While testing, the scratcher lounger did everything it promised—providing ample surface area for scratching and a comfortable lounging space for our participating cats. Keep in mind also that cardboard scratchers tend to "shed" as your cat rips into it. Expect to bust out a vacuum every once in a while to clean up around the scratcher. Your cat can let off as much steam as it likes, whenever it likes, without damaging your furniture or upholstery

Just look at the fun Coco Palm Cat Scratching Post with it's tropical design - bringing the holiday feeling into your home. The tree is decorated with realistic looking leaves, made from felt and two dangling coconut balls. In the wild, cats will scratch trees and other hard vertical surfaces. They like tree bark because it is strong and rough enough to sharpen claws and remove dead claws but soft enough that it will break down. It offers satisfaction. Rather than using bark, which would need replacing often, indoor cat scratchers use any of a variety of materials as the scratching surface.

Our Picks For The Top Cat Scratching Posts

You’ll find a lot of cat trees for Maine Coons and large cats but some owners just want a simple scratching post. This is a solid and durable post that’s big enough for large cats – but we’d always recommend measuring your own cat first.

Our selection for best overall is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post. It's well made and has a classic design that comes in two neutral colors to coordinate with most home decor styles. Most importantly, the majority of cats find the shape and the sisal carpet covering will appeal to your cat and their clawing habit. If you'd prefer a cat scratching post that's more streamlined, consider the 7 Ruby Road Wall Mounted Scratcher, which can be mounted to the wall or secured to the floor. What to Look for in a Cat Scratching Post Size We love how stylish this horizontal scratching post is and it should blend into the décor of almost all homes. It’s ideal for owners who don’t like some of the more traditional pet items. This isn’t just a scratcher – it’s also a comfortable surface for your cats to relax and lounge on. The manufacturer recommends that you put it in a sunny spot of the house and we think it’s a fab idea. The cat tree fits ceilings that are between 215cm and 280cm high. To fix it, pull the spring-loaded top down, line the tree vertically and let go of the spring. The pressure of the spring holds the tree in place. With a base and three platforms, there are four scratch post sections that are coated in natural sisal. Using a floor-to-ceiling scratching post can be safer for more active cats who may topple smaller posts either.

Cats are very territorial and they release pheromones through their paws to communicate the boundaries of their own space with other cats. Putting a scratching post in a busy walkway of the house can help cats feel more at ease especially if you have an indoor cat. Scratching posts are made from different types of material everything from sisal rope to cardboard and carpet. Sisal rope is one of the most popular types and can be replaced and rewound if necessary. But why do cats like high places? Well it's a natural position for them because it taps into their natural instinct to watch the world go by – just in case something passes which makes them curious. In the wild, cats like to look down on potential prey and living the high life also offers protection from danger. In that sense, they're preferable to the best cat bed, most of which tend to sit on the ground.

This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a very cat-like pomeranian, Gidget, which she lovingly refers to as a meoweranian. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. This is a really simple horizontal cat scratcher that would be ideal for anyone hoping to travel with a cat either in a motorhome or RV or go with their cat in a hotel room. Of course, this is popular for use in the home, too.

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It depends on what texture your cat prefers but sisal rope is the most popular material and it’s also pretty durable. Cardboard is another sort and is used in particular on horizontal loungers. If you’re worried your cat might not be interested, you can always add catnip or buy one already infused with catnip to make it more enticing. How many scratching posts should a cat have? She’s also doing it because she’s excited and has had a burst of energy at seeing us walk in. Why do cats like to scratch? Above all, you need to be persistent and consistent. It might take a few days before your cat even investigates the new scratching post, and even when you think you’ve discouraged him from using the sofa or other piece of furniture, there may still be slip ups. Don’t give up and do continue to encourage your feline friend to use the post. You will all benefit in the long run. Play with your cat’s favourite toys around the scratching post and involve the post and its elements in your games. You can also try sprinkling some natural catnip on the post. Cats love catnip as much as they love scratching.

The Natural Paradise Scratching Post - XXL is perfect for active and large cats. It comes with wooden platforms and 3 washable cat beds and suits every room. When buying a scratching post, you need to make sure that you buy the one that is best suited to your cat. Consider the following features: Height Cat trees should be stable, sturdy and big enough to allow your cat to stretch itself out to its full length. The scratching post of the cat tree should be at least 10cm taller than your outstretched cat, which is why here at zooplus we offer cat scratching trees in a range of sizes. As well as offering different looks and designs, the range of cat trees also allows for different functions. If it needs some added stability, for example if you have a particularly large or boisterous cat, you can choose a floor to ceiling cat tree which, as the name suggests, reaches the ceiling and provides exciting new heights for your cat as well as improved sturdiness, or a large cat tree with a heavy base. For kittens and small cats, the range of small cat trees measuring up to 100cm is perfect. If you have more than one cat, it can be sensible to buy more than one cat tree, as this can help to reduce competition between your cats. Choose the ideal cat scratching tree for your cats, depending on whether they prefer to climb, snooze or stretch! Cat Scratching Posts and Scratch Barrels have multiple functions that both benefit owner and cat. They help trimming the cat's claws and distract from the valuable furniture that would otherwise get scratched. Cats scratch to maintain their sharp claws, and also to mark territory. Another reason they do this is because it helps relieve tension and stress. If your cat gets annoyed, it will often go and take it out on the scratch post. As such, vigorous scratching is not unusual, and you need a post that will withstand this heavy action, while also being comfortable and offering durability and reliability.

10 Best Scratching Post for Cats

When the cat does play with and scratch the scratching post, praise and reward it. Give it a healthy treat and lots of attention and ear rubs. As we all know, cat’s love nothing better than to climb up a cat tree, sharpen its claws and have a good stretch - which is where cat climbing trees need to play a key role if you want your furniture to remain intact! A cat climbing tree is the ideal addition to every household, and a large cat tree can be particularly suitable if you have a larger cat or live in a multi-cat household. These handy accessories help to satisfy a great number of feline instincts! For cats, clawing is a way of life. They naturally crave the sensation of sinking their nails into the surfaces they encounter and, according to the ASPCA, this behavior psychologically helps cats mark their territory. Physically it allows them to stretch, play, and keep their claws manicured. They instinctually use their sharp paw extensions as tools to climb, hunt, and hold down their prey. But if you have a cat in your home, you'll soon realize that your furniture is the target for a lot of this fierce feline behavior. A scratching post is a furniture-saving piece that should be readily available in any home with a cat to help redirect their urge to scratch. The shredded cardboard will eventually start to shed and make a small mess on your floor that will need to be swept or vacuumed up.