Pets / Guide
Cat Scratching Posts: Choose the Angle, Height and Material
Match a scratching post to the way your cat already scratches, then position it where it can compete with the furniture.
A cat that scratches the side of a sofa and a cat that scratches a rug are giving you different information. Before buying a post, look at which direction the cat faces, how far it stretches and which surfaces it returns to.
Match the position and texture
Try a tall, stable post for vertical scratching or a broad floor scratcher for a cat that works horizontally. The ASPCA scratching guide recommends offering surfaces in different materials and orientations to learn what a cat prefers. Make sure the scratcher stays put during a full stretch.
Put it where the cat already scratches
Set the new surface near the sofa or rug it’s meant to replace. Avoid picking a secluded spot just because the scratcher fits there. Give the cat time to explore and reward use of the new surface. Once it’s part of the routine, move it gradually if you need to.
Keep it useful as it wears
Check for loose pieces and follow the maker’s replacement guidance. A model with a replaceable panel can make sense if your cat clearly prefers that texture. Wait for that preference before buying refills.