Cat Trees, Scratching Posts & Scratchers

Cats naturally like to stretch out fully when they scratch, so selecting a product that's tall enough encourages healthy scratching and climbing behaviour, helps keep claws in good condition, and makes the product more enriching. As a general guide, use the table below to help you choose a height based on your cat's size:

The simplest explanation is, a cat scratching post is designed primarily to satisfy a cat's natural instinct to scratch. It provides a dedicated surface for stretching, marking territory (both visibly and with scent) and sharpening claws to remove the dull, worn outer husk of the claw revealing a sharper claw below. This helps to protect furniture from unwanted scratching damage.

A cat tree offers much more than a place to scratch, as well as one or more scratching posts or surfaces, it includes things such as raised platforms, beds, hideaways and climbing levels. Cat trees encourage climbing, jumping, resting and play, making them an excellent choice for indoor cats that benefit from extra exercise and mental stimulation. Take a look at the table below for a more detailed comparison.

A scratching post can make a big difference, but it's not simply a case of buying one and expecting your cat to stop scratching the sofa overnight, the key is to give your cat a scratching surface they prefer over your furniture. I find a stable scratching post that's tall enough for a full-body stretch and covered in a material such as natural sisal is often much more appealing than a wobbly or poorly placed post.

Where you place your scratching post matters just as much as the post itself. Cats often scratch just after waking up, so place a post near their favourite sleeping spot to encourage regular use.

Cats in multi-cat households are generally happy to share scratching posts and cat trees, especially if they get along well. I would recommend providing enough scratching and resting spaces for every cat, my rule of thumb is to have multiple scratching areas in different locations throughout the home, rather than relying on a single post or tree. This allows cats to choose an area to scratch without always having to be close to another cat. Ensuring there are enough scratching areas available helps reduce competition and minimises stress between cats.

Neither can be considered better than the other. Cats usually have a preferred angle they like to scratch. So if you have a post but your cat scratches your carpet, I would recommend a horizontal scratcher so your cat can scratch down rather than up. This is particularly important for older or less mobile cats, as horizontal surfaces are generally easier for older cats to scratch.

The scratching post needs to be located somewhere convenient for your cat, particularly somewhere they already spend time. Cats will not seek out their scratcher if there is a sofa or carpet much nearer, I would recommend placing the post in areas where they tend to spend a lot of time. Most cats like to stretch and scratch as soon as they wake up, so placing it near their bed is also a good idea.

All three surfaces have their benefits. Sisal rope is durable and suitable for frequent scratchers, jute rope is softer, and perfect for moderate scratchers, while corrugated cardboard is inexpensive, and good for cats that prefer horizontal scratching. Take a look at the table below for a list of benefits for each.

I would recommend vacuuming your scratching post or tree and only using warm, soapy water to remove stains and marks. Be careful not to clean it more than necessary as scratching posts and trees act as scent markers, allowing your cat to leave their scent and create a familiar, secure space. Cleaning them too often can remove these scent cues, making the post or tree feel less familiar and reducing its value as part of your cat's territory.

There isn't always one simple reason why a cat scratches. It's a normal part of cat behaviour and the same cat may scratch for different reasons at different times.

Most commonly, cats scratch to maintain their claws, mark their territory and stretch. But scratching can be used as a form of stress relief - what we call a displacement behaviour. Cats can scratch when they're frustrated or unsettled, and some also learn that scratching is a good way to get their owner's attention.

If I think scratching might be related to stress, the important thing I look at is what was happening around the time the cat scratched. They might do it just after a difficult encounter with another cat, for example, or when they want to go outside but can't. That context can tell us much more than the scratching itself. In cases like these, I wouldn't focus solely on stopping the scratching. Cats still need appropriate places to scratch, such as a suitable scratching post or cat tree, but we also need to work out what is causing the frustration or stress in the first place. Reducing that underlying stress can then reduce the need to use scratching as a way of coping with it.

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