Best Scratching Posts And Cat Trees

Find out what to look for in scratching posts, cat trees, and condos to keep your cat happy and your furniture safe. Includes tips on styles, materials, placement, and multi-cat household needs.

Scratching is quintessential feline behavior. Satisfying this natural instinct means providing a selection of surfaces for your cat to scratch without resorting to your furniture. The ideal feline environment includes both horizontal and vertical surfaces, especially in a multi-cat household. Here’s what to consider for the best scratching posts and cat trees.  

Check it out: A well-designed scratching “tree” set-up provides a great place for your kitty to comfortably view her world and, of course, perfect that feline manicure.

Buying a scratcher for your cat: what to look for

Scratching posts, cat trees, and condos are now available in many styles, configurations, and price points. Be sure to shop around before making a purchase, while keeping the following factors in mind:

• Make sturdiness your priority when selecting a product. A scratching post or tree that wobbles or tips is sure to discourage – or even scare – your cat. 
• Think about where your cat likes to hang out and what types of surfaces she’s attracted to. Does she like to be out in the open with a view of her surroundings? Or does she like curl up in a cozy corner? There’s a scratcher to suit all feline preferences.
• Pick something that’s the right height for your cat. The scratcher should be tall enough for your kitty to fully stretch out. 
• Look at the covering. Most scratchers feature a combination of sisal and carpeting. Make sure sisal is securely wrapped and glued — there’s a lot of torque in those claws! Choose carpeting with dense pile to maximize durability.

Check it out: More elaborate cat tree/condo configurations incorporate perches, hammocks and cubbies. 

Scratchers with style: something for every décor 

Manufacturers now design scratching posts, cat trees, and condos to match the décor preferences of cat parents. For example, a rustic scratcher made from recycled tree limbs suits a log home, but may clash with sleek, contemporary décor. 

Whatever your style, there’s a scratcher to match it. Here are just some of the available options:

• Realistic-looking “trees” with perches tucked inside
• Vine-shaped posts with perches
• Cactus and floral shaped designs
• Scratchers that double as end tables, with cardboard sides dedicated for scratching. 
• Wall-mounted designs to enable secure feline surveillance; these are great for expanding territory in smaller, multi-cat homes. 
• Different-coloured carpet coverings to coordinate with your décor. 
• Scratching wraps that can be secured around vulnerable sofa arms and sides.

Check it out: Faux fur is another covering option but doesn’t offer the scratching satisfaction of carpeting, sisal, or cardboard.

Situating your scratcher: location is everything

Even if you only have one cat, place scratchers, cat trees, and condos in prime spots around your home. Avoid out-of-the-way corners. Cats like to survey their domain from secure locations that still enable them to interact with family members. It goes without saying that window locations are ideal!

Check it out: You can prevent boredom by rotating the scratchers in your home. 

When it comes to the best scratching posts and cat trees, don’t be stingy. The more surfaces your cat has for scratching, the happier he’ll be — and the less likely to use your furniture!

Additional options: from cardboard to concrete 

Cardboard scratchers: Don’t overlook these humble options  They’ve come a long way from the original $10 pet store special. Many of today’s cardboard scratchers are nice and large and include both horizontal and vertical surfaces. You can prop them against a wall or offer them as a comfy lounge. Lace them with catnip for extra attraction!

Concrete pads: A more recent innovation, concrete pads are the indoor cat’s answer to lounging outside on a toasty sidewalk. Cats are attracted to concrete because its porous texture absorbs heat or offers coolness.

You might wonder how your cat can use concrete as a scratcher. Even though he can’t sink his claws into it, he can still sharpen them against the surface. It’s similar to how we use an emery board to file our nails. 

Give your cat a variety of scratching surfaces

The scratchers in my own house include the following:

1. Simple sisal-wrapped pole, a little less than 3’ tall
2. Well-used sisal/carpet combo with a curved perch (the 45° carpeted section is “well loved”)
3. Tall sisal-wrapped pole topped with a large square carpeted perch
4. An almost 5’ cat tree with two curved carpeted perches, a cozy carpeted barrel (with lookout) and two vertical sisal support
5. Collection of cardboard scratchers. 

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