What is the best scratching post for a cat?

What you need to know when choosing?

• Pay attention to how your cat likes to sharpen its claws: stretched out along the wall, on the corner or on the floor – it depends on what kind of scratching post you should buy for it.

• A vertical scratching post should be at least 60-80 cm in height, otherwise it is inconvenient to use it.

• The base must be stable so that the cat does not overturn the structure. There may also be a platform that the cat can step on.

• Give preference to natural upholstery materials: jute, cotton rope, corrugated cardboard.

• Avoid short-lived synthetic and unpleasant materials: thin carpet, untreated prickly sisal (slide your hand up and down on the scratching post, if the material pricks – do not buy, the cat will also prick with a paw pad).

• Do not buy high complexes with a lot of levels that are located too close to each other. This claw is very difficult to use.

• Few of the cats use the lower booths, which are built into multi-level complexes. Give preference to scratching posts in the form of a long column, on top of which there is a couch. The upper levels are loved by most cats.

• Browse factories in your city that specialize in making cat furniture. In such firms, scratching posts are made in the right size, from quality materials and at an affordable price.

• If you don’t want to spend money or don’t know how to choose from what is in the store, you can make a scratching post yourself, armed with a sisal or cotton tourniquet. You just need to wrap it around the legs of a chair, table, log, board.

Types of scratching posts

Mats – can be made of different materials (carpet, corrugated cardboard, sisal). They take up little space, they can be transported with the cat to other rooms. It is very convenient when traveling. If a cat in an unfamiliar room has its own familiar, home scratching post, the animal will quickly get used to the new place. The main thing is that the rug should be large enough. If the cat refuses to sharpen the mat, it may just be too small for her.

Rug scratching post

Angled or straight coated wall runners – represent a small wooden path wrapped with a tourniquet or carpet. They are attached directly to the wall. Due to this, these scratching posts are very stable, they will not move under the weight of a cat. The animal can cling to them well with all four paws. If you have a large breed cat, then you can buy two (or three) tracks at once and attach one above the other. Thus, you equip a real cat climbing wall at home. Also, these tracks can close a scratched wall or corner. The main thing when buying, pay attention that the base is not too hard, and the material for grinding the claws is too flimsy. Otherwise, the cat will quickly scratch the material and its claws will rest on hard matter, which it will no longer sharpen.

Wall scratching post

columns – A good alternative to vertical tracks. For the sake of their installation it is not necessary to drill a wall. But they must be sufficiently stable, and the height of the column must be from 60 cm (preferably 80 cm).

Column scratching post

Steps and shelves with “grinding coating” – These are multifunctional structures that create additional trajectories for the cat to move around the apartment and provide several scratching posts at once. Such complexes are recommended by veterinarians and feline behaviorists for those animals that behave too shy or aggressive. On such steps, animals can get away from unwanted attention, but watch everything that happens. This greatly improves the emotional state of the cat. Many owners refuse to place such shelves in their apartment, as they are afraid that these shelves will spoil the interior. However, there are many options for their location. For example, you can hang a plant under one shelf, and install a garland under another. So such designs can decorate the interior.

scratching post shelf

Scratching posts-complexes – This is also a multifunctional design that combines at once a place for sleeping, playing and grinding claws. A good option for those who do not want to buy several free-standing structures.

Claw-complex

Homemade – you can make a scratching post yourself. For example, wrap a chair leg (log, soft wooden plank) with jute or cotton rope and fasten it securely. You can also offer your pet a birch log (after cleaning it from protruding corners) or a piece of treated plywood. You can fix a dense carpet on plywood. Be sure to look at the review of models, perhaps some of the ready-made options will inspire you to create furniture for your pet.

Homemade scratching post

If you notice how the kitten has stuck its claws into the furniture, gently take its paws and transfer them to the scratching post. Do this until he understands that it is the scratching post allocated to him that needs to be sharpened. To draw the attention of the cat to the scratching post, you can sprinkle the surface with a special tool with catnip.

Models overview

9th place – Sisal rug

8th place – Scratching post “Light”

7th place – Scratching post “Lurvig”

6th place – Protective sofa mat

5th place — “Cube M” claw

4th place — Kogtetochka “Complex Euro 4H”

3rd place – Tree for cats “Paradise”

2nd place – Wall-mounted play complex for cats “Rest at height”

1st place — Scratching Post «Infinity L»

9th place. Sisal rug

Convenient and mobile scratching post, you can lay it in a cat house, carry it, carry it with you. There are similar models, but from corrugated cardboard.

