Choosing A Scratching Post For Your Cat

A good scratching post is essential for your cat. Cats naturally love to scratch, but scratching posts can provide more activity than just scratching. A good scratching post can also provide your cat entertainment, as well as climbing and stretching opportunities. There are three basic elements to consider when selecting a scratching post. These are the height, material and shape.

Height

Scratching posts come in a variety of heights. Most scratching posts are too short to allow cats to climb or use them for stretching. The scratching post should be at least 24 high, and preferably 32 or more. A 32 post allows cats to fully stretch their muscles and provides climbing opportunities. The size of the base should be proportionate to the height. A 32 scratching post should have a base that is at least 16 x 16.

Material

There are four basic materials used to make scratching posts: corrugated cardboard, carpet, sisal rope and sisal fabric.

Corrugated cardboard makes a good, inexpensive scratching surface for cats. Some cats prefer corrugated cardboard over any other material. The biggest drawbacks to cardboard are appearance, durability and mess. The biggest plus for cardboard scratching posts is their cost; they are very inexpensive.

Carpet is a popular material choice for lower priced scratching post manufacturers. Because cats can snag their claws in the carpet, it is the least desirable of the four materials. Additionally, most cats find them useless.

Sisal is a material that naturally brings out a cats instinct to scratch. It is available in rope or fabric. Both materials are far more effective than carpet and far more durable than cardboard as a scratching surface.

Although sisal fabric is more expensive than the rope, it is more attractive and most cats prefer sisal fabric to any other scratching material. Its available in many attractive textures.

Shape

Scratching posts come in two basic shapes, cylinder or rectangle. Designer shapes are also available. While some of these shapes may be appealing to you, keep in mind why youre making this purchase. It is for your cat and cats prefer the cylinder shape. They can access the post from any angle and it gives them the best opportunity to climb.

Theres a gamut of scratching posts available from which you can choose. Theyre priced from under $20 to as much as $199. Like most other products, you get what you pay for. The small carpeted posts run the risk that your cat wont use it and the corrugated posts have a very short life span compared to the sisal fabric posts.