.
So the goal is never to stop scratching. It is to give your cat somewhere better to do it.
The Three Features That Matter Most
A short post that rocks when your cat leans on it is the most common reason a post gets ignored.
Vertical, Horizontal, or Angled?
Most cats like to scratch vertically, but not all. The ASPCA notes that some cats prefer horizontal posts, others vertical or slanted ones, and that some like a vertical grain for raking while others prefer a horizontal grain for picking.
Watch what your cat scratches now. A cat that shreds the side of the sofa wants a tall vertical post. A cat that scratches rugs or stair carpet often prefers a flat or angled cardboard scratcher. Once you know the preference, add more of that type in other rooms.
Where to Put the Post
Location matters as much as the post. AAFP guidance suggests placing scratchers near your cat's sleeping area and in front of the object your cat already scratches, such as the corner of the couch. Cats often stretch and scratch right after waking up, which is why the AAFP position statement also recommends placing posts next to where the cat sleeps.
- Next to the bed or favorite nap spot.
- Directly in front of the furniture your cat is scratching now.
- Near entrances and windows, where cats like to mark.
- In shared living areas, not hidden in a spare room.
Training Your Cat Off the Furniture
- Attract your cat to the post with catnip, treats, or a wand toy dragged over it. The ASPCA suggests scenting posts with catnip and hanging toys on them.
- Reward right away. The AAFP toolkit advises rewarding your cat within 3 seconds of using the new post.
- Make the old spot less appealing for a while, for example with double-sided tape, and put the post right next to it as the "legal" option, as the ASPCA describes.
- Trim your cat's nails regularly so scratching does less damage while habits change.
- Do not throw out a well-used post. The shredded, familiar texture is part of its appeal.
What not to do: do not hold your cat at the post and drag its claws on it. The ASPCA warns this could seriously frighten your cat and teach it to avoid the post, and you.
A Note on Declawing
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats, and the AAFP position statement lists scratching posts, nail trimming, and training as alternatives to the surgery. A good post in the right place solves most scratching problems.
Scratching Options in Our Shop
If you are shopping, these are the scratchers we carry, each described on its product page:
- Mushroom cat scratching post, a sisal-wrapped post sized for small to medium cats.
- Window-mount cat tree with sisal post, for cats that like to scratch near a window.
- Rocking cardboard scratcher lounge, a curved horizontal scratcher for cats that prefer to scratch flat.
- Floor-to-ceiling cat tree with sisal posts, held in place by a tension rod.
Check the height against your own cat: for a long-bodied adult, a short post will not allow a full stretch. Cats that prefer to scratch flat can start with our cardboard cat scratcher guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Scratching and Climbing Guides
This guide is the starting point for our scratching and climbing articles. Go deeper on the topic that fits your cat:
- Kitten scratching post: building good scratching habits from the first weeks.
- Cardboard cat scratcher: flat and angled scratchers for cats that scratch rugs and carpet.
- How to choose a cat tree: stability, platform size, and placement for a tree with built-in sisal posts.
- Cat tower: tall, narrow designs for small rooms.
- Cat condo tower: trees with enclosed hiding spots.
- Cat tree for big cats: sizing posts and platforms for large and heavy cats.
- Cat window perch: a small-space lookout for indoor cats.
Sources
- American Association of Feline Practitioners, AAFP Position Statements (declawing and scratching alternatives), via PMC.
- AAFP, Claw Friendly Educational Toolkit: Client Resources (PDF).
- ASPCA, Destructive Scratching.
- International Cat Care, Making your home cat friendly.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Sudden changes in scratching, overgrooming, or reluctance to jump can signal pain or stress; talk to your veterinarian.
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