Pros: large size variation, inexpensive, light.

Cons: can slide on the floor.

Price at the time of publication: from 560 rubles.

Sisal mat – aliexpress.ru

8th place. Scratching post “Light”

A simple scratching post of the correct height, upholstered in cotton cord. Sturdy construction and multiple color options.

Pros: sustainable construction, natural materials, correct height, toy on top.

Cons: no extra bed.

Price at the time of publication: 3000 rubles.

Claw “Light” – kotograd.ru

7th place. Scratching post “Lurvig”

This is a scratching mat that can be attached with Velcro to the leg of a table or high chair. Thus, in one movement, you will create a vertical scratching post and protect the furniture.

Pros: does not take up additional space, will fit into any interior.

Cons: may be small for large breeds, then it is better to purchase two rugs at once.

Price at the time of publication: 399 rubles.

Scratching post “Lurvig” – www.ikea.com

6th place. Protective sofa mat

A scratching pad with a rigid rib, thanks to which it is hung on the armrest of a sofa or chair.

Pros: protects upholstered furniture from vandalism, accustoms a cat to a scratching post, mobile, removable, lightweight.

Cons: not suitable for all sofas, fastened to the furniture with buttons.

Price at the time of publication: 935 rubles.

Protective sofa mat – aliexpress.ru

5th place. Claw “Cube M”

Stable scratching post made of corrugated cardboard. Height and width – 44 cm, which is suitable for large cats. Due to the shape of the cube, the scratching post can also become a pet bed.

Pros: 8 sides for grinding nails, stable, modern design.

Cons: high price.

Price at the time of publication: 3290 rubles.

Claw “Cube M” — cartoncat.ru

4th place. “Complex Euro 4H” scratching post

A two-level complex with a booth and three places for recreation. Several color options. The scratching post is not overloaded with unnecessary elements, it has the correct post length. The whole complex is stable, beds are 43 cm, which is suitable even for cats of large breeds (for example, Maine Coons).

Pros: the scratching post is the correct height, all soft materials are detachable, the couch can be washed in the machine. Three places for recreation and a game complex.

Cons: high price, the design is not mobile.

Price at the time of publication: 7500 rubles.

Scratching post “Complex Euro 4H” — kotograd.ru

3rd place. Tree for cats “Paradise”

The scratching post got into the review to illustrate the idea of ​​how you can make and decorate a scratching post with your own hands. After all, to implement such a design, you will need several steps and long branches that can be wrapped with sisal or cotton cord. Instead of artificial leaves, you can plant live plants for cats. This tall tree structure will enliven and decorate your interior.

Pros: does not look like a scratching post, decorates the interior, you can make it yourself according to your size.

Cons: takes up space in the apartment, price (if you do it yourself, this minus is not taken into account).

Price at the time of publication: 23 rubles.

Tree for cats “Paradise” – www.woodvills.com

2nd place. Wall-mounted play complex for cats “Rest at height”

A set of two steps and a hammock that are attached to the wall. With the help of this ladder, you can train the cat, forcing him to move up for a treat. The hammock upstairs is a great place for a cat to rest. Similar steps and shelves with a coating for grinding claws can be made independently.

Pros: steps build a vertical space for cats, which has a good effect on their emotional state, cats become calmer and more affectionate. Each step has a carpet that can be used as a scratching post.

Cons: it is necessary to attach to the wall, you can make a mistake and attach them inconveniently for the cat.

Price at the time of publication: 6 rubles.

Wall-mounted play complex for cats “Rest at height” – hunnkatt.com

1 place. Scratching post “Infinity L” – the best scratching post for a cat according to the editors

This scratching post looks like a designer object and will look beautiful in the interior. Made of corrugated cardboard, and most cats love to sharpen this material. Length – 72 cm, width – 24 cm, height – 32 cm. A versatile and win-win option for most cat owners.

Pros: scratching post and bed in one item, two levels, quite large and comfortable for any breed, modern design.

Cons: for corrugated cardboard quite a high price.

Price at the time of publication: 2490 rubles.

Scratching point “Infinity L” — cartoncat.ru

December 30 2020

Updated: February 13, 2021