FAQ: Scratchers for cats

It should be tall enough for your cat to stretch fully and stable enough not to wobble. Several platforms suit cats that like to climb, and the surface material is worth choosing based on what your cat already scratches at home.

Where your cat already scratches furniture or likes to rest — it will start using the post sooner. A scratcher hidden in a far corner often goes unused.

Scratching is a natural need for cats: it removes old claw layers, stretches their muscles and leaves scent and visual marks. It cannot be forbidden, so the cat needs a proper place for it — a scratching post.

Outdoors a cat can scratch trees, but the need to scratch at home does not disappear, especially after waking up or coming back inside. At least one scratcher indoors helps protect furniture, doors and surfaces near the bed.

Yes, by scratching a cat sheds the old outer layers of the claw, revealing new sharp ones underneath. A scratcher does not shorten claws, though, so some cats, especially older or less active ones, still need their claws trimmed.

After waking, a cat stretches its back, shoulders and front legs, and scratching is part of that stretch. That is why it helps to place a scratcher close to where the cat likes to sleep.

Yes, cats have scent glands in their paws, so scratching leaves scent marks, and the scratched surface is a visible mark too. This is why cats often scratch in prominent spots, such as near doors or in hallways.

No, scratching is innate cat behaviour and should not be suppressed. The goal is to redirect it to a scratcher: offer an appealing surface in the right place and make unwanted spots less attractive.

Scratching often expresses excitement and joy, and it also helps the cat mark its territory when new smells enter the home. A scratcher near the entrance helps steer that energy away from doors and walls.

It can: when a new pet, person or furniture appears at home, a cat sometimes scratches more to reinforce its scent. If appetite, toileting or behaviour change at the same time, it is worth talking to a vet.

The most common are vertical posts, horizontal or inclined cardboard pads, corner and wall-mounted scratchers, door-hanging scratchers and cat trees with platforms and houses. Many cats benefit from having at least two different types.

A cat scratches a vertical post standing up and stretched out, much like a tree or the side of a sofa. It scratches a horizontal one while standing on it, like a rug. Notice what your cat scratches at home and choose the matching type.

A cat tree is a multi-level structure with scratching posts, platforms and often a house or hammock. Besides scratching, it gives the cat a place to climb, hide and watch its surroundings from above.

Many cats love corrugated cardboard because it shreds easily and satisfyingly. Such a scratcher is inexpensive and light, but it wears out faster than sisal, so it or its inserts need replacing more often.

It is a scratching panel or post fixed to the wall, so it takes no floor space and does not wobble. It can be hung at a height that lets the cat stretch to full length, which makes it handy for small flats.

A corner scratcher wraps around a wall or furniture corner, so it suits cats that scratch corners specifically, such as on a sofa or wall. It protects the corner and offers the cat a proper surface in the same spot.

It is a cat tree braced between the floor and ceiling, so it is very stable and takes little floor space. It suits active cats that love to climb and flats that lack room for a wide cat tree.

Yes, it saves space and often appeals to cats that scratch doors. It matters that it is long enough and does not slide or rattle when the cat scratches, otherwise the cat may avoid it.

It is a wider, often curved cardboard or sisal scratcher that a cat can both scratch and lie on. It suits cats that prefer horizontal scratching and often becomes a favourite resting spot.

A dangling toy can draw a cat's attention to a new scratcher and encourage play there. Still, stability and the surface matter most, and the toy should be checked or removed once it wears out.