Cat essentials
Scratching Posts and Cat Furniture
Scratching is a normal, necessary behaviour for claw maintenance and scent marking. The goal is never to stop it, but to give the cat a better option than the sofa.
Cats
What matters
- Height
- Tall enough for a full stretch — at least 80 cm for an adult cat.
- Stability
- Any wobble teaches the cat that the post is unsafe, so it returns to furniture.
- Texture
- Most cats prefer vertical sisal rope; some prefer horizontal cardboard.
- Placement
- Beside sleeping spots and next to whatever the cat is currently scratching.
- Number
- Several posts around the home, not one in a corner.
Types and options
Tall sisal post
Best for: Vertical scratchers and full-body stretching
Watch out: Carpet-covered posts teach cats that carpet is acceptable
Horizontal cardboard scratcher
Best for: Cats that scratch rugs and floors
Watch out: Wears out quickly and needs regular replacement
Multi-level cat tree
Best for: Multi-cat homes needing vertical territory
Watch out: Check platform sizes suit larger breeds
Buying notes
Declawing is an amputation of the last bone of each toe and is banned or condemned by veterinary bodies in much of the world. Environmental provision and regular claw trims are the humane alternative.