Choosing and Using a Scratching Post for Your Cat

In this guide

Scratching is completely natural for cats — it keeps their claws in good condition, stretches their muscles, and marks their territory. Without a proper outlet, that instinct turns to your sofa, carpet or wallpaper instead, and once a cat settles on a favourite scratching spot, they'll return to it again and again. Fortunately, scratching posts come in every shape and size imaginable, from simple upright posts wrapped in sisal twine or carpet to elaborate towers with platforms, hideaway boxes and dangling toys. Some stand freely, while others fix to a wall or floor.

What to Look for When Choosing a Post

• Rigidity matters. Cats need real resistance to scratch effectively, so a wobbly post won't cut it.
• Height counts. It should be tall enough for your cat to stretch fully upright. If you buy one for a kitten, plan to upgrade it as they grow.
• Offer both orientations. Give your cat the chance to scratch horizontal and vertical surfaces.
• Stability is non-negotiable for tall, modular designs with platforms and beds — nothing puts a cat off faster than a post that topples when they launch at it. If an assembled unit still feels unstable, anchoring it to the wall with a bracket can help.

Encouraging Your Cat to Use It

Positioning makes a real difference. Placing the post near a window or radiator, ideally somewhere your cat already likes to spend time, works well, especially for the larger designs with built-in beds. Since cats love a good stretch first thing after waking, having a scratching surface near their bed is also a smart move.

Resist the urge to grab your cat's paws and demonstrate scratching, or to make a big fuss over the post the moment it arrives — both tend to backfire and put cats off. Instead, try sprinkling a little dried catnip at the base, or use a fishing-rod toy to play around the post so your cat naturally connects claws with the scratching surface. A small handful of dry food on one of the platforms can also tempt a cat to explore a taller, modular unit.

You Don't Need to Spend a Fortune

Some of the most popular scratching posts are simple, ingenious constructions made from corrugated cardboard. If space is tight, a flat panel mounted on the wall at the right height works just as well. Feeling handy? You can build your own — just use a durable, heavy-traffic carpet if you go this route, since it holds up far better and, usefully, won't tempt your cat to think your actual carpet is fair game too.

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