Scratching Posts and Cat Trees

Our cats are by nature still wild hunters who have swapped climbing trees for lounging on the sofa. That is why, for a happy and contented cat life, we need to provide our cat with a scratching post or cat tree. Which scratching post to choose for cats, let's read on!

A cat scratching post is not only for scratching, as its name might suggest; it offers our beloved pet much more! Cat scratching posts are a wonderful enrichment that stimulates not only a cat's paws but also her brain and allows her to fulfil her natural instincts. A cat scratching post is essentially a substitute tree, where the cat can climb, retreat to a safe height from which she can observe her surroundings, rest, play and of course sharpen her little claws.

Why does a cat need a scratching post?

Cats use scratching to remove dead parts of their claws and care for them, and a cat scratching post also offers much more – a hiding place, a safe vantage point to retreat to away from other household members, an exercise tool! Scratching is also a form of expression, as it allows them to release stress or express joy and playfulness.

Scratching also marks her territory, as through glands in her paws she leaves her scent on it.

We don't scold cats for inappropriate scratching!

Although the sight of a scratched sofa, torn curtains or destroyed clothing is certainly distressing, we must never allow ourselves to scold or even punish the cat for it! The cat is simply doing what is in her nature and not doing it to annoy us! In such a case, we need to ask ourselves whether our cat has a suitable scratching post available; if so, perhaps she doesn't like the shape, size, placement or material? Let's try different ones, play with her near the scratching post so she associates it with positive feelings, or sprinkle catnip on the scratching post to encourage play.

How large a cat scratching post to choose?

We have an enormous variety of different models, shapes, sizes and materials of scratching posts in our range, so the choice is certainly difficult at first glance! However, before buying we need to weigh up a few key factors:

• Space: how much space can we devote to a cat scratching post? Are we short of space in our home or can we afford a large, branching cat tree that will reign over the room? Smaller scratching posts in the form of a scratching board or cardboard are an excellent choice – they can simply be placed on the floor or against furniture and don't take up much space, yet still provide the cat with a scratching surface. In the other direction there are of course no limits; the bigger and more branching the scratching post, the better!
• Number of cats: if we have several cats in the household, we need to ensure that every single one can have access to a scratching post and that it doesn't cause arguments. Either provide several smaller scratching posts or one large one with room for everyone!
• Material: we can choose from numerous materials and colours of scratching posts – the most common are those made of cardboard or sisal, with fabric or wooden details, but the possibilities are endless! A scratching post doesn't have to be just an ugly but necessary piece of furniture; it can be a real work of art!

Price is of course also a major factor when buying – but in such a wide range there is certainly something for every budget! A cat scratching post is definitely worth the investment though; a cheap cat scratching post will certainly be less durable!

Here we find cat scratching posts by size:

• Smaller scratching posts
• Larger scratching posts
• Spare parts for cat scratching posts