Scratching posts are essential items for cats. They provide a dedicated place for your cat to scratch and ensure that your walls and soft furnishings avoid unnecessary damage.

There are many different types of scratching posts available. Some may come with hiding places, platforms at different heights and dangling toys.

Here are the main characteristics your cat is searching for in a good cat scratching post.

Cats Want Tall Cat Scratching Posts

The scratching post should be tall enough to allow your cat to fully extend while scratching. This means that your cat can stretch his body out fully and pull those back and shoulder muscles, which is important for health and flexibility (cats are masters of yoga). If cats have to crouch down to scratch, they won’t get the full benefit of exercising and stretching those muscles, and it may even be uncomfortable for them.

Cats Need Sturdy Cat Scratching Posts

If the post wobbles, your cat won’t use it. This is one of the reasons cats love to scratch couches and chairs—they are extremely stable. In the wild, trees are preferred scratching surfaces, so you can understand why cats would be looking for an unmovable object.

If the post is wobbly, it might be unsafe—and your kitty knows it. An unstable scratching post may flip over and fall on your cat. You can be assured that if your cat topples over a flimsy post, it will be dutifully avoided in the future.

The taller the post, the sturdier it needs to be. Cats can be injured or killed by a large, unstable scratching post falling on them. Look for posts that have extra-heavy bases, preferably double-thick. A thin, lightweight base and a top-heavy post is a recipe for disaster.

Cats Want Horizontal and Vertical Scratching Surfaces

You’ve probably noticed that cats like to stretch up and scratch vertically, such as on sofa arms and door jams. They also like to scratch horizontally, as when they claw areas of the carpet. Therefore, when searching for the cat scratching post that your cat would choose if he could, it’s good to incorporate both directional surfaces, which usually means providing a couple of different scratching posts and pads.

A good idea is to have a vertical (tall) cat scratching post and a horizontal (flat) or angled cat scratcher. The post should be covered in sisal fabric (material, not rope), and the flat or angled scratcher should have a cardboard insert for a different texture and experience.

Cat Perches and Condos—Perfect for Scratching and Lounging

Providing a multipurpose scratching surface that also works as a perch from which your kitty can survey his domain, both inside and outside, is a great idea.

A good, sturdy, sisal-covered post that has a place for your cat to lounge will not only satisfy your cat but will also help protect your furniture.

Think about, in nature, how cats like to perch in trees that are “their” trees. They have marked them as their domain, and they have a great view of what is going on in their territory.

Cats Want a Variety of Scratching Surfaces

One thing that we need to ensure with all of our pets is that they have plenty to keep them occupied and interested. Boredom is not fun and is not something we want any of our pets to experience. When choosing cat scratching posts from your cat’s point of view, keep in mind that he is interested in experiencing a good scratch and having fun. Choosing multiple different posts and a variety of materials will keep your cat busy and happy.

Angle Scratchers with Cardboard Inserts Provide Even More Variety

Another easy way to keep things interesting for your cat is to provide some angled cat scratching posts in surprising places. These posts give your cat a third, angled position to scratch from, and they are made from corrugated cardboard. Angle scratchers provide a different scratching position that helps stretch and work even more muscles. We find many cats scratch backward—meaning their front claws are at the bottom of the angle, their rear ends toward the top. Being able to scratch in both positions is not only entertaining for your kitty but also provides health benefits.