Buying a scratching post for your furry feline may seem like it won’t be a big deal. You can quickly select a style online based on a few reviews, but your cat may need more convincing. Picking out the perfect scratching post for your cat should involve some research as you want to ensure your cat will enjoy it. The Refined Feline has compiled a few tips and tricks on how to choose the right cat scratching post.
Horizontal Or Vertical?
One important factor is positioning- the angle of the scratching post can be a big tipping point for many cats. Cats may love a more vertically shaped post versus a horizontal, or vice versa. Horizontal scratchers are usually flat, cardboard-based forms that come in different sizes and shapes. Your cat may need a horizontal scratcher if you see them scratching on the rug or other flat surfaces.
Vertical scratchers typically have a heavy or wooden base, with a tall post attached. The length of the vertical post can vary, as well as the material. Some vertical posts are under a foot tall, while others can be multiple feet tall, maybe even taller than you! Some scratchers are even designed to hang off of doorknobs! We all know how much cats love to bend, and having a vertical scratching post tall enough that they can fully stretch onto is ideal.
And to give your cat choices, it’s best to purchase at least one of each style, no matter your household. Your cat may end up preferring one over the other, but this allows them the best of both worlds!
Covering & Material
A typical scratching post will come in coverings such as carpet, sisal, or cardboard. Carpet is highly durable and surrounds the post well, but may also be covering the scratching surface itself. This may cause confusion to your cat, and you may want to avoid carpet posts overall. Your pet is allowed to scratch on a carpeted post all day long. But when they go to scratch any other carpet in your home they get deterred or shooed away. If you keep the actual materials separate you can help your cat differentiate and avoid confusion down the road.
Sisal is typically the most used scratching surface as it will last for years against those kitty nails. It’s a strong and rough surface that without much coaxing, cats will usually gravitate towards on their own. There are different types of sisal used for large cat trees and posts- sisal rope and sisal fabric. Sisal rope is wrapped around a cat post from the bottom to the top, as one long length of sisal. What usually happens though is this rope will start to loosen over time, and a cat’s claws may get stuck in-between the individual ropes. If your cat consistently gets caught in the sisal, they may be less inclined to use it. Sisal fabric covers the entire post, eliminating the potential for nail snags, and is a little less rough.
Cardboard is a favorable scratching surface for cats, although it may end up being less durable than other types. It can crumble fairly easily over time and use, leaving you a mess and your cat without a proper scratcher. Some shapes or brands may have more layers and thus be a little more sturdy, depending on what style you buy. You don’t have to stick with these types of surfaces, either, as there’s also bamboo, seagrass, rattan, and more available. It may also make sense to purchase a couple material types for the scratching posts to give your cat options.
The Sturdy Meter
A huge reason your cat may not use a scratching post depends heavily on the sturdiness of the post itself. Make sure to decrease the potential of it falling over by finding a base that is extra wide and weighted. Cats will jump onto or off of scratching posts with a lot of force, causing them to wobble if they aren’t sturdy. And if a scratching post does fall over while your cat is using it, they very likely will not use it again. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose post that’s ultra sturdy, check out The Refined Feline’s A-Frame Cat Bed. It’s got an area for your cat to sleep, an entire side of sisal for scratching, and you can place items on top!
You can sometimes extend a scratching post’s life by putting it in different rooms of your house every few months or years. Cats may not realize it’s the same and think they got a new post every time! Sometimes certain models of scratching posts come hardly weighted at all, meaning it may not stay stable very easily. While doing your research on different models, ensure they are weighted well enough to support your cat. This may mean paying more in the long run, but your cat will definitely use it and thank you!
Cleanliness
With the purchase of a long-lasting scratching post comes the necessity for maintaining its cleanliness. Purchasing a carpeted scratching post will be more difficult keeping it clean and stain free. Much easier surfaces to clean than carpet or cardboard are wooden bases and thinner materials like sisal. On a daily basis, old nails, hair, dust, dirt, and of course vomit may end up on the scratching post. There could be piles of cardboard or sisal bits around the base if your cat uses it a lot, which can be a pain to clean. Be sure to check on the post often to maintain its cleanliness, and your cat will continue using it day after day. You can even purchase a style that is attached to the wall to help keep your home more streamlined and cleaner.
Aesthetics
Just because it’s furniture for your cat doesn’t mean it can’t also be stunning! There are over a hundred designs and types of scratching posts available today. Some varieties are whimsical and sassy in their shape or style. Other brands or types are so lovely you wouldn’t even recognize it as a cat scratcher. The Calypso Everlasting Cat Scratcher is a great example of beauty and functionality in a cat scratcher. If you’re looking for something that will easily blend into your home, there are many designs available.
Didn’t think shopping for a scratching post would be this hard, right? But doing the proper amount of research and picking the correct scratching post is the best decision. Finding one that fits both your home’s décor and your cat’s energy levels will save you more in the long run. With proper maintenance, your cat can use the scratching post for years, so picking the right kind will keep you and your feline happy.