FAQ: Scratchers for cats

Wall-mounted, corner and door-hanging scratchers and narrow floor-to-ceiling posts are the most practical in a small flat. A horizontal cardboard pad can slide under the sofa or bed when not needed, though cats prefer it to stay in place.

The simplest way is to fix a sturdy post onto a heavy wooden base and wrap it tightly with sisal rope, securing the ends with non-toxic glue. It must be tall enough, stable and free of protruding nails.

Yes, if the wood is from a cat-safe tree, dry, mould-free and untreated with chemicals. Clean the branch and check it for insects before bringing it inside, and make sure the base is stable.

Natural sisal or jute rope without an oily smell or chemical treatment works well. Avoid synthetic ropes, which can be slippery or fray into thin strands, and avoid very thin rope that wears through quickly.

If your cat gets through cardboard quickly, a larger pack of inserts often works out cheaper per piece and you always have a spare. Store the cardboard somewhere dry, as it softens in humidity.

Not necessarily: what matters most is stability, sturdy materials, the right size and a surface the cat likes. A simple but solid scratcher often serves better than a fancy tree full of small parts.

You can choose scratchers in neutral colours, wood or minimalist designs, wall shelves or scratchers that look like furniture. Design should not outweigh function, though: the cat still needs enough height and stability.

If the cat stays somewhere else for a while, a small cardboard or sisal scratcher helps it feel at home and protects the host's furniture. A familiar scent in a new place calms a cat.

After the move, set up the old scratcher that smells of the cat along with other familiar items first. In a new home cats often mark territory more, so scratchers should be near entrances and resting spots.

Outdoors a cat usually scratches trees or fences, but in an enclosure or fenced yard it helps to provide a scratcher made of weather-resistant materials, such as an untreated log. Cardboard and plush quickly break down outdoors.

Yes, a cat tree offers places to climb, hide, watch and play, so an indoor cat gets less bored. Hanging toys, treats on the platforms and a tree by the window enrich its environment even more.

Climbing and jumping between platforms is good exercise, especially for an indoor cat. Together with play and a suitable diet it helps maintain a healthy weight, and a vet can advise on a weight-loss plan.

Lead a wand toy up the post and across platforms so the cat digs its claws in while climbing, hide treats in the houses or play hide-and-seek through tunnels. At the end, let the cat catch the toy so play ends in success.

Yes, shy cats feel safer up high or in an enclosed house from which they can watch what is going on. A cat tree gives them a retreat when the home is noisy or there are guests.

Cats that climb curtains or wardrobes are usually looking for a high spot. A tall, stable cat tree or wall shelves near the favourite spot often satisfy this need and steer the cat away from the curtains.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing — the site compares prices of scratchers and cat trees across Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you pick a product, you buy it on the shop's own website.

zoogidas.lt collects prices of cat scratchers and cat trees from Lithuanian online pet shops, so you can compare the same product in one place and choose which shop to buy it from.

Prices are collected about once a day, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Always confirm the final price and availability on the shop's website.

Yes, the product page on zoogidas.lt shows price history, so you can see whether a cat tree or scratcher's price has recently gone up or down and decide whether to buy now.

Many cats have a favourite surface, but variety meets different needs: vertical sisal suits stretching, horizontal cardboard a quick scratch. Several different surfaces at home make it less likely the cat will choose furniture.